THE NEW YEAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1121, 3 January 1884, Page 3

THE NEW YEAR.

GERALDINE. The first day of the year 1884 was very quietly ushered in in Geraldine. The brass band paraded the streets as the midnight hour approached, and played several lively tunes, The night being somewhat mild enabled several persons to turn out, and follow the band in its peregrinations. About an hour after the birth of the new year, the streets resumed their wonted quietude. How different this from similar occasions of former years, when it seemed as if Pandemonium itself were let loose; when the midnight hour was courted by the larrikin element as the signal for all kinds of antics, and the air was resonant with ,the most hideous noises ? No doubt “ hard times ” have had a deal to do with the change, together with the Blue Ribbon and Salvation Armies.

The Caledonian Sports, in limaru, appeared to be centre of attraction fer the Ger&ldinians, and accordingly the eight o’clock coach, bound for Orari to meet the first train for Timaru, had to be supplemented by a second, both being crowded with passengers inside and out. The eleven o’clock coach, to meet the down express, was also laden with passengers. The appearance of the township put one in mind of “ Goldsmith’s Deserted Village,” for scarcely an individual was to be seen in the streets after the departure of the last coach for the trains going south. In the evexiing the annual New Year’s Day ball was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The evening, being very fine, enabled a goodly company to assemble, and trip the light fantastic to the music of Messrs Somerville and Levens. Dancing was kept up with unabated fervour till the “ wee sma’ hours” began to lengthen and the sun rose gradually in the sky, when the inevitable separation came, each one wishing his neighbor “ A Happy New Year.”

TEMUKA.

In Tcmnba the New Year was ushered very quietly. The night was extremely fine, but only the bursting of a few crackers and the ringing of bells proclaimed the advent of 1884, Services were held at midnight in the Anglican, Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Churches, and earlier in the evening service was held in the Presbyterian Church.

In the afternoon the band played some tunes in front of the Royal Hotel, and dnring the night visited all the houses in the Milford district. The fact that the band was absent from the town contiibnted, no doubt, to the remarkable tranquility which prevailed. Had the band played through the town as on former years, it would have attracted the crowd as usual, and some amusements would have been indulged

New 1 ear’s moraing was one of the ' finest ever witnessed. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining brilliantly. Towards noon, however, high wind was experienced, and it continued far the most part of the- afternoon, accompanied by occasional drops ol rain. The day on the whole, however, was very fair. the salvation army. The Salvation Army held a picnic of perhaps it would be more correct to call it review—in Temuka. The Army’s band arrived shortly after 9 a.m., and after playing a few tunes in front of the post office, marched up and down the main street, and jo a paddock belpnging to Mr Washington, to nhich they were followed by about 100 people. During the day their number was greatly increased

by fresh contingents from Timaru, and in the afternoon there was a very large gathering. All kinds of innocent games were indulged in, and a service was held about 3 o’clock at which two converts were made. Dinner and tea were supplied and everything passed off satisfactorily. The unexpected arrival by express train from Dunedin of their chieftain, Major Pollard, gave an agreeable surprise to the army. On bi& arrival he was loudly cheered. In the evening Captain Smith and Lieutenant Ford delivered farewell addresses in the Volunteer Hall. There was a large attendance and everything passed off quietly. These two officers are leaving Timaru, but their destination is unknown. Everyone who has any knowledge of Captain Smith will we are sure be very sorry that he leaving.

