ST. ANDREW’S DAY.—CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 48, 1 December 1871, Page 3

ST. ANDREW’S DAY.—CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

Yesterday’s anniversary of St. Andrew’s day has for some time past been looked forward to as a period of general enjoyment, and notwithstanding a somewhat unfavavorably sky and frequent showers during the day, a pleasant holiday lias been spent by a large portion of the population. At an early hour yesterday morning n large number of the inhabitants might be seen wending their way towards Tararu by water, road or tram, all these tlnce modes of conveyance being within their reach. Great preparations were made in anticipation of the event, and the Sir Walter Scott Lodge of Masons and the Thames Scottish Volunteers have been conspicuous for the active part they have taken in the preliminary arrangements, and in bringing them to a successful conclusion. The liberality of the general public lias also greatly assisted the Committee* in enabling them to offer such an amount of prizes for the several events on the programme as would attract competitors from Auckland, Coromandel, and other parts of the Province. Soon after nine o’clock a.m., the Volunteers, who had accepted the invitation of the Thames Scottish to join them in the march to Tararu, paraded at their drill sheds, and marched to the Naval drill shed in Wil-liamson-street, from which they proceeded in the following order:—Volunteer Brass Band, Thames Scottish Volunteers, with their Piper, numbering 40 ; Engineers, Nos. 1,2, and 3; Hauraki Ride Volunteers ; Navals, with their band numbering GO; and the Cadets, who mustered strongly. The bands and piper played inspiriting airs on the road out, each in its turn, and added considerably to the eclat of the whole affair. The uniform of the Thames Scottish was the subject of general admiration, and it is a most trying costume for all who are not fortunately gifted with symmetery of limb and taste in dress. The appearance of the men was open the whole most creditable, and the number of spectators, considering the unfavorable state of the weather, was very large. The refreshment department under the grand stand, at which Mr. Manuel, of the European Hotel, presided, was well patronised during the day, as were the booths adjacent, as well as the Imperial Hotel, to all of xyhich the frequent showers sent numbers who, for the most part were in light clothing, preferred cover to the open sky. Later in the afternoon the weather brightened considerably, and enabled the committee to carry out most of the events on the programme, satisfactorily. The wrestling, both Cornish and Cumberland style, was postponed until to-day, on account of the inclemency of the weather. The following events have also to take place—best dressed Highlander and single stick combat. We must say that on the whole the arrangements were not of the first order, there being an evident want of system in the manner of carrying out the programme, and keeping the course and platform clear for the different events. After the arrival of the procession, which debouched on to the course about 10.30, the sports were started and carried through as well as the contrary elements would permit. Whilst some of the dancing was going on, a crowd were standing on the steps of the grand stand, which, not being strong enough, gave way, and precipitated some 12 or 14 persons to the ground, fortunately withont injuring any one seriously—only one boy being slightly bruised, and one young lady getting scratched. The damage was soon repaired, and nothing further occurred to mar the enjoyment of the visitors on the stand. The first event on the programme was the 1. RIFLE MATCH—Between Five Members T.S.V. and Five Masonic Brethren. Ranges 300 and 400 yards. First prize £5 to highest score on winning side; second prize, £3 to highest score on losing side. The following are the names of the competitors and their scores the masons.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Majority for Thames Scottish—l 3 points. The scores arc very poor, but good shooting in such weather, and against such a wind, was out of the question. Ensign Stewart and Volunteer Campbell were ties for the first prize, and Captain Skene won the second for the highest score on the losing side. 2. MAIDEN RACE—Open to all who never won au advertised race : 250 yards Entries, 2s (id. First prize, £5 : second. £2. Regan - - - 1 John Twohill - - *2 E. Nolan - - - 3 The following also ran : Barron, Dove, I Gudgeon, Boggs, Connor, and Williams. ! Rogan got a good start, which lie kept | throughout the race, never being in doubt. 1 J. Twohill and Nolan ran close for second | place some few yards behind Regan. 3. WRESTLING (Cornish Style)—Entries ss. First prize, silver cup, gift of E Thomas. Esq.; second,£4. The following arc the entries for this style of wrestling, which will take (weather permitting) to-day :—W m. Dunn, i Jas. Ellis, J. Penhale, P. Lukey, Thos. ! Guy, J no. Rich, Jas. Johns, Sanderson, I Jno, Casely, and Wm. Hill.

