THE HOLIDAYS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 27 December 1880, Page 2

THE HOLIDAYS.

Christmas has come and gone. The great Christian festival was ushered in with a greater amount of quietude than has charaptetißed the advent of Christmas for many years. There was but little in the way of deoorations, and but moderate displays of fireworks w.ere made. The chief item of Christmas eve was the carol service in St, Luke's. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The building was crowded, and the service passed off in a creditable manner. The choir, however, did not acquit themselves so well as in previous years. The " Hallelujah Chorus" was not so well sung as it might have been, and the rendition of most of the carols in point of merit fell below the standard of last year's service. Mr. Finch's organ solos were all well played, and special mention must be made of his rendering of Batiste's Andante in G. Several members of the Rifles' Brass Band formed themselves into a carol party and played a number of suitable and sacred pieces in various parts of the town until early morn. A few people paraded the streets for some time after the bewitching hour of midnight, but there was little in the way of rowdyism, and we hope that the same sense of propriety will characterise the doings of those who desire to welcome the New Year. There is usually at such times displayed by far too great an amount of larrikinism, which, while riot creditable to the guilty persons, is highly annoying to others.. On Christmas Day there: were services in several of the churches, but a large number of people apparently preferred devoting the day to amusement rather than., in marking the Christian festival with religious exercises. To such as these were afforded a choice between the sports at Kakanui and those at; Ngapara, and the greater number, probably owing to better facilities of transit, chose the . latter. Large numbers, however,. preferred spending Christmas Day in a less public manner, and many private picnic parties were the result, while many availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting distant friends.

Unfortunately for those who sought to pass the day in excursions the weather proved very unfavorable, for though fine in the morning heavy showers of rain fell during the afternoon, rendering it necessary to seek some friendly means of shelter. KAKANUI CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING. The second annual gathering of this Society, which took place on Christmas Day, promised at the commencement to be highly successful, but in the afternoon frequent and unpleasant showers of rain fell, and considerably marred the excellence of the sport provided. The attendance of spectators was much smaller than might fairly have leen expected, the total number present being about 200. For nearly all the events there were strong fields of competitors, and in the majority of cases the competitions were very keen. In the big haudicaps of three distances, M'Donald, the champion short distance runner of Dunedin, had a complete throw in. It appears that his nomination was sent up from Hampden, and the handicappers, in blissful ignorance of the ability of M'Donald, believing the nomination to come from a different man, made the appropriation of the principal stakes an easy matter for him. McDonald's presence on the ground created quite a scare amongst the others who had entered, and the result was that a number of them declined to compete. The utmost good feeling was shown . throughout the day, and had it not been for the rain the gathering would have been a very, enjoyable one. The Oamaru Rifles' Band added- very considerably to the excellence of the gathering, by playing some capital music. Want of Space precludes us from giving a loug report. The following are the results of the different events :

Quoiting.—J. Paterson, 1 ; A. B. Cook, 2. Kakanui Handicap, three distances of 100, 220, and 440 yards. First prize, L66s ; second, L33s ; third, LI Is. To winners of preliminary heats, 5s additional. First distance, 100 yards. This was run in heats, the first of which was won by Duncan, with Hill second. In the second heat, M'Donald was first, and Henderson second. In the final heat, the result was—M 'Donald (2Jj yards), 1 ; Duncan (2 yards), 2; Hill (scratch), 3. Running High Jump.—Henderson (sft), 1; Robertson (4ft llin), 2. Boys' Race, 220 yards.—M'Kenzie, 1 Davidson, 2 ; Watson, 3. Highland Reel.—J, Paterson, 1; G. Paterson, 2. Kakanui Handicap ; second distance, 220 yards. -In the first heat, Moloney was first and Everitt second. M'Donald won the second heat, with Duncan second. The final heat resulted in a dispute caused by Everitt openly jostling M'Donald. The Committee having considered the matter, disqualified Everitt, and decided that the heat should be run over again. This Moloney, who had come in first, declined to do, and M'Donald and Duncan were the only pair to come to the post again, and finished in the order named. In order to avoid a further dispute, they then agreed that Moloney should retain the honor of first place, and the result of the race was put as follows Moloney (9 yards), 1; M'Donald (4 yards), 2 ; Duncan (4 yards , 3. Throwing the Hammer. D. Chalmers (70ft), 1 ; Matheson (66ft), 2. Sack Race.—J. Miller, 1; G. Miller, 2. Hop, Step, and Jump. B. Moloney (39ft Sin), 1 : Henderson (39ft Gin), 2. Boys' Walking Match. Hannigan, 1 ; Davidson, 2. Kakanui Handicap; third distance, 440 yards.—M'Donald (scratch), 1 ; Duncan (scratch), 2; Maloney (18 yards), 3. The result of the handicap for the three distances was, therefore, as follows:—M'Donald (13 points), 1; Duncan (8 points), 2; Moloney (7 points), 3. Wrestling (Cumberland style).—Robertson, 1 ; Matheson, 2. Hurdle Handicap, 2 distances, 150 and 30,) yards.—ln the first distance the result was—Duncan (5 yards), 1 ; Everitt (9 yards), 2 ; Hunt (2 yards), 3. The race in the second distance resulted—Hunt (4 yards), 1 ; Duncan 110 yards), 2; Everitt (20 yards), 3, The prizes, therefore, fell as follows :—Duncan (8 points), 1 ; Hunt, (7 points), 2; Everitt (5 pointsi, 3. Putting the Ball. —D. Chalmers (34ft sin), 1 ; W. Robertson (32ft 9in), 2. Irish Jig.—B. Moloney, 1 ; M'lntosh, 2. Consolation Race. Lorrigau, 1; Waddell, 2. NGAPARA ANNUAL SPORTS. The above sports were held on Christmas Day in a paddock belonging to Messrs. H. and T. Little, about half a mile this side of the railway station. The weather was delightful during the early part of the day, but at half-past three o'clock a shower of rain occurred, which had the effect of clearing the ground of a large number of people. The rain, however, only lasted about an hour, and the sun then shone out with great brilliancy. The different events were not got off with the promptitude that we should like to have seen, the whole of the work appearing to devolve on Mr. Gruar (the Hon. Secretary). The only event that created any excitement was the wrestling between Telfer, of Elderslie, and Hudson, of Dnnedin, two crack wrestlers. The contest caused great excitement amongst the onlookers, and when Hudson succeeded in getting Telfer down, there was great rejoicing, the little man apparently being the favorite with the crowd. The Oamaru .Artillery Band enlivened the proceedings during the afternoon. The following are the results up to the time the train left at 6 o'clock :

