THE PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2696, 9 November 1881, Page 2

THE PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

The Prince of Wales’ Birthday, a recognised holiday wherever the British flag flies, was to-day so observed in Timaru, as a matter of coarse. That is, generally. There were a few exceptions. Here and there a man, or a few men, remained at their accustomed toil> their faces betokening that they felt, not merely thought, that there must be a screw loose somewhere iu the social organisation, compelling them to labor while others enjoyed themselves, whilo the pleasure of holiday-makers must have been marred by seeing their unlucky neighbors chained to their oars. The day was a suitable one for holiday keeping. The weather in the earlier part of the day could not have been better if made to order, being neither hot nor cold. It was in fact exactly between the two in the early morning, for on the one side the sky was overcast with the spare clouds from yesterday’s rainfall, and on the other the influence of a northerly or north-westerly current had cleared the sky and allowed the sun to shine upon the mountains. As the day wore on the sky cleared, and the sun shone out hotly, but the heat was tempered by a nor-west breeze, which kindly refrained from growing into a strong wind according to the habit of nor-westers. Still it was strong enough to neutralize the effect of yesterday’s showers, and the roads very soon began to give forth clouds of dust, with which visitors to the Athletic Sports were specially favored. The people of Timaru spent the day in a variety of ways. A considerable number formed themselves into pfcnic parties and went per expresses in different directions into the country, and a special train conveyed the Wesleyan Sunday School children, and a numerous party of friends, to Norraanby for their annual treat. Others (a very small number iu the morning trip) “ ran away to sea” in the Lillie Denham ; others, and the majority in number of those who went out of town at all, went to see the Sports of the Timaru Athletic Club. The streets of Timaru have seldom worn so deserted an appearance as they did to-day. TIMARU ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS. Somewhat unpunctual to the advertised time the officers of the Club prepared to start in a body from their official headquarters, the Artillery Band first performing Jan introductory air to bring up the dilatory among those who wished to see the start. A good number of intending spectators having collected the band struck up a march, and a littlo past eleven a start was made for the ground, all the available expresses and hackney carriages being brought under requisition. The attendance on the ground up till I o’clock was not very large, about 300 being present, but as the afternoon wore on the attendance increased rapidly. The arrangements on the ground had been well attended to, the “ straight ” of the running ground being roped in on both sides, and every necessary precaution taken to ensure fair running. The officers were indefatigable, and being well acquainted with their work everything went off with most satisfactory smoothness. The refreshment booths on the ground appeared to do a reasonable amount of business, but nothing like abuse of these arrangements was visible. The Artillery Band played some excellent and difficult selections during the day, in a manner that showed they have been assiduously practising, and their strains added much to the enjoyment of the visitors. The following are the results of the various events, so far as time allows us to give them ; Maiden Race, 100 Yards—lst Prize 30s; 2nd, 20s ; 3rd, 10s. J. Shaw Point) 1 A, J. Lawrence (Sydenham) 2 E. Snodgrass (Timaru) ... 3 Austin, Basstian, and Mackenzie also started. Shaw very soon drew away from his fellows, and won very easily. Time— Il^secs. Prince of Wales’ Handicap, 209, 300, and 410 Yards, value, £l9 10s, to be decided by points, winners of each event 10s extra—lst prize, £lO ; 2nd £5 ; 3rd, £3.

First Event— 2oo Yards. There being’ nine competitors for this event, the field was divided, the result being as follows : First Heat. J. Shaw (I2yds) 1 F. Woods (scratch) 3

Second Heat. A. J. Lawrence (12yds) ... 1 K. Goss (10yds) .. ..3 final Heat. F. Woods (Wellington) .. 1 J. Shaw (Point) .. .. 2 These heats were very well contested, and the times were very good indeed, namely,—224, 225, and 22secs. respectively. Horizontal Bab Competition, for Amateurs only—lst prize, £3 ; 2nd £l. For this event there were three entries, the young winner of the first prize performing some very clever and pretty feats. C. Wagstaff .. 1 C, Hallam 3 J. A. Morris 3 Walking Handicap, Two Miles—lst prize, £4 ; 2nd, £2 : 3rd, £l . I. J. Bradley (GOyds) ... 1 H. Lambert (scratch) ... 2 J. Lawrie (20yds) 3 Chaa. H. Pearce, Lyttelton, SSj'ds ; R. Mahoney, 55yda ; and G. Roberts, 65yds also started. There were eleven acceptors and six starters for this event, and the greatest interest was manifested in tha race before the start. Lambert was looked upon as almost sure to but the result was a complete ‘boil over,’ Bradley, who was in splendid condition, soon overhauled the man starting in front of him, and gradually and regularly increased his lead until ho breasted the tape, over XOO yards in front of anyone else, Lambert, Lawrie, ana Mahoney finished close together in the order given. Roberts and Pearco came in a good way behind.

Sack lUce, in Masks, 150 Yards—lst prize, 30s ; 2nd 15s. J. Laurie 1 N. Austin ... 2 Only three started. Prince of Wales’ Handicap. Second event, 300yds. F. Woods (scratch) .. • • 1 A. J. Lawrence (16yds) ... 2 D. Hyland, scratch ; N. Austin, 9yds; B. Goss, 15yds ; K. Snodgrass, 16yds ; and J, Shaw, 16yds, also started, five other acceptors being scratched. Woods won this event easily, in 34|secs, Wrestling, Cornish Style £3 ; 2nd, £2. Tripp Snodgrass 2 Five others competed. The Boys’ Handicap did not come off. The Tilting at the Ring was in progress when our messenger left the ground.