THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5354, 25 May 1878, Page 3

THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY.

THE TRADESMEN’S ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS. The sports in connection with the above club took place on the Basin Reserve yesterday, and proved a great success. The attendance, however, was not very large,’ as at no time were there more than 500 persons present. Besides the Vanning and jumping in connection with the club sports a variety of other amusements were on the, ground, ’ such as Aunt Sally, skittles, wheels of fortune, and similar other little swindles that are noticeable on such occasions; The proprietors of these “legitimate games” all appeared to do a pretty good business. The grand-stand was but poorly attended ; no doubt the chilly weather induced persona to walk about in preference to sitting down in the cold. , A brass band, under the leadership of Mr Baker, was in attendance the whole of the day, and enlivened the proceedings by playing several lively tunes. The course was in first-rate condition for running—a fact'which is testified to by the very fast time that the majority of the races were run in. The whole of .the events were well contested,’and the running throughout was good. The jumping, however, was very inferior, as the distance and height mentioned below will tell. The stewards and committee of the sports were most zealous in their endeavors to make tbs whble affair 'a success, and they ‘must certainly he congratulated in the result. Below is adetailed account of the various events:—

Maiden Race, 150yds.—1st prize, £3 and medal; 2nd," £2 ; :in heats. First heat—J. Morrie, I; W.' Whitaker, 2. A. Tolhurst, E. Painter, and L. Ougbton also ran. After a couple of-false starts the five were sent away on pretty even, terms, Morris, if anything, havhjg a slight advantage. He maintained tMAjad from the jump, and won easily by four yards." Second" heat—McCleland, 1 ; G. Howe, 2. W. Cooper, J. Costal], and G. Simpson also tried their, paces in this heat. G. Howe wentjiway with the lead, but after running aLnrt SO yarde he was collared by McCleland, whib won ,as he liked by half-a-dozen yards. G. Howe, who ran second, might have made a better show in the race if he liked, but he was evidently < holding, back for the final event. Final heat—J. Morris, 1 ; McCleland, 2; G. Howe, 3. McCleland rushed away with the lead, but after he had run half the distance it was seen that ho was laboring too mucb, and could never win the race. About 25 yards from homo Morris put on a grand spurt, and won a well-contested race by about half ayar<L Running Hop, Step, and Jump.—lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, XOa. Avery, 1,38 ft. gin.; Sullivan, 2, S4ft. , There were only two entries for this event, and it caused little or no interest. The winner, Avery, was never -pushed, if he had been be could have jumped much farther, as ho. showed a fine easy style and was evidently not exerting himself. Boys’ Walking Race, one mile.—lst prize, 2nd,. 195.. .Prince,. 1; Ball, ,2 ; Hume, disqualified.; Hume after walking one lap was a long way ahead. Prince, who displayed good walking, powers, came up and pushed Hume, who was breaking. At the third lap the judges- very : properly disqualified - him. Prince was left to win the race most easily, with Ball,, the other competitor, about 50 yards in the rear. .......

Publicans’ Handicap, Idbyds.— -Ist prize, £3 10s. ; 2nd, £1 10s. R. Freeman, 2yds 1 • J. Mitchell, scratch, 2 ; T. Woods, scratch, 3. This race was a most unsatisfactory one; Woods, one of , the scratch men, would persist in running away before the pistol went off. This sort of thing, went oh.for two or three, minutes, when, Major,,another scratch, man, put oh his hat and said he would'hot start unless Woods came back and started properly from scratch. While Major .Was making' these remarks the starter fired the; pistol, and' the runners all got away with the. exception of Major, who, was deft on the scratch. At the conclusion of the race Major protested, and at one time it was thought, that the-event would be run over again, but the judges decided that it was run legitimately, much to the aggravation of Major,.who waslookod upon as the probable winner. ■ Tradesmen’s Handicap, 880yds.—J; Moran, scratch, 1D; Judd, scratch, 2 ; J. Johnston, scratch, 3'; G. Howe, 12yds, 0. Greek, Woods, and Major did not otart

J. Moran ran away with the lead, and was never caught. Johnston, who ran third, disappointed many, as it was thought he would have made the pace very hot, but he was lamentably out of form. _ . Running High Junipe—lsfc prize, ; 2nd, 10s, Avery, 4ft. Biu., X ; J. Parley, 4ft. 6in., 2; Corbett, 4ft. 4in., 3. There were only three entries for this event. The jumping was very indifferent, as none of the competitors wore in form. Amateur Athletic Club Handicap, 440yds. —lst prize, silver cup. C. Major, scratch, 1 ; B. Davy, 4yds., 2 ; P. Shappere, 10yds., 3. Major went up to his men at the start, aud it was easily seen that he was something of an old hand at a quarter-mile. He caught Shappero (who had 16yds. start) at the back of the course, and won the race easily by 3yds. Davy ran very well, and proved himself to be no mean runner at the distance.

