THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

First Day.

The eleventh annual gathering of the Caledonian Society of Otago began at noon on New Year's "Day. Tor half an hour prev'mtoi to the time fixed for the commencement of the sports crowds of people were thronging on foot and in cabs along the main thoroughfares of the city to the place where the games were held — the North Dunedin Recreation Ground — and for hours after, wards continued streaming in. Fine weather did much towards the success of the gathering, and the arrangements generally were well carried out ; but a circumstance that appeared to militate against it, was tha* some would have competed had it not been that they were absent, contesting events at country gatherings. The day was rather too hot, and would have been much more pleasant had there been a better breeze. As was to be expected, the booths under the Grand Stand drove a roaring trade, and the booths and stands in the other parts of the ground — of which there was a larger number than usual — also appeared to do remarkably well. A large and a small merry-go-round were very numerously patronised ; and the various establishments for easing those of their money from whom the proverb says it is soon parted did a good business. One matter there was which strongly called to be remedied ; but it was not. At the Water Company's tap, at the end of the Stand near Great King street, crowds of little children were gathered round all day, waiting to get a drink. There were no drinking vessels attached, and the thirsty little children actually struggled for possession of a couple of broken bottles in which they were catching water to assuage their thirst. A few tin pannikins could have been easily tied to this tap with great advantage, and without fear of loss to the publicans' business. Very few, perhaps a half a dozen of those present, I wore the national holiday costume. The Battalion Band contributed much towards making the day an enjoyable one. The bagpipe was played with effect by two pipers, and it appeared to be the opinion of many with regard to the sounds emitted by this instrument, that distance lent enchantment to the ear. His Excellency, Lady Bowen, and the Misses Bowen, and suite, in company with His Honour the Superintendent, arrived on the ground not long after two o'clock, and were received by the officers of the Society, the Band playing the National Anthem, as the vice-regal party entered the enclosure and proceeded to the division of the grand stand reserved for them. At that time the scene, especially as viewed from the grand stand, was very striking. The stand was crowded, a very large proportion of its occupants being gaily attired ladies, and on the space in front of it there was a Bea of upturned faces; in fact, it is computed there were over 4000 visitors then present. His Excellency and suite having been conducted to their seats on the grand stand, the President, Mr K. Ramsay, read the following address :—: —

" To His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, &c, &c. May it please your Excellency — The directors and members of the Caledonian Society of Otago beg respectfully to approach your Excellency with expressions of loyalty to the throne, and congratulations and welcome to your Excellency and Lady Bowen on your visit to Otago. We do ourselves the honour to lay before your Excellency the book of our constitution and rules printed for the use of our members, from which we take leave to make the following extract, setting forth the objects of the Society : — c The object of the , Society shall be the promotion, of benevolence, national literature, customs a%d accomplishments.. (1.) Benevolence to be promoted by contributions to the funds of such charitable institutions as the directors may determine, bygivinginfonnation andadvicetonewlyarrivedimmigraats,andby affording for special caseß of destitution such temporary relief as to the directors may appear practicable and expedient. (2.) Literature to be promoted by offering prizes for the greatest proficiency of pupils attending the various educational institutions, and also by procuring and disseminating information regarding the poetry, history, and archaeology of Scotland. (3.) Customs and accomplishments to be promoted by offering prize* for excellence in the performance of

national feats, games, and exercises to be exhibited at the annual gathering of the society." We rejoice to know that our beloved Sovereign has accorded her special patronage to similar societies at home, and that their annual gatherings are honoured by the presence of Her Majesty and the Royal family, and we beg to express our gratification at your Excellency and Lady Bowen's presence amongst us at the present gathering, affording as it does a proof of your Excellency's belief that our Society, although constituted on a principle of nationality and to perpetuate national traditions, is ever ready as our means permit to extend its benefits without distinction of race or class. Renewing our expressions of unabated loyalty, and congratulating and welcoming your Excellency and Lady Bowen on your visit to Otago, and respectfully soliciting the honour of enrolling the name of your Excellency as a patron of the Caledonian Society of Otago, we have the honour," &c. — The address was signed by Mr Keith Ramsay, President; Mr David Baxter, VicePresident ; Mr James Marshall, Hon. Treasurer; and Mr W. S. Douglas, Secretary.

