THE SPORTS.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2610, 17 December 1873, Page 2

THE SPORTS.

Patron; His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Bart. President ; His Honor the Superintendent. Vice-President: His Worship the Mayor. Treasurer : W H W Williams. Secretaries ;Mr G Gordon and Mr F C Hall. Stewards ; Messrs J Ollivier, M B Hart, H B Alport, C Cuff, WJH Williams, W Wilson, F B Bishop, J Anderson, S P Andrews, W R Mitchell, G H Wilson, J A Bird, and Denison. Judges: Messrs W R Mitchell and H E Alport. Starter: Mr S P Andrews. Clerk of the course: Mr C Cuff.

Under the able management of the Popular Amusement Association, assisted by several gentlemen, whose assistance on these occasions is exceedingly valuable, the anniversary snorts have assumed, if not the premier position amongst our athletic gatherings, at least a very high one, and deservedly too, as no pains are spared by the committee and the able secretaries to make them a success. They are the more able to do this, as they bring to the work a vast fund of experience, and therefore it is that even in the smallest details these sports are always properly and efficiently carried on. The ground arrangements were capital j the fence around the square being utilised for the purpose of preventing any crush, besides which the whole of the centre was kept entirely clear, thus affording to all the spectators a very good view of the different events. In the matter of the accommodation of the band, a very excellent plan was adopted of erecting in the centre a sort of marquee open on all sides, so that while the band were screened from the burning sun, the music was enabled to be heard, and appreciated all over the ground, instead of beinjr as on former occasions confined to one portion of it. The graud stand was erected on the game site as last year, but the internal arrangements, both for the accommodation of the committee and the competitors, was far better. For the convenience of the latter, a dressing tent was erected in rear of the stand, but contiguous to the secretary's office, so that no delay occurred in getting the various fields ready for the start. Indeed, considering that the entries for every event were post, the committee and starters deserve the greatest credit for the expeditious manner in which the various items on the somewhat lengthy programme were got over and the early hour at which the sports concluded, The various events were all well contested, and the time made in many of the races, particularly the two-mile flat race for Mr Williams's cup, and several of the spurt races, was really excellent,and the fields throughout were nu nerous. The event of the day, however, so far as fun was concerned, was the masked race in sacks. The ludicrous appearance of the competitors as they drew up on the scratch preparatpry £q starting, caused roars of laughter, and the many mishaps which took place during the race itself, was productive of great merriment. The two boys' races for 440 yards, and one mile, which opened the programme brought out a crowd of aspirants for pedestrian honors, many of them new to our sports, and the judgment and pluck displayed by the youngsters in their races, was worthy of imitation by the boys of larger growth who competed in the subsequent events. The first event for men,' a MO yards spin"' on the flat, brought out a very well matched lot, aud Davies' victory in this was a welldeserved one, as he ran throughout the race a thorough game qne, his winning spurt being a magnificent piece of running. Thanks to a convenient path which one of the competitors had either the luck or the judgment to get his unwieldy machine upon, the wheelbarrow race was a rather hollow affair, although some amusement was caused by the frantic efforts of another of the competitors to run into the band tent, and his subsequent wild steering. For the threelegged races there was very fair competition, but ihe pair who *yon the men's raoe cvi- j dently had takeu considerable pains to prac ; tise together, and the result was tbat they j ran clean away from their opponents ; in- | deed, so much so, that it seemed as if being linked together in that style was j the normal condition of their pedestrian performances, for they ran quite as fast as if no snch encumbrances as §traps j and buckles retarded their movements.

