BOXING-DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2600, 28 December 1893, Page 2

BOXING-DAY.

TEMUKA

TEMUKA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Patron —A. E. G-. Rhodes ; President— A. M. Clark ; Vice-Presidents—D. Henry and J. Blytk ; Secretary and Tresurer—F. Archer ; Director —D. Henry, J. Blyth, K. Campbell, J. M. Naughton. Wm McLeod, J. Murray, D. Taylor, 1) Ferguson. G. McMillan, M. Quinn, M. Scannell, A. S. Jenkins, J. Sim, J. McLean, J. Angland, J. Marshall, J. McCaskill, T. Rooney and J. Lawson; Judges—Running, Walking and Bicycle .- A. Bieset, Maze, D. Mahoney, D. Taylor, J. McLean, Wm McLeod, and A. S. Jenkins; Wrestling, Throwing Hammer and Putting Stone: H. Ford, D. Henry J. Blyth, Wm Mason, M. Quinn and Wm Ackroyd; Scotch Music and Dancing: A. M. Clark, D. McLeod, A. McDonald, J. Murray, J. Skinner, R. Campbell; Jumping Events : G. Mason, J. Angland, T. Rooney, J. Marshall and J. M. Naughton ; Irish Dancing: T. Connelly and M. Quinn and P Connell; Handicapper— E. S. Smith ; Starter—J.Murphy; Referee—J. Gillespie ; Timekeeper—P. Coira and J. Sim; Standard Bearer—J. Lawson; Honorary Piper —James Mabin.

The sixth annual gathering in connection with the Temuka Caledonian Society, which took place on Boxing Day, showed that the popularity of the society is such that it can conquer the elements, to use a rather bold metaphor. The morning was by no means promising. Heavy clouds were banking up in the South, just when most people would be thinking of making a start for the grounds, and there were dire predictions that the sports would prove a failure. Despite every adverse circumstance, the attendance was very nearly aB good as last year, and the sport provided, with one or two exceptions, was of the best. The track was in capital order, and the grounds generally never looked better. The officials one and all worked most assiduously, and all the events were through by about five o'clock. The Temuka brass band played a number of selections during the day very creditably, and Bandmaster Bryan is certainly to be congratulated upon the manner in which he has worked up his performers. The general license booth was in the hands of Mr Scannell, who did good business, although there was not one case of drunkenness. Mr J. McCaskill had a light refresliment booth and a fruit stall, and Mr J. Patrick conducted the luncheon booth excellently. Following a timehonored custom, the president, Mr A. M, Clark, arranged a procession on arrival of the excursion train from Timaru. It was headed by Mr J. Lawson, who carried the standard of the society. Next came the president, after whom marched the pipers. Mr Blyth, vice-president, and several of the directors followed, and then came the band and the multitude generally. Immediately upon reaching the ground the sports were set agoing, and were kept up merrily, with only the luncheon interval, until about five o'clock. The last hour was none too pleasant, as rain began to fall. In general sports the competition was good, and the handicapper, Mr E. S, Smith, has to be again congratulated upon his bringing large fields together. The finishes with hardly an exception were very close. Mr J. Murphy made an excellent starter, and Messrs Coira and Sim, who acted aa timekeepers, fulfilled their duties well. The judges generally had a good deal to do, but special mention must be made of Messrs W. Mason, W. McLeod, J. Maze, and A. S. Jenkins, who in their several capacities were kept especially busy. The secretary. Mr F. Archer, had an arduous time, but carried out his duties excellently, and Mr Lawson oifioiated at the record board very ably. Mr A. M. Clark, president, took charge of thp pipars, music, etc., and proved a host in himself, and the vice-pre-sidents, Messrs Henry and Blyth, proved that they have the interest of the society at heart, by the assiduous manner in which they worked. The former's wide experience proved of great service during the day. This year there was exceptional competition for the maiden wrestling, and some of the juniors showed excellent form. The bulk of them, however, were rather inclined to have a rough and tumble. There was capital, competition in miisio and dancing, the judges, Messrs CJ/ttrk, D. McLeod and Skinner, having in, several lnf tances to have the performance repeated. On the whole, the sports have more than maintained the fame of the society. It may be mentioned that competitors this year carried distinguishing numbers, a plan preferable to colours only. The programme provided an index to competitors, and the winners were easily spotted as they breasted the tape. The following are details:—