CALEDONIAN SPORTS IN TIMARU. The annual sports held under the auspices of the South Canterbury daleponian Society, came off on the grounds of the Amateur Athletic Club. There was a very large attendance and everything passed off satisfactorily. The following are the results Quoits. First prize, £2; second, £l. W. Cunningham ... ••• ••• I J. Heney ... ••• ••• 2 Three others competed. Throwing 28lb Hammer. First prize, £2, second, £1; third, 10s, W, Trembath (61ft Tin) 1 A. Martin (59ft Gin) ... ... 2 R. O’Rourke (58ft llin) ... ... 3 Four others competed. Bagpipe Music, in costume—Pibroch*. First prize, £4 and medal; second, £2 ; third, £l. D. Campbell ... ••• I R. Munro ... ••• ••• 2 Bagpipe Music—Marches. First prize, £4 and medal; second, £2; third, £l. R. Munro ... ••• ••• 1 D. Campbell ... ... ... 2 Highland Costumes—Men. First prize, £3 , second, £2 ; third, £i. R, Munro (Gunn tartan) ... ... 1 J. Banks (McGregor) ... ... 2 J. R. McGregor (McGregor) ... 3 These were the only competitors. Highland Costume—Boys. First prize, £1 ; second, 15s; third, 10s. J. E, Gallie (Gunn tartan) ... ... 1 J. F. Mcßae (Victoria) ... ... 2 R, Mcßae (Bob Roy) ... ... 3 Two other boys named Mcßae, brothers of the two placed, also competed. Putting 221 b Stone, First prize, £2 ; second, £l. J. Dealy (28ft 6in) 1 J. Sullivan (28ft 4|in) 2 J. O’Donohue (28ft 4in) ... ... 3 Six others competed, including a Maori. 100 Yards Maiden Race. First prize, £2 • second, £1; third, 10s. J. Brosnahan ... ... ••• 1 M. Sullivan ... 2 J. Sullivan ... ... ••• 3 W. Hobbs, J. Cranston, and T, Kenny also ran. A protest was entered directly after the race by M. Sullivan, on the ground that Brosnahan had won a race at Arowhenua on the 17th March last. Time —12 mins l-sth secs. Highland Reel, in costume —Men. First prize, £3 and medal; second, £2; third, £l, R. Murray ... ... ••• 1 J. Mcßae, sen. ... ... ... 2 J.Banks... ... ... 3 Three others competed, and therefore two sets were necessary to decide the item. Vaulting with Pole. First prize, £3; second, £2 ; third £l. T. McAuliffe (Oft 9in) I J. McGregor (9ft Sin) 2 I. !( 3ft6iD > - - 3 B. Nichols also competed. 440 Yards Handicap Hurdle Race. First prize, £4; second, £3 ; third, £l. J. M. O’Connor (10yds) ... ... 1 E. S. Smith (scratch) ... ... 2 W. Hobbs (15yds) 3 T. Fergusson (10yds), T. McAuliffe (10yds), J. Murphy (scratch), and R. Waugh also ran. Time —Imin s£secs. Singlesticks. Prize, medal given by Mr P. Ligertwood. J. R. McGregor ... ... _ •••, 1 There were four competitors including Mr R. Taylor, Geraldine. One Mile Handicap Race. First prize, £5 ; second, £3 ; third, £l, J. Lawry (65yds) ... ... ... 1 J. M. O’Connor (scratch) ... ... 2 D. Shine (40yds) 3 T. Fergusson (140yds), S. Wooten (140yds), B. Stuart (70yds), Thos. Hobbs (70yds), and R. Waugh (130yds) also storied. Time —4min Sliecs. Highland Fling, in costume. First prize, £3 and medal ; second, £2; third, £l. R. Munro ... ... ... 1 R. Pelvin ... ... ... 2 J. Banks ... ... ... 3 Three others competed. The four young Mcßaes then danced the Fling together, and were loudly applauded A liberal prize was collected on the ground, and awarded by general consent to the youngest. Highland Reel, in costume, for boys under 16. First prize, £1 ; second, 10s; third, ss. J. Mcßae ... ... ... 1 R. Mcßae ... ... ••• 2 D. Mcßae ... ... ••• 3 A fourth Mcßae also competed all the brothers danced in very good style. They are also sons of Mr James Mcßae, well known in this district, but now of Ashburton. Wrestling, Cumberland style. First prize, £5 ; second, £2. J. Sullivan ... ... ... 1 J. Donovan ... ... ... 2 John and James Gibson also competed. Considerable skill was displayed in the contest, and ultimately Sullivan and Donovan agreed to divide, Sullivan being I placed first on account of having thrown [ the largest competitor.

