NEW YEAR’S EVE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2431, 3 January 1881, Page 2

NEW YEAR’S EVE.

Tlie time-honored festival New Year’s Kvc, or what is known in the Land o’ Cakes, as Hogmanay—was celebrated in Timaru in a festive, but withal respectable manner. The streets were lighted up till midnight, and business people observed Saturday hours, drapers, grocers, fruiterers, and last but not least, hotelkeepers, driving a roaring trade. What chielly distinguished Friday evening from a brisk Saturday night, however, was the shrill melodious notes of the bagpipes which could bo heard in various directions warning the inhabitants that their oars were about to be beseiged Wi a hundred pipers, an’ a’.

As the evening sped on the late trains arrived well freighted with pleasure seekers, and the streets gradually became more and more crowded, as country and suburban residents far and near rolled into town, some in vehicles and more on Shanks’ pony. The footpaths were densely packed with friendly groups such as the poet described when lie spoke of When droutliie neighbors, neighbors meet There was plcnt}' of hand shaking, and the atmosphere was loaded with compliments, but even late in the evening such a thing as a staggering wayfarer was hardly to be seen, and there was no apparent need for the Highlandiuan’s advice

So now my praw lads, ’tis coot ’vice I will

gic, Whene’er tat you’ll met wi’ ta Shou Parley-

pree, Trunk off your coot glasses—ay—ane, twa

nor tree, But oieb ! tcukit care, no pc piper pitch

fou, In accordance with their usual custom the last night of the old year was devoted by the members of the Timaru Fire Brigade to banquetting. Although the muster was a small one, some sixteen members turning out the banquet was celebrated in a social and enjoyable manner. Lieut. Murray presided, and among those present were Messrs T. Turnbull, W. Priest, J. Jackson, and Lieut. Wardle, T.A.Y. On tbe tables being cleared Lieut Murray proposed the toast of “Tbe Queen aud members of the Poyal Family,” as also that of “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers.” On behalf of the Volunteers, Mr Barrie responded. “ Our Honorary Members,” proposed by Mr Barrie was responded to by Mr Priest, who regretted there were not more honorary members present. Mr T. Turnbull proposed the “ Timaru Volunteer Eire Brigade and its Officers.” This was responded to by Lieut Murray and Foreman Barrie. Mr Turnbull next proposed “ The Volunteer Pocket Brigade aud C. Battery, T.A.V.” coupled with the name of Lieut. Wardle. In response, Lieut, Wardle, in an excellent speech, eulogised tbe work of volunteers in general, urging willing obedience and subordination towards those in command over them. Some capital songs were sung during the evening, and it becoming known that tbe midnight hour was approaching, an adjournment to tbe outside of tbe Town Hall was made for the purpose of taking part in tbe rejoicings at THE BIBTH OF THE XEW YEAE. A minute or so before 12 o’clock the firebell was tolled, and the signal gun being fired from the harbor-master’s station, intimating that the year 1881 had dawned upon the community, the members of tbe Brigade, under engineer Puscoc, who had scaled the walls of the building and were stationed on the roof, close to the outer parapet, bred off' an imposing collection of fireworks. For a time the darkness of night was made resplendent with rockets, flash lights, Poman candles, of various hues, and showers of crackers. The railway engines whistled dolefully at first, thenloud aud merrily. The music of bells and instruments rent the air, and such convivial songs as “ Auld Lang Syne,” vociferously rendered by stout and sturdy vocalists, showed that a considerable number of the population had resigned themselves to the intoxicating influence of a season of hilarity. The streets were made lively with the inevitable Chinese crackers, and such harmless diversions as hanging gates to lamp posts were freely indulged in. At the churches vigil services were celebrated in an impressive manner, while a

