NEW PLYMOUTH CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 65, 13 April 1909, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

THIRD ANNUAL GATHERING Judges: Running and Cycling, Messrs. J. Heiupton, F. Spurdle, and J. Elliott; Highland hveuts, .Messrs.: J. Robertson (Fatea), A. JlcLcud (Elthani), and J. JleKcuzie (Stratford); Wrestling, .Mr. J. Stagpoule. Ground Officials: Clerk of Course, Jlr. A. Humpuries; Call Steward, -Mr. J. Elliott; Result Steward, Jlr. L. ii. Webster; Number Steward, Jlr.; 0. West; Alarksiiien, Jlessrs. S. Brookes, A. ii. liullot, W. Lints, WSadler, J. Way, and J. A. uarke; Tiuiekepers, Jlessrs. J. Ileum it and \V. Roberts; Highland ami Field Steward, Jlr. J. Clarke; Marter, Jlr. E. Humphries; Starter's Assistant, Jlr. H. H. Ford; Referees and Protest Committee, Messrs. J. Elliott, E. Humphries, and J. Clarke. Hon. Secretary, Jlr. J. JlcLeod.

The third annual gathering of the New Plymouth Caledonian Society was held yesterday ou the Recreation Sports Ground. The weather conditions ncrt perfect. To say that the officials, and the competitors, and the general publicwere amazed at the capital state oi the ground is to state the case mildly. On Saturday afternoon it had rained. Heavy showers fell right through lh<r evening. From midnight until about four o'clock on Sunday the rain was almost iucessant, and the rainfall exceedingly heavy. Very few people expected snorts yesterday. But a stron'j wind sprang up, and when the early birds of the sports management arrived on the ground about six o'clock in tae morning there was hope. The weather improved, and by the time for starting, a little after mid-day, the track was in good order, though a bit heavy, and :n one place soft. The sports ground of a few years ago would have been unlit for use for another week yet. To the Sports Ground Committee is due great credit for the results achieved. The attendance of the public was estimated at about two thousand people, or only about 'half of what might fairly have been expected had Sunday been line. The competitors, on the other hand, toed the mark in very gratifying numbers, scratchings were rare, and tiiere were some large fields. The racing was splendid, and the hard-fought finishes did great credit to Jlr. F .E. Hardy, of Elthnin, the iiandieapper. Several of the events were won on the tape, and very few first prize ttKcrs u.tu a comfortable finish. The exceptions were Parkes and Burton, in the cycling, who would have needed to be "lapped" to prevent their winning all the events as they did. The Caledonian Handicap, of three distances, carried with it points prizes of £5, £l 10s, and 10s. Fori these A. E. Rickleben, 1. P. Grant, and SI, Ward drew level with four points each. In the run-off, over 220 yards, Rickleben scored, with Grant second. The mile handicap flat race provided one of the most sensational finishes of in season, and was a fine test of endurance. The introduction of field events as tests ofvbrain and muscle has much to commend it, and though the entries were not large in the wrestling and hammer-throwing events, they were keenly watched. Carlson, one of the bestjtnown North Island heavy-weight wrestlers, won- the ' Cumberland style wrestling from the light-weight Jlclvor, Who had little chance with the heavier man, who caught him with the inside hip in the first throw and an. outside stroke ill the second. There »as quite a large gathering of Highland-clad pipers and dancers, and the pipes were skirling the whole day through. The judges of the dancing said that the standard reached was most creditable, and the public seemed to take a thorough interest in this portion of the day's sport. In this connection it was remarked that all the competitors tuned from outside New Plymouth. To arouse a keener interest and stronger competition the Society might move m the matter of inducing a teacher of Highland dancing to take up, his quarters "in the town. Too much credit can hardly be given to the sports officials for the manner in which a full day's programme was disposed of in four hours. All of the details had evidently been well thought out, and Jlr. JlcLeod, the secretary, and his colleagues kept things going right merrily. Jlr. J. W. Thomson had a fruit and refreshment stall on the ground, The following are the results of the various contests: — RUNNING EVENTS.

Grand Caledonian Handicap, of £23; in Hiree distances, 120, 220 and 440 yds. —First distance (first prize £4, swoml 30s. third 10s) First heat: B. Sym:'S (syds) 1, P. Murphy (12yds) 2. Also started:. A, E. Rieklehen (7yds), Tito (DjMs), T. E. Taylor (lOyjfcV, I. J", (irant (12yds). Time. 12 2-osec. Svei.nd heat: W. McClellan (lOvds) 1. L. Stohr ((ivds) 2,11. Ward (4yds) 3. Also. started: 11. D. Julian (10yds), E. C. Stanley (11yds).. .Time. 11 4-ssec. Time. II 4-SSCC. "Third heat: \V. H. Sen ll.v C.)vds) 1. A. V. Stohr (Uyds) 2, C. Stmtford llllvds) 3. Also started: E. Johnston (lOJde), X. (i. Sutherland (10yds),

