CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5235, 3 January 1878, Page 3

CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

The Caledonian Gathering of IS7S must undoubtedly be reckoned the most successful yet held under the auspices of the society. Bettor weather could not' have been desired, a gentle breeze from the south agreeably tempering the heat of , the sun, and compelling even the veriest 1 liogenos to cry content. The pecuniary results must be considered satisfactory, notwithstanding the numerous “ fellows of the baser sort,” who entered not at tbe gate, but meanly slipped through tlm fence. IBs Excellency the Governor and suite arrived shortly before "the event of the day—the 440yds. race for the cup, presented by j. B. M. Thompson, Esq.—and remained some considerable time. Tiie energetic manner in which the committee managed the proceedings throughout the day is deserving of the highest praise. Messrs. Martin, Diver, and Buchanan acted as judges of the running and walking, Messrs. McKenzie, Crawford, and Reid of tiie dancing, and Messrs. Mclntyre, Thompson, and Sellars of the leaping and vaulting. Messrs. Mace and Edw.inls officiated as timekeepers, while Mi'. A. Young filled the arduous post ol starter to the satisfaction of all concerned. It may be safely said that the quality of sport could not have been surpassed, nor perhaps equalled, in the colony, a groat majority of the pedes l ; ians and others engaged being, to use a sporting phrase, remarkably “hot,” proof of which is to be found by glancing at the appended times. Subjoined will be found the particulars of the several events. Maiden Race (220yds.)—W, Poole, Ist; J. Costall, 2ud. What promised to have been a most interesting'race was spoiled through au accident to the favorite, Greeufoll, who fell shortly after the start, leaving Poole to win comfortably iu the slow time of 2!)£,-ecs. Youths’ Race, Han .leap (300yds.)—W. Hague, Ist ; Pringle, 2ud. Hop, Stop, and Jump. —T. Avery, Ist ; G. Avery, 2ud. A most interesting match between the two brothers, both jumping splendidly, tiie younger covering 4 ft. Sin.—a distance which has never been beaten iu New Zealand. Hammer Throwing (21Ibs.) —Rush (71ft.) Ist ; Jacksou (69ft. Hind, 2nd. New Year's H mdicap (223yds).—Woods, Ist; Donovan, 2nd ; Freeman, 3rd. Avery unsatisfactory race, several jostles and crossings occur iug. At tbe start Freeman and Major were put back one yard, materially lessening their chance of success. At tiie report of the pistol. Woods bounded away, and rounding the first turn assumed the lead, and going in splendid style won with something in hand by two yards. Putting the Stone, 211bs.—Murphy, Ist ; bush, 2nd. Murphy, with a fine “ put of 33ft. 6in., secured first money, Bush being only three inches behind. Rush, disatisfied with his defeat, had a little practice after the contest, and succeeded in beating Murphy’s record by five inches. Ne.v Year’s Handicap, 100yds.—Webb, Ist; Donovan, 2nd; Major, 3rd. This event, which was looked forward to with the keenest interest, produced a splendid stmgglo between the three first named, Webb just lauding himself winner by a bare six inches, Donovan being scarcely that distance auead of Major. The pace was extremely fast, the other competitors being beaten off. Tiie first men ha i all the best of the start, Major, Woods, and one or two others being rather sluggish in getting off the mark. Time, 10-Aseo. Highland Fling.—McGregor, Ist; McLauchliu, 2nd. Siamese Race (boys under 15). —Tiie brothers Gore proved rather old youngsters at tin’s game, winning easily by some few yards. Two Mile Walking Handicap.—J. Moran (100yds), Ist ; A. K. F. Zesch (70yds), 2nd ; T. Mo Elat, 3rd. Young Moran, who in a few years will, we venture to predict, be the walker par excellence of New Zealand, led throughout, aud won with extreme ease by about 30yds. The struggle for the second place was of a more exciting nature, the men being very evenly matched, and both making superhuman efforts to snatch second honors. Me Elat led by 30yds, till the entrance of the last lap, when Zesch, adopting a style strongly suggestive of the Chinaman’s trot, brought himself on even term? with him. Both then worried it to tiie finish, Zesch winning by a foot, straightway fainting ou the course. Moran’s t me, ISinin. 