BOXING DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1282, 27 December 1884, Page 3

BOXING DAY.

Yesterday, being Boxing Day, was observed as a holiday. All the stores were closed, business was completely suspended, and many went away to enjoy themselves at picnics and in other ways ODDFELLOWS’ SPORTS. Stewards —Messrs E. White, J. Blyth, H. Dunford, E. S. Smith, R. Comer, J. Davis, W. Binley, W. Hooper, A, Nicholas, J. Beri, GK Woudhead iunr., G. McS, Gentleman, G. J. Mason, J. Langskail, W. Edwards, J. W. Velvin, J. Whitehead, and Dr Campbell. HanDlCAppers—Messrs C. Story, it. J. Guy, and P. Coira. STARTER— Mr C. Story. Clerk op Course —Mr T. Larcombe, Judges—Messrs J. Paterson, M. Spdlane, G. McS. Gentleman, J. Langskail, W. O’Driscoll, and C. Bateman. Hon. Treasurer —Mr J. Blyth. Hon. Secretary—Mr W. Coltman, junr.

The sports held annually in theTemuka Park under the auspices of the Loyal Alexandrovas Lodge of Oddfellows was of course the chief attraction in that district, and to these a large concourse of people found their way. _ Although the previous night had for a time been wet, and some people dreaded the day would be wet also, the weather was all that could be desired. The forenoon was hot, but the afternoon was cool and pleasant. The sports commenced at about 11 o’clock, and shortly afterwards the band, after having paraded the streets, arrived, and played for the most part of the day on the ground. The bund deserve a word of praise, no less for the capital' music which they rendered than for the fact that they played almost all day. Ihe arrangements of the Committee were all that could be desired. The ground was suitably laid out, but the great feature was the new pavilion or, more populaily speaking, grand stand recently built. This is built in the usual way that grand stands are to be seen everywhere, and underneath it are two rooms, one of which is used as a dressing room, and the other as a Committee room. It has been well built and is a great acquisition, hor a wonder it was not well patronised, but probably the charge of two shillings, which was made in the forenoon, had something to do with that. MrP. Ooira had the licensed booth on the ground, and Mr L. Tombs the refreshment one, both of whom did well. There was happily a complete absence of drunkenness. Mr Dunford, as usual, attended to “Aunt Sally,” who, however, did not appear to be so well patronised as on former occasions. Immediately after the sports commenced the people commenced to crowd to the ground, and there was a large attendance at 2 o’clock, but we. doubt whether it was equal to former years. The various events were well contested, and some of the racing was capital, In addition to the usual programme, Mr Whitehead got up several boys’ and girls’ races for toys. For these events as many as 20 and 30 entered, and the races were very amusing. The following is a report of the various events : 100 Yards Handicap Race. First prize 20s, second 10s. W. Hobbs, 5 yds 1 J. Murphy, scr. 2 J. Mcßratney, Byds 3 E. S. Smith, Iyd; A. McCormick, syds ; J. Greaves, 6yds ; and J. W. Velvin, 5 yds, also run, R. Lavery did not start. f A gCod start was effected. They soon got all together, and it was difficult to say who was first and second at the finish. The judges decided as above. 150 Yards Boys’ Race (under 16). First prize 10s, second Set Studs, F. K. Fray 1 J. Brosnahan 2 Several other boys ran. 100 Yards Girls’ Rage (under 16). First prize Workbox, second Necklet. Ellen Moore ... ... ... 1 Minnie Burke 2 Eight girls competed. Wrestling Match (Cumberland style). First prize Cup ; second 20s. R. Casey 1 W. Gill ... ••• 2 There were five entries for this event. M. Duggan and It. Casey were paired, and after a great deal of fencing the latter was thrown. W. Gill and H. Pratt (half-caste) next tried conclusions, and the latter was thrown. Casey and Husband next set to and the latter was thrown. Casey next threw Gill. In the second try “ no fall” was declared, but in the third Casey again threw Gill and won. 250 Yards Handicap Race. First prize, 40-s ; second, 20s. W. Hobbs, 12yds 1 E. S. Smith, scr. 2 M McCormick, scr 3 J. W. Yelvin, Byds ; J. Murphy, scr. ; R, Lavery, 12yds; W. Edwards, 18yds; and J. Mcßratney, 22yds, also ran. This was an excellent race, and all the competitors came in pretty close to each other. Hobbs won by about 3 yards, a.nd McCormick w f as about ,2 yards behind Smith. Boys’ Race, for Toys. D. Morris ••• 1 W. Gray 2 P. Fauvel ... 3 About 30 boys competed. Boys’ Race, for Toys. D. Morris 1 F. Breakwell 2 A. Gibson ... ••• 3 About 20 boys competed. 4 Mile Bicycle Handicaf Race. First prize 60s, sacond 30s. O. H. Reid, scr. 1 iE, Whitehead, 325yds. 2

J. Findlay, 200yds ; and A. Nicholas, 325yds, were scratched. Reid won by about 20 yards. Running High Jump. First prize 20s,

second 10s. J. (Jollies, sft. 3iu. ) Equal. R. Olmte, sft. 3io. f " 4 J. Brosnahan and Barrett also competed. iimsnaban fell out it sft, _ and Barrett at sft li-in. After several tries Chute and Collins “cleared 6ft 3in and agreed to divide. Half Milk Running Handicap. First

prize 80s, second 40s, third 20s. T. Hobbs, 1 E. S. Smith, 15yds 2 W. Hobbs, 50yds 3 A. Fosse, J, Murphy, A. McCormick, W. Edwards, and R. Lavery were scratched. M. McCormick and 1. Greaves also ran.