Throwing Cricket Ball.—lst prize, £l. Castelli, 94yds,, X ; Webb, 84yds., 2. Davy, Kerr, Painter, Moran, Howe, and Hamsr also competed. The throwing, with the exception of Castelli, was bad. No doubt, had the winner been pushed, he could have thrown several yards further, as he had a fine free easy style, and threw the ball without any aoparent trouble. . Publicans’ Handicap, 200yds.—1st prize, £3 10s ; 2nd, £1 10s. F. Woods, Iyd, 1 ; C. Major, 2yda, 2 ; R. Freeman, 3yds, 3 ; McCleland, 7ds, 0. Webb, Judd, and Moran did not start. The four competitors got away with a fine start. Woods, who had one yard start, jumped clear away from his men, and was never caught. Major put on a spurt about twenty yards from the winning post, but was not equal to the occasion. ■ : The race was well contested, and run in very good time, 22min. Jsec. „ • „ Kicking Football.—lst prize, silver pencil case. Castelli,!; Davy, Kerr, Freeman, Webb, Blacklock, 0. The kicking, with the exception of Castelli and Davy, was very poor. Two-mile Walking Handicap.—lst prize, £i ; 2nd, £2. Campbell, scratch, 1 ; Horan, 50yds, 2 : Knight, disqualified ; Zesch, do. Donnell did not start. Zesch walked exceedingly well for the first three laps. Campbell, an old Otago man, then drew on him, and it was seen at once that he could win just whenever he liked. At the eighth lap Knight tried to overtake Campbell, and broke into a run. Zesch followed suit, and they were both disqualified. Tradesmen’s One Mile Handicap—lst prize, £7; 2nd, £2. Moran, scratch, 1; Hearn, 40yds., 2; Johnston, 10yds., 3; Pringle 20yds., 0. Hearn kept the lead until the second lap, when Johnston then came up, but was not equal to the occasion. Moran, who was in fine form, then gradually drew ahead; ran through his men at the fourth lap, aud won a very good race. Time, 4min. 55aec. Publicans* Handicap, 300yds.—1st prize, £3 10s.; 2nd, £1 10s. Mitchell, • Moran, Webb, and Judd did not start., Woods, scratch, 1; Major, 4yds., 2; Freeman, syds., 3. This was decidedly the best race of the day. Woods and Major made the pace very hot, and ran neck and neck for 50 yards. The two then jostled one another, - but which was to blame it was impossible to -say. Woods, however, was too hot for his opponents, and won by 3yds, Freeman made a grand rush twenty five yards from home for second place, but Major was not to be shut out, and took second place after a most plucky race. Time, 854 secs.

Consolation Race, 100yds.—1st prize, £2 ; 2nd, £l. Davy, 2yds., 1; Whitaker, 4yda., 2; Simpson, 4yds., 3 ; Costali, 0 ; Oughton ; 0. Davy won this event as he liked, and left his men yards hehind. Whitaker was a bad second. Time, llsecs. Weeds was awarded the cup for tbe most points throughout tbe day. .TAITA SPORTS. The loyalty of the people of Taila demonstrated itself in getting up a day’s exhibition of miscellaneous sports, which were held in a paddock at the rear of Mr. Prosser's Travellers’East Hotel, a place well suited to the purpose. ■ Here a proper circuit was roped off, a trapeze erected, aud a steeplechase course laid out. The course had several stiff posts in it, some of them being natural'hedges. The gentlemen who got up these sports are to be congratulated on the result of their efforts, as the affair passed off without the slightest hitch or grumbling of any kind. The hand!cappers had in every case but the Mile Race shrewdly gnaged the powers of the contestants. and the finishes were pretty close, with the exception noted; in this however Judd was all too good for his opponents, and won the race from the start. Subjoined is a list . of the various events, with the results :

- Maiden Race : first prize, 205.; second, 10s. —Uren, 1; Harris, 2. High Jump.—This was a gift to Avery, who took the first prize, 20a, Taita Handicap; first prize, £5 ; second, £2. First event, 440yds.—Five started. J. Hooper, who was conceded a start of 9yda., won, after coming with a good, spurt at the finish, and beating Greeks by a couple of yards; Harris thud. . A Sack Race followed, which caused some amusement, and was won by Harris, Murtagh second.

Taita Handicap.—Second event, 100yds. In this the same men ran as in the 440yds., and a keen struggle resulted in Dryer, who bad 3yds. start, coming in first, Hooper second, Greeks third.

A Boys’ Race, 150yds., was won by Pringle. This was supplemented by an impromptu affair for very little boys, and as sufficient was collected on the spot to- give each boy who ran something, it was not the least success of the day. . For the Steeplechase four men started, all from scratch. This was perhaps the most interesting race of the sports to the onlookers. All the men took the jumps from start to finish. Greeks proved himself best man, finishing several yards in advance of Bennett, Sherin, third. _ At this stage three athletes essayed their powers on the trapeze. . They did do a great deal; but in the opinion of the judges Cudby. was best, and so took the first prize,, £2, the second going to Prosser. Taita Handicap, 220yds. —Three, viz., Hooper (3yds.), Dryer (6yds.), and Greeks (scratch), came up for this the concluding event of the handicap. They finished in the order named, and Hooper, having scored 10 points, won the big event. This was a very good race. The One-Mile Handicap brought out six starters, to all of whom Judd had to concede a start. Judd was; quite too good for the others, and won as he liked, Greeks and Bennett (each 10yds.) finishing as named. Time, smin. OJsec. ■ " A consolation race brought the Taita sports to a conclusion just at dusk. It is a pretty walk or drive from the Hutt station to the Travellers’ Rest (not too far), through verdant fields and by smiling homesteads, and a person desirous of a change can find amusement and health in such a day’s outing. It is to be hoped, therefore, that these sports will-flourish, and attract outside visitors, as well as proVMe amusement for the residents of the Taita district. -

