CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

ANNUAL GATHERING. The first day's sports in connection with the eleventh annual gathering of the above society took place on the Ist, on the North Dunedin Recreation Ground The day bang exceedingly fine and warm, the conoourse of people was very large, numberincr between four and five thousand. The grand stand was well patronised by the fair sex, whose gaily' colored dressei had a very pleasing effect, while the Battalion Baud, and two pipers enlivened the proceedings with music. The arrangements made by the Directors were complete, and the result was that everything went smoothly. The various events ' composing the programme differed little from those of last season, but the number of competitors who entered for them was not so numerous. .This may be attributed to the fact that similar sports have been got up this season in several country districts which have served as counter-attractions to those who otherwise would have competed. In wrestHf g (northcountry style) and racing, particularly in the . boy-contests, there was a marked improvement on former competitions. The first everisipf.tfee day — the Youths' Handicap race of 220 yards, in heats— excited considerable interest, not so much by the style of .running exJhibitedasbythe swiftness of the cpmpetitors. • T&i fifstf-hsat- was performed in 30 seconds, and the- third in twenty-nine, Martin -taking the first honor/ -The. handicap 100-yard Race in hats was welL^ontest'e'd' and: well, won by M. Fox, who did the l.ast feeat in M>4 seconds. The principal race of the day, however, was the One-mile' Handicap for. a gold medal, valued at LlO. Five came to the start, and were led off in splendid style by Pollock, who for a' time was .the favorite, but a youth named Bourke, during the last round, put on .a magnificent spurt and came, in winner, Pollock being a good second. The distance was covered in 4min 42sec. The Hurdle Race (440 yards) deserves notice for the graceful performance, of the competitors, while the Youths' Walking Race was remarkable only for the difference in height of the winners. The second prizetaker, A. B. Mercer, was fully five inches over D. Mitchell the winner, but evidently he had not the training of the latter, and length of leg, therefore, went for little. This was his first performance, and it showed that, with training, he has the stuff in him to make a swift walker. The running long-leap was a remarkable feat by M. Fox, who .-covered a distance of 20ft 7in. The longest leap of last meeting was 18ft llin. The wrestling was pronounced superior to- anything of the kind yet witnessed at these

gatherings, particularly the contest between 1 John Tyson and George Robertson, a half- I i caste. For some years past the latter has been a successful competitor, but on this occasion he met a more than equal antagonist —in skill, if not in strength. The dancing was equal to former exhibitions, especially that of the more youthful performers. James Murray, jun., and William Allan I deserve notice for gnce, rapidity, and beauty of execution of the Highland reel. A, little after two o'clock His Excellency Sir '-eorge Bowen, Lady Bowen and suite arrived on the ground, and were received by the President (Mr K"ith Ramsay) and the directors of the Society, and conducted to the grand stand, where a place had been specially prepared for them. The President then read the following address :—: — To His ExcellenoySir G. F. Bowen, 0.C.M.G., &c, &c. 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 th» honor to lay before your Excellence the book of oui 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 : — " The object of the society shall be the promotion of benevolence, national literature, customs and accomplishments (1) Benevolence to be promoted by contributions to the funds of such charitable institutions as the directors may determine, by giving information and advice to newly-arrived immigrants, and by affording for "special/cases of destitution such tempojarv relief as to the directors may appear practicable "and expedient. '-(2) Literatura to be promoted by offering prizes fo"r i;he 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 prizes for exceileiioe in the performance of national feats, games, anc exercises to be exMbited at the annual gathering of