ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1567, 19 March 1887, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Though not generally observed as a holiday throughout tbo colony St. Patrick's Day (Thursday last) was selected as a suitable day for the holding of a great number of sporting and athletic events. At Geraldine a general holiday was observed, and some first-class sports held in tbe paik, which were well attended. At Temuka business went on as usual, with the exception that tbe Bmks were closed. At Tim am tbe grocsrs closed their establishments tbe whole day, but tbe drapers and other business premises remained open till noon. An excursion train left that place for Waimate and the Waihoa Downs, and another for Pleasant Point, and were well patronised. At Pleasant Point the annual race meeting proved most successful as did also a similar meeting at Waimate. At Auckland excursion trains were run, and races held. At Wellington the Hibernian Society held their annual sports, a regatta was held, and excursion trains ran. Races took place at Greymouth, and athletic sports at lovercargill, and according 10 telegraphed accounts the weather throughout the colon} waß fine, and all the sports' meetings we have enumerated, and others of less importance, were most successful. Below will be found further particulars.

GERALDINE PUBLIC SPORTS. Committee— Mess's R. H. Pearpoint (Chairman), N. Dunlop, J. W. Pye, R. Darlow, D. Mcllraith, J. Turner, aad J. Cunnineham. Treasurer— J. Cunningham. Secrettry—H. N. Hiskens. Stewards—Messrs A. E. Hawkins, H. B. Webster, J. Mundill, C. E. Sherratt, W. Shiers, and R. Taylor. Handicapper—Mr P. J. Be'l. Star'er—Mr T. W. Corbett. Referee—H. W. Moore, Esq. The first meeting under the supervision of this Committee took place in the Geraldine Park on Thursday last, and, looked at from every point of view, was a thorough Buccess. Ever since the project of holding sports on that day was first mooted the pub'ic have taken the matter up with the greatest enthusiasm, and by subscriptions, the offering of special prizes and trophies, and in other ways, have enabled the Committee to offer a very liberal prize list for the first meeting, about £52 being offered in all. The weather, such an important item in outdoor gatherings, wv>s all that could be deserved. The grounds were in splendid order, many of the competitors expressing their surprise at such an excellent course having been obtained in an upcountry town. Excellent accommodation was provided for the competitors in the Cricket Club s pavilion which is erected upon the grounds. During the day a very large Dumber of people visited the Park, there being fully 800 adults, a very lnrge proportion being ladies, and some hundreds of children. The sum collected from those who paid at tbe gates amounted to no less a sum than £34 10a. while competitors, Biyonet SquadH, etc., entered free. The Geraldine Brass Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster T, Sherratc, helped to make the day more enjoyable by their excellent playing. Mr J. Riordan had the only booth, a refreshment one, and appeared 'o da a roaring trade, his three waitresses being kept busy the whole time. The entries received for the handicaps were exceedingly large, and the number who faced the starter was in all cases large also. The Handicapper, Mr P. J. Ba'l, h*d had a hard task to perform, so many of the competitors being maiden runnecH. He succeeded admirably, however, the finishes in all cases being close, and no serious complaints as to handicap" were heard. In the absence of Mr Corbett, Mr A. E. Hawkins toted is stertar,

and performed his duties admirably, in all cases getting his men away together. His only fault, if fault there was, was delaying them a little on the scratch, a fault almost unavoidable where so many are competing. Not a single complaiot, however, reached our ears as to the starting. Five Bayonet Squads competed for the prze of £6 offered, and this formed one of the most interesting features of the programme, A Mcßeath, of Kimberley, near Aebburton, was very successful, his performances being much admired. Having won several first and seconds he will stand well for the champion cup offered by Mr N. Dunlop for most points gained at the meeting. This attord, however, will stand in abeyance pending the decision of the sporting editor of the N.Z. Referee aB to the method of counting the points in the various events. J, Clinch, of, Temuka, was also very