100 Yards Maiden Race—Prizes £2, £l k arid 103. Ist Heat. Saott 1 Shields , „. g Time, 12seQ, 2nd Heat. Tangney .. i Ogien ... 2 Time, 11 4/osec. Final. Tangney - - - - » i Scott - • - » mi Shields - - - - <, J Time, 11 3/ssec. There were 10 and the finishes were close. Throwing 16lb Hammeb—Prizes, £2, &\ and 10s. Thomiey (scr) 92ft lin - - - 1 MeKinnon (Sift) SUft 9in- - - if Munro (5 ft) 87t't Tin - - -3 SjQtt (scr) also competed. Bagpipe Music (Pibrochs and March©)— Prizes £5, £2 10s, and £l. McKochnie - - , .1 Thompson - . '. . 2 Harrison - -i . . g played " Millbank's Saute," Thompson " Mcintosh's Lament," Hairison " The Glen is Mine," and Mabin 4i C:an« mond's Lament." Strathspeys and Beels—Prizes, £», £2 10s, and £l. Thompson - - - - 1. Mabin - - - - - % McKechnie - - - - 3 Two Mile Bicycle Race (local)—Prizes £2, £l, and 10s. T. Orr (200yds) - - - .« j J. Henry (scratch) - - * '£ J. Hay ((iOyds) - - - - 8 J Orr ((50yds), W. Pbilp (140yds), O. J. Goldstone (200yds), and P. W. Anderson (240yds), were the otlr-r starters. On the last lap Henry ran Hay very close, and pas.-ed him comfortably at the finish. A prate t was entered against Orr on the ground t'j.it he rode a machine different to t!r.; O'o upon which he was handicapped." ft will be rftforre.l io the Cyclists' Alliance. Ti:ne. (Jmin lOsec. 120 Yards Handicap p^ zes £ 2 , £l, and 1%. Pil'st Heat. J. Tnagney, - .'' k [ l\. Uo;£in, 'iy t ts - - - -2 Q-. P. South 4vds, A. Aitken, syds, E. Berkley Gyds, J. Johnson 10yds, and W. Lynch 11yds, also started. Time, 13-1/oaec. Second Heat. S. G. Bryan, Gyds - - . 1 J. Morton, 10yds - - . -2 Wilson 4yd 9, Blissett Gyds, J. McAuliffe 7yds, AY, J\ Dawe 7yds, Peattie 9yds, and Moore 11yds, also ran. No time taken* Third Heat, W. O-Jeu, 9yds - - - - 1 E. W. Millar, 7yds - - * 2 M. McAuliffe syds and G. Shields 7ydri also started. Time, 12-4/sth. Pinal Heat. J. Morton - - . * -i S. G. Bryan - - - - 2 W. Ogden - - - * % A very close finish, Titae ? 12-3/4asc,

Best Dbesped Highland Boy Prizes

£1 and 10a. J. Stewart (Stewart Tartan) - - 1 W. Wade (Campbell Tartan) - -.2 The winner's, costume was complete in every detail. . Cumberland WBESTLiNG(Maiden)—Prizes £3, £llos, and 10s. W. Connell - - - ' 1