the society." We rejoice to know that our beloved Sovereign hag accorded her special patronage to similar societies at home, and that there annual gatherings are honored by the presence of Her Majesty nnd the Eoval 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 as ready as its means permit to extend its benefits without distinction of race or class. Renewing our expressions of unabated loyalty, i-nd congratulating arid welcoming your Excellency and Lady Bowen on your visit to Otago, and respectfully soliciting the honor of enrolling the name of your Excellency as a patron of the Caledonian Society of Otago, we have the honor, &o. f Here followed the signatures of the principal office-bearers.) His Excellency replied as follows :— Gentlemen,— l 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 symnathise 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. Th« 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 nil sources actually raised in the Province, which in 1860 was under LIOO.OOO. 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 L 400 ,000 to nearly three millions ; and that the increase in live stock and cultivation during .the t same period has been more than fivefold Nor is it less satisfactory to observe the steady progress "of'education. In 1860, there were only twenty i*chools in this Province, all of an elementary character. Now. there above 130 schools, intwo High Schools for boys 'And girls respectively, four grammar schools and a School of Ait ; 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 as in the mother country, and to which I am determined to give official circulation there. In this, as in 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 honor 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 Inkermann ; 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 a Scotchman. I The children who had successfully competed for the educational prizes were then conducted to the front of the grand stand, and Lady Bowen distributed the prizes as j follows j--History ot Scotland. — Alice Spedding, first prize ; Selina Spedding, second prize ; W. D. Milne, third prize j and Jane M 'Donald, fourth prize. Recitation.— Robert Brown, first prize; Alice Spedding, second prize; Jane M' Donald, third prize Arithmetic. — Richard Kinvig, first prize ; Alex. Sutherland, second prize ; W. D Milne, third prize ; and Alex. Furdie, fourth prize. ■ English Grammar.— W. D. Milne, first " prize ;- William T#ag, second prize ; Fred Jeffcott, third prise $ and Mary Milne, fourth" prize. - General Excellence.— Alice Spedding, gold medal. >4- Special Prize (Mr Callender's). — John Brown. " Extra Prizes.— Ellen Harper and William ; Armstrong. . - ,Tfae following is a list of the events and prize-takers; — '*'■" **, , t Youths' Handicap Racei 220 yards,. heats,.:' Martin Ist,. Main 2nd, and A. M'Clelland 3rd. Handicap Race, 100 yards, heats.— s competed : N..U'ox lat, Poilook 2nd, and West~land 3rd.. Grand Highland Reel. — i competed in costume : James Murray Ist, and Hugh!, Brown 2nd. Throwing Light Hammer (161b's)- : W. Nichol Ist, Charnley 2nd, and A. Macdonnell 3rd. Running Long Leap : M. Fox Ist, and P. Power 2nd. Quarter-mile Haudicap Race : M. Fox Ist, Westland 2nd, and Pollock 3rd. Highland Fling in costume : Jas. Murray Ist, and Hugh Brown 2nd. Wrestling, North Country style, slack hands : John Tyson Ist, and George Robertson 2nd. Handicap Walking Race, two miles : Eadie Ist, and Thomson 2nd. Sailors' Hornpipe : Joseph Hug Ist, and Robert Anderson gnd*

Grand Highland Reel for beys in costume : ! Tames Murray, junr., Ist. William Allan 2nd, and Alexander Allan 3rd. One-mile Handicap Race.— Five competed. Bourke. gold medal value LlO, Pollock 2nd, and Westland 3rd ' ' Wheelbarrow Compaction, each boy to wheel his barrow three times round the starting point, then make for the goal, and find it if he can : J. Leith Ist, Dempstey 2nd. and R. Patereon 3rd. Running High Leap : Murdoch Ist, and David Auld 2nd Youths' Handicap Walking Race: D Mitchell Ist. A. B. Mercer 2nd, and W. M'Kenzie 3rd. Seauntreus, in Highland costume : G. Reid Ist, and Joseph Haig second. Handicap Hurdle Race, 440 yards, over eieht flights of 3-ft hurdles : M. Fox Ist, D. Auld 2nd, and F. Wain third. Handicap Sack Race for Boys : Thomas Dallas Ist, J. Lindsay 2nd, and Thomas Main 3rd.