AQUATICS. , ■ Snveral rowing matches caine off yesterday, the promoter being Mr. H, -Berg, of the Clydequay Hotel, The course was from-Magazine Point to a heat moored off Clyde-quay, and there were three events. The water was smooth, and everything ■ was favorable : for rowing. A sculling match was contested by Floyd, McGrath, and McDuff, Who finished in the order named, Floyd winning easily, and McDuff being: pretty close to McGrath. A four-oared inrigged gig race proved -very exciting. Hearn, Walker, Floyd, and O’Donnell, who rowed against Bent, Smith, McGrath, and Fomins, won' by. a ..length and a-half, after a sharp contest. A: sculling match between O’DonneU.and' McDuff followed, the former .proving the winner without being pushed. The first iand last events were started from the racing, whaleboat Arawata, and the gig race, from the Point. : Mr. Hamden officiated as judge. During the day there were a number of tailing: boats out, but the very light wind prevented the cruising from' being of anything like an exciting nature. Small boats and larger craft were frequently- almost becalmed, and the crews had; to idle away, the time as best they could. The match between , the Violet and the Pet did not come off, although 1 the heats wore out, it being wisely determined not to attempt to go round the ..course with such faint and baffling airs as prevailed. The race will probably come off this afternoon. VOLUNTEERS, The Artillery Cadets, under the command of Captain Best, marched, out to Evans Bay, where they were put through gun drill with blank cartridge. The youngsters handled their fieldpieco very fairly, but their strength seemed to be at times overtaxed. They wore 'more at home with the carbines, and _ acquitted themselves very creditably. ‘ ~u :* k° day Captain Best gave »lunch to all his young volunteer soldiers, who, dubbed too whole affair a jolly picnic* In contccjucttce of many juvenile riflemen

being out of town, the match against the Christchurch Cadets was not fired, and will take place to-day.

IMPERIAL OPERA HOUSE, There was a much better attendance at the Imperial Opera House last night than there has been since the opening, but the tariff adopted by the management has proved somewhat prohibitory. However, this has now been remedied, and as will be gathered from an advertisement which appears elsewhere, the prices have been lowered. The charge for the pit has been fixed at one shilling, which seems to be regarded as the moat profitable price. Last evening’s entertainment was a concert, consisting chiefly of selections from Wallace s opera Maritana, and as these included many popular and familiar airs they were well received by the audience. Signor I’aladmi was in capital voice, aud sang “ There is a flower that bloometh” exceedingly well, indeed this was perhaps the greatest treat of the evenin'" 1 . “Alas, those chimes,” given by Signora Venosta with considerable pathos, °secured an encore, and Signora Caranti Yita had a like compliment paid to her for “ ’Tis the harp in the air.” The trio, “ Turn on, Old Time,” by Signora Venosta and Signori Camero aud Tessada, was not well sung, there being a lack of harmony, the voices not being truly in accord. “Let me like a soldier fall” secured a very earnest encore for Signor Camero, although this favorite song was not rendered with thoroughness, some portions being rather slurred. Considerable praise is due to the pianist, Mr. Turrell, who, without any attempt at exhibiting his skill, gave the accompaniments with very good taste, and proved himself to be a master of his instrument. The violin playing of Mons.' Caron was a treat which was thoroughly appreciated, as on previous evenings. The naval ballet by a lot of miniature sailors was heartily applauded. For to-night “ Don Pasquale "is announced by special request. ATHENiEUM HALL. The concert given by Madame Holler aud Mr. E. W, Cary last evening was in every respect an unqualified success. The hall was filled to overflowing, many had to be content with standing room, and others were turned away for want of room. The programme commenced by the company singiug the National Anthem, the whole audience standing. This was followed by a song by Mr. Slade, “Rocked in the cradle of the deep," which was sung in capital style. _ Then Mr. Cary, who received a perfect ovation, sang in grand voice “ The Englishman,” which was enthusiastically encored, the performer complying with the buffo song entitled “ Simon the cellerar.” The duet, “Army and Navy,” by Messrs. Jackson and Slade, was well rendered, and a grand vocal valse by Madame Molier was an artistic effort, aud was deservedly applauded. A sea song, “The Tar’s Farewell,” (new), was given with great spirit by Mr. Cary, who had to bow in acknowledgment to an encore, “Hark the drum,” aud “The Three Fishers,” by Miss Molier, were deservedly encored. The duet of “ The Fairy Wand,” from Maritana, and the ballad of “Let me love thee,” were speciallyjworthy of mention, as was also the duet for piano and violin. The entertainment was brought to a close at about half-past ten o’clock. ■