J. Keane - - - - ' f J.'Counihan - - " ". Earl, Marshall, Moulton, Vincent. Simson, Whetau, Lysaght, and Nolan also competed. Great interest attached to this event, and several of the bouts were very interesting. Keane, Simpson, ani Connell showed the best form, the second displaying a good deal of science, lie was defeated. Connell proved too much for Keane, although the latter is a bigger man. The competitors were remarkablv good natured. Highland Dancing—Prizes, £2 103, £1 10*, and 10s. Reels. McKechnie - - - ' } Thompson - - ■ " f Harrison - - - "3 Fling. Thompson - - - " f Harrison - - ■ " * McKechnie - - - "3 Sword Dance. Thompson - - - -JHarrison - - ■ "2 Wade - - - ■ 3 Eeel 0' Tulloch. Wade - - - - 1 Thompson - - - -2 McKechnie • - - " 3 Fling (Boys) J. Stewart - - - - ] J. Wade - - - -2 The dancing was particularly good, and that of the boys wa3 much admired. Irish Jig—Prizes, £2, £l, and 10s. W. - - - - 1 W. Fitzgerald - - - -2 J. Thompson - - - -3 Sailors' Hornpipe—Prizes, £2, £1 and 10s. Harrison - - - - 1 McKechnie - - - -2 Thompson - - - -8 Irish Hornppie—Prices, £2, £l, and 10s. Fitzgerald - - - - 1 Angland - - - -2 Thompson- - - - -3 In Irish dancing there was far less competition than in former years. Obstacle Race—Prizes £2, £l, and 10s. Hart 1 McAuliffe- - - - -2 Cartwright - - - - 3 This event proved very amusing. There were 8 starters, out of whom McAuliffe looked an easy winner until he encountered some sacks and nets, under which he had to crawl. Here he seemed quite smothered, and Hart, a smaller man, got a comfortable lead. The distance was once round the course, about a quarter mile. Time, 2min Bsec. 440 Yards Handicap—Prizes, £3, £2 and £l. T. B. Brosnahan (4yds) - - -1 M. Mulhern (24yds) - - -2 a. Shields (20yds) . - - - 3 F. A. Rollinson (scratch), J. Wilson 10yds, R. Logan (17yds), R. Orton (17yds), J. Peattie (20yds), J. Moore (30yds) were other starters. Brosnahan smartly went through and had everything beaten at the turn, winning easily. Time, 58sec. Boys' Race (under 16)—Prizes, £l, 10s, and 5s Palmer - - - - - 1 Flaherty - - - - -2 Grant - - - ■ -3 There were 12 starters. One Mile Bicycle Rack—Prizes, £2, £l, and 10s. T. Orr (200yds) - - - - 1 C. J. Goldstone (200yds) - - -2 J. Henry (100yds) - - - 3 J. Hay (130yds), and D. Anderson (250yds) also rode. This was a good race, although Orr won somewhat easily. Goldstone and Henry fought it out for second place, the former winning by a, few feet only. Time. 2min 44 2/sth sec. 220 Yards Handicap—Prizes £2 10? £1 10s, and 10s. S. Gr. Bryan, 11yds - - - 1 E. Scott, 10yds • - - -2

M. Mulhern, 14yds - - -3 There were twelve other starters. Bun in heats. Mullhern won the first heat with Logan 11 yds, and Orion 11yds, equal for second place. S. G. Bryan, Uyds, won the Becond heat, with J. Peattie 15yds second ; and E. Scott, 10yds, the third heat with Tangney, 13yds, second. The final was closely contested, Bryan barely winning. Time, .241 sec. Okk MIiJG Walk—Prizes £3, £1 10s and