The mile race for Schwartz and Leeard's cup brought out what was looked upon as a capitally matched lot, and was principally remarkable for the very game spurts made by the winner Hewitt, who, by the way, did not at all do discredit by his performances to his redoubtable namesake. Webb, whose

performances at this distances made him a favorite, nursed his oppoueut too long, and was unable, when he did put it on, to get on terms with him, though he ran very well, and pluckily. Kilgour, the third man, runs excelleutly, and with a little more training and judgment will prove a very awkward opponent for some of our amateur peda. He made the mistake of forcing the running too early in the race, so that when called upon to go he could not stay the pace. The time in which this mile was said by the timekeeper to be done was 4min 45secs, but we incline to the belief that this was wrong, as although the pace was a hot one, it wa9 not done in this time. By the way, while on the subject of time, we may suggest to the committee that on auother occasion an official time-keeper be appointed, as the record of the time made at these sports is valuable for future reference, besides affording a criterion for judging of the capabilities of the " colts," who generally make their debut on the grass at these sports. The pole leaping eveuts was well contested as regards two of the competitors, aud the winner, though clearing Bft 4'iu had plenty of jumping in him. Last year he won the same event, but he then mauaged to clear Bft 7tn ; the second man this year clearing on that occasion Bft 6iu. For his Honor the Superintendent's prize, half-a-raile flat, nine competitors faced Mr Andrews, and a good race ensued, Davie, the former winner, this time having to succumb to Sheridan, who ran well. For the Mayor's Cup the field was so large that the race had to be run in heats, and this also was a good race. The race however respecting which the greatest public excitement was manifested was the two miles spiv for Mr Wynn Williams' Cup, and this because the two long distance runners— Monck and Davis were to try conclusions. Though the anticipated spurt between these two did not come off, Monck retiring when the race was three parts run, the performance of Davis for the distance was excellent, he succeeding in covering it in lOmin Usees, as taken by the timekeeper. Black, who ran second, deserved notice for the plucky and persistent manner in which he Btuck to the leaders through the various laps, although of course when Monck was out of it, the race was a gift to Davis, who came away from Black with a maguificent spurt. Webb who was also in this race, ran very fairly, though outpaced from the first, his Bpeed not being good enough for his company. Though the principal feature of interest was destroyed by Monck's withdrawal, the race was a very pretty one, and one well worth seeing. The two mile walking race, which last year brought out a fair field, only produced two contestants on this occasion, and the race throughout was somewhat hollow, Jacobson having it nearly all his own way. The standing high leap and running high jump were well contested. For the former, Anson jumped 4ft 3in, winning it at this height. Last year the height negotiated was 4ft 6in, the present winner clearing sft 2in. The latter was not so well contested as regards the majority of th< competitors, oue or two of them failing tc get over at the starting height (4ft 6in) Anson and Wil3on, however, showed som< good jumping, and the prize was taken bj the former at sft 1 "tin, an improvement ot his last year's performance, when he wor with 4ft lOin. Either the professors of the typographic art in Christchurch are not good as wha our American cousins would call " runnists,' or their natural modesty prevented then entering in larger numbers for the cup pre sented by the " Press " Company for com petition amongst them, and only a trio cainf forward. The handicapper bad under-valued the prowess of the winner, fo with his twenty yards start, the race was i gift to him, though the juvenile imps (speak ing of course strictly in a professiona sense), who were opposed to him, and wh< the handicapper had dealt rather hardly with, ran a thorough good 'un. The rac< was a rather hollow one, and was mad< more so by H. Tully, who has achieved t reputation as a ped, going out after a shorl burst, evidently having had enough of it If the positions of first and second in th< race had been reversed, that ultima thnle o\ handicappers—which the veteran of a hun dred handicaps, Mr Hustler, has so ofter. advised—the covering of the competitor! with a sheet, whatever that may mean would have been accomplished. Although wi have good authority for the assertion " thai to err is human, to forgive is divine," w< don't envy that handicapper when the imj in question goes for copy. The hurdle race was well contested, bu here again we venture to offer a suggestiot to the committee as to the hurdles. These instead of being sheep hurdles were mos formidable-looking structures, and the bnlj wonder is that the competitors whq unfor tunately came to grief did not seriqasly in jure themselves. We do hope that nex year some alteration wiU ha made io thii respect. The egg and spoon race—-a novelty at these much amusement the spoons being exceedingly shallow anc the competitors therefore having to exercise a rigid supervision over their cargo-—the loss of which during the race disqualified them: Only one suceeded in reaching the winning post with his egg, and the anxious expression of countenance during the journey was a sight to witness. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Fergusson, Captain Fergusson, A.D.C., His Honor the Superintendent, the Primate, the Very Rev the Dean, and some other gentlemen arrived shortly after two o'clock, and weie received by His Worship the Mayor, and several members qf the committee. A central portion of the stand had been reserved for His Excellency and partj who seemed throughly to enjoy the sports, They were warmly greeted both qn arrival and leaving the stapd. The whole of the officials worked mosi zealously durteg the day, and the telegrapt board under the able superintendence of Mi | R. P, Crosbie, kept the spectators an oonrani as to the events to come off. At the risk oi repeating an oft told tale, we may recorc that Mr Inspector Pender and the constables under tis order, discharged their onerous duties excellently, but beyond keeping the ground, their services were not called intc any active requisition.

