WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9680, 3 January 1910, Page 5

WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SPOKIS.

The thirty-fourth annual sports gathering under the auspices of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society took place on the Masterton Showgrounds on Saturday. Ideal weather conditions prevailed and the rain of the previous evening only served to temper and make pleasant what would otherwise have been an uncomfortably hot day. It is unfortunate to have to record a rather decided falling- off in the attendance, as the appended gate and grandstand returns indicate. The opinion was held by j many that this was due to the fact / that the shorts were not held in the Park, and that the general financial depression is still making its influence felt. At the same time, without wishing to_be critical, the opinion may be expressed that the sports, as a whole, could with some advantage be modernised, and a little more snap infused into the proceedings. The r'eceips for this year are as follow: —Gates, £lO5 gs; grandstands, £l9 5s 6d. Last year.'s figures were:— Gates, £l4l 14s 6d;'grandstands, £26 10s. All the events were got off expeditiously, several items on the programme being held simultaneously in the ring. With plenty of grandstand accommodation, and the natural elevation of the grounds outside tl-e ring, the spectators were iriv. n an j uninterrupted view of the proceed- J inge. The running events were very interesting, and in many cases the finishes were keenly fougnt out. This 1 was particularly the case in the Wai- j rarapa Caledonian Handicap'of £2O, ! which was won by R. McKenzie,, of I M i&terton, aftir an exciting contest. McKenzie also anuextd the Handicap | Hurdle-Race, tied with W. J. White for first place in the 220 Yards Handicap, and came third in the 440 Yards Ha idicap. <hd Mile Handicap proved rather tame, the wellki.own runner, A. Campbell, of Tikok",o, overhauling his opponents fairlv early in the race, and after that he practically had a'l his own way. G. Hall, of Carterton, who came second in this race, also won the 880 Yards Handicap in good R. McKechnie was again to the front in Highland dancing, and in addition to his successes he secured the most points in this section, thereby winning the special gold medal offered by the Society. • lii bagpipe music, F. Finlayson secured the gold medal for most puints. A gold medal was also offered f< r the best dressed boy in Highland costume, the honour tailing to Master H. Donaldson. The woid-chopping and sawing was one main featurts of interest. In all these events the competitors completed their task in good times, and very little separated the placed men at the finish. A splendid exhibition of jumping was given by H. A. Hodge, of Longbush (scratch), clearing the sft 7£ inchesjbar, which performance was loudly cheered by the spectators. The arrangements of the meeting were capably carried out by an energetic body of officers, headed by the secretary, Mr J. B. Emmett, who worked untiringly to see that not the slightest detail was overDuring the day the Master - ton Municipal Brass Band rendered a number of appropriate selections, which helped considerably to enliven the proceedings. The luncheon and afternoon tea arrangements were capably carried out by Mr J. S. Alpass. Light refreshments at the main booth and also a special stand were under the j supervision of Mr C. Y. Dally, whose attention to these important depart- | ments is worthy of special mention. The results are as follow FOOT EVENTS. 100 lards Handicap—First Heat: J. W. McKain, Lower Hutt, 10yds, 1; W.J. White, Masterton, Byds, 2; A. E. Wilton, Masterton, 9yds, 3. Also started —D. Swensen, 10yds. Time, lusec. Second Heat: W. A. Gough, Petone, 10yds, 1; V. M. Richards, Masterton, Byds, 2. Also started—A. Thompson . and J. E. Johnson syds, E. Mackersey 10yds. Time, 9 2-ssec. Third Heat: E. Bates, Lower Hutt, 10yds, 1; G. Allen,, Lower Hutt, 9yds, 2; J. H. Berry. Masterton, syds. 3. Also started E. O'Callaghan 10yds. Time, 9 3-ssec. Final Heat: E. Bates, 1; W. A. Gough, 2; L. G. Allen, 3. Time, 9 3-ssec. Wairarapa Caledonian Handicap, 300yds—First Heat: E. Bates, 24 yards, 1; R. McKenzie, Masterton, 16yds, 2; A, E. Wilton, 22yds, 3. Also started —A. Thompson 15yds, W. A. Gough 24yds. Time, 31sec. Second Heat: J. vV. McKain, 24yds, 1; L. G. Allen, 22yds, 2; E. O'Callaghan, 24yda, 3. Also ran— W. Bannister 21yds.' Time, 32sec. Final Heat: li. McKenzie, 1; L. G. Allen, 2; E. Bates, 3. Time, 30 2-ssec. 220 Yards Handicap—First Heat: L. G. Allen, 16yds, 1; W. J. White, 14yds, 2; W. A. Gough, 17yds, 3. Time 21 4-ssec. Second Heat: R. McKenzie, 11yds, 1; V. M. Richards, 15yds, 2; A. E. Wilton, 16yds, 3. Time, 21 3-ssec. Final Heat: R. McKenzie and W. J. White, dead heat, 1; L. G. Allen. 3. Time, 21 l-ssec. > 440 Yards Handicap—J. W. McKain, 35yds, 1; J. Cronin, Rakaia, 30yds, 2; R. McKenzie, 20yds, 3. Time, 51 4-ssec. Half-Mile Handicap—G. Hall, Carterton, 20yds. 1; A. Campbell,