10s. F. Donnithorne, 110yds - ■ - 1 J. Lee, 20yds - - - « f T. Mcllrick, 30yds - - -3 W. Oarfcwright 20yds, GK E, Blissett 25yds, W. Smith 40yds, J. Elder 40yds, .3. L. JJowe 70yds, E. Lee 70yds, A. R. Webster 80yds, T. Spillane 110yds (Arowhenua township), T; Spillane 110yds and K. Norton 110yds also competed. Donnithorne won easily Of all those who walked probably, the best %i?le was shown by J. Lee, who understands Vrhat; fair * oe nee * walking is. Most of %he others indulged in various forms of the Chinaman's trot. Time, 7min 29sec. 440 YaXDS Hl7BDLßS—Prizes £3, £1 10s, «S9(J 10s. JI. - » ' • 1 M. Scott, 20yds - - - * <• 2 ij. Peattie 22yds, - : - - * & J. Sloan -14yds, W. F. Dawe 14yds, E. Logan 19yds, M. MeAuliffe 20yds, J. Simpson 20yds, and Q. E. Blissett 22yds were the other starters. Several fell at the second hurdle, Bryan who had kept in the rear then "vrent ahead and jumping in his usual good style managed to land himself a winner, beating Scott by about a couple of yards. This event would be more interesting if the competitors had one or two more hurdles to jump. Time, 59sec. SPOTTING 221 b Stone—Prizes £2, £l, and

MtL-am (Sift) 3ft lin - • - 1 Angland (scr) 30ft 6in • - - * McKinnon (18in) 30ft 3in » - 3 Three others competed. TfiBEK-HiLK Bicycle Bace—Prizes £3 £2. and £l. T. Orr, 430yds - - - ' \ J. Henrv. 250yds - - - \ J. Hay, 300yds - - -.- d C. Blackburn 100yds, J. Carrie 2ooyds, W. Philp 390yds. and C. J. Goldatone •430yds also rode. Woa easily; a close finish for secoad and third places. Time, 9in in •Ssec. UUMBERLAM& Wbestung—Prizes £b, &.J, £l2o3,.aad£i. Thornley - - -' ' 9 Angland - - - - r tt\ Bsott -. Munro - - - -4 Simpson - - - - - 0 Thornley put out Scott in the first round, and Munro Simpson, Angland a bye. Angland next put out Munroe, and Scott Simpson, and Thornley finally put out Angland and won the first prize, the others as above. This was an interesting event, as Scott, the third man, has a good southern record, and was expected to put out the local man. Hali-' Milk Rack—Prizes £4, £.2, and £l. T. E. Brosnahan (20yds) - - - 1 B Irvine (45yds)- - - -2 U. Mulhern (30yds) - - - 3 Bollinson (scratch), T. Cullen (15yds), W. tJ.irtwright (25yds), A. Aitken (30yds), Blissett (35yds), C. O'Brien (35yds), J. Welatead (40yds), and J. W. Kelson (50yds) also ran. O'Brien took them along for the half journey, when Brosnahan went through at a, preat Dace, and a splendid finish resulted. Brosnahsn seemed pretty well pumped out .•at *-.he finish, as on assuming the lead he was verv hardly pressed by Irvine. Mulhern San a good »c© for third place. Time, Smin Ssec. Boys' Hace (under 12)—100 y&ros—Prizes 15s, 10s, and ss.

1?. Archer - - - ' * \T. Davis - • " - { >u. Bemut <• * " , . , About an parted fi?r this race, which was |uci |tt he&te.

Hop, Step, and Jump—Prizes £1 la and

10s. H. Bryan (scr), 44ft 3iu - - - 1 W. Fenton (loin). 42ft llin - -2 M. McAuliffe (12in). 41ft 7in - - 3 H. Bryan's distance is a sensational one. Five Mile Bicycle Race—Prizes, M, £2 10s, and £l. J. Henry ----- K.O

For this event there were eight others entered. They declined to ride on the ground that Henry is a professional, and that they would accordingly lose their amateur status. The question is to be submitted to the Alliance to decide. It is a great pity it cropped up, as this is generally one of the most interesting events of the day. One Mile Kace—Prizes £5, £2, and £l. Cullen, 20yds - - - • 1