Sbgond Day. Tha attendance of visitors this day was not so large as on the first day, the number present being about 3500. The programme, however, was more attractive, and the various events were well contested. The 220 Yards Handicap Race, in heats, was a splendid performance. The ! three heats were won by Bannatyne, R. I Hogg, and Auld severally, and it was remarkable that the time in each heat wan 25secs. In running off, Bannatyne took the lead and kept it throughout, covering the distance in 23£ sees. The Youths' Handicap 100 Yards Race was a respectable competition, Butthe Boys' Wrestling Match was a mistake,' so far. as the age of the respective competitors was concerned. Tt ought to be an obj a cb of the Society to encourage youths of sufficient age to come forward, who, at the ensuing meeting, might compete wi^h men. On this occasion, however, boys of from twelve to fourteen years competed. The tossing o- tincaber and putting the he-^vy ball were equal to last year's performances, but th» vaulting with the pole was no v so good The maximum height attained this year was 8 feet 11 inches, against 9 feet 18 inches last season. The wrestling contest will no doubt suggest to the directors^ the desirability of making some alteration in next season's programme, so far as the conditions of entry for the Cornish and Devonshire style of wrestling are concerned. The practice in Enq'and is to classify competitors by bringing light wei.'hts together, and then heavy. Some societies fix the maximum weight of the former at 12 stone, while other societies makei' a little more. By pursuing a similar course the society will give encouragement to yeung competitors, and save them the risk of meeting such athletes as Tyson or Robertson. The contest, yesterday, a bard struggle, ended in a complete victory for Ben. Hoare. He first met Hodge, when some excellent play ensued, the latter, however, finding ground sooner than he expected. Tyson and Robertson then met, but neither succeeded in throwing the other accordins to recognised rules, and the result was a tos--for fall. The latter won, and closed with Hoare (a much lighter mau, but a more skilled wrestler), who threw him most dexterously and 'cleanly, winning first prize The Half mile Handicap Race was a well contested event. Fox appeared in this, but he was heavily handicapped, and came in a good second, E. Hogg taking first honor. The hurdJeracewasrun in heats, M. Fox and Auld taking first places respectively in the heats. In the running off, however, Fox had a bad start, and only took second prize, Westland taking first. The latter had twelve yards in the handicap. The Mile Handicap Walking Race was a superior performance than any similar event of the previous day. Eadie was heavily handicapped, giving Smith and Thompson 35 and 40 yards respectively From the first Thompson kept the lead. Smith broke down in the fifth round, leaving Eadie for second prize. ■ The time was Bmin 15aec. There was nothing remarkable in the Highland dancing,- beyond that it was pr<?tfy, graceful,^,and. picturesque ; but the Irish jiguVfas correctly -and "-well executed by most of the. performers, particularly by Haig and Hannigan, who danced in costume. It is a matter of regrot that there were not more pipers present. The veteran M'C"ll and a pupil of his, named Baxter, wtre the only two who put in an appearance, and of course took the prizes. The quoiting match extended over both days, and attracted much attention. The first prize fell to M'Rorie, the successful competitor of last year. The Consolation Handicap and sack races brought the sports to a close. The following is a list of the events and winners of prizes : — Handicap Race, 220 yards, heats : Sixteen competed. Time, 234 sec. Bannatyne Ist, R. Hogg 2nd. and Auld 3rd. Reel o' Tulloch, in Highland costume : James Murray Ist. and Hugh Brown 2nd. Wrestling, for youths of 16 and under, loose north country style, catch as catch can : Scott Ist, and Braithwaite 2nd. Sword Dance, in costume: Hugh Brown Ist, and James Murray 2nd. Handicap Hurdle Race, 220 yards, over three flights of hurdles. Ten competed Time, 28 seconds : Westland Ist, Fox 2nd, and Auld third. Mile Handicap Walking Race. Three competed. Time, 8 minutes 15 seconds : Thompson first, and Eadie second. Grand Challenge Dance, for youths of 16 and under. Each competitor to choose his own dance. — W. Allan, first ; James Murray, jun., second ; and Alexander Allan, third. Quoiting (continued through two days) : M'Rorie first, and Liddle second. Youths' Handicap Race, 100 yards, heats : JB, Hogg, first ; M'Collard, second ; and Itfartin, third. Running Hop, SJiep, and Leap : Distance covered, 43 feet 6 inches. Fox first, and Power second. Tossing the Cab«»r t Distance thrown, 31 feet 5 inches. M'Nichol, first; Grant, second ; and Caulder, third. Vaulting with the Pole : D. Auld, first j Dowling. second ; and Muirhead, third. Wrestling, Cornish and Devonshire style : Ben Hoare first, and George Robertson second. H alf-mile Handicap Race : Thirteen competed: Time, 2tnin Bsec. Hogg Ist, Fox 2nd,= and Bourke 3rd. Irish Jig : Haig Ist, and Hannigan 2nd. Patting .Heavy Ball : Distan.ee, 51 feet Grant lßt, Waters 2nd, and Mathf.son 3rd. " JP&nths' Handicap Walking Race, 1 mile Time, Bmin 30sec. Mitchell Ist, Mercer 2nd, and M'Kenzie 3rd. . • Bagpipe Music f M'Goll Ist, and Baxter 2nd. ' - " Consolation Handicap Race, 440 yards : Time, 5845e0. Wain Ist, Pollock 2nd, and Aarons 3rd. Handicap Sack Race for Boys : Bain Ist, Barnott 2nd, and Grant 3rd.