The various amusements usually attendant upon such gatherings were present, but we missed our old friend the electrical machine, and the ptrsuasive accents of the sporting gentleman who has had the honor of playing the game of red and black with the Emperop William of, Prussia. The good old English roundabout was 1 extensively patronised, and the confectioners and other booths did a good stroke of business. We append the detailed list of events :— Boys' Race (under 14), 440 yards. Ist prize, 15s ; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss. J. Brett I J. Craddock ... 2 T. Bums .., ... ... ... •:. 3 Eight competitors;'came to the post, and Mr Andrews succeeded" in getting fhem away to a very good start, lies cut put the running, but the' pace was too hot for him and Brettj Burns, and Craddock assumed the lead in the order named, the rest tailing off. After three-p3rt9 of the coarse had been run, Isles stumbled and Went out of the race. The leading division were never overhauled, and won as above. Time— 688ecs. Boys' Race (under 16), 1 mile. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, 6sA. Mathias 1 J. Dunbar 2 W- Pbilpot 3 Biz ran, Dunbar led off, but Mathias soon collared him and won In good style, tde rest as placed. Time, smin 35secs." ' ' '■' Men's Race, 440 yards. Ist price, £2 ; 2nd, &l. M.Davie *t M. Digby .„ ... ... ... ... 2 Jj. ponohue... ... ... ... .:. 3 Five entries vpere made for this, race, but on the word being given' to go, Belgfave remained on the scratch, so that only four actually went for it. This is rather to be regretted as Belgrave runs well, and the race would have been even better contested than it was, although it was by no means a bad race. Digby was the first to catch the start

and went off at a clipping D n o „ „,,.„ , followed by Howe Do P n P ohl, P S D° a S in the order named, tho latter evidently biding his time. After a short distance had been gone, Howe essayed a spurt, but wm not succesafal in passing Digby, mi m Q up. Donohue, at the further aide, then rmt on steam and went to the front, but co»ih not hold his lead, Digby still sailing a W with Davie third, but close at the bottom turn Davie, who evidently saw the time had come, put on a grand spuit, ran through the men, and at ouce assumed a commanding lead, Digby second, Donohue third. I n thia order they came into tho straight, Darin wiuning easily, Digby a good second. Time —55sec. Wheelbarrow Race (blind), 150 yards i«* prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. " m C. Forbes . T. Etherton "* * D. FabliDg ... \ " * There were three entries. Forbes,'who had evidently taken roundings previous to the race, got the wheel of his barrow on to a track running directly across the square and came in a winner, closely followed by Etherton, who also availed himself of the path but not in such good time as hia more fortunate fellow voyager. Fabling's taste for music proved his ruin as far as any chance of the purse went, his divergence towards the band tent putting him out of the race. Running in Sacks (masked), 220 yardi. lat prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. C. Forbes j J. Overeud "* 2 T. Etherton "' g This was a most comical race. Whenthe five competitors ranged up at the start, tho masks worn by them had a very grotesque appearance. Fabling and Baylis, who both wore musks ornamented with prodigious noses, collided, and both fell, the noses going into the turf. Forbes, who was evidently an adept at sack racing, went off at a fine pace distancing all the others, and winning easily; After a series of falls, Etherton managed to' get second place, but he had evidently had quite enough of it, aud Overend putting on a plucky spurt, passed him, and secured second honors almost on the post, the rest as placed. Three-Legged Race (men), 440 yards, lat prize, £2 ; 2ud, 15s. T. Smith \ W. Haukins ) 1 T. Etherton 1 D. Fabling J 2 T. Robson I Hawkins J ••• 3 This was a hollow affair. Smith and Hankins went away with the lead and wero never headed, Robson and Hawkins pulling up, and the other couple walking in. bchwartz and Lezard's Cup, value £3 3s, for amateur race, 1 mile. Ist prize, the