55sec. Sword Dance. —McDoual, Ist; Menzies, 2nd Standing High Jump.—Hughes (4ft. sin.)’ Ist ; Avery, 2nd. New Year’s Handicap, 440yds.—Blythe, Ist ; Webber, 2nd ; Aitkin, 3rd. The starter had some trouble in despatching the men, the importance of the eveut rendering the peds, remarkably “ leary,” On getting away Major very foolishly made the running extremely fast, catching the limit man bef .re the first turn, aud as might have been expected ran himself to a standstill long before the goal was reached. Blythe (6yd-.), who appeared in capital form, eventually won by 2yds, from Webber (scratch 1 , who ran in a splendid manner, rapidly reducing the gap in the last few yards. Aitkin finished third ou sufferance, beating Major by a few im-hes. F. Woods (7yds.), who by many was thought to be “in it,” most unfortunately fell at tiie first turn. Time, 55,|-ec.. extremely fast considering the fact that the real distance run was 4yds. over the nominal, and that the ground was in far from good condition. Bicycle Handicap.—Williams, Ist; Webber, 2nd, Webber went well, but owing to an accident at the start lost his chance of winning. Running Long Leap.—T. Avery, Ist, (19ft. Sin.); G. Avery, 2nd, (18ft. lliu.) Wrestling, Match.—Robson, Ist; J. Runsfield, 2nd ; Larkin, 3rd. Robson, who showed considerable science, won rather easily, Ransfieid as easily taking second prize. Vaulting with Role. —Webber, Ist, 10ft. ; Jackson and Hughes, Oft. 9in., tied for second pbi.ee. Webber jumped in a magnificent manner, and cleaved 1 Oft. with the greatest ease, to the admiration of the spectators. Hurdle Handicap.—Webber, Ist ; Woods (12yds.), 2nd ; Aitken (20yds,), 3rd. This proved the most exciting event of the day. Webber getting all the best of the start, made for the limit men at the top of ids speed ; bur Woods at the back of the course wont by Aitkin in a slashing manner, and “fenced” beautifully. AVebber, however, was not to be denied, and coming with a determined rush up the run home, just managed to snatch the victory from Woods by the shortest imaginable distance. Time, COsec., not 03sec., as stated by the Eceniny Post. Sailors’ Race.—McDoual, Ist. A mere farce, the second walking round, and the third taking a short cut across the green for the winning post. Scotch Heel.—McLauchlin won ; Menzies, 2nd. Running High Jump.—T. Avery, Ist (sft. 3iu.); G. Avery, 2nd (sft). Stone and Bucket Race, 50 stones.—Bennett, Ist ; Moran, 2nd. Bennett just threw iu his lust stone a second before Moran. New Yeirs’ Handicap (880yds.)—AVebber, Ist ; Major, 2nd ; Moran, 3rd. Major led till the middle of the second lap, when Webber, p-itling on steam, passed him. Major finding lie could not live with Webber jogged on for second place. Moran however came with a determined spurt at the finish, but Major also spurted and got second by 5 yards. Time, 2min. 15seo. Sailors’ Hornpipe.—Murtagh and Smith divided the prizes. There were eight entries. Firemen’s Race, in uniform.—Lawrence, Ist; Stannavd, 2nd. Best Dressed Competitor.—Chuck, Ist. Grubb and McKenzie cadi received a prize. Consolation Race (100yds.)—Major, Ist ; Freeman, 2nd ; Gre.enfcll, 3rd. At the start considerable flight] ness was exhibited, no fewer than six false starts ocouring. At length a very even start was effected, and Major and Freeman drawing away, ran a neck and neck ’

race to the finish, Major winning by 2ft. Time, 11 secs. In conclusion, we would' say a few words as to tiie utter inadequacy of the dressing-room accommodation, more than a score of competitors with their squires having to huddle iu a room barely Bft. square. AVe hope to see au improvement in this before the next sports.