BOXING DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 806, 27 December 1881, Page 2

BOXING DAY.

As has been (he custom for some years past, yesterday was observed as a close holiday in this township, the people being determined on such a lovely day to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Several picnics were improvisoed, and a cricket match between the Timaru United Crcket Clubs nud the Geraldine Club rook place at Geraldine. But the great event of the day, so far as this district was concerned, was the ODDFELLOWS' SPORTS. Stewards : Messrs Robert Donn, James Davis, Henry Dunford, N. C. Nicholas, and Joseph Whitehead. Handicapfers": Messrs John Patterson and Boyd Thomson. Starter . Mr C. Storey. Clerk of the Course : Mr E. Vallender. Judges : Messrs J. M. Ollivier, John Patterson, Michael Spillane, and Dr Campbell. Hon. Treasurer :Mr J"s. Blyth. Hon. Secretary : Mr Wm. Rt. Uprichard.

These sports were held in the Park, under the auspices of the Loyal Alexandrovna Lodge. For some years past they have taken place annually on Boxing Day, and have always been very popular amongst the residents. Shortly before noon the Temnka Braf-8 Band paraded the streets, and afterwards wended their way to the Park playing appropriate selections of music. They were followed by the Fife and Drum Band, who also gave excellent evidence of their skill as musicians, and during the day both bands enlivened the proceedings with their music. The arrangements of the Committee were excellent, the. space for the racing being well fenced with wire. The events for the most part were keenly contested, and great interest was manifested in the sports by the public. Mr P. Coira of the Royal Hotel, had a booth on the ground, and. judging from the numbers which during the day were seen refreshing themselves at his bar, he did a roaring trade. Still there was a complete absence of. drunkenness, the utmost good order prevailed, and the office 0/ the police was a complete sinecure, their labors consisting in oceasiona ly lending assistance to clear the race course. A refreshment booth was

also ou the ground, at which Mr T. B. Sheen appeared to do well Old Aunt Sally under the guardianship of Mr Dunford was)patr»nised, and was the source at considerable amount of amusement. On the whole the day's sport was an excellent one, and the Committee may be congratulated on the result of their efforts to afford means of recreation and amusement to ' the general public. The following is. a detailed aeconnt of the differedt events :—- One Hundred Yards Handicap. First prize, 30a ; second, 10s. Entrance,. 2s 6d. John Velvin (6yd ß ) * Richard Guy (scratch) ... 2 Alfred Clinch (2yds) ... 3 E. Forward, scratch ; I. Greaves. 2yds ; W. Walton, 6yde ; and P, Thouinine s 6yds, also ran. Time—l6secs. At the signal, after a false start, n second attempt was made, but an indif- | ferent start was effected. Velvin took the | lead to the end. Guy ran in splendid I form and had there been a few yards | more to run would have passed the winner I As it was Velvin only won by afoot. i Hundred Yards Girls' Race (Handicap) : j First prize, Woikbox; second, 3s. j Entrance,-nil. j P. Divis 1 j | S°" n i ...!*»<* heat E. Davis ) I There were eight entries for this event, J and a deal of interest was taken tn it. Running High Jump ; First priz*, 20s -, second, 10s. Entrance, 2s 6d. R. Cl,ute ... (sft 2in) 1 R. Guy ... ... (sft) 2 I There were only three entries. The bar I was placed at 4ft and gradually rose tc, : 4ft oin, when Clinch was out of it. Chute I and Guy then had the b;ir to themselves. and after a hard tussle Chnte won aa above. '. 150 Yards, Boys undsr. 16 (handicap). i First prize, 10a.; second, ss. Eni trance. Is. i T. Oliver (syds) 1 j C. Fauvel (15yds) 2 ' Fauvel kept the lead till near the. tape, when Oliver overtook him, and canib in , first by about a yard, Four others ran. \ Vaulting with Pole : First prize, 20s ; ; second. 10s Entrance, 2s 6d. j E. Hornbrook ...(7ft sin) 1 i J. Lynch (7ft 4in) 2, i Four contested event. The bar. ; was Srpt, placed at 6ft, and gradually I raised to 7ft 4in, when Greaves and Hobbs ; had to give, in, and the winners were ultimately declared as above. Throwing the Hammer : First prize, 20s ; second, 10s. Eutrance, 2s Gd. ; There <vere seven entries for this trial of strength, man had-, thrown, and beeu beaten by another, a dispute arose as to whether three trials were allowed or not. Ultimately this point waa ; decided to be referred to the South Can- ; terbury Caledonian Society, as arbitrators in the matter.