cup ; 2nd, £l. M. Donohue \ W.Webb ',' 2 Kilgour g Five entered for this race. Donohue, so soon as the word was given to go, went off with the lead at a fine pace, Kilgour second, Webb third, Hewitt fourth, Pieroy ■ fifth. In this order they ran antil reaching the top of the course near the artesian well, • when Piercy ran through the men and went - up to Donohue, but was unable to hold the advantage. Hewitt then took l second place, Webb third, Douohue Btill l holding the lead. In thiß order they came up the straight for the Becond lap. Going '• into the second lap, Hewitt made a deter* i mined effort to cut Donohue down, but 1 without effect, and after a little further i distance had been covered, Kilgour camo ■ up, passed Hewitt, aud took second plaoe, • Hewitt falling back further, Piercy third, s and Webb close up. At the bottom and r coming home they were all running in a • heap, but at the straight run Piercy forced i the running, and took second place, Kilgour ■ third, Webb fourth. In the third lap, l Kilgour got into second place, and after a > few strides Webb came up to him and took r it, Kilgour going back to fourth place. : Kilgour now spurted, and "took the lead, ' Donohue second, and Hewitt, who had im* ' proved his position, third, Webb 'fourth;, ; Piercy having shot his bolt and gone eat Coming into the last lap, Donohue made a • plucky spurt, passed Kilgour, who had ctU ' dently come too soon, and run a capital • race. Webb also spurted, and came in a l good second, beating Kilgour almost on the ' post. Time—4min. 45secs. , Boys* Race (under 16), 220 yards, Ist prise, J 15s ; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, 6s. > D.Scott 1 5 J.Brett ... ... ... 2 ) W. Rice 3 Seven entered for this race. Scott went •■> away with the lead, was never passed, and i won easily. , Three-Legged Race (boys under 16), 22Q S yards. Ist prize, £1: 2nd, lQs, ■ W. Rice 1 . • A.Johnson ]" .*" . '•'■'• '■'■'• "' * • J. Burns ) i t A. Isles J •*■ "» ■-• ••* 8 i W.Smith ) - ' J. Hankins ) "'• '" '" '" . , For this event four pairs came to the i scratch. It was not a very exciting race, i Rice and Johnson winning easily. Baylis* i and Scott, who came in first, being dig* ■ qualified. Vaulting with Pole, to start at 6ft 6in. Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd £1. C. Forbes (Bft 4*in) 1 H. Stone (Bft 3in) ... 2 Five entries. AH competitors got or«t without touching, until 7ft 9in was reached, when Fletcher and Corbett went out. T«w> out at 7ft 9in. At Bft, Howe, who had teeri jumping well, went out. Three out at <"& The contest now lay between Forbes «"4 Stone, who Buccesiyely cleared the but until Stone failed at Bft 3in, Forbes clearing Bfy. 4iin, and taking first prize. His Honor the Superintendent's prae of £2 2s for Amateur Race,,balf-a-_lle,J 2nd, £1. •J. Hewitt .„ ... ~, .., ••• 1 ■ T. Sheridan... „. 2 ' M.Davie ... ... »■ 8 • This race brought out nine competitors, • and Mr Andrews got them all away to,* 1 good start. After a few yards had beea rull, i Vincent came to the front, closely folio-red i by Wilson and Piercy, the rest in a rack. '■ Davie, however, soon got through the awn ' and took the lead—Piercy second, Wilsoa third, and the rest close up. In this order ■ they raced till entering the second lap, when i Hewitt came to the front, challenged and passed Davie, Bheridan taking third »!«*"> ' the rest tailing off. Coming into the straight, Hewitt put on a fine spurt, and came avroy i. a winner, the rest as placed. Time—2rnw 15secs. His Worship the Mayor's prize of £2 2s and £1 Is for Amateur Bace, 1 100 jM" 3 * First Heat. Oakley »• » Fraser ... ... ... •>• "•'•• * Second Heat, ' Lefevre ... •■• \ Brinsden ... ; ' ':". " Deciding Heat. ' Lefevre ...'' ... .' ... •_■' "' g Brinsden ... '..'. ... •>• •" n There' wexe' 15 entries for the rape, If was, therefore, necessary to divide tbe*n ">*? heats, which were run off as toIWB. vm. —Ist heat, 9secs; 2nd heat, B"sees; m heat, 81seo8. " , _.»_, Fiat Race, open to all comers (profeseionaiß I excepted) 2 I miles,for Silver Cup, to" 10 £10 10s; £5 6a presented by w. H. «"j liams, Esq., and £5 5s from the funds & the essociation. .'« J.W.Davis •" s — Black ■•". * W.Webb ... ... 7i h a This was looked npon as the race of w» day, as Monck and Davis were both **nfi»g£* in it. There were six entries, and » Audreys despatched them on Monck and DavisW the lead, being ggM» and stride, 'Black aboond, Lefevre_ WWj Sheridan fourth, and Webb last, to-gg order they ran three pluckily to the leading man. third lap, Lefevre went out, Monck^»» and Sheridan a long way pa change took place in the P^ tIOI i B Sii,g seventh lap, 4hen Monck £« the race a certainty, for Davis, *JJJ B B ta 4 splendid spurt and **»i as J« 2nd, Wells ?rd. H***