His Excellency made the following reply :—: —

Gentlemen — I thank you for this address, which is very gratifying to me— in the first place, on account of your expressions of loyalty to our gracious Sovereign ; and, secondly, on account of the assurance of your goodwill to Lady Bowen and myself. I have read with much pleasure the constitution and rules of the Caledonian Society of Otago, and cordially sympathise with its objects, which have been carried out here with so much energy and perseverance. Indeed, it is hardly too much to say that this Province itself was originally one great Caledonian Society. It is certainly a noble monument of the industry and enterprise of its founders. The official statistics prove the rapid strides with which it has advanced since the first difficulties inseparable from a new settlement were surmounted. It appears that the population of Otago, which in 1860 was, in round numbers, under 25,000, is now above 75,000 ; that the public revenue from all sources actually raised in the Province, which in 1860 was under £100,000, now exceeds half-a-million sterling ; that the trade (including exports and imports) has risen in value during the interval between 1860 and 1872, from less than £400,000 to nearly three millions; and that the increase in live stock and cultivation during the same period has beer. more than fivefold. Nor is it less satisfactory to observe the steady progress of education. In 1860, there were only 20 schools in this Province, all of an elementary character. Now there are above 130 schools, including two High Schools for boys and girls respectively, four Grammar Schools, and a School of Art ; while the University of Otago, with its able and learned professors from the Universities of Great Britain, crowns the noble scheme of public instruction. These are facts and figures which should be made widely known in the mother country, and to which I am determined to give official circulation there. In this, as m the other Provinces, a continuous stream of immigration — that life blood of a new country — is absolutely necessary for the maintenance and extension of the progress already achieved, and for the success of the public works sanctioned by the Colonial and Provincial Legislatures. In conclusion, gentlemen, I accept with much satisfaction the honour which you propose to confer on me, by enrolling my name as one of the patrons of the Caledonian Society of Otago, and here permit me to congratulate you on the nationality of the gentleman appointed to succeed me in New Zealand on my promotion to the Governorship of Victoria, Sir James Fergusson has many personal as well as official claims to your respect and confidence. He is a soldier who has seen active service in the Crimea, and was wounded at Inkerman. He is a statesman who has for several years been a member of the House of Commons, and has filled more than one administrative office of importance. Finally, he is a Governor of large ability and experience, whose manifold qualifications and accomplishments will not be the less popular in this community because they are united in " Scotchman."

The children who were the prize-takers in the late educational contest of the Society were then called before Lady Bowen, who distributed the prizes to them. The competition for these prizes took place in the University Hall, on Saturday, 28th ult., and was superintended by Mr John Hislop, Inspec* tor of Schools, and Professor Shand. In Scottish History, Arithmetic, and English Grammar,, the questions were prepared by Professors fihand and Macgregor, and the following is their report on the -respective merits of the competitors. The figures show the percentage of marks gained : — Scottish History. — 1, Alice Spedding, South District School, 70 ; 2, Selina A. Spedding, do, -60 ; 3, William D. Milne, Caversham do, 60 ; 4, Jane M 'Donald, Middle do, 44. Arithmetic. — 1, Richard Kinvig, Middle District School,: 53; 2, Alex. Sutherland, North do, 51 ; 3, Wm. D. Milne, Caversham do, 50 ; 4, Alexander Purdie, North do, 49/ English Grammar : 1, William D. Milne, Caversham do, 60;;" 2, .William Laing, do, 55; 3, Frederick Jeffcoat, Middle do, 53 ; 4, Mary Milne, Cavereham do, 45. The Recitationß were judged by Professor. Shand, Messrs Hislop, Callender, and Baxter. , The following is their award :—l,: — 1, Robert Brown, South District School ; 2, Alice Spedding, do do ; 3, Jane M 'Donald, Middle do ; 4, Elizabeth Park, North do. Extra prizes were awarded to EUen Harper and Wm. Armstrong for recitation. The gold medal, the giftof Mr Keith Ramany, ike President of the Society, for general

excellence in the competition, was gained byAlice Spedding ; and the prize for Scotchrecitation, given by Mr Calient er, by John* Brown.