1£ Miles Walking Handicap ; First prize, 355; second, 15s. Entrance, 2s 6d. P. J. Murphy ... (scratch). 1 E. Williams ... (40 yds) 2 J. Chute also came up to time. P. Thournine, although entered,., did not make his appearance. At the atari Chute took the lead, with Murphy, third, a little distance behind.. Before the first _ lap was reached Williams dropped behind, Murphy gradually closing up. Prior to « the third lap being reached they all mistook the course and after proceeding . some distance, went back to where the mistake took place. Ihis put Chute out of the race, he losing a gr*at many yards. Murphy then kept the lead till breasting the tape. The walking of both was much admired. No time was kept. 100 Yards Boys' Race (Handicap) : First prize, 5s ; second, 3s. Entrance, nil W.Radford ... 1 G. Hayes 2 flop, Step and Jump;: First prize, 20s ; second, 10s. Entrance, 2s 6d J. Brosnahan (36ft 7in) ... 1 E. Williams (34ft) 2 Considerable interest was evinced in this contest, which lasted some time resulting as above. 250. Yards Handicap :. First prize, 40s ; second, 20s. Entrance, 2s 6d. E. S. Smith (scratch) ... 1 R. Guy (syds) 2 P. J, Murphy. syds ; and E. Williams, 12yds also ran. This was a capital race and keenly contested, resulting as above. f Mile Handicap (third Prize 20s if six compete) . First pnz3, 80s; second, 40s. Entrance, ss.' D. Shine (scratch) 1 E.S.Smith (15 yds) 2. Greaves, and Williams also rani Murphy, through a mistake was too late to start. Shine rapidly outdistanced all the competitors and won by a long dis- ' taoce. When entering the straight for the last time. Williams put on a spurt and passed Smith, but only for a few moments, however, for the latter soon passed him again and came in second. Married, Women's Rack : First prize Silver Teapot; second, Butter Cooler. Entrance, Is Mrs Harrison... ••• ••• * Mrs Moses (Native) 2 There were fi>e entries for this nice, which caused considerable mirth. Mrs, Moses took the lead, but was soon overtaken by Mrs Harrison, who won.

Tilting in the King -. First prize, 40s second, 20s. Entrance. ss. J Smith 1 A. Storey 2 Six contestants (Messrs W. Hornbrook, Irvine, Nicholas. Simpson, Storey and J. Smith entered for this event), and after a good trial it resulted as above. ' £ Mile Hukdle Race : (handicap) over eight flights and water jump: First prize, 60s ; second, 20s. Entrance, 2s 6d. P. J. Murphy (10yds) .... 1 E. S. Smith (scratch) ... 2 Murphy led from the start to the finish. Smith a gr.nd second. There were eight entries. Oddfellows' Race (Handicap) 200 Yds : First Prize, Silver Cup ; second, silver medal. J. M. Ollivier ... (50 yds) 1 M. Dunn (35 yds) 2 R. Raddfok (10 yds). Uprichard (30 yds), and E. Smith (scratch), also ran. Half Mile Race : Prize, Silver Cup (presented by Messrs Vincent and Co., brewers. Chrisfchurch). Entrance, 2s Od. R. Edgeworth 1 There were no less than elevsn entries j for this event, the value of tho Cup no doubt causing so many to compete. Pig with Greasy Tail: Prize, Pig. Entrance, Is. There were four entries for the greasy prize, which was c-'iptured by Mr Edgeworth. 1 A dispute arosa as to the ownership of the pig. and it was again let loose three or i . I four times, only to he recaptured b}- way ■ of sport. I There could not have been ]<»bs than j .600 persons on the ground. The spo r ts j were not concluded till 3 p.m., and gave I evident satisfaction to t';ose who partook j theiein, and also to the spectators. j