SPORTS AT TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 13, 28 March 1901, Page 29

SPORTS AT TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent). March 2."). The annual sports meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Association took place in the South Canterbury A.A. Club grounds on Monday, March 18. Despite the fact that wind and rain prevailed throughout the day the gathering was a most successful one financially, the atieudai.ce being: pood considering the weather. The proc^ion starting from the old bank corner was the largest of its kind ever seen in limaru and the streets were lined with crowds of spectator to witness it lhe officials and members of the association numbering about 100, headed by the Battalion Band, were followed by the Highlai d pipers. The rear consisted of about 24 men. the South Canterbury quote of the Seventh Contingent for South Africa under Staff bergreant-Major Jones, followed by eeveral in Highland costame, the whole procession marching to stirring Irish national airs and creating quiteacompletesuspension of business. Theground was reached about 1 p.m., and the different committees set to work with a will to get a lengthy programme through in the time at their disposal, lhe special aim of the association this year was to cater for

running, jumping, dancing, etc., and give those events the extra encouragement which cycling events had previously received. The result showed that it was a step in the right direction, as the entries for those events were more numerous than any previously received. The cycling events— three in number— were also well contested, and in those, as well as in the running events, the finishes were extremely close and interesting. A special event was addld to the programme for the men of the Seventh Contingent (120 yds race), in which Trooper Tennent received first prize, Trooper Spring second, and Trooper Cook third. The prize money was freely subscribed on the grounds. The stewards and officers of the association worked well getting the events olf to time, and not a hitch occurred during the afternoon. The stewards, in accordance with a resolution passed at a previous meeting, wore a black ribbon in their rosettes as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Jeremiah Egan who was one of thefirat and most enthusiastic members of the association. The Irish dancing was very good, and a special prize of £1 Is having been offered for the best costume, a noticeable and pleasing improvement resulted. The sports came to a conclusion at 3 p.m. in miserable weather, a happy and good-humored Bpirit however prevailing. The genial president, Mr. H. Geaney, and Mr. D. Mahoney, the late president, were almost übiquitous, and to their excellent supervision and energy the success of the meeting is mainly due. To wind up the day's celebrations an Irish National concert was held in the Assembly Rooms, and was well attended. Mr. Langdon's orchestra contributed a selection of popular Irish National Airs. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. Hole) took the chair, and the Seventh Contingent recruits occupied seats in the front of the stage. Mr. Gilchrist opened with the ever popular ' Dear little shamrock,' his encore number being ' Eileen alannah.' ' Kathleen mavourneen ' by Mrs. Lynch was received with deafening applause, her encore number (' Ashthore ') being similarly treated. Mr. J. Rodgers, the popular cornet soloist, in his fantasia, 'Bohemian Girl,' well merited the recall which he received. Miss Stevenson in the ' Mother's choice ' richly deserved the encore, but didn't respond, and Mrs. Sommerville similarly declined the compliment after singing very sweetly ' Terence's farewell.' The comic element was supplied by Messrs. Bennetts and Crawford, who were encored. Mr. Jefferson never sang to such advantage as he did in Kipling's ' Wearing of the green,' which fairly brought down the house. ' Off ti Philadelphia' was the encore number. Miss Emma Campbell wing ' Dureen ' very sweetly, and items by Mr. Duncan McDonald and Miss Smith (encored) brought a pleasing programme to a close. During the interval the Mayor, on behalf of the Association, we^omed the members of the Seventh Contingent, and made some flattering ronaiks as to their pluck and valor in being ready to lay down their Jives for their King and country. The recruits, having to leave, tht n roea in a body and gave three cheers for the St. Patrick's Sports A^ociution. Mr. Sidney Wolf played the uecompanimenth in finished btyle.