COLLEGE SPORTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3059, 31 October 1870, Page 3 (Supplement)

COLLEGE SPORTS.

. The athletic games which annually form such an attractive feature in holiday life at College were somewhat unexpectedly carried out on Oct. 13, on the Hagley Park and College grounds. Formerly they have been held on Michaelmas Day, but the inclement weather generally experienced at that season induced the authorities to defer them until a later period of the year. The programme of events was in exact keeping with its predecessors, and the customary division of the competitions was again made—the pedestrian contests being fixed for Hagley Park, and the fives, jumping, &c,, for the College grounds. When the ball was opened at the former place—a little after ten o’clock—the sky had once more began to wear a threatening aspect, but fortunately the heavy clouds cleared away, and the latter portion of the sports was favoured with bright sunshine. The spectators were almost wholly composed of ladies, who apparently took great interest in the keen rivalry exhibited in most of the events. The officials of the College were as noticeable as ever for the spirit and energy with which they conducted the business of the day, and for their evident desire to promote the enjoyment of both competitors and visitors A 440 yards’ course was marked out with small flags, and the following is the result of the respective contests: — 100 Taeds’ Race—Open to the whole school. A.W.E, Stiffe 1 L. Lee 2 A good race; time, 12 secs. 100 Tabds’ Race— For boys under’l4, E. Westenra } C. Gould 2 Time, 13 secs. 440 Tabds’ Race— Open to the whole school. G. C, Hill J H. Murray ••• 2 - , There were only three entries, and Fercivai was compelled to succumb at half distance, thus leaving the result to Hill and Murray, The latter who had been leading from tne first wa» passed by Hill about the same time that Percival retired, and continuing to run strong. Hill eventually won a good race without being again headed, by about 4 yards. Time: 1 min. 8 secs, 440 Tabds’ Race for boys under u, ' C. Gould * G. S. Mathias * , Seven entered, and a good race ensue . Mathias cut out the running at aßt ™“£P® ce ’ but not being able to stay the distance, was overtaken by Gould when about half-way borne, the others by this time beginning o tail off. Mathias tried well for some distance to keep company with Gould, but could not do so, and the latter won somewhat easily m 1 min. 10 secs. Ladies’ Challenge Cup fonemUe). Open to the whole school, and to be won twice

by the same boy before becoming his private property, the winner each year to receive a silver medal until the cup be finally won:— M. Davie 1 G. S. Mathias ... 2 This, the blue ribbon of the day, brought nine candidates to the post. Mr Condell sent them away on very even terms, but almost from the first, victory could be seen to rest between Davie and Mathias. The latter was the first to show to the forerunning a nice even pace, and Davie, who scarcely looked “ the pedestrian,” lying second. At the end of the first round, Davie challenged his opponent for the lead, and succeeded in obtaining it, Mathias however remaining dangerously close. After a little more than half distance had been traversed, Mathias spurted for bis former position but could not keep it when gained, and Davie acain resumed the lead. From this point the race was decided, and was ultimately won easily, a splendid spurt being put on by Davie at the finish. The time was 5 min. 39 secs., a very satisfactory result considering the heavy state of the ground ; indeed we may here digress to state that, judged by the same rule, the time in all the races was certainly good. 100 Yards’ Race, for boys under 11: — A. Templar 1 L. 0. Mathias 2 One Mile Race, open to the whole school—--Ist prize, a field glass, presented by Mr H. Cohn (B, Petersen and Co.) : H. Murray 1 D. Thomson 2