successful, his running in the first heat of the 100 yards and the 440 < hurdles being excellent. Meynall, however, who won the third and the final heat of the 100 yards surprised all by his performance. Being a maiden runner he received the limit start, but would have given a very good account of himself from scratch, as he won easily. In the 200 yards J. Kalaugher, who is a complete novice on the track, ran a grand second, and pushed Meynall hard for first place. The Committee worked hard during the day to keep everything running smoothiy, and succeeded admirably, no hitches occurring. The arrangements made were as near perfect as could be expected for a newly organised gathering, and should the meeting be held next year, which it probably will as it is proposed to make the affair an annual one, a very large gathering may be expected, and the annual sports at Geraldine will be one of the events of the year that wil be looked forward to with interest by a very large class of pleasure seekers. The following are the results:— Throwing the Hammer—First prize, £1; second, 10s. A Mcßeath (96ft 9in) ... 1 J. McKinnon ... ... 2 M. Duggan also competed. 440 Yards Hurdle Handicap—First prize, £2; second, £l. J. W. Clinch (19yds, .„ 1 E. S. Smith (scratch) ... 2 J. Heney (15yds) 3 Johns (Byds), McKay (16yds), O'Halloran (30yds), Reece (30yds), Lewis (30yds), and Bull (30yde) also ran. Clinch won a capital race, taking his hurdles with neatness and judgment, Smith running strongly and finishing well. Vaulting with the Pole—First priza, £1; second, 15s. T. McAuliffe (10ft)) , J. McKay (10ft) } '" J. Kalaugher also competed, and after jumping well retired at 9ft lOjin. On the b»r being to 10ft neither of the two could clear it, and agreed to divide the stakes. A great deal of time was wasted over this event, ih' two last competitors evidently not doin; their best. 100 Yards Handicap—Fir6t prize, £1 10s ; second, 15b. Beiasr so many entries this event was run in beats. First Heat. J. W. Clinch (scratch) ... 1 J. Polashek (syds) ... 2 W. Pye (syds), Kennedy (syds), D ivie (sydf), Lewis (syds), Heatley (syds), and Brett (scratch) also ran. This was a capital race, the men finishing in a cluster. Polashek ran splendidly, and it was thought by onlookers that he had won, but the judges decided in favor of Clinch, who caught him on the tape. Second Heat. Mcßeath (syds) ... ... 1 Reece (syds) ... ... 2 Ambler (syds), Stewart (4yds), Tasker (syds), Radford (syds), and Heney (scratch) also ran. Third Haat. Meynall (syds) ... ... 1 J. Kf laugher (syds) ... 2 McKay (scratch), Taylor (syds), Olliver (syds), O'Halloran (syds), Bull (syds), and Hubbs (scratch) also ran, Meynall won comfortably, Kalaugher a capital second. Final Heat. Meynall (syds) ... ... 1 Mcßeath (syds) 2 Meynall got the . best of the start, keeping it to the end, with Mcßeath close up. 150 "Sards Handicap Race for Boys (under 14)—First prize, 15s ; second, 7s 6d. J. Kennedy ... . M 1 E. Beckley 2 W. Fenton, E. Williams, 3. Moore, C. Whitton, T, Lyssght, A. Sowerby, and T. Radford also ran. This was a capital race, the boys keeping together throughout. Bayonet Competition, Squads op 12 Men—first prize, £6. This was an event that had been looked for with a great amount of interest. Five teams competed, viz.:—The Ashburton Rifles, under command of Sergt.Major Hayes ; Timaru Rifles, under Lieut. Withers; C. Battery Timaru Artillery, under Sergt. Hughes; Timaru Naval Artillery, under Petty-Officer Head; and the Geraldine Rifles, under Lieut. K. McKena'e. Captain Jackson, Captain White, and Lieut. McLean, in the absence of Major Moore, acted as the judges, and awarded the points as follows : Timaru Naval Artillery ... 228 Ashburton Rifbs ) 9in C. Battery, N.Z. A., Timaru J Z 1 u Timaru Rifl-s ... ... 193 Geraldine R flea ... ... 175 Wrestling, Border Style—Fint prize, £llos ; second, 153. W. Angland ... ... 1 D. Angland 2 M. Duggan and J. Rae also competed. Running High Jump—First prize, £1 10s ; second, 15s. J. Collins (sft 2in) ... 1 A. Mcßaath 2 J. Heney also competed. 200 Yards Handicap for Youths (under 16)—First prize, Mr Coltmau's cup, value £2 2s ; second, 10s. M. Oooke ... ... 1 J. O'Brien 2 W. Sowerby, L. Coogan, nnd R. McKay also ran. 880 Yards Handicap—First prize, £2 ; second, £l. F. Shallard (60yds) ... 1 D. E. Lewis (60yd») ... 2 O'Connor (scratch), Johns (25ydc) Brett (35yds), Heney (35yd«), Stewait i (40yds), Rbece (60y<in), Kalaugher (90yds), and Davie (6Jydi) also ran, j.