4. RUNNING HIGH LEAF—Entries, 2s 6d. First prize, .£3 : second, £1 l(te Bradley -r \ - - j 1 D. Twohill - J - - * 2 J. Sutcliffe - - - 0 Twohill turned his ancle and was not able to go through with the competition. The first prize consequently fell to the lot of Bradley, who jumped in first class style. 5. REEL (in Highland Costume) —Entries. 2s (id. First prize, £3 ; second prize. £1 10s. Fotheringham, T.S.V. - 1 Ensign Stewart, T.S.V. -2 T. Scott, T.S.V. - - 3 The following also competed : Wright, Sergeant Girvan, T.S.V. ; J. McGlinn, Alex. Campbell, and Spence. Scott danced excellently well, as did also Wright. The committee decided, if possible, to give a third prize to Scott, there being only two on the programme. G. FLAT RACE—2OO yards (handicap), Entries, ss. First prize, silver cup, presented by the Lessees of the Theatre Royal ; second, £3. Lewin, scratch - - 1 Manning, 1 yard - -2 Bach,3 yards - - 3 The following also were entered : Bradley, 24 yards ; South, 4 yards (scratched) ; Barron, 4 yards ; J. Twohill, 5 yards ; Regan, 5 yards ; Henderson, 5 yards (scratched); Dove,oyards; Gudgeon, 0 yards ; D. Twohill, G yards (scratched) ; Oakley, G yards (scratched) ; Hescott, G yards ; Humphries, G yards (scratched) ; Nolan, G yards ; and Walker G yards. The first time the starter fired the pistol Bradley only ran, and went the whole distance. He would not return to the scratch, and t he race was then run off with the above results. Manning’s running was splendid, lie having lost nearly ten yards at the start, in spite of which he ran a close second, and would have won easily if it had been a few yards further. There was not a foot of difference between the three first men. Walker was knocked down at the start, and out his thigh severely. We believe that Bradley has entered a protest and claims the race, as the starter fired the pistol. 7. PUTTING THE STONE—Entries, 2s Gd; First prize, £3 ; second, £L 10s. McLean - - - 1 Stirling - - -2 The following competitors also took part: Boxall, Brennan, Alexander Stewart, and Thomas Stewart. Tbe competition was keen. The distance we could not ascertain, but it was very good indeed. 8 BAGPIPES (competitors to play marches, reels, strathspeys, and appear in Highland costume) —Entries, ss. Fi r st prize, to play for the dancing, £9 ; second, £4. As there was only one competitor for this event it did not take place. 9. MAIDEN RACE—Open to all who never won an advertised race ; 100 yards. Entries. 2s. Gd. First prize, £4 ; second, £2. W. W. Robinson - - 1 J. Twohill - - -2 E. Nolan - - - 3 The following also ran ; Barnett, Connor, Dove, Gudgeon, Hcscott, W. Williams, Morton, and Barron. Robinson got a good start and kept it throughout, winning by two yards, in very nice style, rather surprising most of the knowing ones. Twohill and Nolan wore very close together again, as in the 259 yards. 10. HIGHLAND FLING (in Highland costume) —Entries, 2s Gd. First prize, £5 ; second, £3 ; third, £l.

T. Scott, T.S.V. - - 1 J. Mcßae, T.S.V. - -2 Fotheringham, T.S.V. - 3 Wright also competed, but did not succeed in pleasing the judges, as well as the other men, and was consequently last, though he is a most graceful dancer. 11. STANDING HIGH JUMP—Entries,2sCd First prize, £3 ; second, £1 10s. D. Twohill - - - 1 Bradley’s jumping was not allowed by the judges, as he landed on his hands on the off side of the bar, before coming on bis feet, consequently, though he cleared the bar higher than Twohill, the latter, who jumps very neatly, was adjudged the winner. 12. HALF MILE RACE (handicap)—Entries. 2s Gd. First prize, £0 ; second, £4. Manning - - - 1 Lewin - - -2 J. Twohill - - - 3 The following ran : E. Sutcliffe, 10 yards ; J. Sutcliffe, 7 yards ; W. Williams, 1G yards ; J. Barron, 1G yards ; and Bach, 12 yards; D. Twohill, 18 yards; Dove, 18 yards ; Connor, 20 yards ; and Sarnies, 20 yards ; did not show up. This race had been looked forward to with great interest, and was decidedly the best of the day. Coming past the stand the first time Sutcliffe and Willliams were leading, Lewin and Twohill about G yards behind. At the top of the course Williams was beaten, and Lewin passed all the rest, getting a decided lead at the back of the course ; Manning and Twohill running close together. Coming into the straight Lowing was 10 yards ahead, evidently with the race in hand—but just before reaching the tape, Manning came in with a splendid rush, and Lewin dropped off and allowed him to win in the coolest manner possible. This was one of the most disgraceful things that has been seen in a foot race on the Thames, being equalled only by what the same man did last year, when lie stopped and allowed Cooper to win the mile race, he himself walking in. _ This, if there were any means of proving it, clearly ought to disqualify Lewin from ever running on a Thames course again. Many men yesterday lost money in this race, and it is rather annoying to see ones-self deliberately sold just as lie thought his money was safe. 13. GILLIE CALLUM (sword dance)— Highland costume. First prize, £5; second. £3. Ensign Stewart - - 1 Mcßae - - -2 Fotheringham also competed to make i up the necessary number. Stewart danced ! this graceful and extremely difficult dance | in a style that drew forth the applause of j all beholders. 14. BEST DRESSED HIGHLANDER (BOY). Prize, £2. Master Henry 11. Murray - 1 Master Laird - - "2 Masters Forrest and Alexander were also shown, aud the whole of the lads were promised prizes by the T.SA . 15. WRESTLING (Cumberland style)— Entries, ss. First prize, silver cup. gift of Wm. Fierce. Esq.: second. £3. This event was postponed, as well as the ! Cornish. The following have entered : Thos. Hetherington, V illiain Robson, and William Dean, but the entries are not yet closed. IG. ROYS' RACE—Open only to Cadets. First prize. £3; second, £2; third, £l. W. W. Gudgeon - * 1 Geo. Smith - - * 2 D. Reddy - - * _ 3 There were twenty entries for this event the lads being of all ages and sizes. They were handicapped on the ground, aud a