We give the results of the various competitions that took place within the arena during the day. The first event on the programe was a

Handicap Race. — 100 yards, heats. Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s. 15 entered, and five were to run in each heat ; but all who entered did not appear at the startingpost. In the first heat Fox (scratch) came in first, and Murdoch (who had a start of six yards) second. Fox landed a couple of yards ahead of Murdoch, and did not appear to be exerting himself unusually. In the j second heat Westland and R. Hogg, who had. a start of two yards of him, came in equal. Pollock won the third heat ; Wain, who had. two yards' start of him, being second. The first and second in each heat ran in the final struggle — in which Fox (scratch), Pollock (4 yards), and Westland (4 yards), were first, second, and third respectively. The men ran gamely, Pox coming in first by about a yard. lO^sec. was the time given ;. but there were some doubts as to the time kept in the several heats being correct. A great disadvantage to the runners in this race, which was run across the course, was that the goal was within a short distance of the chain, and persons had to stand to stopthe competitors, as there was not sufficient space between the goal and chain for them to* pull themselves up in. Youths' Handicap Race, 220 yards, heats. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, ss. Four entered. The result of the first heat was — M'Lelland, 1 ; Mayne, 2 ; and Martin, 3 ; of the second — Martin, 1 ; M'Lelland, 2\. and of the third and decisive one — Martin, 1 ; Mayne, 2 ; and M'Lelland, 3. The time of the last heat was given as 29sec, and of" the first as 30sec. The youths ran pluckily. Throwing the Light Hammer. — The weight of the hammer was 161bs. W.. Nichol (1) threw it 87ft. lOin. ; Chamley (2>. 73ft. ; and A. M 'Donald (3) to a distance unrecorded. The prizes in this competition^ were— lst, £5 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Running Long Leap. — Ist prize, £2; 2nd r £1. Four entered. Fox made the magnificent leap of 20ft. 7in. P. Power was second. Wrestling. — North Country style (slack odds). Nine competitors entered. Ist prize,. £6 ; 2nd, £2; and 10s given to standards notprize takers. In the first round, George Robertson (the big half-caste) stood, Power fell ; Davidson stood, Hoare fell ; Richard Tyson stood, Hayes fell ; John Tyson stood,. Cooper fell. Hodge was odd man. In thesecond'round, Jack Tyson stood, Dick Tyson fell ; Robertson stood, and Hodge? fell. Davidson, the odd man, having; been soon disposed of by Robertson, the struggle for superiority between Robertson and Tyson, which, it may be safely said, excited far more interest than any otherevent during the day, commenced. The " Maori," as he was generally called, has hitherte been unconquered amoDg Duuedins wrestlers, and being much taller and stouter than Tyson, and possessed apparently of more strength though less science, victory was anticipated by most as usual for the hitherto invincible wrestler ; but some "knowing" ones said in a quiet, confidential sort of way that "the little 'un would give him some fun." The condition was that the winner of two out of three falls should take the prize. In the first round Robertson, who was not apparently so careful as he was subsequently,, was thrown by Tyson, and the applause thatthereupon went up from the vast crowd wasloud and long. Robertson found that he had a foeman worthy of his best efforts. Thistime he went more circumspectly to work, and succeeded in throwing his opponent. In. the third round they several times caught and let go of one another, and rested. At last they'gripped one another in a way that evidently meant business, and the result of the final struggle — the .one that decided the tie — was that Tyson threw Robertson. Tyson* was led away amidst great applause. It must be said for Robertson that he had sores on the palms of his hands, and also that he did what others did not do, namely, behaved! good humoiiredly, and took his defeat in a good spirit. Two-mile Handicap Walking Race. — Ist prize, £4 ; 2nd, £2. Eadie (scratch), 1 Thomson (80 yards), 2. Time, 17min. 33secs. One-mile Handicap Race. — Ist prize, gold medal, value £10 10s ; 2nd, £2 - r 3rd, £1, Fox did not run in this, reserving himself for the next event. Everyone seemed tothink that Pollock would win, but toward* the end, Burke — a youth who had 20 yards* 1 start of Pollock, and who had made it awaiting race — suddenly put on a grand spurt,, coming in first by some yards. Burke wa» a " dark horse," hence his lone start. " There's pluck in New Zealand yet, a bystander exclaimed, as Burke at a desperate pace came past the winning post. Quarter-mile Handicap. — Ist prize, £4j 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Fox (scratch), £1 ; Westland (9 yards), 2 ; Pollock (9 yards), 3. Time, 55£ sec. Wheelbarrow Race. — Each competitorbeing blindfolded, had to -wheel his barrow three - times round the starting point, then make for the goal, and find it if he could. Ist prize, 108 ; 2nd, 6s ; 3rd, 4s. The collision* in this race were numerous. J. Leith was first ; Dempsey, second ; and R. Patterson, third. Youths' Handicap Walking Race. — lmilev —Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s ; and 3rd, ss. D. Mitchell, 1 ; A. B. Mercer, 2s ; W. M'Ken- . zie, 3. Time, Bmin. 39secs. Mercer was much taller than Wilson, but competed in public for the first time, and walked in boot* and trowsers. Running High Leap.— lst prize,, £2 ; 2nd,