1 Waipawa, ecr, 2; S. Hall, Carterton, 55yds, 3. Time, 2min 1 4-5960. One Mile Handicap—A. Campbell, scr, 1; G. Hail, 30yds, 2; S. Hall, 110 yds, 3. Time, 4min 30 2-saec. 120 Yards Handicap Hurdles—R. McKenzie, owes 10yds, 1; E. O'Callaghan, scr, 2; R. Yule, Pabiatua, owes 7yds, 3. Time, 20 l-ssec. Running High Jump—H. Hodge, Longbush, scr, sft 7£in, 1; J. Cronin, Rakaia, 31ns, sft Tins, 2.

Hop-Step-and-Jump—R. W. Hansen, Waipawa, 38ft 7£ins, 1; E. O'Callaghan, 37ft 7in, 2; H. Hodge, 37ft fiin, 3. Vaulting with Pole—u. Harvey, 9ft 3ins, 1; C. O'Brien, 9ft 2ins, 2. 30 Yards Stone and Basket Race— G. Hall 1, E. Bates 2, F. Wyeth 3. Time, 3min 29 2 ssec. 220 Yards Maiden Race —H. F. Billingfcon 1, D. Swensen 2, E. Miller 3. No time taken. WRESTLING, Etc Wrestling, C3tch-as-Catchcan —R. J. Scot't 1, Moann Paratene 2. Maiden Wrestlin?, Cumberland Style—C. Berkensbaw 1, R. W. Hansen, 2. Tossing the Caber—C. Berkenshaw 1, R. J. Scott 2.

Putting the Shot—C. Berkenshaw, 36ft 9ins, 1; H. A. Hodge, 32ft 2ins, 2; C.;iJay, 31ft llins, 3. Throwing the Heavy Hammer—C. Berkenshaw, 83ft, 3; R. J. Scott, 82ft sJins, 2; R. W. Hansen, 80ft 3ins, 3. Pillow Fieht— Moana Paratene 1, C. BerkensLaw 2, R. J. Scott 3. QUOITS. Men's Handicap —H. Christensen 1, E. Petersen 2, T. Chamberlain 3. . Ladies' Handicap—Miss V. Petersen 1, Miss L. Forrnan 2, Miss E. Petersen 3. PIPING. Maiden Bagpipe Music —R. McKay 1, J. McKay 2, J. Finlay 3. Bagpipe Music, Marches—F. Finlayson 1, D. Scott 2, T. Ingram 3. Local Bagpipe Music —T. Ingram 1, E. Drysdale ?„ R. McKay 3. Bagpipe Music, Reels and Strathspeys—F. Finlayson 1, C. McCartney 2, R. McKechnie 3. DANCING. Maiden highland Fling—R. McKay 1, H. Donaldson 2, T. DryS' dale 3. Highland Fling—R. McKechnie 1, J. H. Jaffray 2. F. Finlay 3. Sheauntriubhas—R. McKechnie 1, J. H, Jaffray 2, J. Finlay 3 Sword Dance —R. McKechnie 1, J. H. Jaffray 2. J. Finlay 3. Scotch Reel— R. McKechnie 1, 3. H. Jaffray 2, J. Finlay 3. Reel o' Tulloch— K. McKechnie 1, J. H. Jaffray 2, J. Finlay 3. Irish Jig—J. H. Jaffray 1, R. McKechnie 2, H. Donaldson 3. Sailors' Hornpipe—R. McKechnie I. J. H. Jaffray 2. Highland Fling (girls)— Miss Flora Shaw I, Miss R. IVcWhirter 2, Miss L. Pauling 3. Highland Fling (hoys) —H. Donaldson 1, R. Lloyd 2. CHOPPING. Tree Felling Competition —J. Pettit 1, ■G. Morrison 2, A. W. Elliott 3. Time,2min 29 l-ssec. TwoMen Sawing Competition—Morrison and Benbow, scr, 1; Grantham and mate, 3sec, 2; Hodges and mate, 3 sec, 3. Time, 34 4-ssec, Underhand Chop—J. Pont, Jssec, 1; J. Pettit, 45sec, 2;. A. W. Elliott, 40sec, 3. Time, 2min llsec. CHILDREN'S RACES. 100 Yards (boys)—H. Rangi 1, T. Roake 2. R. Thompson 3. 150 Yards (boys)—F. Hill 1, A. McKenzie 2, J. Webber 3. 100 Yards (girls)— Miss G. Bayley 1, Miss D. George 2, Miss L. Peters 3. 100 Yards (boys under 12)— T. Waters 1, Rangi Governor 2, T. Roake 3.

