PEIRCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2386, 9 November 1880, Page 2

PEIRCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

To-day has been observed in Timaru as a close holiday. The weather has been cloudy, but somewhat sultry, business has been almost entirely suspended, and the public streets, bereft of their passengers, have presented a melancholy and lifeless appearance. In other respects there have been signs of rejoicing. The steamer Maori and four other sailing vessels, dressed in their coloured regalia, have cut a dashing figure on the placid blue waters of the port, while the Breakwater has been a scene of life, bustle, and activity, the men employed there having had too many holiday's of late to permit of a further sacrifice of time. But if their loy'alty' found expression in the manufacture of a number of concrete blocks, it was none the less sincere,and the money they earned in spite of the general holiday' will doubtless enable them to drink the Prince’s health with all the greater relish. The means of locomotion in the shape of railways, cabs, expresses, and vehicles of all kinds were freely taken advantage of, while a considerable number enjoyed an outing on Shank’s pony', an animal which is usually' reliable and free from the risk of accident. The shingle on the beach, the velvety dill’s, and the banks of the creeks around the town were freely studded with small family pic-nic parties. Harris’ paddock, North street, Mas the scene of a rather ambitious SUNDAY SCHOOL PIC-NIC. Here the children of the Bank street Wesleyan Sunday school, with their teachers, parents, and friends assembled in great force, and had a day of unalloyed enjoyment. The treat was an annual one, and it was kept up with truly festive ardour. There muis an abundance of sweetmeats, tea, and other luxuries, and games of every' imaginable kind, from kiss-in-the-ring to skipping rope and cricket, M'ere freely indulged in, the seniors emulating their youthful proteges in keeping up the general hilarity*. The chief centre of popular attraction, however, Mas undoubtedly' THE ATHLETIC SPORTS, under the auspices of the Timaru Athletic Club. These M'ere held in the New Sliom' Grounds, Wai-iti Road. The enclosure is spacious, moderately level, and in several respects admirably' adapted for sports, while it is M’ithin a convenient distance, although away from the smoke of the town. The sports M'ere fairly patronised by visitors, and every' item on the programme—which M'as both liberal and extensive— M-as well contested. In the valley there M'as a good M'ater jump, and the plunging athletes bid their best to heighten the excitement, as well l as as to give the sports an amusing side. Mr T. Richmond, who is always in the foreground on such occasions, administered an abundance of refreshments from two spacious marquees, and if there were any drooping spirits on the ground the fault was certainly not due to any want of liberality on the part of the dispenser. The folloM'ing are the results of the sports : Maiden Race—lOUyds. J. O’Connor 1 R. Snodgrass 2 J. Dowling ... ... ~. 3 Six competitors came to the post for this race. O’Connor won as he liked. Snodgrass and. DoM'ling scored second and third places easily' Time —12:1 secs.

Champion Rack —.‘3OO yds. Prize £6 os. . D. Hyland 1 A. T. Smith... 2 A. Dalgleish 3 Only throe men ran in this event. D. Hyland got away with the start and maintained it for about a third of the distance, when ho was overhauled by Smith, and for a time a close race ensued between the two. Hyland, however, who was in line form, was too good for his opponent, and when about <SO yards from home once more showed in front, landing ah easy winner. Time—3s-isccs. Prince of Walks’ Handicap. Prizes £lO, £6, and"£3. in heats. First Heat--200yds. D. Hyland 1 A. T. Smith 2 T. MeAuliifc ... ... 3 The whole of the men entered fur this event came to the post. A very fair start was effected, Hyland, at scratch, making it very warm for the rest. He was quickly in front and maintained his advantage to the finish. Smith a good second. Time— 22 j sees. Second Heat. A. T. Smith 1 D. Hyland 2 T. MeAulitfe 3 Five started lor this race, A. Dalgleish being the only one who did not compete. Hyland at scratch again ran well, and was soon in front. Before half (he distance was completed, however, ho was overtaken by Smith, whp then led to the linish, winning easily. Hyland was a good second. Time —351 secs. Third and Deciding Heat. Smith and Hyland only run. Smith 1 Won easily. Vaulting with Polk. Dowling (10ft Sin) ... 1 MeAulitfe (10ft) 2 Only three men competed ; Bassctan, the third man, went out at Bft. MeAulitfe jumped well, but was out of practice. Dowling was in splendid form, and his leaping was much applauded. Boys Back Handicap—lso yds. E. Harris 1 D. Scarfe 2 E. Home 3 About half a dozen youngsters ran. Harris a diminutive ped very soon got the lead, maintaining it well, Scarf was a good second, and Home a fair third, a fellow about two feet nothing, coming in last. A new system of handicapping was introduced in this race, the competitors being placed according to size. No time taken. Walking Handicap. Two miles. Prizes, £l, £2, and £l. J. La wry 1 A. Dalgleish 2 T. Clark 3 All entered started, with the exception of J. Dalgleish. Lambert was stopped before the completion of the iirst mile, as he was running more than walking. The first mile was completed in 7min 7sccs by Lawry. Two of the Buckingham brothers went out before the first mile was up, and the third one went out just afterwards. The field gradually narrowed down until Lawry, Dalgleish, Clarke, and Eobcrts, only remained. At the last round Lawry was well to the fore, and won with ease, A. Dalgleish a bad second. Time—Kimin 41 sees. Eunning Handicap. J. Dalgleish 1 D. Shine ... 2 Time —smin., Ijsccs. Handicap Hurdles. 880 Yards. Prizes, £4, £2, aud £l. T. MeAulitfe I D. Shine 2