Five competitors came to the scratch, and the race resulting may be regarded as the best competition of the day. Murray, Thomson, and Hill led off in company with Percival and Davie close in the rear. The pace during the first round was very hot for a long distance match, and Davie was the first to strike his colours, followed shortly afterwards by Percival. Hill in the next round also began to show signs of distress,' and in the third he was compelled to succumb, Murray and Thomson thus having the field to themselves. From the first they led alternately,but generally the race was most in favour of Murray. When about 100 yards from home, Murray made a determined effort, and by a game spurt succeeded in passing the post about three yards a-head. Both boys were loudly and deservedly applauded for their game running; the time was smin. SOsecs. One Mile Race, for hoys under 14 : i G, S. Mathias 1 C. Gould 2 Fourteen came forward for this event, but the winner was much the superior of bis compeers, and carried off the prize with ease. W. S. Bean led the field for one round at a terrific pace, but he was by that time so thoroughly “ pumped,” that he was obliged to retire from the lists, Mathias then went to the fore, and maintained his position to the finish, winning by 20 yards. For second honours, a smart contest took place between Gould and A. Mathias, but the former eventually won by about a yard. Time of G. S. Mathias, 6 min. 16 secs. Half-Mile race for Boys under 12 : Westenra 1 W. S. Willmer ... 2 Seven entered, and Willmer acted as pilot for the first two rounds, when he seemed distressed, and came to a dead stand ; but after letting Westenra pass, he made up his mind to try conclusions with- Harris for second place, which he succeeded in securing. Westenra won by 15 yards. Two Miles Walking Race, open to the whole school:— Crosbie Reeves 1

Quite a cloud of skirmishers came to the front for this event, fully forty boys forming line at the scratch. When dispatched on their journey, all the various styles of heel and toe work were shown which we have noticed in this race on former occasions. The method of locomotion was in many instances most amusing, aided not a little by the disparity in tiie size of the competitors. The younger ones appeared to enjoy this species of “freefight” most amazingly, and made most strenuous efforts to keep up with their elders. They soon, however, began to tail off, and in a very short time groups of twos and threes encircled the whole course, until the slow coaches gradually began to give in, and retire from the field. Some few instances of good walking were noticeable in the match; but, generally speaking, the style of getting over the ground was of a very questionable nature. M. Davie, Cotterill and Hill were the first to show in front, speedily distancing all others, and walking neck - and - neck for a considerable distance. Hill was first to give way, and before half a-mile had been covered, stopped entirely. Percival then joined Davie and Cotterill, and the trio raced shoulder to shoulder the remaining portion of the distance, ultimately passing the post in a deat heat. Of ail the others, C. Reeves was the only one who stuck to his work to the end, a piece of perseverance on which he had reason to congratulate himself, as though quite a lap behind when his three older schoolmates passed the post the prize fell to his lot. This result accrued from a disqualification of Davie, Cotterill, and Percival on account of unfair walking. The time in which they accomplished the two miles was 18 minutes, 32 1 seconds, and Reeves’ time was 20 minutes 45 seconds.

Consolation Race (100 yards), open to the whole school. T. S. Foster 1 1 L. Lee 1 2 Eight entered, and a smart race resulted in a dead heat between Foster and Lee. In running off the tie, Foster took the lead, and kept it to the finish, coming in first by about two yards. Time of dead heat, 13J seconds ; time of second heat, 12J seconds. Consolation Race (100 yards), for boys under 14. W. P. Reeves 1 C. Brown 2 Nine entries ; won by four yards ; time, 14 J seconds. This concluded the pedestrian competitions, and after a short adjournment for luncheon, the second part of the programme was commenced on the College grounds, resulting as follows: Fites, open to the whole school, E. Rutherford 1 W. Willock ••• 0 Willoek was evidently overmatched from the outset, the game on termination being Rutherford, 21; Willock, 6. Fites, for boys under 14. G., Mathias ... ... ... 1 R. H. Rhodes 0 Mathias was first to score, and led by one or two points, until Rhodes by smart play managed'to get on equal terms with him when the score was at twelve. He failed however to keep it up, and the game concluded Mathias, 21 ; Rhodes, 14. Fives, for boys under 12. R. Sheath 1 A. E. G. Rhodes 0 Sheath was first to score, but Rhodes caught him up at 9, and in his turn took the lead, but Sheath was too smart at his work to be shaken off, and at 14 they were again equal. Sheath then scored 6 to his opponent’s l, making 20 to 15, but Rhodes going in with a will, contrived to get up to 19 before Sheath scored the winning number (21). Round Swing Jump, open to the whole school: — A. Stiffe * L. Lee 2 Cotterill 0 Only three entered for this event, and Cotterill was compelled to retire when the string had been raised to Bft. Sin. Both the others also stuck at Bft. 9in.,neither of them clearing it until Stiffe, divesting himse f of his boots, went over with ease. Lee then retired defeated, but Stiffe trying several more jumps, succeeded in clearing 9ft. 3m., and went oyer 9ft. 6in. with only a very slight touch on the line. This is exceptionally good jumping, and was loudly applauded. Round Swing Jump, for boys under 14 E. V. Hamilton . * G. Mathias 2 . Nine boys entered, and some v ®V ® l . oe jumping was shown. Davie ll ,L edat sft. gin , W. S. Bean at 6ft. 3m., at 6ft. 9in., A. Mathias at 7ft., R-Westenra at 7ft. 3in.,J. W. Twentyman at 7ft. 9m., G.