£1. J. Murdoch, 1, 6ft. lin. 5 D. Auld, 2, 4ft. lOin. Handicap Hurdle Race. — 440 yards, over, eight flights of three feet hurdles. Ist prize, 1 £4 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Fox (scratch), 1 ;; Auld (12 yards), 2* Wain (17 yards), 3. Westland fell at the first hurdle. Fox, it was evident, took it quite «asily at the latter end of the race. Most of the competitors ran and leaped with much grace. Time, lmin. 3secs. Handicap Sack Race (boys). — As many entered as there weTC sacks, and many could not get sacks. Tommy Dallas came in first, and won 10s ; J. Lindsay second, and won 6s ; and T. Mayne, third, got 4s. Grand Highland Heel, in costume. — Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 10s. James Murray, 1 ; Hugh Brown, 2. Highland FliDg in Costume. — Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 IQa. James Murray, 1 ; Hugh Brown, 2. Sailor's Hornpipe. — Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1 10s. J. Haig, 1 ; R. Anderson, 2. Grand Highland Reel, for boys, in costume. — Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s, and 3rd, 10s. Jas. Murray, jun., 1 ; Wm. Allan, 2 ;, Alex. Allan, 3. J Seannbreus, in Highland Costume. — Ist' prize, £3 .; 2nd, £1 10s. Gilfillan Reid, 1 ; J. Haig, 2. Skcond Day. The games werecontinued on Thursday, baft the weather was again too hot to render prolonged promenades enjoyable. Despite this circumstance, however, there was a very large attendance. The stand was well filled, • and the spectators below were sufficiently numerous throughout the day to form an almost unbroken ring four or five deep outside the ropes. Subjoined are the results of the various contests : — Handicap Race, 220 yds., heats. Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1; 3rd, Ids. Ballantyne, R. Hogg, and D. Hogg, ran in the final neat, they having won respectively the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd heats. Ballantyne won the final heaS. Time, 23£secs. Bagpipe Music— M'Coll took the lit {»iz3. Reel o'Tulloch, in Highland Costume. — Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 10s. J. Murray,Jl ; •H. Brown, 2. Quoiting, continued from first day.— <tst prize, gold medal, value £5 ss ; 2nd, £2. M'Rorie, I ; Little, 2. Youths' Handicap Race, 100 yards ; heats. ! lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss, W. Hqrg, •1 ; M'Lellan, 2. Putting Heavy Ball. — Ist prize £5 ; 3ud, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Grant, 1 (31ft) ; Waters, 2 '(-30 ft. lin.) ; Matheson, 3 (29ft. 3in.). Wrestling.