The Holidays.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 41, 6 January 1894, Page 7

The Holidays.

*The gay and festive season is over, and the claims of duty are once more paramount. The people of Southland this year devoted themselves more unreservedly to pleasuring than they have done for a long time past, and picnics, sports, horse races, regattas, flower shows, and other forms of amusement afforded abundant scope for the enjoyment of one and all. The weather was good—its brightness chequered only by a few showers on Tuesday, which did not interfere Tvith the happiness of the thousands that day on pleasure bent. On Saturday night, when Invercargill’s streets were thronged ■with crowds of well-dressed, happy-faced sight-seers, the City Guards’ Band exercised a sweet constraint over not a few, and caused them to linger and loiter in the post office grounds till the last number in a fine programme of music had been played. Hater in the evening the Garrison Band took Up the parable in the hospital grounds, and doubtless cheered many of the inmates of that institution. On Sunday evening the members of the band gathered in the rotunda, and, after playing a number of sacred selections, closed with Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. On Monday eveybody flocked to the CALEDONIAN SOCIETY’S GAMES. These were held in the old trysling place, and were, it is estimated, attended by over 6,000 people. Last year the receipts were : Gate, LlB5 3s; inside ring, LI9 13s Gd—total, L 204 16s Gd. This year they totalled X,244 lUs Gd—a very substantial increase. The Society issued a very liberal prize-list, and had their reward in the shape of numerous entries and a welcome infusion of new bloo 1, and as a consequence there were keen and interesting competitions, the only exception being the wrestling, of which more anon. The official beginning of the day’s doings was, as usual, the procession from the railway station to the grounds. It was headed, also as usual, by a corps of pipers and Highlanders in their national costume —well, there was one gentleman among them who was not a clansman. His presence there in kilts was due to a wager, and it must be admitted that '“The John Bull Highlander,” as he was afterwards dubbed, came through the ordeal with flying colours. But this is a digression. Stimulated by the splendid turn-out of town and country residents, the office-bearers, headed by the energetic superintendent of sports (Mr A. McKellar) and ably seconded by Mr J. Mathcson (most capable of secretaries) did their best to get the programme through rapidly, and worked so well that the last event in the list was got off very soon after the advertised time. The sight when the games were in full swing was most inspiriting. Music was never wanting —-when the pipers ceased to pipe the City Guards’ Band, under Conductor Mohr, engaged attention. The cheerful hum of conversation never ceased, the eager tones of the young people mingling with the lower pitched colloquies of old identities, some of whom, growing fewer every year, have not missed a gathering since the start ’way back in the sixties. At intervals the chipping of hands or a ringing cheer rewarded the skill or endurance of competitors in the ring. Side shows were also in evidence, and the usual booths did fair business, but withal sobriety and good order were the Title. And so the day wore to its close, and with it ended what was in many respects the most successful of the long series of gatherings of which Invercargill has been the scene. Now for a brief reference to the principal events in Ihc programme. The half-mile handicap was annexed in capital style by K. Cameron (35 yards) and the mile by J. Lewis (30 yards) The race was remarkable for the struggle for supremacy which took place in the final lap between the winner and E. Campbell, the scratch man. The latter had gone through the rest of his men, and tried repeatedly to collar Lewis. The latter, however, responded gamely, and won a. good race with a little to spare. J. "Wilson won the 120 yards race, B. Bain the *220, E. XL Green the 440 hurdles and 440 fiat race, J. Wren the three and five mile bicycle events, A. Ballantyne the 100 yards •champion race. In the heavy hammer throwing P. Horde was first ; in putting the heavy ball T. P. Brass ; in tossing the caber W. ho bins, and in throwing the stone (Irish style) J. L. MeFadycn. In the collar and ■elbow wrestling for youths under 20 J. Hudson secured first place, J. Dickson ditto in the Border wrestling (11 stone and under); and W. H. Eobins the champion belt (won three years in succession) in Border wrestling for all comers. W. Baird won the collar and elbow wrestling. The wrestling events, as a whole, were the weakest part of the sports. 'Various causes were suggested for this, but whatever the reason, we hope to see a change next year. The vaulting event furnished a long and exciting contest, victory ultimately resting with J. Cowie, who cleared 10ft., W. Myers (Oft. liin.) and G. Dcegan (Oft. lOin.) being second and third respectively. In the running high leap M. Hanley and E. J. Harris tied at sft. Tin. The hop, step and jump was won by J. Davidson, of Mosgiel, with 43ft. 4in. P. Gilfeddor was first in the mile walk, and the sawing and chopping competitions were won by Dawson and Fisher and C. Hand all respectively. The Highland music and dancing events caused a good deal of interest, and not less so the Irish jig and reel, a%ud the sailor’s hornpipe.