CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 7

CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

The Caledonian Gathering of 1878 must undoubtedly be reckoned the most successful yet held under the auspices of the society. Better weather could not have been ‘desired, a gentle breeze from the south agreeably tempering the heat of ’the sun, and compelling: even the veriest Diogenes to cry content. The pecuniary results must be considered satisfactory, notwithstanding the numerous “ fellows of the baser sort,” who entered not at the gate, but meanly slipped through the fence. His , Excellency the. Governor and suite arrived shortly before the event of the day—the 440yds, race for the cup, presented by J. S. M. Thompson, Esq,—and remained some considerable time. The 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. Bethune, McKenzie, Crawford, and Reid of the dancing, and Messrs. Mclntyre, Bethune,, Thompson, and Sellars of the leaping and vaulting. Messrs. Mace and Edwards officiated as timekeepers, while Mr. A. Young filled the arduous post of 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 great majority of the pedest 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, 2nd. What promised to have been a most interesting race was spoiled through an accident to the favorite, Greenfell, who fell shortly after the start, leaving Poole to win comfortably in the slow time of 29£*ecs. Youths’ Race, Handicap (300yds.)—W. Hague, Ist ; Pringle, 2nd. ' Hop, Step, and Jump.—T. Avery, Ist ; ;G. Avery, 2nd. A most interesting match between ■ the two brothers, both jumping splendidly, the younger covering P : ft. 3in.—a distance'which has never been beaten in New Zealand. ■ '

Hammer Throwing (211bs.) —Rush (71ft.) Ist ; Jackson (69ft. llin,), 2nd. ■ New Year's Handicap (220yds).—Woods, Ist; Donovan, 2nd ;'Freeman, 3rd. A very unsatisfactory race, several jostles and crossings, occur, ing. At the start Freeman and Major were put hack one’yard, materially lessening their chance of success. At the 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. . Butting the Stone, 211bs.—Murphy, Ist ; Rush, 2nd. Murphy,' with a fine “put” of 33ft. Gin., secured first money, Rush being only three inches behind. Rush, disatisfied with his defeat,'had ATittle practice after the contest, and succeeded in beating Murphy’s record by five inches. , New Year’s Handicap, 100yds.—Webb, Ist; Donovan, 2nd; Major, 3rd. This event, which was looked forward to with the keenest interest, produced a splendid struggle between the three first named,, Webb just landing himself winner by, a bare six inches, Donovan being scarcely that distance ahead of Major. The pace was extremely fast, the other competitors being beaten off. The first men had all the best of the start, Major, AVoods, and one or two others being rather sluggish in getting off the mark. ■ Time, lOJseo. 1 ;

Highland Fling.—McGregor, Ist; McLauchlin, 2nd. . . ' Siamese Race (boys under 15), —The brothers Gore proved rather old youngsters at this game, winning easily by some few yards. Two Mile AValking Handicap.—J. Moran (100yds), Ist; A. E. F. Zesch (70yds), 2nd; T. MoFlat, 3rd. Young Moran, wlio iu a few years will, we • venture to predict, be the walker par excellence of New Zealand, led throughout, and 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. MoFlat 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 terms witli him. Both then worried it to the finish, Zesch winning by a foot, straightway fainting on the course. Moran’s.time, ISruin. 55seo. Sword Dance.—McDoual, Ist; Mer.zies, 2nd Standing High Jump,—Hughes (4ft. Sin.) Ist ; Avery, 2nd. New Year’s Handicap, 440yds.—Blythe, Ist ; AVebber, 2nd ; Aitkin, 3rd. The starter had some trouble in despatching the men, the importance of the event rendering the peda. remarkably “ leary.” On getting away ‘Major very foolishly made the running extremely fast, catching the limit man before the first turn, and as might have been; expected ran himself; to a standstill long before the goal was reached. Blythe (6yds.), who appeared in capital form, eventually won by 2yds. from AA r ebber (scratch', who, ran iu a splendid manner, rapidly reducing the gap in the last few yards. Aitkin finished third ou sufferance, beating Major by a few’ inches. F. AA'oods (7yds.), who by many was thought to be “in it,’’ most unfortunately fell at the first turn. Time, 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; AA r ebber, 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. Ilia.) Wrestling Match.—Robson, Ist; J. Eansfieltl, 2nd ; Larkin, 3rd. Robson, who showed considerable science, won rather easily, Bansfield as easily taking second prize. Vaulting with Pole.—Webber, Ist, 10ft. ; Jackson and Hughes, 9ft. 9in., tied for second place. Webber jumped in a magnificent manner, and cleared 10ft, 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 (or the limit men at the top of his speed ; but Woods at the bade of the course went by Aitkin in a slashing manner, and “fenced” beautifully. Webber, 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, 60aec., not 63sec., as stated by the Evening Post. Sailors’ ■ Race.—McDoual, Ist. A mere farce, the second walking round, and the third taking:a short cut across (he green for the winning post. Scotch Reel— McLauchlin won ; Menzies, 2nd; Running High Jump.—T. Avery, Ist (sft. 3in.); Gr. Avery, 2nd (sft). Stone and Bucket Race, 50 atones.—Bennett, Ist ; Moran, 2nd. Bennett just threw in his last stone a second.before Moran. New Years' Handicap (880yds.)—Webber, Ist ; Major, 2nd ; Moran, 3rd. Major led till the middle of the second lap, when Webber, patting on steam, passed him. Major finding he 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. 15sec, Sailors’ Hornpipe.—Murtagh and Smith divided the prizes. There were eight entries. ! Firemen's Race, in Uniform.—Lawrence, Ist; Stannard, 2nd. < Best Dressed Competitor.—Chuck, Ist. Grubb and McKenzie each received a prize. 1 Consolation Race (100yds.)—Major, Ist; Freeman, 2nd ; Greenfell, 3rd. At the start considerable flightiness was exhibited, no fewer than six false starts occuring. 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; llsecs. In conclusion, we would say a few words as to the utter inadequacy of the dressing-room accommodation, more than a score of competitors with their squires having to huddle in a room barely Bft. square. We hope to see an improvement in this before the next sports. ‘