Mathias at Bft., and Hamilton won by clearing the latter height. High Jump, open to the whole school. M. Davie 1 r r{o A. Stiffs J 1 e Five competitors entered. E. Chapman and F. Sheath retired at 4ft. 3in., H. Murray at 4ft. 6in., and Davie and Stifle both failing after some twenty attempts to shew any superiority over each other, divided first and second honours at 4ft. 9in. High Jump, for boys under 14. E, Y, Hamilton 1 A. Mathias 2 Six boys entered. A. Sheath and J. Davie retired at 3ft. 9in., R. Westenra, G. Mathias, at 4ft., and A. Mathias at 4ft 3in., which Hamilton cleared, and won the prize. Long Jump, open to the whole school. E. Rutherford 1 T. S. Foster 2 Eight competitors entered. G. C. Miles, Stiffe, and Tosswill, were first to retire, and in addition to the winners D. Thompson also shewed good jumping. Rutherford jumped 15ft. 10in. Long Jump, for boys under 14. R. Westenra 1 W. Jerrod 2 There were five entries, and the winner cleared 12ft. 7in. This terminated the sports, and the whole assemblage now adjourned to the schoolroom, where the prizes were to be distributed. Mrs W. C. Harris and Mrs W. Reeves presided over the interesting ceremony, the prizes being arranged on a scarlet-covered table in front. The space to the left was devoted to the boys, and that in front to the visitors, of whom there were a large number. The Rev W, C. Harris said that before requesting the ladies to distribute the prizes, he desired to make a few remarks upon the events of the day. The sports had bean postponed three times on account of the weather, but at last they had been favoured with a very fine day; and, taken as a whole, he thought the proceedings had been very successful. (Applause.) For his own part, he certainly had not seen so much competition at the sports for the past four or five years, and he knew that this year the boys had taken great trouble in preparing for the respective contests. This he took to be the great feature of such matters, the exercise and exertion incidental to preparation being of far more consequence than the mere result. Any one who had watched the races that day must have been convinced that the boys had trained with great care, as for instance the one mile race, open to the whole school, was up to the last 100 or 150 yards, a neck-and-neck race between three of the boys, and ultimately it was only won by a very short distance, On the whole, he thought it the best race he had seen since he had been out here. (Applause.) The only other race he would advert to was that for the cup. Although the two winners were not nearly equal in size, it was a very close race, and he must remind them that the prize had to be won twice before becoming private property, but in the meantime each annual winner, until it was finally won, was to receive a silver medal. These had not been to hand in previous years, thus they would have to be distributed now. The first medal for 1868 was awarded to Hill, senr. ; the second, in 1869, to Murray; and the third, for 1870, to Davie. He would now call upon the captain of the school, Mr Condell, to read the prize list, and request the ladies to present the prizes. The presentation accordingly next took place, each recipient of a prize being warmly applauded by his fellow collegians. Three cheers for the ladies, the Rev. vV. C. Harris, and Mr Condell, then terminated the day’s proceedings.