CALEDONIAN SPORTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1919, Page 4

CALEDONIAN SPORTS

REVIVAL ON BOXING DAY

I Those who resided, in Wellington in the 'eighties and 'nineties will recollect that one of the greatest events of the year was the Caledonian sports gathering. For fully twenty-five years interest has waned, and there has been no such celebration, but with the revival of the Caledonian. Society's activities there has come a desire to renew the time-honoured event. An active committee has been set up to make the necessary arrangements, and the results are so encouraging that on next Eoxing Day the society will provide, one of the biggest functions of its kind ever held in the Dominion. By a graceful act on the part of the Wellington Cricket Association and the' Scottish Society, the Basin Reserve has been secured for the 0 occasion, this being a big lift towards ' the reorganisation of the Caledonian sports, and most essential in view of the big progi-pmme which has been drawn up. Among those actively interested is Mr. "Doi-rie" Leslie, and his progress reports are most encouraging. From the point of view of athletics, the programme is the biggest that has been drawn up-^tho list of events eclipsing those- of a New Zealand championship meeting. Then, too. splendid provision has been made for dancing, etc., And with the two classes, combined the public will be provided with a really big entertainment for the holiday Added interest will be given the. gathering by the appearance of the, athletes who achieved such remarkable success abroad; in fact, it. will, perhaps, be the only occasion on which such a team of champions has appeared in New Zealand. H. E. Wilson, who holds the. English hurdles championship, is to compete, this being the first occasion on which the holder of that title has competed in.New Zealand. Many other championships were won by this young Wellingtonian whilst on active service, and the only defeat he suffered was hy the Olympic champion. Also. to. compete is J Lindsay, who, prior to returning to New Zealand, defeated Applegarth, the world's champion, over a hundred yards. J. Wilton, who-- haslikcwise performed with distinction in notable 440 yards, events abroad, and who holds the New Zealand championship for that distance., will be seen out, and ;fc is almost certain that D.. L. ■Mason, recognised as the world's best lialf-mi'.cr. will reach Wellington in. time Em: the gathering Constable Munroe. who. whilst a member of the Expeditionary Force, won every putting-the-shot event in which be' competed in England, is to appear, and another competitor will he Sergeant M'Hol.m, of the Police Force, the Australasian champion hammer-thrower. .. Bradbury, the. former half-mile arid mile Wellington, provincial champion, i? expelled down with. a. strong team from Mw'-erton, while • Sievwright. New Zealand's milewalk champion, is also in training. The mile-walk event, should be one of the most attractive of the day. in that other likely competitor? m:e Cashman. M'Kenzie, tho Bidding brothers, and Leslie (son-of "Dorrie" Leslie), nil well, known walkqrs.. M'Kenzie, although only nineteen years of age, is. one of the' finest walkers Wellington has seen for many years. Not the least important events will be the wrestling'and tossing the caber. It is about twentyfive years since either has been held at a fully organis-d sports gathering, in Wellington. Provision is made for a Caledonian Grand Handicap. of four distances -— 100 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards, and half-mile — the winner to? hold the Gillies Cup (valued at. £30) for one year and to receive a gold medal. Another important event, will be a 200 yds provincial championship, which has. been, specially .uthorised by tlie Wellington A.A.A., on the suggestion of Mr Leslie. Barker,, Henley, Lindsay, Wilson, and- other notable sprinters, are expected" to participate in this race, for which the track will be. specially- surveyed. A .race for returned soldiers is also set apArt. The onlyprofessional event will be a tug-of-.war, for which the first prize is £18 and the second £12

lii view of the coming New Zealand and Australasian athletic championships, it is probabte that the team to represent Wellington will be chosen, on the performances of competitors at this gathering. • Regarding the 'dancing, it has been found necessary, on account of the large number of intending competitors from various parts of the Dominion, to provide three dancing boards. There will be five sections, and all competitors over fourteen years of age will compete in separate sections —male and female. The judges for dancing are he-, ing specially imported- A competition for pipers will also be held. 'The winners of the aggregate- in each of the adult dancing sections will appear at the evening's entertainment, in the Town Hall, to decide the holder of the M'Gre^ gor Challenge, Cup a_d: medal. Me-srs. W M'Kee, secretary, and "Dome'- Leslie, convener, with a strong working committee, are devoting miicb time and attention to the event; and to all appearances it will meet with the great success it deserves. Entries close with. Mr. A. C. Kitto, Manners-street, on the 13th December.