NEW YEAR’S DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10235, 2 January 1894, Page 6

NEW YEAR’S DAY.

The weather yesterday was simply .perfect for the holiday, and the citizens of Christchurch were early astir. From early morning well laden trains left Christchurch for Lyttelton, and continued 'to be filled throughout the day, aad fully 15,000 persona must have gone through the tunnel to this annual fixture. Lyttelton was looking its best, the ships in port being gaily decorated with bunting, while the presence of three'mcn-of-war in the inner harbour considerably eahanced’ tho interest of visitors. In the evening a number of fireworks were let off; and the hills at the back of the town were lit up with Chinese lanterns, while a procession of boats With coloured fires was ’ towed round 1 the harbour, and looked very pretty. The French mao-of-war showed her searchlights. Land sports were also held, and a bazaar was carried on in one of the railway goods-shed. About ten o'clock, a general rush was made lor the railway station, and a scene of great excitement ensued as caoh train came in. Though very long trains ran every twenty minutes, the crowd did not appear to decrease much until close on midnight. Great credit is due to the railway officials for the care they exercised, and to theta in a great measure is due the fact that the largo number of people were conveyed safely back to town without an accident of any kind. The special trains to tha Eangiora annual sports were well patronised, aad a very pleasant day was spent. Wilmot appropriated most of the prizes in the bicycle events,, and established. . some amateur records. A good number of penons also travelled by train to the Little River, Dunsandel, amt Broadfield sports, while many went by tram to the gathering at Papanut. At Lancaster Park a cricket match was commenced between the Wellington and Canterbury Midland Clubs, and at the close of the day's play the home team was left with a good lead. The Lower Heathcote. Trotting Club’s Meeting was well attended by lovers of racing, and some good sport was provided. The trams to Sumner and New Brighton were well patronised; and a number of picnic parties visited the various pleasure resorts. In spite of the number of people who were keeping holiday the greatest order prevailed, and last evening the police cells were occupied by only one case of drunkenness. NEW BRIGHTON. Between two and three thousand people visited Now Brighton yesterday. The pier was well patronised throughout the day, and several persons succeeded in catching some very fine kahawai and herrings. Numerous picnic and boating parties . spent the day at the seaside, aud thoroughly. enjoyed- themselves. On New Tear’s Eve a large number of fireworks given by Messrs E, O. Bishop and J. Coker were let off in front of the pier, and some tar barrels given by Mr Stumbles were burnt, SUMNER. advent. of . the .new year was celebrated with unusual activity. On New Year's Evd a‘ large'bonfire was made nearthe Gave.- Rock. Ic was estimated that nearly one thousand persona were present. Shortly, after ten o’clock a display of fireworks .commenced, and was’ continued until nearly twelve o’clock. Many cf the set ■ pieces were extremely good. The Stanmore Bend played appropriate music. The number of visitors yesterday was very large. EANGIORA SPORTS. The annual sports at Eangiora under the auspices of the Athletic Association, held yesterday, were a great success in ovary way. A'few drops of rain fell during the afternoon, but otherwise tha weather was all that could be desired, being calm and cool.'. The attendance was the largest yet seen at the Domain, there being about 2500 present; £97 being taken at the gates. The feature of the day’s sport was the bicycle racing, the Half and Pive-mile Championships of New Zealand being in the programme. Considerable improvement has been made to the track since the last sports, and a shower of rain having fallen during the night it was in first-class condition. A. C. Wilmot, who was in splendid form, won all but one of tha events ho rode in, -Aad succeeded.ia lowexipg tha New Zes-

