Opening the New Year.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3399, 2 January 1890, Page 2

Opening the New Year.

New Year's Eve. in Mastcrlon presented an animated'sccno in Queen street, Tho shops were all kept open until 'a late hour, and appeared to ho doinga roaring trade. Footpassengcrs lined the paths, and the road also was turned into a promenade for pedestrians, Tin police were in strong force to koop down disturbances should any arise, but up to midnight their services were not called into requisition, except in stopping the discharge of Chinese crackers and other dangerous fireworks, which were being .thrown pretty freely among the people. We are given to understand that tho Sergeant found it necessary to take thu names and addresses of about a score of individuals who mado themselves most conspicuous in this dangerous pastime, They will in all probability interview the magistrate later on. At ten minute bofore midnight tho brass band turned out and paraded Queen street, TJioy wore followed by a largo concourse of people, many of whom were on mischief bent.- For tho next half hour or so the polico officers had a busy time of it,' Several attempts to ring tho fire bell were frustrated by Sergeant Price, Fortunately for the lovers of order, 'a smart shower of rain fell at half past twelve, whioh, combined - with a cold wind that set in, soon cleared tho streets, Daylight on New Year's morning disclosed : the result of-tho larrikin outbreak of the preceding night, The damage was in no instance of a serious nature, being mostly broken fences, gates, &o. No respect was shown even to the property of tho School Board, the gates at the main school grounds wero Bmashed and several palings torn off the fence,' Two of the large signboards of the Wholesale Drapery Coy, one nt either end of the town, were demolished., Mr 1). McMulleu's Cjuj was run out of. his yard and capsized several', chains iway .'in Dixon-srreel, Mr W. Perry's gates in Dixon-street wore broken, and his milch cows let out, and the double gales at tho entrance- to Mr W, Lowes' grounds at Kuripuni were removed, and his garden left open to the tender meroies'of stray oattk'

Whilst the uproarious performances wero going on .=in tho streets, ihe : birth of a' hew'yoar !was belng'celebrated in other plao'eds -nv an altogether difi'eront fashion. Midnight services we-held .in thoWesleyan Church, and the Salvation -Army barracks. At both places the atten dances were very, largo, and : ; the services of a very interesting ./character. ,■■'' !'_..'; .;:'.!.: There was ample amusement provided for' New Tear's Day> and although the weather was bleak-and. rain .threatened, everybody'.' appeared to''be':out:on pleasure, bent, 'Tbe following ire tbe.prinoipal events:-;

Wairarapa Caledonian Society. ' ; ; -AnnualMeeting. ■ / ; •■ \ '■';' BEAHRiis:' : - v ; ■ T'M Brown; yicE-PnEßi-limrt'- Mr A Stewart; Duieciors' - Messrs 0 E Bremner, W B Huiok. John Cameron, Robert Cameron,: A'-W-Cave,'.-John Drummond, A.A Elkins,RJ.Fitton,l? Gray, D Guild, Jas Harvey, jiinv,, George Heron, Win• Lowee,;Thorans' Mnchay, VymMillarvJamcß Muir, llobert McKay, Jl MoKonae.-.'A; McLeod, junr.,.Donald ■'• MoPheo,"o H Gabbma, \Valtev' Perry, James Boas; Joduks—Messra C E Uroim nor, W B Buick, H Cameron, John Dramniond, P Gray, John Heisey,' Thomas Maokay, Wm Millar, Donald.MoPb.ee, Walter Perry, James.Bobs ;,Sriirrans~ Messrs C E Bremner, li J Fittoo, Janus : Muir; H*NmoAPrEHs—Mossrß AA Nlkins, James l Muir, V O'Connor, James Hosi;-Pirun-Mr John Stewart, Hon'Seo.Mr W. Seliar.