very exciting race took place, the second boy being very diminutive. Coining up the straight (the race was 200 yards), they looked very well —a regular cloud of boys, with arms and legs flying in all directions. 17. IRISH BAG PlPES—Prize, £5. In the event of there being no competition for the Irish bagpipes, a prize of £3 to be given for the best Irish Jig, £2 for second. No Irish pipes being on the ground, an Irish jig was danced, when TV right was adjudged first prize of £3, and McLeaver the second, of £2. IS. THROWING THE HAMMER — Entries, 2s Gd. First prize, £3 : second, £1 10s Stewart - - - 1 Stirling - - -2 For this there five entries —Stewart, Boxall. Stirling. Radford, and McLean. The throwing was very good, the hammer weighing 16 pounds; the distance was measured, but was very far indeed. 10. BEST DRESSED HIGH LANDMAN— Prize, £3. This was postponed till to-day. 20. SINGLE-STICK COMBAT, £2. This also was put off till to-day. 21. FLAT RACE—Open only to Volunteers. Quarter mile (Handicap). Entries, 2s Gd. First prize, £3; second, £1 10s. For this the following entered and were handicapped as they came on the ground : —OTlarc, scratch; Regan, T.E.Y., 8 yards; Sutcliffe, No 2 H.R.V., 8 yards ; Barnett, No 2 H.R.V., Hulme, T.N.Y., Taylor, No 1 H.R.Y., Mason, T.R.R., Clark, No 1 11.R.V., Dixon, T.R.R., Wayte, T.N.V., and Nelson, T.N.Y., each received 20 yards. A capital race was the result, the scratch man and the twoSyarders soon getting up close, and on coming into the straight, Regan was leading. O’llare came up well, and when Regan tried to prevent his passing ho tripped him, and came in first. The following is the order of coming in : O’Haro - - - 1 Sutcliffe - - -2 Wayte - - - 3 Two protests have been entered against O’Hare for running inside the flags, and will be decided to-day at the meeting of the stewards. 22. For the best general dancer, a gold medal This will be awarded by the judges. After the Volunteer race, tiic Thames Scottish and ttye Volunteers, except the Navals, fell in and marched to Grahamstown, headed by the band. The Navals, led by the fifes and drums, followed at a short distance. No accidents occurred, though the road was very much crowded, and a boy was ridden over by a man who had evidently been getting damp inside as well as out, and thus ended the sports so far as the first day was concerned. The programme for to-day will he posted up at both newspaper offices early this morning.

Name. 300 yds. 400 yds. Totals. Capt Skene 22233—12 23404—13 25 Mr .T. Browne - 34240—13 30202— 7 20 Mr E. Hornsby - 02323—10 24302—11 21 Capt Fraser 34303—13 23222—11 24 Lt. M. Cullough 04044—12 00000— 0 12 f.O 42 102

Name. 300 yds. 400 yd*. Totals. — Schofield 43133—17 20030— f> 22 — Campbell - 33334—10 30324—12 28 02033— 8 17 — Partington - 23220 — 0 — Graham 23233 —Id 32200— 7 20 — Stewart 44323—10 71 23430—12 28 44 115