THE CONCERT.

The management are to be congratulated on the splendid concert programme. There was a splendid attendance, but the nature and variety of the items was worthy of a packed house. Everything went merrily and with a decided swing, and there was not one dull moment during the whole evening. The fact of the large number of encores was ample evidence that the items were appreciated. During the evening Mrs Chamberlain, wife of the President (Mr E. E. Chamberlain), presented the medals to the successful competitors at the sports. Mr F. H. Elcoate, who is the possessor of a decidedly pleasing light baritone, commenced the vocal portion of the programme with the rendering of "Son of Mine," which was followed by a selection entitled "Auld Scotch Songs" by Miss F. Elkins which was well rendered. A feature of the programme was the singing of Miss B. Mercer, of Wellington, who has a rich contralto voice of wonderful range and quality. She received a | decided encore for her first item, i "My Ain F01k.," which wao followed ,by "The Silver Ring" (Chominade). In the second half of the programme Miss Mercer also sang "Good Night, Little Girl." The audience was in a good mood for a humorous recitation, and Mr Peter Eadie, of Palmerston North, filled the bill to perfection. By the time he had finished telling about "The Church Organ" his hearers were captivated, and for an encore he gave "A Ride on a Buck Board Waggon." In the second half Mr Sadie's pieces were more humorous still. "A Message from the

Dead" Was Mb next contribution, and in response to an encore he recited "Sister Mary." Miss Lorraine Tansley immediately established herself as a favourite in the rendering of "Lizzie Ljndsay " She has a pure contralto, voice of great expression and sympathy, and in repsonse to a vociferous encore she sang "Annie l Laurie." She was also recalled in the second half for her interpretation of Tosti's "Good-bye," and tor this she gave "Sally Horner." Mr F. C. Baines gave a spirited rendering of "Scots Wha Hae." As a recall he saner "Youth" (Allisten) equally as well, and later his fine voice was heard to advantage in "Border Ballad" (Cowen). Mrs Torrane proved another favourite vocalist. She was twice encored in a most imperative manner, her selections being "Caller Herrin," "Cam'ye by Athol," "Jick 0' Hszeldean," and'"Lang, Lang Syne." Miss E. Jago _was usver in batter voice, and her singing of "Coming Through the Rye," was one of the fc»,est items. Her encore piece was "Roses' (Adams). Mr F. H, Hunn's fine bass voice did full justice to '"McGregor's Gathering," his encore piece being "Deil's Awa' with the Excisemen." Mr Bryce ulayson made his first appearance before a public audience, and he acquitted himself very creditably in the singing of "Peg Away." Ihe Society is indebted to Mr Harry Hall for his contributions to the programme. Space does not permit of lengthy reference to his items, bc\t they certainly went a lung way towards the success of the concert. He was recalled time after time, and his rendering of "How i Climbed :he North Poie" and "I Reckon He'll be much obliged to Me" were artistic and convincing. A duer, entitled "It must be me," by Messrs Hall and Parker, fairly convulsed the audi-, ence, as did one of the encore contributions "Alice Where Art Thou." A Reel o' Tullnch by four of the prize dancers, to the music of Piper Finlayson, was also given during the evening. The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Mi9s W. Jones and Mr H, Uaugbton in a capable manner.