Welstead, 60yds - - - -2 Fox,7oyds - - - -2 Kollinson scr.. Irvine 75yds, W. Smith 85yds, and J. W. Nelson 90yds also ran. The men were delayed somewhat at the start, and the pace was easy for half: the distance. Cullen then went ahead, and maintained a short lead to the tape. Time, 4min. 55sec. Running High Jump Prizes £2, £l, and 10s. Scott, scr. (sft Sin) - - - 1 McAuliffe, Sin (sft 2in) - 1 2 Bryan, scr. (sft Sin) - - J Sjott jumped very cleverly. Chute, Thornley, and Fenton also competed. Consolation Race, 220 Yards Prizes £2, £l, and 10s. M. McAuliffe, 6yds - - - 1 F. A. Rollinson, scr. - -2 R. Logan, 7yds - - - -3 G. F. South 6yds, R. Aitken 6yds, R. Orton 7yds, G. Shields 3yds, P. Ryan 4yds, and W. Wilson also started. Won by a foot. Time, 26sec. This concluded the sports. THE CONCERT. The weather, which had been very suitable for the sports all day, changed just about 5 p.m., exactly in time to warn people from a distance that it would not be safe for them to remain for the concert. Rain commenced to fall about that hour, and though it did not come down very heavily, it was sufficient to make things unpleasant, more especially as it got heavier towards the time when people were beginning to go to the concert. Notwithstanding this the attendance was very large, the drill shed being well filled, and only for the weather the nail, spacious as it is, would not have been able to hold all who would have been present. With regard to the .programme, those who attended were doomed to disappointment. Miss Blaney, of Duaedin, who has a great reputation as a singer, and who had been specially engaged for the occasion, caught a cold in the train, and was not able to sing. She was taken on to the stage by Mr A. M. Clark, President of the Society, who apologised for her, and said she was so bad that she could barely speak. This was a great disappointment to the people who expected to hear her. She was down for two songs, and would undoubtedly have been encored, and her inability to fulfil her engagements robbed the concert of a great part of its interest. The concert was under the conductorship of Mr Sidney Wolf, and needless to say that with Mr Wood as first violin, Mr O. Wood violincello, Mr Collins second violin, Mr Dickenson cornet, and Miss McGuinness piano, the music was first class. The performance opened with an overture in which several delight ml Scotch airs were interspersed, and this was followed by "Robin Tamson's Smiddy," sung by Mr W. Hanning, in character. This pleased the audience so much that an encore was demanded, and Mr Hanning, who has a very pleasant voice, responded by singing another Scotch song. One of the most interesting and best items in the programme was the chorus and drill of Vivandieres, entitled the " Old Brigade." In this 8 young ladies very prettily costumed after the fashion of the French Vivandiere, marched in military order to the sound of an unseen drum, and the music of the orchestra on to the stage, and sang " The boys of the Old Brigade." They were accompanied by the full strength of the orchestra, and the effect was charming. They then went through a variety of evolutions, marching in twos, threes, lours, etc., to the delightful music of the orchestra, and were re-called. This was a pretty and pleasing item, and the audience encored it rapturously. Mr Percy Ethell, of Sydney, sang a song which was well applauded, and the brothers F. and E. Jones created a furore by their comic rendering of the " Twa young men who never went Astray." A scene from the opera of " The Bohemian Girl," in which Mr Robins, of Timaru, took the solo pare, and also a scene from " Rip Van Winkle," Miss Gabites being soloist, may be grouped together. The music in both was excellent, and jbhe chprusfes were very gppd, and both items ' were '"highly" appreciated. Mr E. Joneß'a*2!2Jii£'sf *£ccd"oli Mother," brought down the house. A large number of the audience joined in the chorus, and a rapturous encore was demanded. A Reel of Tulloch. in which Messrs Thomson, Wade, McKechnie, and Wade, junior, took part, elicited much applause, and a sword dance by Mr Thompson wound up the first part of the programme. The second part consisted of a one-act comedy, entitled " Slowtop's Engagements." This proved the most eccentric dramatic production we have seen. There is nothing in it. The plot is simple. A wealthy young man having nothing to do, and weary of doing it, takes away, in a mistake, another man's overcoat from the theatre, and finds in it a pocket-book, in which Mr Slowtop has written down nis engagements for the following day. These consist of.- Ist, going to the house of widow Wappshott at a certain hour ; 2nd, proposing marriage to her; 3rd,kicking her uncle down stairs; 4th, getting shaved and shampooed by a barber. The young man, whose name is Clarence Grfcyleaf, resolves to carry out Slowtop's eugagamants. lie goes tf) t-ho, Uoyse g£ fhe widow, p opQsea marriage to her at qnce, and is put down By Tier as a lunatic. The uncle comes in, but as he has a revolver, which be"fireei at the head of the servant, Greyieaf does np£ ty wise to. kick him. and, after a gP(4 dea| ftf epcenfrio acting, the whole winds up in the widow accepting her new suitor. There are only four characters in the piece, and these were taken by Messrs C. A. Jefferson, E. Jones, and the Misees Collins (two sisters). As we have already said, we do not like the piece. It is absurd, ludicrous, and eccentric, and there ** very'little in. it; but £his was not I the fauic vf £i§ Performers, who, acted then and elicit much applause. The Ringing of the National Anthem and "Aula Lang Syne" brought the jUGCWA. in"s to a close, after which the President thanked those present for their attendance and wished them the compliments of kie season.