land records, for three distances. It is understood that Wilmot made his final appearance on the racing track yesterday. The officials are .to be complimented on the way in which they performed their duties, the events being started, with few exceptions, punctually to time. A large number offcoys were distributed ns prizes for racing amongst the young folk. • The publican’s booth was under the charge of Mr J. Murray, of the Red Lion Hotel, and Mr E. Hughes had the confectioner’s and luncheon booth. The Eangiora Braes Band, under Bandmaster Tyler, played some vary good music during the day. Appended are results of the events : Boys’ Eace Handicap, 220yds; first prize 10b, second 5s —G. F. Dixon scr, 1; W. Scott 2Syds, 2. Won by a stride; T. Thompson (40yds) a good third. One-mile Maiden Roadster Bicycle Race; first prize value £2, second value £lW. Wilmot (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) 1, A. Rich (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) 2. E. O’Farrall (Pioneer Bicycle Club) also started. Won by about ten yards. Time—2min 49*-sec. • 100yds Amateur Handicap; first prize trophy value £2, second trophy value £1 —First heat: W. F. Watson 9yds, 1; W. Ealch scr, 2, H. Matson Byds, 3. Time—lOsec. Second heat: F. S. Harley syds, 1; J. Fitzpatrick 4yds, 2; E. Matson 9yds, 3, Time—lOiscc. Final: F. S. Harley 1, W. F. Watson 2, W, Balch 3. Harley, who was put back a yard at the start, ran - through in . good style, and finished with half a yard to spare, Watson and Balch being very close for second place. Time—lOsec. 100yds Open Handicap; first prize £2, second £l—First heat: F. J. Dixon syds, 1; E. Scott 4yds, 2; A. Binnie syds, 3. Time—lOfieo. Second heat: E,’ Miller 7yds,,l; G. Duncan 6yds. 2; J. Duncan 2yds, 3. Time—lOfsec. Final: E. Miller 1, J. Duncan 2. P. j. Dixon,3. Won by a few inches. Time —101-sec.

Oao-mila Bicycle Handicap; first prize value £3, second value £2—A. C. Wilmot (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) scr, 1; W. F. Waller (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 60yds, 2; W. J. S. Hayward (Pioneer Bicycle Club) scr, 3. The other starters were:—H. Thompson 90yds, H. J. Moss 110yds, ,M.’ North 110yds and E. o’Fa.rrell 170yds. Two hundred yards from the line Wilmot took the lead and won by fifteen yards, a few inches separating Waller and Hayward. Time—2min 26£sec. New Zealand record. Two-mile Roadster Bicycle Handicap; first prize value £2, second value £l— J. Ritchie (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 45yds, 1; P. W. Soanes (Pioneer Bicycie Club) fiOyda, 2; J. E. Moses (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 100yds, 3. A. Rich 170yds also started. Won by three yards, Moses being a foot away. Time—smin 33-|aec. Half-mile Fiat Eace Handicap; first prize £2, second £l—A. W. Thorne 50yds, 1; J. C. Watson 50yds, 2. Won by five yards. Time 2min l|sec. 220yda Amateur Handicap; first prize value £2, second value £l—P. S. Harley Byds, 1; L. Matson Byde, 2. The other starters were:—W. Balch scr, J. Fitzpatrick 3yds, and W. J. Moir ,7yds. Won by five yards. Balcb finished a good third and Moir was fourth. Time—22|s;c.

220yds Open Handicap; first prize £2, second £l—E. Miller 14yds, 1, E. Scott 12yds, 2. Eight started. "Won by two yards. Time —22|sec. Half-mile Champion Bicycle Race of New Zealand; first prize gold medal, second silver medal—A. C. Wilmot (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) 1, T. C. M. Eallinshaw (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 2, W. J. S. Hayward (Pioneer Bicycle Club 3. Only the three started, and the race was splendidly contested. At the start Wilmot slipped his pedal and lest several yards. .He quickly picked up, however, and coming down the straight the first time he ran to the front and was not again caught, finishing with ten yards to spare. Raliinshaw ran second in the last round, and Hayward pressed him hard at ilia finish, crossing the teps only a yard behind him. Time—lmiu 10|?.ec, a New Zealand record.

Ladies’ Bracelet Bicycle Race, of one mile and a half; first prize bracelet value £4, second bracelet value £2—A. C. Wilmot (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) ecr, 1 ;• J. B. Norris (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 165yds, 2. The other compel itors wore : W. J. S. Hayward.sor, H. J. Pither 35yds, F. G. Simpson ,35yds, H. Thompson 135vds, M.'lNqrthAßoyUs, H. J.Moss 154yds andD. CL M’Baath 210yds. Won by .'about a d,oa3n,yafds, Simpson being a good third. Time—3min?4si?.ec,a New Zealand record for tb ft: distance. . .

Half-mile Amateur Handicap; first prizevalue ,£2.. second value £l—E. S. Levarssdge, SOycL, 1; P. Mason, 15yda, 2. F. A. Joynt 6yds, J. S. Murphy 40yds and It Sheehan 30yds also started. Won by a stride, F. A. Joynt being a fair third. Tima—2min 4sec.