This proved a capital raee, O'Connor , making a game struggle to obtain a place, ut the handicap proved too much for "' iim. 00 Yards Young Ladies' Race—First prize ; pair of shoes, value £l, presented by Mr A. Baker. Miss Meredith ... ... 1 Jep, Step, and Jump—First prize, Mr Cunningham's cup, value £2 2s; second, 10a. A. Mcßeath (41ft 3in) ... 1 J. Collins (40ft 3£in) ... 2 J. Heney also competed. Mcßeath's first attempt was never jeaten by the other two, and was a iplendid performance. Bicycle Handicap Race, 1 mile—First prize, £1 10s ; second, 15s. G. Bethune (140yds) ... 1 J. W. Clinch (140yds) ... 2 Of tLe four entered for this race only bwo faced the starter. Clinch retired after going once round, leaving Bethune to go alone. At a meeting of.the Committee held in the evening it was decided to submit the question to the editor of the N.Z. Referee as to whether the second prize is usually awarded in such cases. 1 Mile Walkino Race Handicap—First prize, £2 ; second, 15s. F. Williams (215yds) ... 1 J. M. O'Connor (scratch) ... 2 Taylor (215yds), Clarke (125yds), Blissett (170), Bobbs (135yds), and Kennedy (215yds) also started. This was a most interesting race. Williams won comfortably in his own time. Hobbs and Clarke raced together for tha greater part of the distance, the latter making several attempts to pass, but the former spurted gamely when* ever challenged. Eventually Clarke secured third place. O'Connor, who had made a desperate effort to be placed, succeeded in obtaining second money, in spite of the heavy handicap, being loudly cheered for his plucky walking. Married Women's Race—First prize, 1 box tea, value £1 Is ; second, ss. Mrs Locke ... ... 1 Mrs Scully ) 0 Mrs Buckley J "" . ■ "*■ This race caused great amusement, and, in the run off for second place anothetfl dead heat resulted, when they decided divide. 440 Yards Handicap—First prize, £2; second, £l. Meynall (26yds)) . . Mcßeath (24yds) { "•■ L Kennedy (26yds), Polashek (26yde), Pye (26yds), Davie (26yds), Brett (14yds), Smith (scratch), 'Jnoch (11yds), Hobbs (11yds), McKay (13yds), Stewart (I8yd«), Reece (26yds), Bull (26yds), and Bisaet (26yds) also ran. The two first men agreed to divide the stakes. 200 Yards Handicap—First prize, £1 103; second, £l. Meynall (13yds) ... ... 1 Kalaugher (13yds)... ... 2 This was a closely contested race, all the men being in a bunch throughout. Kalaugher pushed Meynall close for first honors. Irish Jig—First prize, £1; second, 10s. W. Angland ... ... 1 T. Maloney ... ,;, 2 D. Angland also competed. 1 Mile Handicap- First prize, £2; second, £l. W. Stewart (80yds) .„ 1 J. Johns (60yds), ... ~, 2 J. O'Connor (scratch), Heney (95yds), Brett (75yds), Davis (125yds), Reeca (125yds), Bull (125yds) also ran. Stewart soon took the lead, and was closely followed by Johns who finished a good sfcood. Tug of War, 10 men a side.—First prize, £llos. Two teams catered for this event, one beiDg from the Ge'aldue Rifles. The other, however, which was a civilian team, won the day easily. 100 Yards Raoe (for men over 40).—Mr Cole's prize, value 10s C. Leary... ... ... 1 A Hoskins ... ... 2 O. G. Bradley and J. McKinnon also ran. Obstacle Race, once round track—First prize, £l,' second, 10s. J. Reece... ... ... 