CARLYLE CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 180, 30 December 1876, Page 2

CARLYLE CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

The Carlyle Christmas Sports came off on Tuesday last (Boxing Day), and were as nearly a success as could he expected under the circumstances. The want of music, however, was much felt, and during the intervals caused the day to appear rather tedious than otherwise, but, altogether, the day terminated successfully. The 100 yards boy’s race opened the sports,- at about 12 o’clock, with Master 0. Smith first, and H. Woods second. The next was the 100 yards, open to allcomers. There were seven entries, viz., Messrs W. Williams, Saunders, Byrnes, Wilson, Broadbent, W. Nicholson, and Torongo. W. Williams took first prize, Saunders second, and W. Nicholson was a good third. This was the fastest of any race run in Patea. The next event was the running high jump, which was won by Stephen Adamson, Byrnes second. In the kangaroo race, there were only two entries, Messrs J. Adamson and D. Williams. At the first jump Williams threw his jockey, leaving Adamson to finish the course in good style. Master O. Lett, winning jockey, was evidently in training. The next race was the Patea Cup, 100, 200, and 300 yards. The entries were Messrs W. Williams, D. Williams, Jenkins, Saunders, and Docherty. In the first event Saunders was first,a ml W. Williams second. In the second, W. Williams was first, and Saunders second. Saunders entered a protest against W. Williams, but it fell through. In the third event, W. Williams went over the course alone, Saunders having retired, as well as the rest, leaving IVllliams first, Saunders second, and 11. Jenkins a good third. In the interval between the events of the Patea Cup, the vaulting with a polo, three-legged race, and quarter-mile hurdle race came off. In the vaulting, Messrs McCoy, J. Adamson, Jenkins, and Fetch were the competitors, resulting in Messrs Adamson and Jenkins tying, and dividing the prize. The three-legged race was well contested hut caused some dissatisfaction. There were four couple entered, Messrs Nicholson and D. Williams, McCoy and Jenkins, Bvrnes and Broadbent, and Docherty and Adamson. The second pair, although coming to tiro lino already tied, were readjusting the bands at the starting, when Messrs Nicholson and Williams and Byrnes and Broadbent ran the course, leaving the other two couples at the post. The Committee decided it as being a false start, and the last named declined running again, leaving the race between McCoy and Jenkins, and Docherty and Adamson. It was won by the two former. The quarter-mile hurdle race was also good, Messrs McCoy, J. AdiVnison, CnwImrst, Docherty. D. Williams, and Jenkins being the entries ; over five flights of hurdles, three feet high. D. Williams took first prize, Oowhurst second, and Jenkins third place. Adamson, although not in training, took his jumps in good style. The tilting in the ring, although well executed, occupied a long time, cm account of the large number of. competitors, 12 in all, being something over an hour. The time allowed for each course was 40 secs. McCoy took first prize, Corrigan second, Sutton saving his stakes. Corrigan went the course on one occasion in 27 secs., with three rings. There were only 4 entries for the hop, step, and jump, which was won by D. Williams, Burnes, second. Next came the quarter-mile flat race, W. Williams, D. Williams, Crowhurat, Hammington, Docherty, and Jenkins going in for it. W. Williams was first, D. Williams second. Jenkins and Docherty made good running. In the standing long jump, D. Williams jumped iOft. 9in. for first, and Byrnes Oft. lOin. for second.

The half-mile race was warmly contested, the competitors being - D. Williams, CrowhurstjHamraiiigton, Docherty, and Jenkins. For the first two rounds D. Williams led, but held back from about 200 yards from the winning - post, where Docherty passed him. Williams then pulled himself together about 100 yards from the winning post, and putting on a splendid spurt, again passed Docherty, wanning by about ten yards. For the consolation handicap, there ■were only four entries, Wilson, Byrnes, Sutton, and Nicholson, terminating in favor of the last-named. The Maori race was the next, for which four entered It was won by Tcrongo. The greasy pig finished the programme. Much cannot be said for the quality of the unfortunate animal, it being of such a size as to be discarded by the winner) Adamson. As an excuse for this, however, the gentleman who provided him had the day before lost a very good one intended for the purpose, consequently he deserves the credit of having provided two. For the general conduct of the day, with the exception of some slight differences upon the races, nothing could have been more satisfactory. No drunkenness, and no quarrelling or fighting. The officers performed their duties with kindly forbearance and good nature, each one trying his utmost to cause the day to be successful. At a future time, after the meeting of the Committee, and when everything is fully settled, a financial statement of the sums received will be published for the benefit and information of the public.