— lst prize, £2 ; 2nd, £L For youths of 16 and under. Loose North Conntry style. Catch as catch can. Scott, 1 ; Braithwaite, 2. Handicap Hurdle Race, 220 yards, <ever • 3ft. hurdles ; heats. Ist prize, £4 ; 'End, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Final heat— Westland, 1 ; Pox, 2,• Auld, 3. Time, 28secs. Sword Dance, in Costume. — Ist prize,- £3; 2nd, £1 10s. Brown, 1 ; Murray, 2. One Mile Handicap Walking Race. — Ist prize, £3 ;■ 2nd, £1. Thomson, who had forty yards start, won the first prize.; and Eadie, .who started from scratch, the second. Time, Bmin. 15secs. Running Hop, Step, and Leap. — lst^rize, £2; 2nd, £1. Fox, 1 (43ft. 6in.) ; Bcwer, 2 {42ft. lin.) Tossing the Caber. — Ist prize, £2 ;• 2nd, £1. M'Nieoll, 1 (31ft. sin.) ; Grant, 2/\3oft. 7in.) ; Calder, 3 (29ft. lOin.) faulting with the Pole. — Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1. Anld, 1 (Bft. llin.) ; Dowing, 2 <Bft lOin.) ; Muirhead, 3 (Bft. 7in.) ■ Grand Challenge Dance, for youths- of 16 and under, each competitor to chotoe his own dance. — Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10a ; 3rd, 10s. W. Allan, 1 ; James Murray, jca., 2 ; A. Allan, 3 ; T. E. Day, extra prize. Wrestling, Cornish an«d Devonshire Style. — K)s given for standarck not being prizetakers. Ist prize, £6 ; 2nd, £2. Thu event was watched with very great inter 3st, in consequence of the severe struggles of the •competitors, particularly on the part &r Tyson .and Robertson. Hoare book first, acd Rob-ertson-the second prize ; Tyson haviij^ tossed with Robertson for the tibrow, and lest. Half*znile Handicap Race. — Ist pre':ie, £5 ; 2nd, £2;. .3rd, £1. J3. Hogg, who had 28 yards start, took the first prize ; Eox, who sfcarted\froEa scratch, the second j aikl Burke, vrko obtaiaed 20 yards start, tha third. Time, 2adn...'2Bsec. foteh.tfig.— First prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 10s. Haag, 1 ; illaainigan, 2. ' ¥ostha' .fflandicap WaSking' Racs. One mile.— lst- prize, £1; Sod, 10s ;.' 3rd, ss. Mitchell < (scratch), 1; Mercer (l£/ds.), 2; Maefcenzie"£2%dß.), 3. Tsme, Bmin. 30sec. Coiaesilstion Handicap. Race. <fe.O yards. —Ist ipeize, £BS.; 2nd, £2; 3rd, £J. Wain, 1 ; Poßook, .2.^ Aarons, "3. Time, 3min. 58£ see. Handicap -Safes: Race, few boys. — Ist prize, 10s ; 2nil, 6s; vjrfj, 4s. Mayne, 1- ; Barne^t, 2 ; Grant, 3. This ' o&na\u)&&3. the programme of the .games. ' '

We observe' toy* cur Auckland exchanges rf&at a contractor wa-the Waik^to end of the faalway havl employed Maori ciawies on ttnial. Being' Jfimandly natives, wfLh the Colonial GoverumonKkaaSdMr Miieambo fall back upon for flour aosdtfoofi m case of need, these particular Ma was • shave proved a failure. They .commenced! >with a strike, and have fibfee been lazy' and ricefficient to such a degree it&at the . ."contractor fc*3 dismissed, them, aad ,saken pnAratead. The local paper* say tb« 'e*peiiment? might haye been successful if EtAuhaos h#il been employed, but amforto w*ataly Tavfil iiao forbids' their taking work, su ifflnMrffifos leb eping them to lire on fern root in „ fijgui&jd •»* /lotion, , '