NEW YEARS'S SPORTS.

Southland Times, Issue 1191, 4 January 1870, Page 2

NEW YEARS'S SPORTS.

THE CALEDONIAN GAMES. The Sixth Annual Gathering under the auspices of the Caledonian Society took place on Saturday last, New Tear's Day, in the grounds of the Agricultural Association, at the east end of the town. The weather was favorable enough to please even the most fastidious in that matter, and contributed in no small degree to the success of the day's proceedings. Bright sunshine lent cheerfulness to the scene; a gentle breeze kept the heat from being more than agreeable, while the soft carpet of grass and clover under foot was at once pleasant to the eye, and an effectual preventative of dust. The internal arrangements of the grounds were an improvement upon last year in many respects, — particularly so in the case of the grand stand — a commodious and substantial structure recently erected — and in the addition of a booth for the sale of lighter beverages, cakes, fruit, Ac. The former was occupied on this occasion by Mr Mayo, of the Southern Cross Hotel, whose efforts as a public caterer were evidently duly appreciated, judging by the crowds which patronised both the bar and the larder, while Messrs Johnson and Cooper, the lessees of the latter building, had also, evidently, as much as they and their assistants could do to attend to their numerous customers. Their establishment was certainly a great convenience, especially to ladies and children, and the Agricultural Society will do well to follow the good example thus set them on the recurrence of their grand show, the want of such refreshments having been much felt at the recent exhibition. New Tear's Dav having fallen on a Saturday, it was felt that the "gathering" would have to be confined to one day, and to enable the programme to be accomplished, the sports were commenced at an early hour, 10 o'clock. At that time there werecomparatively few spectators present, but ere business had been well begun, the crowd had swelled apace, and by midday there must have been upwards of one thousand persons within the enclosure. Ladies, gaily dressed, blooming with health and happiness, seemed in a large majority; their presence, indispensable on such occasions, adding the necessary coloring and variety to render the grouping picturesque j their manifest interest m the contests giving zest to the successive events, nerve to the competitors, and their applause, in many cases, no doubt, " supreme happiness " to the victors. Quoits, the first item on the programme, is a slow game, and the three devotees to "heavy pitching" were very properly despatched to an out-of-the-way corners, where they could toss the "irons" to their hearts' content, without danger of crowding. The next on the card, a boys' race, was more attractive. Eight plucky lsttle chaps put in for it, and were started away in two lots. Masters Stewart and Colyer came in first in their respective " rucks," and then ran off for "first," which young Stewart won. Putting the heavy stone — over 201bs— brought out five powerful-looking athletes, who each displayed a development of muscle astonishing to those unaccustomed to such weighty toys. Mr G. M'Leod "putted" the "boulder" 29ft B!in., but N. Ferguson, who stood next with 29ft 6in., lodged a protest on the ground of a foul throw. After some talk, the two decided to throw off, when the judges declared Ferguson winner, upon which M'Chesney put in a fresh protest against the decision, alleging that if M'Leod's throw was foul, it should either not have been allowed to "count," or they should all have thrown again. The protest was, we believe, admitted, and M'Chesneyplaced2nd,muchtothe chagrin of M'Leod. For the next event there were only three entries, but each of them showed themselves adepts at " running; high leap." The first prize was obtained, after a pretty contest, by E. Burns, who cleared in fine style 4ft 9in. ; T. Dawson 2nd, at 4ft Bin. For " throwing light hammer," no less than eleven entries were made. J. M'Kenzie for " heaving I the shafted lead" 87ft 10in M got first honors ; J. M'Crostie and T. Cross, were equal for second, at 82ft llin., and, in throwing off, the sailor beat. The " hurdle race " was very well run, considering that the jumps were too few and too low to give a chance to anything but . swiftness of foot. The first prize waa therefore almost a gift to C. Wyeth, known as the Sydney Kangaroo, although young Dawson did his best, and made a very good second. The sword dance was watched with much delight by the " knowing " old Celts present, and with pleasure by all who admire the display of " graceful action " in the human limbs. It was, however, regretted that all dancers { were not in costume — a remark applying equally to other dances which followed. Mr James Campbell was awarded first honors by acclaim, but as he declined the prize, it was given to Mr Dawson, the next in merit. " Hop, step, and jump" seemed a rather " flopping " arrangement, although serving to show the "stretch of country" a supple fellow can get over at three springs. " Putting the light stone " — no pebble by the way either — brought four muscular gladiators into rank, and the former rivals — Ferguson and M'Leod — again to test their biceps. The first-named, however, gallantly "sustained his reputation," excelling his ponderous antagonist by nearly four feet. The award for " best dressed Highlander" was at once accorded to Mr A. T. dark, whose costume was splendid, richer and more complete by far than anything of the kind on the boards. " Vaulting with the pole " was a very pretty Bight ; the winners, Lambert and Wallace going over up to 7ft 2in. very gracefully. The next event, "tossing the caber," occupied a long time, from the ineffectual efforts of some eight or nine men in turn to make an immense log perform a somersault. After the tree had been reduced to about. 15 feet, and two hundredweight, J. M'Crostie managed to give it the re