High Jump; first prize ,15s, second 7s 6d —E. Scott, sffc liu, 1; J. Ashworth and W. Unified for second place at 4ft llin. J. Patne also competed. One-milo Open Handicap; first prize £3, second £l—J. C. Watson 70yde, 1;A. W. Theme 80yds, 2; <J. Vale 50yds, 3. The other starters were: —W. J. Preach ear, T. Haseall 60yd,a and G. F. Barlow lOOyda. Won by a couple of yards. Time—4min 44|aec.

Five-mile Roadtt.’r Bicy.ls Race; first prize value £4, second value £2—J. B. Norris (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 130yds, 1; J. E. Moses (Pioneer Bicycle Club) 200yds 2. F- J. Ritchie 90yds and P. W. Soanes 120yds also started, but owing to colliding at the end of the third mile and damaging their machines, they were thrown out of the race. Norris finished with fiiteen or sixteen yards to spars. The time was not taken.

One-milo Amateur Walking Race; first prize value £2, seemd value £l—W. Toahach 30yds, 1; J. Lambert 50yds, 2, Four others started. Won with the greatest easa by over one.hundred yards. Time—7mm 34-|sec. Tug-of-war; first prize £3, second 10s— Two ■ teams competed, and that captained by. Mr James Smith, consisting of d’Auvergne Bros (3), J. Waller, Uru Bros (2), A. M’Ciaiken, J. Flaming, W. Hutsay and J. Petrie won with very little trouble.

410yds Amateur Handicap; first prize value £3, second value £l—L. Matson 15yds, 1; H. E, Curtis 22yds, 2; E. Matson 28yds, 3. H. Matson 25ydo and W. Balch tcc also started, but did not finish. L. Mataoa won by less than a foot, E. Matson being, five yards from. Curtis. Time —54jlsec.

Five-mile Bicycio Championship of New Zealand; first .p.rizs gold medal, second gold medal—A. C. Wilmot (North Canterbury Bicycle Club) 1, C. H. Jones (Pioneer Bicycle Club), 2, F. G. Simpson (Midland Bicycle Club) 3. The other atartara were: T. C. M. Rallinchaw, H. J.,Pither and W. F. "Waller. Up to the second round of tha last mile the riders kept together. Waller, Wilmot, Jones and Simpson alternately making the pace. Commencing the last hair-mile Jones spurted away to the front and held, the lead for. a quarter of a mile. Wilmot then made his effort and went to the front, with'a brilliant dash, crossing the tape fifteen yards Irom Jones. Simpson finished a good third, Pither being close- up,, with Rallinahaw fifth. Time—l4min 27,|a8C. Record lime—l4min 7soc. One-mile Walking. Race, open; first prize £2, second £l—G. Cassidy scr, 1; G. E. Dixon 70yds, 2. c E. Gallagher breasted the tape first, but was disqualified. Time—7min 26£stc. Wrestling . (youtfis); first prize 15s, second 10s, third se—Q. Little 1, J. Petrie 2, J. Lynskey 3.' .Eight competed. Wrestling (men); first prize £1 10s, second 15s—W. Uru 1, H. Uru 2. Pour competed.

Two-mile Bicycle Race; first prize value 40s, second value 20s —A. C. Wilmot scr, 1; H. J. Pither 40yds, 2. The other competitors were : W. P. Waller (105yds), P. J. Ritchie (175yds), P. W. Soanes, M. North and J. B. Norris (190yds). Won by three yaids, Waller being a good third. Time—--smin lofsac. 120yds. Hurdle Race (for amateurs); first prize' value £2, second value £l—J. Moir, owes 6yds, 1; W. J. Moir, owes 10yds, 3. L. Ma’.son fell. F. S. Harley (oyds), finished third. W. F. Watcon also ran. : The finish was a close one. Time —I7|eec. . , Hurdle R|jje (opes) j

£2, second £l—E. Scott 7yds, 1; F. S. Stace 3yds, 2. Time—lSf-oec. 440yds Handicap, open; first prize £2, second £l—E. Scott 15yds, 1 j J* Fitzpatrick scr, 2; G. Barlow 25yds, 3. J. Duncan also ran. Won by half a dozen yards. Time —S3sec. One-mile Amateur Handicap; first prize value £2, second value £l—E. S. Leversedge scr, 1; P. Mason scr, 2. J. S. Murphy 25yds and F. A. Joyut 55yds also ran, but the former dropped out. The winner finished with four yards to spare, Joyut being a bad second. Time—4min 57*sec. Ten-mile Bicycle Handicap; first prize value £5 sa, second value £2 2s, third value £1 Is—o. H. Jones scr, 1; W. J. S. Hayward scr, 2; H. Pither 125yds, 3. A. C. Wilmot scr was fourth. The finish was a close one. Time—2Bmin 39faee. Officials’ Eace; first prize 20s, second 10s—C. d’Auvergne 1, A, Templer 2, C. King 3. LITTLE EIVER SPOET3.