THE DANCE. | Immediately after the concert a dance i was held in the Volunteer Hall, at which about sixty couples were present. Messrs Levens (piano) andPeorce (violin) supplied the music. Mr Jenkins acted as M.C., and Mr J A. MeCaekill supplied the refreshments in his customary satisfactpry Dancing was kept up until a late hour, and all those present enjoyed themselves to their hearts' conteai. —iwDL* aERALDINE. The weather was rather dull and now and again a little showery on Boxing Day and the town was quite deserted. At Geraldine, the only amusement to speak of was the Primitive Methodist Sunday School treat which, we are informed, was the mpst successful, financially and otherWise, that they have ever had. About 1 p.m. ihe chiidxenmet at the chapel, and marched from there, accompanied with i their teachers, to the small park. At i p.m.

the children were assembled, after indulging in the usual picnic games, and served with sandwiches, buns, and tea. Then followed rounders, races, lolly scrambles, skippino- swinging, and many other amusements till about 6 p.m. when the youngsters were again brdught together for tea. Then each scholar was presented with a bag of lollies and sent home happy. There was a good attendance of adults, for whom tables were Bpread under the park trees. Mr Maslin, superintendent, the Rev. W. C. Woodward, and the teachers worked hard to make everything as pleasant as possible for tke children. About 7 p.m. the weather became very cold for this time of the year and rain came on thickly. A drag load of picnickers arrived at Geraldme in the forenoon, and spent the day in the bush.

At the Canterbury Trotting Clubs meeting on Boxing Day the Maiden Handicap (saddle) was won by Pardon, Pony (harness) by Miss Sligo, Summer Trot (harness) by Black Watch, Aldington Stakes (saddle) by Pauline, Stewards Stakes (harness) by Diplomacy, Electric Stakes by Ipswich, and Final Handicap (harness) by Maid of Cotherstone. On the Electric Stakes the dividend was £285 17s, and on the Final Handicap £ 3lßs - , At the Pioneer Bicycle sports at Christchurch, on Boxing Day, the Half Mile Handicap was won by A. C. Wilmot (North Canterbury) from scratch, the Three Mile Roadster by J. B. Norris (Pioneer)— W. Oliver, of Timaru, 250 yards, was fourth,—One Mile Championship of Canterbury by H. J. Pither (Pioneer) in 3rain. 2/osec, the Mile Ladies' Bracelet by W. F. Waller (Pioneer) 250 yards, the Two Mile Roadster by J. B. Norris (Pioneer) 145 yards, Two Mile First Class Handicap by C. H. Jones (Pioneer) 30 yards, the Five Mile Handicap by C. H. Jones (Pioneer) 50 yards -J. Whelan, of Timaru, 240 yards, was third in this race—and the Mile Consolation by H. Thompson (Pioneer).