THE PATRIOTIC SPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 11132, 6 January 1900, Page 4

THE PATRIOTIC SPORTS.

Favored by a fine day and no wind, the energetic Committee of the Patriotic Sports meeting were in high glee this afternoon, Mid particularly so when their untiring cll'nrts of the lost week or so were rewarded with an attendance that was of the very largest dimensions. . Soon after two o'clock the people, most of, whom were decorated with the red. white, and blue ribbon, began U> [lour into the Caledonian Ground in great numbers, and an hour later there must have been about 7,000 present. A more successful gathering one could not have expected to moo anywhere in the colony. Apart alto-, get her from the liberal a-iid spontaneous way in which the public willingly responded to the calls in aid of this most deserving and noble object-, the racing itself was of a. very high order indeed, most of the finishes, particularly in the "bike" events, being vetT keenly contested. Those ladies who within tho last week or two have worked so hard in aid of the fund, and for which they are deserving of every thanks, we're in attendance, and appeared to do good business with their sale of buttonholes and ribbons. The volunteers, headed by the Harrison Hand, marched to the ground, and th» Southern and North-east Valley Bands played a number of enjoyable selections on the ground, besides marching round the ring. Tho arrangements were carried out in excellent style, and rcilected much credit on tho officials. The following are tho results up to the time of our going to press : HALF-MILE BICYCLE HANDICAP. -Fimt prize, £i ; second, £2 • third, £l. Winners of heats to receive 10s, prize-takers excepted. First Heat.—A. Ralston (lOyr's) 1, N. Ralston (40yds) 2, J. Chalmers (scratch) 3. Also started : A. H. Humpbiles (25yds), H. Gunthorpe (65vds), J. M'Mullan (65yds), S. Sangstnr <7oyd*) C. F. Licthaby (95.vds). The three placed men caught the limit man r n reaching the bend into the straight, and a good race home saw A. Kalston win, by a few inches, with Chalmers the same distance away third. Time, lmin 4aec. Second Heat.-A. R. Barker (scratch) 1, W. Ticroey (syds) 2, A. Huston (30ydt> 3. These were the only starters, Barker winning easily by three length*. Time, lmin 12«ec. Third Hp»t.~T. Bogg (88yd») 1, K. Crawford (50yds) 2, T, Kirkwood (35yds) 3. Also started : A. E. Wall (scratch), M. Bennett (6ydg), M. C. Elliott (70yds). J. Barry (95ycs). Wall and Bennett were unable to catch the leaders, Brgg winning easily bv a leDgth from Crawford, Kirkwood being close up third. Time, lmin ssec. Final Heat. A. R. Baker M 1 J. Chalmers ... ... .„ 2 A. HtiK'o i ... „, ... 3 All qualified sarted. Coalmen* went t> the lead on reaching tne first bend at the Kensington end, aLil a gciod race up the straight saw Barker pass him in front of the grand staid and Win by a wheel. Time, lmin ssec. 220 YARDS FLAT AMATEUR HANDICAP. first prize £l, second £l. 3. W.-Price (11yds) 1. W. Olscn (llvds) 2, C. A. Cuff (syds) 3. Alf« started : \V. V. Kingston (scratch). C. H. Mtrams iKyds), A. hj. Brage (12yds). J. Stalker (Hi'ds). H. Turnei(l6yds). Won easily by a couple of feit, Kingston being a good fourth Time, 23 3-5 ec.