Quoits: —T. Little, 1; R. Mackie, 2; R. Smith, 3. Throwing Light Hammer. —S. Smith, scratch (S9ft lin), 1 ; A. Dalgleish, 12ft (SSft lOin), 2 ; T. Little, 3. Hop, Step, and Leap.—M. O'Brien (39ft lOin), 1 ; S. Smith, 2 ; Warnock, 3,

220 Yards Flat Race (heats). —Austin (10 yds), 1 ; A. Dalglejsh (scratch), 2; M. Little (10 yds), 3. Time —23Jsec. Wrestling,— Hudson, 1 ; Telfer, 2 ; S. Smith, 3. Running Long Jump.—Austin (ISft Sin), 1 ; O'Brien (ISft 6in), 2; A. Dalgleish (ISft lin), 3. Dalgleish, however, had. another jump to take, but refused to do so, alleging that a foul had occurred.

Highland Reel.—Cruickshank, 1; Nicholson, 2 ; Henderson, 3.

Standing High Jump—Smith and Little, tie ; Telfeiy 3. 440 Yards Flat "Race.—A. Smith (24 yds), 1 ; Connor (24 yds), 2 ; Austin (scratch), 3. Time—lmin. lsec.

Putting the Light Ball.—Nimmo (41ft 4in), 1; Davidson (37ft 6in>, 2; Hall \3sft 7in), 3. One Mile Walking Match.—A. Dalgleish, 1; J. Dalgleish, 2; Connor, 3, Time—7min. 41sec.

Vaulting with Pole —T, Little, 1; Telfer and Sutherland, divided.

Half-Mile Handicap. A. Dalgleish (scratch), 1; Smith (15 yds), 2; Connor (20 yds), 3. Time—2min. 24sec. Irish Jig.—Caton, 1; O'Rourke, t. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. An abundance of opportunities of spending to-day pleasantly is provided. The several events are noted below, and it only remains to be said that with fine weather pleasure-seekers should be able to find means of obtaining a good day's amusement and a healthy outing. The Railway Department have made special train arrangements on all the lines. KAKANPI RACES. We can promise a treat to those people who attend the above races. The course isirt capital order, and as the whole of the horses, with the exception of old Sir William, which has broken down, are at present stabled at Kakanui, we expect to see some close contests for the various events. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. One of the principal events of the day, and that which will no doubt be the mo?t largely attended, is the United Friendly Societies' Picnic. The procession of members of the different Orders will leaye the Oddfellows' Hall, Coquet-

street, at 8 4Q a.m. (in time to catch the 9 o'clock train), and %ill be headed by the Rifles' Baud, which has been engaged to play during the day. The Railway Department has made arrangements for running trains to and from the ground during the day, as will be Been .by our advertising columns. SHAG POINT SPORTS. The sports to be held at Shag Point will "also afford an opportunity for a trip to the country. A capital programme of events is announced, and as the entries, we believe, will be numerous, there should bo some good sport.

THE BALL To be held in the Volunteer Hall this evening, under the auspices of the Oddfellows' and Foresters' Lodges, promises to be a very enjoyable one. The hall will be tastefully decorated for the occasion, and as the proceeds are to go to augment the funds of the Hospital and Benevolent Society, we expect to see a large number of the devotees of Terpsichore avail themselves of the means of winding up the Christmas holidays in an enjoyable manner. FREE BALL. Residents in and about Windsor will bo afforded an opportunity of winding up the day, Mr. M., Cunningham announcing a free ball to take place this evening at the Windsor Hotel. BOXING ENTERTAINMENT. Those who delight in witnessing sparring matches will this evening be afforded an opportunity of gratifying their tastes. Professor Davies and his pupils will give a boxing exhibition in Taylor s Hall. The proceedings will be varied by some step dancing by Mr. Swan, and at the close of the exhibition there will be a dance.