few enthusiastic Caledonians kept up the grand old custom “ first footing” as gaily as if they were treading their native heather. As morning broke a considerable number left for the country by the early trains. THE CALEDONIAN SPORTS. President—Mr J. Bruce; Vice-Presidents— Messrs J. Meikle and A. Sinclair; Hon. Treasurer-Mr W. W. McKenzie; Directors—Captain Mills, Messrs McLean, Sinclair, Levien, Stuart, Bell, J. Eraser, McLaren, McKerrow, James Eing, T. B. Jones, W. Evans, J. Waugh, McPherson and T. E. Jones ; Handicappers—Messrs P. J. Bell, and W. M'Farlane. The sixth annual sports meeting of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society took place on the old South Canterbury Show grounds on Saturday. Early in the day, before the sports commenced, the weather looked very threatening, and fears were entertained that the afternoon would turn out wet. Fortunately, however, these doubts proved ill-founded, and no better day perhaps could have been desired for the holding of this South Canterbury festival. About half-past ten o’clock a procession, consisting of the committee and officers, standard bearers and others, left the Grosvenor Hotel, and headed by the band and Scotch pipers playing appropriate music, marched to the ground. Here everything was in readiness. A number of seats, erected for the occasion were scattered about the ground and proved a great convenience to the sightseers. Eating and drinking form no small portion of the enjoyment of a day’s outing, and on Saturday several refreshment booths provided solace for the hungrj, while Mr Callanan of the Shamrock Hotel, did his best to assuage the thirst of the visitors, and judging bj r the crowds that thronged his booth all day he must have done a roaring trade. Both the sports committee and the indefatigable secretary, Mr W. E. Whitcombe, are to be congratulated on the complete success which attended their efforts to make the meeting a thoroughly enjoyable one. The proximity of the old show ground to the town is one great point in its favour. At 3 p.m. about 3000 were present, which increased as the afternoon wore on, to probably over 5000. The following were the events : Walking Handicap Two Mile—First prize, £4 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. H. Lambert, 50yds ... 1 J. Lawry, scr 2 G. Miller, 45yds ... ... 3 Six others started. The race comprised twelve laps. Lambert was not long in assuming the lead, and in the second lap Lawry began to creep up to him. Tommy Clarke, whose plucky style was much admired, doing Ids level best to pick up the leaders. Roberts too walked gamely, but his 50 yards was not enough to aid him very materially. Fergusson, who also had 50 yards start, retired at the fifth lap. Lambert, who was leading easily, now began to draw away more and more from the rest, every lap increasing his lead. In the sixth lap Lawry was second, Dixon third, Miller fourth, O'Connor fifth, with Tommy Clarke bringing up the rear. In the eighth lap Lambert was leading b}' 20 yards, Lawry still second, Dixon, Miller, and Clarke walking nearly on equal terms, the rest a good deal scattered. In the ninth lap Lambert put on a spurt, quite unnecessarily, for he was out of all danger, Lawyr followed at a respectful distance, and Clarke supplanted Miller as third man, P. O'Connor going out. In the last lap the men were in the following order, Lambert, Lawry, Miller, with Clark trying all he knew’ to secure a place. Lambert w r on as he liked, Lawry a fair second, Miller third and Tommy Clark fourth. No time taken.

100 Yards Handicap Race —Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £ld. T. McAulifte, Iyd ... ... 1 A. T. Smith, scr 2 R. Goss, 3yds 3

Six others ran. McAulifte ran splendidly, but there was only about a foot between the first and second men. and the distance was still closer between the second and third men.

Two Hundred Yards Handicap Ilace.— Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £l. T. McAulifte, 4yds 1 A. T. Smith, scr 2 B. Goss, Byds 3 This event proved an easy win for McAulift’e, Smith and Goss being a very good second and third respectively. 200 Yards Handicap Race, for boys under 16 —Ist prize. £1 ; 2nd, 15s ; 3rd, 10s. Cullman 1 Scarf 2 Hibbard ... 3

Seven others ran. Sack Race (in masks) —Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s. Cruickshank 1 Lawry 2 Miller 3

This was a very amusing race. Cruickshank won easily. Two others ran.

Vaulting with Pole. First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. T. McAulifte, Bft lOin ... 1 P. Bastian, Bft 9in ... 2 T. Sullivan 3 Four Hundred and Forty Yards Handicap Hurdle Ilace. W. S. Fagan, scr 1 T. McAulifte, scr 2 W. Johnston, 12yds ... 3 Wrestling (Cumberland style). First prize, £5 ; second, £3 ; third, £l. Slade 1 llobinson 2

Four others competed. Eight Hundred and Eighty Yards Handicap. First prize, £4 ; second, £3; third, £l.

I). Shine, 25yds 1 J. Groves, 20yds 2 T. McAuliife, 18yds ... 3 Shine led from the first and won as he liked.