Two Miles Walking Handicap. First

pr zu, £4 ; tsecond, £3 ; third, £l. I. J. Bradley (scratch) ... ... 1 J. M. O’Connor (scratch) ... ... 2 J. La wry (340yd5)... ... ... 3 P. Kyne (400yds), F. Walker (400yds), and J. King (400yds) also competed. In the fourth lap Walker retired, and P. Kyne in tire fifth. Bradley and O’Connor walked side by side from the start, and a great struggle took place at the finish. Time—l4min 57sec. Sword Dance, in costume. First prize, £3 and medal ; second, £2 ; third, £l. R. Munro ... ... ... 1 J. Banka ... ... ... 2 J. Mcßae, sen. ... ... ... 3 Three others competed, including J. Mcßae, jun., who would have been given second prize if he had been of age. B*o Yards Handicap Race. First prize, £4 ; second, £3 ; third, £l. Thos. Hobbs (35yds) ... ... 1 T. Pergusson (20yds) ... ... 2 T. McAuliffe (60yds) ... ... 3 J. Lawry (35yds), D. Shine (25yds) and B. Nichols (70yds) also ran. Time—2min 12 2-sth secs. Irish Jig. First prize, £3 and medal ; •econd, £2 ; third, LI. T, O’Connell 1 W. Angland ... ... ••• 2 C. Collins ... ... ••• 3 This event brought out seven competitors, but only two or three danced in costume. Hop, Step and Jump. First prize, £2 ; second, £l. J. Cummings (42ft Din) ... ... 1 W. Brosnahan (41ft llin) ... ... 2 J. Sullivan (39ft Sin) ... ... 3 Two others competed. The winning distance last year wag 42ft sin. Second Day. The second day’s sports were not so well attended as the first. The following is a report of the events that bad been competed for when our reporter left: — Throwing the 16ib Hammer. First prize, L2 ; second, LI. A. Martin (74ft llin) ... ... 1 W. Trembath (73ft Sin) ... ... 2 Five competed. Running Long Jump. Ist prize" L2; second, 111. J. Cummings ... ... 1 M. Sullivan ... ... ... 2 200 Yards Handicap Race. Jbirst prize, L 3 ; second, L2 ; third, LI. B. Nicholla (15yds) 1 J. Fraser (10yds) ... ... ... 2 Thirteen competed. Editing The Light Stone. First prize L2 ; second, LI. J. Daily (34ft lin)... ... ... 1 M. Sullivan (33ft lOin) 2 100 Yards Handicap Race. First prize L2 ; second, LI; third, 10s. J. Murphy (scratch) ... ... 1 A. J. Kenny (scratch) J. Fraser (syds) ... ... ... 3 Thirteen competed. Time 11 seconds. Reel op Tdlloch. in costume. First prize, L 3 ; second, L2 ; third, LI. J. Mcßae ... ... ... 1 J. Munro ... ... .. 2 C. Frame ... ... ... 3 Wrestling, catch as catch can. First prize, L 3, second, L2, J. Sullivan ... ... ... 1 J. H'llier ... 2 2000 Yards Steeplechase Handicap. First prize, L 4 and medal j second, L 3 ; third, LI. J. M. O’Connor (scratch) ... ... 1 D. Shine (40yds) 2 J. Fraser (30yds) 3 Eight competed. Time—6min 38sec. One Mile Walking Handicap. First prize, L 4 ; second, L2 ; third, Ll. T. Clark (135yd5)... ... ... 1 I. J. Bradley (scratch) ... ... 2 W. Hobbs (200yds) 3