C. Johnston (llvds). W. Goble (12yds) A. K. McDonald (12vds). Time, 12 1-5 Final: W. H. Scally 1. L. Stohv 2. W. McClellaml 3. "Won. by a few indies, the third man a couple of feet away. Time, 12sec. Caledonian Handicap, 220 yds (first prize £5, second 30s, tlifrd 10) First bunt: T. P. Grant (22yds) 1, A. E. Riekleben (16yds) 2, W. H. Scally (16yds) 3. Won by a couple of feet. Time, 22 3-ssec. Second heat: M. Ward (syds I 1, E. Johnston (16yds) 2, W. MeClelland ' (15vde) 3. Also started: A. V. Stohr (!lvd»),M. D. Julian (16vds),N. G. Sutherland (18v<is), E. C. Stanley (20yds), '• C. Jolraston (21yds), A. B. McDonald (22yds). Ward came right through, and won by a bit to spare. The next two were almost even at the tape. Time. 22 4-ssec. Final: M. Ward 1. Rickieben 2. Grant 3. AH qualified started. Won on the tape, in 22 l-ssec. One Mile- Handicap (first prize £5. second £l—T. E. Tavlor (UOvds) 1. M. D. Julian (OOvds) 2, P. Chapman (100 yds) 3. Also started: C. W. Ryan (45vds). P. S. Adams (!)oyds), A. Wood (flavds).C. Crozier (lOOvd's). E. C. Locke (lOOvds), G. Tuck (lOOvds). 11. Bollinger (100 yds), H. J. Jeffrey (120 yds). A great race. The first half-mile was slow. being run in 2miu SOsee. Then Ryan began to improve his position, ad the others improved their pace. Two or three dropped out. With three-quarters of a lap to go, Taylor add Julian were racing as though the tape were in sighl. Taylor kept his- lead, however, ami outstayed his challenger, winning after a splendid struggle in 4min .Usee. Caledonian Handicap, 4-tovds (first prize £5, second 30s. third i<M—l. I'. Graut (40vdsl 1. A. E. Ricklehon (30 vds) 2. If."Ward (Bvds| 3. Also started: B. Svmes (22yds). A. V. Stolir (25 vds), L. Stolir (30vdsi.C. Stratford (30 Vds), E. Johnston (30yds). W. McClcliand (35vds). X. <i. Sutherland (35vds>. P. Murphy (35vds), C. Johnston (4" .yds). E. C. Stanley (40vdsl. W. Cobb' (40yds). A. E. McDonald (40yds). A good finish. Grant just managing to beep his position. His win was very popular. Time, 51sec. Half-mile Handicap.—First prize CI. second £l.-fP. Murphy UOvds) 1, I. I'. Grant (60yds) 2, E. C." Locke (50yds) :•. i

Also started: C. Stratford (20vds), T. E. Taylor (3(lyds), JI. D. Julian '(4oyds). M. Ward (40yds), C. Crozier (50yds), I'. Chapman (50yds), A. Wood (oOvds). A. \'. Siolir (50yds), H. J. Jeffrey (00yds). Grant, who was on the limit mark, kept at the front or close handy, and disputed the last lap with Murphy, but the latter held him. and in the straight was drawing away. Won by about three yards. Time, 2iliin 4see.'

Forced Handicap, 220 yds (tirst prize £2. second Ilk-).—W. H. Seally (10yds) 1, L. Stohr (11yds) 2. Eight started. Time, 2:lsec.