Greaves maintained the advantage he had received for the first 200 yards, but when passing the grand stand was passed by W. Hobbs, while the others were coming up, especially T. Hobbs. Shortly afterwards Greaves fell out, and a hot race ensued, resulting in T. Hobbs coming in an easy winner. M. McCormick fell when 100 yards from home. Vaulting with Pole. First prize, 20s ; second, 10s. •S. Mcßratney, Bft. 2in 1 J. Lynch, Bft. ... ... ... 2 J. Clinch, J. Barrett, D. Mcßratney, and J. Grant also competed. Throwing the Hammer. First prize 20e,

second 10s. J. McKinnon, 88ft. Sin. ... ... 1 B, Borke, 81ft. lOin. 2 M. Duggan and J. Bosnahan also competed. 1 Mile Walking Handicap. First prize 40s, second 20s. J. Mcßratney, 60yds, ... ... ... 1 W. Hobbs, 2 K. Franks was scratched.

This race would have been fairer if both men had started on level terms, as Mcßratney kept his distance to the last. Hop, Step, and Jump. First prize 20s, second 10s,

J. Brosnahan ... ... ••• 1 J. Murphy 2 H. Pratt (half-caste) and D. Connolly also jumped. Girls’ Race, for Toys, N. McAuliff 1 A. Connell 2 E, Davis

About 15 girls ran, 1 Mile Running Handicap Race. First prize, 100 s ; second, 40s ; third, 20s. T. Hobbs, 35eds. ... 1 R. Lavery, 140yds, ... ••• ••• 2 W. Edwards, 120yds 3 A. McCormick, 80yds, and J. Greaves, 160yds, also ran. M. McCormick, scratch ; A. Fosse, scratch ; and E. S. Smith, 55yds, ware scratched. After having gone round a couple of times A. McCormick fell out, and shortly afterwards Greaves followed suit. By this time Edwards had passed Lavery and headed him by several yards, but in the last round Lavery put oq a spurt, aud passed out, and immediately afterwards T. Hobbs passed them both and came in an easy winner, with Lavery a good second. Married Women’s Race. First prize, Teapot; second, Butter Cooler; third, Necklet. Mrs Taike (native) 1 Mrs Walker (native) 2 Tilting in the Ring. First prize, 40s ;

second, 20s. W. Smith J P, Bertie ••• * J. Brosnahan and T. Connolly also competed. m Girls’ Race, Fob. Toys. E. Davis 1 A. Connell ~ E. Burke *■

About 20 others competed. 200 Yards Oddfellows’ Handicap Race. First prize, Cup ; second, 30a. J. W. Yelvin, Byds 3 E. S. Smith, scr. ••• 2 R. Guy, Byds ••• 3 W. Edwards, 12yds; C. H. Reid, 12yds also ran. Guy until about 50yds from home looked the winner, but shortly after he was passed by Yelvin and Smith, who succeeded in getting first and second places in a hotly contested race, £ Mile Handicap Hurdle Race (over 8 flights of hurdles). First prize, 60s ; second, 20* ; third, 10s. J. Murphy, syds 3 M. McCormick, scr 2 J. Mcßratney, 35yds 8 R. Lavery did not run. E. S. Smith, scratch ; J W. Yelvin, 12yds ; and W. Hobbs, 18yds, also started. Mcßramey cut out the running, and kept his distance well for some time, all clearing the hurdles well. ‘ Murphy kept gaining during the whole -journey, and at about half th« distance passed Hobbs and Yelvin. In tho lust jump he collared Mcßratney and came in an easy winner, with McCormick close up, and Mcßratney a good third. Some of the others slackened their pace when the odds were against them. Boys’ Race. W. Gray, I D. Morris ... ••• ••• ••• 2 About 20 other boys competed. Tug of War. For four prizes of 10s each. Sixteen men entered for this event, and the first teams to try conclusions were W. Weir, M. Duggan, J. Cain, and G. Bolton against J. McKinnon, Leonard (native), J. Langskail, and O’Neil. The latter team won. The next team were Tommy (native), H. Nicholson, J. Hansen, and A. McLeod against C. H. Reid, Manning (native), Pratt (half-caste), and W. Lyon. The latter won after a very hard struggle, and had next to face the first team that won. This led to a real tug of war, but sifter some severe tugging, which lasted for some time, Reid’s team was victorious, and got the prizes. The Baby Show. Mrs C. Story 1 Mrs A. vV. Surridge 2 Thirteen altogether entered for this. These were Mesdames Roddick, Higgens, King, Targus, Clinch, Waller (Native), Surridge, Collet, Story, Yerrall, Husband, Wesley (Native) and Manning ; (Native). The show took place in the j Committee room, and as the door was i keot closed there was plenty of room. 1 Dr Campbell and Messrs G. McS. Gentleman and C. Bateman acted as judges, I and decided as above. There were no doubt many of the mothers disappointed,

but they bore it well, and there was a complete absence of grumbling. The whole affor passed off quietly. Thu proceedings came to a close shortly after 7 p.rn., when all left for their homes, THE BALL. A very successful ball was held in the Volunteer Hall, Terauka, in the evening, at which between 20 and 30 couples were present. Mr L. Tombs catered in his usual satisfactory manner, and the music was supplied by Messrs Burrows and Levens, who gave every satisfaction. Dancing commenced shortly after 9 o’clock, and was kept up spiritedly until a late hour.