One Mile Handicap Face. First prize, £5 ; second, £3 ; third, £l. W. S. Fagan, 10yds ... 1 I). Shine, 40yds 2 M. O’Connor, 40yds ... 3

Lawry with his GO yards start was soon in front, Shirley and Shine close up. At the third lap Shine was leading, Lawry second, and Shirley third. At the fourth lap Shirley went out, and at the fifth Fergusson followed suit. At the turn for homo Shine was spurting prettily and a warm contest ensued between him and Fagan. The latter won, hut the linish was so close as to be hardly distinguishable from a dead heat. Running Long Jump—First prize, £2 ; second, £1 ; third, 10b. T. McAuliffe, 19ft Biu ... 1 J. Cummings, 19ft lin ... 2 S. Barratt, 18ft 3

Hop Step and Jump —First prize, £2 ; second, £l; third, 10s. J. Cummings, 40ft 9in ... 1 S. Barr at t, 40ft BHn ... 2 T. McAuliffe 39ft lOin ... 3 Reel of Tulloch First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. D.‘ Buchanan 1 D. Cruickshank 2 R. Calder 3 Bagpipe Music (in costume) First prize, £5 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. M. Elder 1 M. Macdonald 2 J. Mackay 3 Highland Costume (boys)—First prize, lbs ; second, 10s. J. C. King, Stuart tartan 1 A. Mackay, Stuart tartan ... ... 2 J. Henry, Stuart tartan 3 D. Mackenzie also entered. Throwing IGIb Hammer—First prize, £2 ; second, £1 ; third, 10s. H. Slade, G9ft 1 R. Frame, G7ft din ... 2 J. Davidson, GGft sin ... 3 Highland Costume (men) —First prize £5 ; second, £2 ; third, 10s, M. Macdonald, Macdonald tartan ... 1 W. Murray, Murray-Athol tartan ... 2 J, Calder, Stuart tartan ... ... 3 Highland Reel (in costume) First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. J. Murray, junr 1 D. Buchanan ... ... 2 D. Cruickshank 3 J. W. Mcßae also competed. Highland Fling (in costume) —First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. J. Murray, junr 1 D. Cruickshank 2 D. Buchanan ... ... 3 J. W. Mcßae also competed. Sword Dance—First prize, £3 ; second £2; third £l. J. Murray, junr 1 D. Cruickshank 2 J. W. Mcßae 3 D. Buchanan also competed. Seanntreus (in costume) —First prize, £2 ; second, £1; third, 10s. J. Murray, junr 1 D. Buchanan 2 J. W. Mcßae 3 D. Cruickshank also competed. Sailor’s Hornpipe (in costume) —First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £L. J. Murray, junr 1 D. Buchanan 2 A. Williams 3 D. Cruickshank also competed. Irish Jig (in costume)—First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. M. Loughlan 1 C. O’Connor 2 J. Murray, junr 3 Three others competed. Tossing the Caber. First prize, £2 ; second, £i ; third, 10s.

AV. Talbot (20ft 4Hn) ... 1 B. Copeland (20ft .Tin) ... 2 Casey (20ft 2in) ... 0 Putting 221 b Stone. First prize, £2 ; second, £1 ; third, 10s. W. Talbot (27ft2in) ... 1 Hape, native (27ft 2in) ... 2 D. Neill (2Gft II) 3 KXTItA AND SJ'KCIAL PRIZES. The following special prizes wore awarded : Mr T. O’Driscoll’s Medal for the winner of the first prize in Jig Dancing—M Loughlau. Mr AY, L. Edwards’ Medal to the winner of the first prize in Sword Dance—J. Murray, junr. Mr T. Itichinond’s Medal for the best dancer of the Highland Fling—J. Murray, junr. Air T. Hurt’s Modal for the host performer of the Sailors’ Hornpipe—J.Murray, junr, Mr D. AlcGuiuness’ Medal for the winner of the One Mile Handicap—W. S. Fagan, Christchurch. Air B. Colo’s Aledal to the winner of the 440 Yards Hurdle Kace—AY. S. Fagan, Christchurch. Air J, Callanan’s Aledal to the winner of the Two Alilos AValking Handicap—H. Lambert, St. Andrews. Alessrs G. and S. Newey’s Aledal to the scorer of the greatest number of points in Eunning—hurdle and flat races—T. AXcAuliffe. Mr Partridge’s Aledal to the winner of the first prize for Bagpipe Afusic—Al, Elder. The winner of the first jndze in wrestling, for two consecutive years, becomes entitled to a Gold Aledal for the Chanprionship of Canterbury. This is the first year Slade has carried off first prize.