. Tho annual meeting of the-.Waira-.. rapa Caledonian Society was, as usual, held on the Park Oval on New Year's Bay. All tilings considered circumstances were not altogethor favorable. There wero a good' many counter attractions, the chief one being -tiie i Oatliplio piouic at Pigeon Bush, which 'took'away ''.a. very large nnrabor of people who wouldhave/ been certain to attend the sports if there had been nothing else to attract thera. As it : was, however, the ; Society has no reason jib' ..be \ dissatisfied for thero joust, have been abonV : .two, thousand Spaopje oft: the 'weather. many people from .venturing uoatsida their own doors, though the fewdrops of rain that did fall were not' suflicient to hurt anybody, There was "no lack, of competitor's, in any of the events, and it:speaks^woll for:the" Society's.-meeting that our: local athletes had to compete against men from Canterbury, Blenheim, .and Wauganui. In nearly all cases there was a hard strugglefor first honors, ami ig is a .feather in' the cap of tho local peds as well as in that, of the Society that the viisitors, who came here-with tho idea, that they would have ..things their own .way, found themselves compelled to stretch every muscle to obtain.a prize,'. The wrestling match,' Cumberland style, .will probably be remembered for many a loug day as the 'best evout of the kind that has been seen in the district, and if the entries iomest year's could be guaranted to be equally-interesting they would in themselves be stiUicient to- secure a very large attendance, Simeon, tho looal champion, who has taken almost every prize he tried for during the last eight years, found himself pitted against Huru.aKaiapoi man of his own raco, who recently threw Dunne, the champion of the Colony, and the contest proved to be a most interesting one, The result was in favor of the visitor, who is undoubtedly the bette>' man. It may be said in his favor that his education and thorough good nature at once established.him as a favorite with the spectators, Hum, however, probably • met with a' surprise in the catch-as-catch-can . wrestling urntoli, in which P. Hummer's tactics proved to be altogether too good for him. On tho other hand, one of the competitors in the same event is not likely to forget the kindly way in which Hum put him on his buck, and carried him about until he found that the rules of the match required that he must put him on his back. The gentle way in which he did tln\ elicited great applause, which was certainly deserved, ..The running ovents proved a groat disappointment to several competitors who were'under the impression that they had a goodthmg on. O'Dwyer met with rather hard lines in boing disqualified for tlieCaledoniauHandicap, It appears that he did not make the entry lijmself, and Ins agent in the matter neglected to give previous performances, The result was that when ho got placed a protest was entered against him, and he was disqualified, A Wanganui ped who has a very fair record, and thought ho hadagood look in, also fouud that the oompauy was far better than he had anticipated, ami he had to wait for tho Consolation before ho 'could win anything, The vaulting was firstclass, and the winner of a good many years had to retire into second place. The tug of war between members and competitors, which lias always wound up the meeting iu past yoars, resulted, tor the first time on reoord, in a win for the latter, Not only were the competitors exceptionally strong and heavy with such men as JJay, Kumnier, Huru, Simeon, Dalton and Jackson among them, but the members were weakened by the absence through various . causes of several of their strongest men. The members of the committee as well as the Secretary and other officers did their utmost the meeting a success, and ths good humor which prevailed among the public throughout, and tho interest which was taken in every event was an ample guarantee that their efforts to provido a good day's sport were appreciated. -The- strains of Pouison's private band added not a little to tho day's enjoyment Curiously enough, the only piece of rowdyism that occurred on the ground took place immediately after the programme had been disposed of, when two men who had indulged rather .freely tried to punch each other.-Sergeant Price, however, at once took the matter inhand, arid no harm was done, The inner man was thoroughly well cared, for on the ground, by Mrs.Corbott, who had the refreshment and luncheon booth, and by Mrs Cranmer, who had the publican's booth. Both wero .freely patronised, and visitors were treated with the utmost courtesy and attention, a compliment which is not always earned by caterers at public gatherings, in the AVairarapa, owi:ig to the small number.of hands that are occasionally employed,' Tho folio iving is a list of tho events:—

1. Maidou E»cc, 220 yds, entrance 2s 0d; first prize 40s, second 20s, Watorson , 1 . J. Baumber 2 Carroll ~, ~, 8 There wero sevon : starters- and Waterson pushed through the crowd about fifty yards from home and won comfortably by about two yards. . A protest was entered .against the winner on the,grbuM that he had won a rajse a,t IJkotahuna, but as it was shown that the event in question was a 'hurdle race, it was not enterkimi : -:, !'.'.' ■ ' ." .'■ 2, Throwing Heavy Hanmior, enlranco 2s 6d; first prize 40s, second 20s, . ■■■ G.' Jackson, 81ft 7in ... 1 W.Dalton,Blft..: ... -2 • .'.., F,\Kummer.''„,'" '.:'■„,] 3 .