These sports were held yesterday, when there was a very fair attendance, and, thanks to Messrs Cusack and Kissell’s handicapping, the numerous events were very well contested. Mr S. Harris fulfilled the duties of starter very satisfactorily, and Mr Piper held the watch. The following arc the results iJoys under sixteen (district), 250yds Saftoa 30yde, 1; Archer 15yds, 2. Boys’ Race, 100yds Archer 1, Mason 2, Fini 3. 120yds Hurdle Race—D. Cairns sor, 1; Byrne syds behind sor, 2. Won by inches, Birdling third. Time Egg and Spoon Race—Flynn 1, Green 2, Jones 3. 100yds—First heat: Nesbitt acr, 1; Symes 7yds, 2; Birdling 3yds, 3. Time 9yds, 1; O’Neil 4yds, 2; Forbes 3yds, 3. No time taken. Final heat: Collins 1, Forbes 2, Nesbitt 3. Time —llsec. A very close race. Boys’ High Jump Wilson 1, Parkinson 2, 120yds Handicap—First heat: Trevella 9yds, 1; O’Neill 3yds, 2; Symes 9yds, 3. Time —I3|eoc. Second heat: Collins 10yds, 1; Leonardo 9yds, 2; Birdling 6yda, 3. Time—l4sec. Collins just beat Leonardo oh the tape.'"’ Tilting at the Ring—Gillanders 1, James Coop 2. High Jump—Prebble 1, Cairns 2. Sack Race— Harwood 1, Thompson 2, E. E. Collins 3. 440yds Handicap Leonardo 16yds, 1; Forbes 14yds, 2 5 C. J. Collins, 15yds, 3. Time—s4fsec. ■ One-mile Handicap—E. Ccop 55yds, l ; Trevella 75yds, 2; Cairns' 90yds, 3. 'Won very easily. Obstacle Eice—E. Coop 1, Jones 2, G. Coop 3. This was the most popular race of the day; a great crowd followed the competitors round the course. Coop won fairly easily. Hop, Step and Jump—Prebble I, Qlynan 2, E. R. Collins 3. 440yds Hurdles —A. Pearse 12yds, 1; C. J. Collins 18yds, 2; Harwood Byds, 3. Time—6Bfs,3C.’ Picking up Stones—Prebble 1, C. J. Collins 2,,E. E. Collins 3. Running Between Wickets—Prebble 1, E. E. Collins 2. Maori Eace, 200yds—G. LeviTj Pourini 2. Consolation Race (boys)—E, Jones 1, Field 2. High Jump for Horses— Mr E. Nutt’s Thing-a-Me 1, Mr Montgomery’s Bess 2. A greasy pig was let loose during the afternoon. C. Collins first caught it, but lost it again, and J. Glynan secured it after a very lively chase. SOUTH CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. At Timaru yesterday the New Year’s Pay holiday was favoured with a beautiful morning, but the afternoon became dull and cold. New Year’s Eve was very quiet. A few guns were fired by the shipping in the harbour, and a few rockets were sent up after midnight. la the morning a fouroared race between the Timaru Club and the Otago Rowing Club was rowed in the harbour and round a boat moored outside. A short, choppy sea made quick work impossible, and told in favour of the local men, who won by eight or ten lengths. The nineteenth annual sports gathering of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society attracted a good attendance, about 3000 being present. The foot and bicycle races were well contested, and the feats of strength fairly well. In music and dancing competition was Restricted. The racing and jumping events ware interfered, with so far as time was concerned, by a strong s«a-bresze. The following are resultsßicycle Races— Two miles—J. Currie 320yds, 1; S. G. Shearman 270yda, 2; C, Blackburno 180yds, 3. Eleven started. Doan, the scratch man, had no chance, Currie being let in too easily. Time—6min. One and a half miles—A. P. Boys 270yds, 1; R. G, Shearman 200yde, 2; W. Oliver ISOyda, 3. The limit man. was never overtiken. Time 4min 22|sec. ' Three mites J. Currie. 480yds, 1; A. J. Daly 320yds, 2) Shearman 400yds, 3. Donn, the scratch man, finished fourth. Currie was again let off too lightly, and was never headed. Time—r9min 20sec. Oae-mile Novice—J. Currie 1, A. F. Boys 2, C. J. Qoldstone 3. Time—3 min 19aec. Foot Races.