Walking Race, 2 _t_eßY: ; 2nd, T. Jacobsen ... ... .„ « C. Prebble ....... ••- •« ••• 2 Jacobsen le3t from the start, increasing his lead each lap. Prebble gave up on the seventh lap, leaving Jacobsen to win as he liked. Boys' Race (under 14), 220 yards. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss; 3rd, 2s 6d. First heat. lies I Burns ••• ••• —y- 5 Anderson — 3 2nd heat. Craddock ... 1 Simmons 2 McNicol ...• 3 Deciding heat. Craddock : ... 1 Anderson ... 2 lies ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 There were twenty-eight entrjes, and the various heats: were run on! as above. Coates and Co.'s Cup, value two guineas, for Standing High Leap (to start at 4ft). 2ndprize, £1. H. V-Aneon (4f 13in) 1 Monck (4ft 2£in) .'. ... 2 There were three entries for this event. Tosswill went out at 3ft 9in, and Monck failed to jump 4ft 3in, which was achieved by Anson, who thus won the prize. " Press" Cup, given by the Directors of the "Press Company, Limited," value four guineas, for Handicap Flat Race of half-a-mile, open to all Printers and other persons engaged and who have been employed for three months prior to the Ist December instant, in any printing estaSlishment in the province. The handicapping made at the start by Mr F. H. Digby ; 2nd prize, £1. W. Berry (20 yards start) 1 T. Robson (10 yards start) 2 H. Tnlly (scratch) 3 Berry was evidently let in far too lightly by the handicapper, and despite Robson's plucky efforts he won as he liked ; Tully retiring in the first lap. Mr. Petersen's Cup, value two guineas, for Running High Jump (to start at 4ft 6in) ; 2nd prize, £1; entrance, 2s 6d. H. V. Anson (sft l£in) ... ... ... 1 Wilson (sft) ... 2 Mcßeth (4ft 6in) 0 There were seven entries, a start being made at 4ft 6in. At 4ft 9in Mcßeth, Maylor, Tosswill. Harris, and Lefevre were out. Ansoncleared oft ljin, which Wilson failed to do, the former taking Ist prize, and the latter 2nd. Boys' tlace (under 16), 440 yards. Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. T. Smith 1 A.Matthias 2 D. Bcott ... ... ... 3 There were seven entries for this race. Smith led from start to firish. Scott and Matthias were fined a yard each on the start for going before the word was given. Egg and Spoon Race 200 yards (open to all) Ist prize, £1, 2nd, 15s. G. H Wearing ... 1 Four competitors came out for this, but Wearing was the only, one that carried his egg safely to the winning post. No second prize was awarded. Hurdle Race, 440 yards. Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1. Lefevre ... ... ... 1 Wilson 2 Eight entered, and the race throughout, was very good, terminating as above. Mr Procter's Cup, value four guineas, for running long jump ; 2nd prize, £1. J. H. Doyle, 17ft 7iin 1 Bbwe,l7ft4in ... ... ... ... 2 Sheridan, 17ft ... r? . ... ... 0 > Six competitors. The first jumps were as Allows :—Corbett, 14ft 9in ; Doyle, 16ft Bin ; Howe, 17ft 7in ; Kavanagb, 16ft; Oakley, 16ft lOin ; Sheridan, 17ft. After some good jumping between ail the men, the contest for. the prize lay between Doyle and Howe. fc the first trial, Doyle covered 16ft s£in ; andHowe,l7ft. In tbe second, Doyle 17ft 3* in; Howe, 16ft 7in,' and the deciding jump terminated as follow-—Doyle, 17ft 7jin; Howe, 17ft 4in. / : This concluded the sports. The prize for the'""best dressed competitor on the ground was awarded by the stewards to Mr M. lionohue, who wore a very good athletic costume of green and white. Kiss in-the-ring and dancing to the music of-the band were .kept upfor some time, and this concluded the anniversary sports of 1873.