1 H. Heatley ... ... u F. Bull, W. Hobbs, J. Johns, audi O'Halloran also started. This was the most amusing event of the day, and was heartily enjoyed by the onlookers. The competitors had first to run about 50 yds, then ;et through casks suspended by ropes, next them were two ladders placed against ropes, and over this they bad to go. The next obstacle . was a, row of sacks into which they bad to get, and run a certain distance till tbey came to more eacks, which were cut across the bottom. Through these they had to creep without lifting them from the ground, finally finishing with a clear run of about 90 yards. The endeavors of the various competitors to overcome the various obstacles was laughable in the extreme, especially when in the first rush two men ran their heads 'into the first cask and found themselves lammed. n The temptation of a good large ham-i suspended on a greasy pole was not sufficient to induce anybody to .attempt reaching it, the good people of Geraldine being apparently too prosperous to be tempted by such a bait. The sports were concluded shortly before dusk, and the prizes won during the day were paid over to the successful competitors at Mr Johnstone's Crown Hotel at nine o'clock the same evening. PLEASANT POINT RACES. The annual meeting took place on rhursday. The attendance was very ?ood, and the racing first rate. £420 massed through the totalisator. Followng are the results : Handicap Hurdlesß of 20 sovs; 2 miles. —Mr W. S. irinitage's Juggler 1, Mr Dsborne's Panic 2, Mr C. A. Jefferson's sawdust 3. —Foreman and Effigy also itarted. The race was won by two eugths. Dividend, £3. O Maiden Plate, of 10 sovs; 1 \ miles; Jt; v.f.a.— Messrs Hobb's Effigy 1, Mr Tunt'a Derby 2, Mr Rhodes' Foreman 3. lollywood, Queen of the Flat, Milkman, lose, aod Hero alio ran. Won by half a sngth. Dividend, £5 Bs. Point Cup, of 25 sovs ; 2 miles—Messrs lobbs' Jackall 1, Mr Crocker's Nelly 2.—, toclmaw also run. The race was won by>pj our or five lengths. Dividend, £1 Ba. \ * District Race of 10 sovs; 1 mile; r .w.a.—Mr Gibson's Hollywood 1, Mr Alston's Arundel 2. Sawdust, Pakeha, nd Gentle Annie also ran. Won by half neck. Dividend, £3 10s.

St. Patrick's Handicap, of 15 sovs, ( Ji mileh-Mtairs Hobbs' Jwk»)J 1, Mr

Crocker's Nelly 2.—Hurty Hines and Scalthecn also started. Won by soveri 1 lengths. Dividend, £1 12s. The Selling Race of 10 bovb was woo by Mr Whelan'm Kitty, uud the Consolation &f 10 sovs by Mr Hammond's Lochnaw. The dividend on the former race was £llßs, and on the Utter £3 10a. WAIMATE RACES. The Autumn Meeting of the Waimnte Baciog Club took place on Thursday. The Selling Hurdle Race, of 15 bovb, was wob by Dodger ; the St. Patrick's Handicap, of 30 aovs, by Jack ; the Handicap Time Trot, of 10 sovs, by Hilda ; the two Selling Hack Races, of 10 sovs each, by Tenakoe ; the Ladies Bracelet, valued at 15 sovs, by The Brewer ; and the Consolation, of 10 sovs, by Viking. GREYMOUTH RACES. Fifteen hundred persons were present at the Autumn Meeting at Grey mouth. The West Coast Produce Stakes was won by Daisy ; The Greymouth Jockey Clad Handicap, of 150 sovs, by Mr Bradley'.Rose and O • 1 ; the Selling Hack Rac by Zulu ; • i' Railway Stakes Haodioap, of 40 sovs, uy Barney ; and the Handle, i Hurdles by Daisy. £1458 was passed through the totalisator, SOUTHLAND ATHLETIC SPORTS. At the Amateur Athletic Sports at Invercargill A. C. Wilmot, of Christchurch, won th« mile bicycle race easily, conceding one hundred yard* to bis opponent. Ihe twenty-five mi'e bicycle race for the championship of New Zealand, was practically a' contest between Wilmot aud Kerr (of Duhedin). Up to the 20th mile Kerr looked like winning, but thereafter Wilmot drew away, a»u won by about 220 yards. Time—l hour 36 mins 18 l-sths sees. A somewhat brisk breeze was blowing. The track was in fair order. WELLINGTON REGATTA. The day was floe, but only three events of the regatta could be got off to-day on account of the wind. The Star Club, Wellington won them all, including the Champion Fours. The Wakatu crew, about whose status so much ill feeling has lately ariseu, rowed without permission, and came in behind the Star Club.