The ' contest •' between: first and second man was a prolonged one, aud it .was only by an exceptionally good throw that' Jackson managed to secure bis first place. ."•'■.-."..'■'.' ,'■■' .3. Wairarapa .'Handicap,;', first ovoat, 100 yards;first3Us, second 15s. .

First "heat;; K. Langton, lOvds, 1; R o.''Stnith, v ßyds r -2'; T. Thompsoni lOycls, 8. .'Second neat;':FrCfaaper,

'6yds,.l; D. Nioholsoii, Oyds, 2.; J,' Peters, ■'■ Final heat: .; V. ■ 'R.Lmigton;-/(..: ~■'•■'.,.■, ■"■. l.'-./

•' y^D. ... ...-,,. '.B''.-..'. In tins event' iho eleven competitors were' divided into two sections, tho; ; names' -being drawn by lot. Langtou kept Ilia start in tho first heat with ease and won with a couple of yards to spare;' In tho second, Cooper; had a hard struggle with Nicholson, who in'-turn .was hard pressed by Peters. The final again saw Lflngton too good with his start, thongh.Cooper rah within a yard of him.

4. Hop, Step and Jump, entrance 2s Cd; tot prize 30s, second 10s

Huru, 4Qft 4Jin ... 1 McCarthy, Saft Biin ... 2 J, Dssher .„ ... 8.

All the men jumped well, though ihe Cantorbury man,proved himself ;o be too good for the .company. .

C, Wrestlint; Matoh (Cumberland stjrle), entrance 6s; first prize £3 anil entrance money, second 20a .Hum ~; ... ... 1 ■ £imeo'n y. ".••,2...'

There.' were four entries," and special interest centred in.the event owing to. the presence of Huru, the Canterbury ohampion, who in the end spoilt ..Simeon's record, /by defeating him rather easily, though. the'straggle between the two was certainly, the best that l|i|feen-6een. wthe Wairarapa. ;,. 0,; |uWlif,eßpimoc. dB, ■ r,(Soeptaricraj 'first' prize, COs, second prize 20s .'.' '■■;■■ ■'■

.R;0. Smith (9yds) ~. 1' / '?;W.D,-\Vatson;((]yds).„ 2~;■ .V E. Thompson (50r)...:.... 8 - - There'wore Beven starters, and the pace : was 'made .very,, hot ; from the start, - Smith, who was considered to have been' let.in "very light; kept his advantage from' the beginning, and won by about five feet; ■•' '.'■'.' Vi

'7. Tossing the Caber, entrance 2s 6d first prize JOs,'second 15s •■' W.Dalton ... ... 1 : G.F.Dav <; . ... 2 ;

W.F.Day ... ,„ 3 ; .8. Maiden Walking Race, entrance 2s 6d 1 mile: first prize 30s, second 16a ,W, Jensen ... >'..;.' B„'■'.-'■

Six started for this event, but five of the men indulged in suoli an amount of dog-trotting that■; they were -disqualified, and "the event proved to be a donkey race, inasmuch that, the last, man, won. .Jensen 'certainly walked very fairly, yet we have seon much worse walking than that of P. C, Freetb, who pushed the leader all through, to pass unchallenged,

ft. Bagpipe Musio, entrance 2s 6d; firsl prize '10s, second 20s, if three competitor! ■ Mackintosh ■■Eilteon. 1

There was only the ono entry. 1,0-Highland Fling, entrance 2s; firsl prize 20s, second 10s . W.Miller' '-.., :.., 1 •■" D.Cakler ...'."„. 2

There, were 'five entries, and the dancing was very good throughout. 11, Thrce-Leggedßaco ((or youths uudor 15), entrance free; first prize 10s, sQoond ss, third 2s Gil.

