BOXING DAY SPORTS. ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1791, 29 December 1883, Page 2

BOXING DAY SPORTS. ALEXANDRA.

*(iuR /annual sports, held here, ottlßoxiiig Day,'^were, as usual, a great succ§ij|. TBS - .jittetfdance was very large, consideringitWe attractions held out "by other places. There could not have been less than one thousand Europeans and natives in attendance, the former being in a decided majority. The Alexandra BcWid was present, and, together with the gay costumes 1 of fine facfres, gave thri'' Gfovernment reserve a most enlivened and animated appearance. The committee were indefatigable in their duties, and the programme was gone through without any unpleasantness, which must to them be a source of extreme gratification. • Only one accident occurred — I atn glad to say not a serious one, although for some few minutes it caused universal anxiety. Mr Ji Hodgson, ,jun., while riding his horse in the Maiden Race, thraugh the animal falling while going at a splitting pace, was thrown, and the horse rolled completely over, apparently crushing its rider. Mr Hodgson, however, after some five minutes' unconsciousness, was able to rise and declare himself comparatively unhurt, to the grea,t relief of his numerous friends. The various athletic events were not so numerously contested as hitherto. The Maiden Flat Race, of 100 yards, was won by a gentleman " amateur" from Auckland named McKinlay, and not unknown there and at other places as a first-class runner. This fact somewhat prevented many from entering in the other events that followed. Julijin was .also successful in the events he contested, but was invariably unfairly handicapped. The following is the programme, with the names of the winners :—: — Native Boys' Race.— Prize, 10s and ss. Tuku 1 Pouka . . .2 Boys under 10.— Prize, 10s and ss. Sitiden . . 1 Stunner .. 2 Men's Maiden Fr,vr Race, 100 yds. — Prize, £1. Entrance, Is. McKinlay. 1 Halls . 2 _ Farrell, McKinnon a»'' A.-anihs also ciimp«>*od. MciYfnl.iy won easily. Running Hoi", Step and Jump.— Prize, £1. Julian . . ... 1 Hanturn . . 2 Hurdle Race, 220yds.— 1st Prize, £1 10s ; 2nd, 10s. Julian 1 Fan ell . 2 Six entries. Running Long Jump.— Prize, £1. Entiance, Is. Julian . .1 McKinnon . . . .2 Five entiie^. 200 Yaud.s Flat Race.— lst Prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10a. McKinlay 1 Fan ell 2 Fiveentiies. Running High Jump.— Prize, £1. Julian .... 1 Young . . .2 Thuee-legged R h'E.— Prize, 10s. Julian and Young . 1 Maori 2 Four entries. Half-mili: Flat R \ck.— lst Prize, £2 ; 2ikl, 15&. J. Martin 1 Asmuss . . .. 2 Four started. Vaulting with Pole.— Prize, £1. Won by Julian. No competition. Hokse Races.. Hubdle Race.— Distance, H miles. Ist Prize, £4 ; 2nd, £1. Thompson's Wildinan 1 Corcoran V Cossack . . 2 Wildinan carried two stone over weight. Maiden Race.— Distance, 1 mile. Ist Prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1. To Wheoro'.s Kaiutahi 1 Turner's Devil . 2 Flvt Race.— Distance, IV miles. Ist Prize, £4 ; 2nd, £1. Entrance, 5sMr Thompson';; Wildinan . 1 HerangiV Minnie . .... .2 Six staited. WI VMATIC ENTERTAINMENT. The variety entertainment given by the Alexandia, Amatem Di auuitic Club in the evening, in aid of the reading-room building fund, was another success, there being close on 200 peisons present. The two pieces presented by the club, viz., " A Day After the Fair" and "Robert Macaire," have been previously performed here and commented upon in yom columns. I need only say they were again hailed with enthusiasm, and hearty and unanimous applause was awaided throughout and at the clo.se of each comedy. Mr Johnson's impersonations of the great McCabe was a capital performance, causing roars of laughter and enthusiastic applause. The Alexandra Band was present, under Bandmaster Sibley, and furnished the music for the dance which followed, and which, although somewhat crowded in numbers, was kept up with spirit until an early hour on the following morning.— [Own Correspondent.]