Caledonian Handicap, run-off for points prize; 220 yds—A. E. Rickleben (10yds) 1, 1. I'. (irant (22yds) 2, M. Ward (syds) 3. CYCLIC EVENTS. Novice Handicap, om mile (first prize 30s, second Lister 1, J. Adlam •2. Also started: C. Lawrence, J. Skipper, T. Lister, S. Parker. Slile Handicap (first prize £4, second £l, third 10s)—First heat: C. E. Burton (20yds) 1, A. E. Parkes (bct.) 2 J. E. Mills (110 yds) 3, <W. C. Vincent (110 yds) 4. Also started: O. Pulford (80 I yds), J. Adlam (100 yds), T. Lister (100 yds), S. Parker (125 yds). Time, 2min 33sec. A comfortable race for the first two men. Second heat: W. Roebuck (100 yds) 1, C. C. Lister (80yds) 2, C. Garliek (80yds) 3. Also started: A. E. Evison (80yds), J. Lister (100 yds), J. Skipper (100 yds), H. Chapman ('llOyds), S. George (120 yds). A capital raw, ridden hard to thv finish. Time, 2min 30 2-ssec. Final heat: C. K. Burton I. A. E. Parkes 2, JY. C. Vincent 3. All the qualified competitors started, except Skipper. Roebuck held the lead for a great part of the race, but lost his position owing to his lKisty habit of looking behind him. Burton and Parkes streaked away from the rest in the last lao. Time, 2niin 20sec. One mile and a-half Handicap (first prize £5, second £1 10s, third 10s) First heat: A. E. Parkes (scr.) 1. C. E. Burton (30vds) 2. C. (iarlick (KiOvds) :i, C. Pulford (150vds) 4. Also started: .1. Lister (150 yd*)," J. Skipper (I.soyds), W. Roebuck (150 yds), 11. Chapman (1(10 ;|ds), S. Gvorge (175 yds). Won by three or four yards. Time, 3min 50 2-5 sec. Second heat: W. C. Vincent (100 vds) 1. C. C. Lister (ISftvds) 2, S. Parker (180 yds) 3. J. E. Jlills (KiOvds) -I. Also started: A. E. Evison (90yds). J. Adlam (150 yds), T. Lister (150 yds). Won by a length, third man three lengths away, after a game race, particularly in the last stretch. Time. 3miii 55 2-ssec. Final: A. E. Parkes 1. ('. E. Burton 2, S. Parker 3. All qualified started. (larlick, V. C. Lister, and Vincent fell at a soft spot on the track. Parkes had an easy win.

Caledonian Wheel Race, two miles (first prize £ 10, second £3, third £1)--A. E. Parkes (scr.) I, C, E. Burton (40 yds) 2, W. C. Vincent (220vds) 3. Also started: G. Pulford (Isovds), A. E. Evison (120vds), C. C. Lister (100 yds), J. Adlam (200vds), J. Lister (200 yds). T. Lister (200vds), W. Roebuck (200 yds), J. E. Jlills (220 yds), H. Chapman (220 yards). S. George 230 yards), S. Parker (240 yards. The handicap men were soon bunched, with the back-markers pedalling nearly half a lap away. The latter steadily won their way up, and with two laps to go, shot pas't the hulk of the leaders. In the last lap Vincent raced every inch with Burton and .'Parkes, and the three were bunched at the tape, Vincent in third place. He fell as he crossed the line. Time was not taken, the accident in such close proximity to the judge causing an interference with the "stop" mechanism.

FIELD EVENTS. Wrestling, Cumberland style (first prize £4. second .£1; -prizes donated by Jlr. W. F. JlcAllum).—A. Carlson beat Thomson, twice in succession; Jlclvor beat Sullivan, two out of three throws; Carlson beat Jlclvor. Result: Carlson I. Jlclvor 2. Throwing the Hammer (first prize £l, second ss)—A. Carlson (OOfl) 1, Sullivan (78ft) 2. Four starters. inGHLAND EVENTS. Bagpipe Jtusfc (first prize £4, second 10s) Marches: A. JlcLeod 1, J. Wad,c 2, Sutherland 3. Strathspeys and Reel; (first prize £4, second 10s): JlcLeod i, Wade 2, Sutherland 3. Highland Fling, open, in costume (first prize £2, second 10s)-D. JlcDonald 1, J. Wade 2, A. JlcLeod 3. Reel, in costume—D. JlcDonald, R. Barr. J. Wade, C. Cameron.

Irish Jig, in costume (first prize £2. second 10s) —G. Cameron 1, D. McDonald o # Highland Fling, boys and girls under 10 (first prize 255, second ssj—J. Barr 1, C. Barr 2. B. Todd 3. Sword Dance, hovs and girls under 16-C. Barr 1, J. Bail- -2. C. Todd 3.

OAKL'RA HANDICAPS. The following handicaps have been declared for the chopping and sawing events at the above sports on 22nd April:— Novice Chop lift logs)— Green. Adlam. Meredith. Fisher, Hill, Billings. Collins. Woods, McPherson, Blanchett. and Taylor, all scratch. Maiden Chop.—('has. Volzke scr., C'orkill osec. Carey ssec, Clarke 7sec. McPherson 7sec. Fisher 7sec. Meredith 7 sec, (ireen 7sec. G. Hill 7scc, Taylor 7si'e.. Collins isec. Cup—C. F. A. Volzke ISsec., Sullivan 20sk-„ Young 2flscc. Julian 22sec., C. Volzke 23sec, Corkill 28sec, McPherson 30sec. Gilmer 30sec, Collinr3o3cc, Rillings 30sce. Sawing Handicap—C. A. Volzke scr., Sullivaa scr., M. Hill sscc, Young ssee.. Volzke ssvc. McPherson ssec, Clarke >S see., Adlam Bscc. Acceptances close on Friday. April 10