WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8322, 2 January 1907, Page 5

WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL GATHERING. The thirty-first annual gathering of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, held in the Park, yesterday, was largely attended, and was a record one in the history of the Society. The weather was beautiful, and visitors were present from Woodville, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Wellington, and other towns in the Wairarapa district. Competition in the various events was keen. Considerable interest was' manifested in the Highland dances and pipe music. Amongst the competitors were two South Island champions, Messrs J. McKechnie (Dunedin), and D. Cameron (Mataura)3 During the afternoon the Masterton Municipal Band rendered a capital programme of music. Mr J. B. Emmett proved himself to be a capable secretary, and was ably assisted by Mr P. J. O'Leary and an energetic body of officials. The takings at the gate (£195 14s) were a record. The takings at the gate since 1899 are as follow: 1899, £133; 1900, £139; 1901, £142; 1902, £117; 1903, £136; 1904, £140; 1905, £136; 1906, £lB6 12s; 1907, £195 14s. The grandstand takings amounted to £2l 7s, as against £2l 4s last year. Mr J. H. Pauling's gold medal for the competitor scoring the greatest number of points in the dancing competitions was won by C. Smith. The Society's gold medal for the competitor scoring the most points in the 100 yards, 220 yards and 440 yards flat races was won by N. H. McEwen with 10 points. The following are the results of the various events: —

Maiden Race, flat, 220 yards.—P. Holmes 1, F. Coles 2, W. Bannister 3.

Quoits Handicap.—D. McKenzie (Opaki), scratch, 1; N. McKay (Langdale), 7, 2; A. Chamberlain (Opaki), 7, 3. Throwing Heavy Hammer. —A. Porter, 82ft 4in, 1; D. McDougall, 79ft Tin, 2. 100 Yards Handicap, flat.—J. O'Brien 1, V. Richards 2, N. H. McEwen 3. Time, lOsec. Maiden Bicycle Race, 1 mile.%— Allen 1, Davenport 2, G. H. Nielson 3.

:: Wrestling (Cumberland style).— : Maona Paratene 1, T. Touhy 2. Mile Bicycle Race. —J. T. Summers 1, F. Wells 2, J. Harman 3. Time, 2min 19sec. Putting the Stone. —A. Porter, 36ft, 1; C. Morris, 32ft 7£in, 2; W. H. Sutherland, 32ft, 3. Running High Jump.—T. G. Chamberlain, sft 6£in, 1; J. Waters and M. Petersen (dead heat) 2.

Maiden Bagpipe Music (reels and strathspeys. R. McCartney 1, H. M. Douglas 2, W. Smith 3. Bagpipe Music .( marc^es ) • —JMcKechnie (Dunedin) 1, D. Cameron 2, D. McPherson 3. £ 880 Yards Handicap, flat.—N. H. McEwen 1, A. H. Baskiville 2, & Hall 3. Time, lmin 59sec.

Maiden Highland Fling.—C. W. Watts 1, James Findlay 2, W. Marslin3. :,:

Two-men Maiden Sawing Competition. —J. Neal and Mate, 28sec, 1; J. Petersen and Mate, 54sec, 2.

Bagpipe Musk (Reels and Strathspeys). •=€). Cameron (Mataura) 1, J. McKechnie 2, R. McCartney 3. Highland Fling. -sJ. McKechnie 1, C. Smith 2, W. Sutherland 3.

220 Yards. Handicap Flat.—V. Richards 1, N. H. McEwen 2, J. O'Brien and F. Cole( dead heat) 3. Three Miles Bicycle Race, handicap.—B .Campion 1, F. Boyle 2, A. E. G. Evison 3. Time, 7min 52sec. Tree-felling Contest, handicap (18 inch log).—W. Gregory and G. Morrison (dead heat) 1, J. Niel 3. Sheauntriubhas. —C. Smith 1, J. McKechnie 2, W. H. Kilgour 3. Quoits Competition (ladies). —Miss Wyeth 1, Miss Petersen 2, Miss Duckett 3.

Sword Dance.—C. Smith I,' W. Sutherland 2, J. McKechnie 3. Wrestling (catch-as-catch-can). Moana Paratene 1, Donovan 2.

Tossing the Caber.—D. McDowall 1, W. A Sutherland 2. 440 Yards Handicap, flat.—N. H. McEwen 1, A. H. B&skiville 2, W. E. Mitchell 3. Time, 49 l-ssec. "Boys' Race, 220 yards.—Findlay Hill 1, D. Webster 2. Two-mile Bicycle Handicap. — F. Wells 1, J. T. Summers 2, A. E. G. Evisdn 3.

Hewing Competition.—W. Gregory \' 1, J. Phillips 2, G. Morrison 3. Time, lmin 17sec. One-mile Flat.—-A. Campbell 1, W. H. Hall 2,' G. Hall 3. Time, 4min 31sec.

One-man Sawing.—J. Pettit 1, W. Gregory 2, H. F. Collins 3. Sailors' Hornpipe.—W. H. Kilgour 1, J. McKechnie 2, T. H. Jaffray 3. Reel o' Tulloch.—C. Smith 1, J. McKechnie 2, Wattie Sutherland 3. Scotch Reel. C. Smith 1, J. McKechnie 2, Wattie Sutherland 3. Irish Jig.—W. H. Kilgour 1, J. McKechnie 2, W.E. Boyd 3. Best Dressed Highlander.— Men, W. H. Kilgour; Boys, Marslin.

J THE CONCERT. The concert given in Town Hall in the evening was attended with the same success as the sports. The hall was crowded, the amount taken at the doors being £6O. A capital programme was submitted; every item being loudly applauded, and in many cases encored. Madame Marie Groome, who only recently arrived in New Zealand from Edinburgh, achieved a decided triumph in her rendering of several Scottish airs. "Doon the Burn, Davie Lad," was her opening item, and in response to a vociferous recall Madame rendered "My Scottish Bluebell" in a pleasing manner. She was again encored for a delightful rendition of v that popular Scottish air "A Guid j New Year," and in response the singer gave "Hear the Pipers Calling, Jennie Mine." Miss Lynn Mills, a new arrival from Sydney, by her delightful singing, soon established herself as a favourite. Her opening item was "Angus McDonald," which she sang with fine effect. Her encore number was the popular'"Gin a.j Body." On her next appearance Miss Mills was heard in "The Sands o'Dee," and as an encore number she gave "Links .of Love," in a manner that earned for her a loud ovation. Mr J. F. Carr gave a delightful rendering of "The Trumpeter." He was also encored and

sang "Avourneen." Another item nicely sung by Mr Carr was the wellknown air "My Love is Like the Red, Red Rose. Mr S. J. Johnson sang "Of a' the Airts the Win' Can Blaw," and "Bonnie Mary o' Argyle," in fine style. Mr<A. Nicol received a well-deserved encore for his rendering of "The Battle of Stirling,*' and he responded with "The March of the Cameron Men;" "The Highlandman's Toast," sang by Mr W. Iggulden, was loudly applauded, and Mr W. G. Norman's "Jessie, the Flower of Dumblane," met with an equally good reception. Mr Gordon Stewart sang "Bonnie Dundee" well, and Miss Elkins was heard to advantage in "Flora McDonald's Lament." A cornet solo, "Una," was nicely played by Mr T. W. Rodgers. The Sheauntriubhas and Sword Dance were danced by Mr C. Smith, who won the prize for each dance at the sports in the day. Mr J. B. Emmett, the Secretary, had all the arrangements for the concert complete.