CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 2 January 1863, Page 2

CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

Yesterday being observed as a holiday, most of our townsfolk were attracted a short distance from town, by the novelty of the programme of a recently established institution in Inveicargill — the Caledonian Society — which set forth all sorts of amusements. The weather during the forenoon appeared rather unpropitious, but later in the day the heavy clouds and accompanying rain, clearing away, numbers of people might be seen hastening to the scene of the proposed festivities. By three o'clock there must have been no less than two thousand persons presont, amongst whom we observed a good sprinkling of the fair sex, for whose accommodation a grand stand had been erected. During the progress of the games, some slight misunderstanding appeared to have arisen between the police and two or three of the spectators— gentlemen recently supposed to have partaken of the hospitality of her Majesty's gaol — but owing to the polite and fascinating (and we arc compelled to admit vigorous) attention of Chief Constable Fraser and Sergeant Chapman, to whom too much praise cannot be rendered, those facetious gentry were again reluctantly compelled to pay a flying visit to the police barracks. Indeed, one of those gentlemen, for merely attempting to take charge of an unprotected cash box, containing some L4O or theicabouts, was most unfeelingly reminded thatM. Trice, Esq., R.M was desirous of an interview early next morning. With these few exceptions everything passed off with eclat, and we were surprised, from the short notice given, to see so 'arge an assemblage. From experience in similar proceedings in Australia, we think it would be difficult to find a better class of competitors for the various prizes contended for than was witnessed yesterday. The following is the list of prizes : —

1. Pibrooch — Prize, £3 ; George M'Leod

2. Putting Stone.. 221b— 1st prize, £'.?, Alexander M'JS T aughten, 25 feet Cinches; 2nd prize, .i' 2, George M'Leod.

3. Putting Light Stone — Ist prize, ■{.':?, George M'Leod, 32 i'eet; 2nd do, £1, Alex. M'Naughton. ]. Throwing Heavy Trammer, l>*!bs — Ist prize, £:\. Gem-go M'Leod, (!2 feet; 2nd do, £2, John M'Oonald. In this instance, (he usual hammer (221bs) could not. be procured for the occasion.

5. Throwing Light Hammer, 12 lbs — Ist prize, .€2, Alexander M-JVanghten, Gi feet; 2nd do, £\, John M : Donald. (12 feet.

(!. Tossing Caber— lst prize, .€3, Geo. M'Leod; 2nd do, .(.'2, Alexander M'Naughton.

7. Ghilhe Callum — Prize, ,i' 3; James Campbell

8. Best Dressed Highlander— lst prize, £-, A T. Clark, jun.; 2nd d.>," £2, J. R. M-'lvor.

0. IMgh Leap— Prize. £o ; li. Mackenzie, 1 feet 7 inches.

10. Slanding Leap— Prize, £3; 11. M'Xcill

11. Hop, Stop, and Jump — Ist prize. £'■), John Clark, ;ir> feet 0 inches; 2nd do, £2, Patrick Hugan, ;H. feet G inches; 3rd do, L'l, J. "Wilkinson , ,'};} feet 10 inches.

V 2. Long Kace, COO yards— Prize, i! 3; J. Gallagher.

l.">. Shorl liace. 110 yards — Ist prize, £2, John Chirk ; 2nd do, £1, Jumps KcynoMs. M-. Jiunning Long Leap — Ist prize, £2, J. CPearson; 2nd d(>, £1, Patrick llogan.