J. Briinton and C. Welch ... 1 W, Allsworth and O, Morris 2

12. Wairarapa Handicap, second, evenl 220 yards; first prize 30s, second 15s

F. Cooper, 9yds' T. Thompson 16yds

There were nine starters, and O'Dwyer, who was at scratch, came through and won a pretty race by about eighteen inches A protest was however entered against him oh the ground that he had not given his previous performances, and this being entertained, he -was disqualified, - 13, Long Jump'(raining), entrance'is; first prize 30s, second 10s It. Thompson 16ft, IU-in 1 . Udyl6ft7*iu... "... 2 Hum ... 8 Bovs' race 200 yds. W. Peilingham 7/6 ... 1 H, Tinslcv jj/- ■" ••• 2 J. Wellington 2/6 ... 8 ; Girls' Race, 100 yds,'

0. Carroll 7/G

A. Fielding 5s

E. Heggie 2/6

About twenty little lasses-started for this event, and the way in which some of tho little ones who had a start' on account of their diminutive figures travelled over the ground was a treat to see.

15. Putting the Stone; entrance 2*; firtt prizo 40s, socond 10s W.Dalton 115ftlin ~. 1 M. 'O'Connorß4ft Tin... 2. There were three entries, and the two winners had a most interesting struggle for their places, 16. Scotch Keel,, enttance 2s; firet prizo 20s, second 10s D.Caldor, 1 W.Miller, ~,' ... 2 The opinion of tho spectators seemed to bo that of tho four competitors JlcPheo and Muller should have obtained the places. 17. Wairarapa Handicap, third event, 440 yards; first prizo 30s, second 15s F. Cooper, 14yds • ~. 1. R Langton, 25yds ... 2 T. Thompson, 25yds ... 8 In this event there wero eleven starters, and Cooper had little difficulty in disposing of the field, and as he had placed two firsts and a second to his credit he won the Wairarapa Handicap, the scores being' Cooper 18, Langton 8 and T. Thompson's. 16 Vaulting with Pole, cntrauee 3i; first pr'ze 40s, Fecond 15s Hunia, lift llin, ..." 1 Reri,i)ft9in, ... ... 2 W.Dalton, ... ... 8 This is tho first time that Ron has been beaten on the ground, The winner afterwards got tho bar up. to 10ft 4in and cleared it. . - ID, Wrestling (Catoh-as-catch-oan), ontrance 2s; first prize 40s with entrance added,second 20s

F, luimmor, 1 Hunt ... 2 This proved a most interesting event arid the way the winner disposed of his two opponents was well worth seeing, Girls race 100 yards, . C. Holmes, ss, ' ... 1 E, Driscoll, 8s 2 C.Carroll, 2s .... 8 . Boys Race, 220 yds-, T, Walker, 7a 6d, ... 1 - J. Murray, 55... . ,-... 2 F, Fellingham, 2f16d.„ 8 Sauntrues:.;!). Calder 1, It is probably necessary to explain to those of our readers who are not Scotchmen that this event, was a danco t antl that the above spoiling of the word was only arrived at after oonsiderablo enquiry among Highlanders. The dance is a very pretty one, but if any of our frionds fail to recognise it by the narno, wo trust thoy will hold us free from blame. . 20, Sack Dace, (for boys only),entrance freo; first prizo 10s, second 6s, third 2s Od : G. Jaoksori, .... . ... 1 O. Gunther .■;.'■ ... .2 ; 21.880 Yards Handicap,-, eatrance '2a; acceptance 2s; first prize 60s, second 20a . Koy Beddie, 80yds ~..;": 1 - '.' T. Thompson, 60yds „.\'2 ■ E,. Yates, SOyds' .... 8 .„ ; There wero six starters, but almost from the beginning Neddie : shewed such good form that there wasub room for doubt as to the result, The race was won by six or seven yards..:' 22. High Junjp. (running), entrance 2s'; first prizo 30s, second•los. .. .■■;'■': . ■'- W. Dalton .;, 1 : "■" ; M &ur^; : sft.QJiiiV : :- m.;:a; : , : ' Fivfooiapetitora, "••'■ .:■>:;'