• 1 ■*■ quired twirl, and was declared winner. For the " Highland Fling" four entered, and James Campbell was again declared winner. In this instance he accepted the money, statin? that it would be handed to some charity. The judges regretted that they had not a second prize to giro ~' to Mr Stewart. At "throwing the - heavy hammer" Jack M'Kenzie again asserted his prowess, by hurling the implement a distance of 66ft Bin ; Cross, 2nd, with 65ft 6in. In the nest affair, " boys' handicap race," four started, but young Stewart again distanced his rivals. The "three-legged race" gave some amusement to on-lookers ; one or two of the couples came to grief quick, but*,tbe wonder was that any of the youngsters could keep on their legs at all, in such an awkward fix. The "Rael of Tulloch" was won by Mr J. Stewart, Mr A. T. Clark second, both of whom, though past the usual age for " tripping on the light fantastic," did their steps with remarkable neatness and agility. The 500 yards' race was easily taken by Wyeth, who ran like a deer. The "wheelbarrow race" brought a perfect crowd of boys and old " railway plant " on to the course. They were not .blindfolded, but started off in two lots for a spin round the rinef. Most of them managed to get ** spilled," or to run foul of one another, before getting many yards away, and in doing v< so seemed to afford great fun both to themselves and to the bystanders. "Tilting at the King" was by many looked forward to as the event of the day, and no less than sixteen gay cavaliers entered the lists, but their performances were not so spirited as anticipated. With few exceptions none of them got up the proper pace, most of the brutes they bestrode,^ evincing an unconquerable antipathy to "^' anything like a gallop; but even at a comfortable canter very few of the lancers managed to touch, far less carry off, the rins. They had six chances each, and out of the lot only three, A. Campbell, G-. Brown, and W. Lambert, succeeded in bearing off the little hoop twice. These three being equal, had to run a fresh tilt, when Brown was successful. It was a subject of remark that the position for the tournament had been badly chosen. It ought to have been in front of the grand stand, and we have no doubt at the next gathering the managers will rectify the error. The wrestling match drew a large concourse round the ropes, and was toughly contested ; W. "Williams was ultimately declared the victor, Sand might, no doubt, be proud of the distinction, as he had some stout antagonists to throw. Throughout the day the utmost harmony and good feeling prevailed; everyone ap* t parently finding their own pleasure in contributing to the general enjoyment, and the crowd only dispersed when dark. ness rendered further amusement impossible. _We should not neglect to mention that the lunch provided by Host Mayo, to which the judges, directors, and others retired at 2 o'clock, was placed on the table in quite an artistic manner, and the viands were generally pronounced to be excellent. After the edibles had been properly attended to, Mr James Shearer,who occupied the chair, proposed the usual appropriate toasts, which were received with the cnatomary demonstrations. The following is the prize list, with the names of the judges : — For Quoits — M essrs A. T. dark and J. Scott For all Races and Leaping— Messrs J. Kingsland and J. Gfoodsir For Best Dressed Highlander, Dancing, and Music —Messrs D. M'Fadyen and J. M'Crostie For Fatting Heavy and Light Stones, Hammers, and Tossing Caber— Messrs A. Boss and D. L. Matheson For Tilting at the Ring — Messrs J. T; Marion and W. J. Moffett For Wrestling — Messrs J. Dalglieshand& Reese Superintendent of Sports and Referee : Mr James Shearer.