Boys Rato, 220 yds;':: , ■-■.' - V-- 1». Holmes, 5 yd3 ; j ■■■■...■.-. . !;.■;;.. ■■ -'E.'Frfeoth,;-'B.y'ds"--"--^-.:." '2' '• ■'■',. Hj Welliiigton,-2yas ;.. 8 ;,' 23. One,Mito; Handicap,.uiitrance 3a, first prizoifi, seco'nd-£2, third lo save his stokes "" -. . Boyßiddie, SOyds ... 1 J. Barratt, Bf)yds ... 2;. ■ P. G, Hausuiauii, 100 yds 8' ' Three others started. Hausmnmi hurt his foot almost at the start, but persevered. Barratt -looked like winning when half the distance had been covered but Biddie came with a splendid rush in the last lap and won as he liked. 24. Consolation Handicap, 220 yards, entrance 2s M; first prize 403,. second 20a ' B,H.Rockell, 12yds... 1 J, O'Dwyer, sor. , ... t " lhere were eight starters. Bookell quickly ran into first pkes, O'Dwyor meantime forging his way ahead at a great pace, Fifty yards from, homo be was within four feot of the leader, but he could get no nearer to win. 26. Tugof War n lo mcrabers of Caledonian Society against 10, competitor; prlzo !!0j„. ; .. ~.'.*' ''•' ' ' ' - , '■'■ .... 1 . :' : Members •':■ .•'... 2 • .. This event was a gift to the athlete's who brought the gathering to a oloso by somewhat ungraciously pulliug their entertainers over the mark without muchex'ertiou on their part.

': Theatre EoyaLMasterton^ ■\Tiio capacity; of •••♦lie. testedliflthe fullest eitent toacconio.-:,; that assenfolod to see of Hugo's Exhibition ] Company! last night, Most of the members of the Company are new to Masterlon audiencos,' foremost amongst them being the Leslie Brothers, who are veritable musical wonders,.; as they knock .music out. of anything. • In addition to playing beautiful accompaniments to the soloists in the first part on the comet and "violin/ they appear in a very laughable act, and perform solos on every, couceivable thing, including cow bells, jam tins, pieces of wood, rifles find old hats, They are also very clevor acrobats, and • play away standing on their heads, balancing on onb another's shoulders, and screwing themselves in -all. sorts of shapes,' Mr Oscar Smith, the ventriloquist, had thai audience sci'eammg'wilh hianumeruuV! figures, which are certainly worked in a wonderfully natural manner. Mr Santley possesses a very fine voice, and another 1 new addition tfetho Company, Miss Dawson, rendereJia very charming item to the first part'! Of tho old members of the Company, Miss Vei'ne aiid Miss Cleveland contributed tliroo or four characters and sentimental songs, while Mr Charles Hugo was as ■funny as over, making the- audience' open their mouths every time ho oponed' his. The entertainment is certainly the' best we l\avo had here for a-long lime, ind we have no hesitation in recommending it to.ourreadersas a panacea for low spirits and an incentive to a hearty laugh,

Presbyterian Picnic. The picnic in connection with the. Mastorton Presbyterian Ohurch Sunday School was held on Mr' 6, W. WoodroofeV grounds, and "proved a success in every sense of the Word, Friends from all denominations were present;, and a hearty welcome was extended to all.; Games such as ! .quoits, tennis, races for the children, for which substantial prizes wero provided, and other outdoor pastimes wero indulged in. The refreshments were on a liberal scale and of the best, whilst all the visitors wore waited on with alacrity by those who had the management of this important item on the programme. The rain kept off fortunately for the summer olad lasses, but after sunset it turned very cold, which no doubt hastened the departure of many from the grounds, • Salvation AnnyA " welcome" tea was provided in tho Salvation Army Barracks, to which about one hundred and sixty sat down. The viands were nearly all contributed by friends and sympathisers, and tho participators in the repast showed their appreciation of, the goods things provided by doing them lull justice, An after meeting was hold at which about three hundred wero prosent, and quite an enjoyable evening was Spoilt. There wero several addresses given, interspersed with songs aud music. Catholic'Heme. The (Jatbolio picnic organised by the Rev J. McKenua .ms held on the beautiful grounds of Mr.Tringliam at Pigeonßtisli.ThotraiulrbuiMasterton conveyed about three or four hundred persons andthis number was supplenientedatthovariou3interinediate stations. The train from Wellington brought a great number' whilst many also came by road. During the day_ a heavy hailstorm camo onbnt fortunately' it was of short duration, Thero was ample shelter under the bushes and trees, and no one suffered from the unwelcome visit. There was a good programme of sports and games of all tho usual kinds incidental to such excursions were indulged in. As an outing alone tho visit to Pigeon Bush was a thorough enjoyable one, and the picnic was pronounced by all who took part in it a grand suit.,.;,