— 100yds Maiden —G. R. Robinson 1, Shields 2, More 3. Time —12sec. ISOyds Handicap (in heats); final—P. Ryan 15yds, 1 ; W, Oborn 15yds, 2; Ogden 11yds, 3. Time— Quarter-mile—J. Peactia 18yds, 1; G. Shields 16yds, 2 ;• Mulhern 18yds, 3, Pour others started. Time—--55-ifseo, l2oyda Hurdles; final heat— J. Collins 14yds, 1; F. B. Horner 4yds, 2 ; W. F. Dawe Syds, 3, Mile—J. O’Baeu 3oyda, 1; T. Cullen 22yds, 2; Hicks 80yds, 3. A poor race; eleven started, but only three finished. Time—4mia 50sec. Mila Walk J. Joyce scr, 1; A. Jones 80yds, 2; Blisset 60yds, 3, Seven walked. Won easily in 7mia ISfsec. Putting 221 b stone —(3. Monro 1, T. J. Scott 2, W. Angland 3. The 231 b hammer event was unfinished, all the handles being broken. Cabar—Robertson 35ft, i; W. Anglaud 34ft Sin, 2. Six.competed. Wrestling, Cumberland style—G. J. Scott (Southland) 1, G. Munro 2, W. Angland 3, Pole Jump—Lindsay 9ft 9in, 1; Hoskins 9ft 6in, 2. A good contest against the wind. Running High Jump —W. H. Brien, ' sft 6in, 1; Simte 2, Jamieson 8. Standing High Jump —J. Jamieson 4fb Bm, 1 j J. M’Auliffo 4ft 6in, 2 ; Horner 4ft, 3. A, M'Kay took the first prizes tor pipe music and dancing, Thompson and Robertson dividing the seconds and thirds. Thompson, a young man, danced the sword dance exceptionally well, but lost first place by touching. A youngster named Copham, from Dunedin, was the only competitor in boys’ dances, and did so well that firsts were awarded him. To-night the musical' drama, Guy Mannering is being produced at the Theatre, by local amateurs, for the benefit of the society. fPiCE Peeks Association.! AUCKLAND, Jan. 1. The Caledonian sports wore well contested. Pour thousand persons were present. WELLINGTON, Jan. 1. The new year was ushered in very quietly, the clanging of bells on the shipping and the ringing of church bells being the only sounds. There was a total absence of the usual pyrotechnical display, and the annual torchlight procession of the Municipal Fire Brigade was dispensed with. Large numbers paraded the streets about midnight, but the drizzling rain which set in with a change of wind about one o’clock soon had the desired effect of clearing the thoroughfares. The police had taken extra precautions to guard against larrikinism, but the records show last night to have been the most quiet New Year’s Eve experienced here. With the approach of daylight the rain increased, and at ten o’clock this morning light showers were falling. The trains to Otaki and Wairarapa, where race meetings were held, were well patronised, and the steamer Wairarapa left for Picton at eight o’clock with on© thousand excursionists. Towards noon rain fell in torrents, and those who had gone picnicing were drenched. The Caledonian Society, despite the unfavourable weather, carried on its annual gathering, but the attendance was sadly affected, not more than two thousand being present at any part of the day. Later on the weather cleared somewhat, but up to dusk there was a constant drizzle. WELLINGTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. At. the-Caledonian Pposfc& - the -Grand

Handicap, four distances, was won fay E. A. Gilchrist (Wellington), J. Pike being second. H. Wyvern won the Half-mile and Mile Handicaps, W. H. Arnott the 120yds Hurdles and T. Tait the One-mile Walk. Campbell, of Wellington, carried off most of the prizes for bagpipe music, and M’Gregor, of Wanganui, was the most successful competitor in the dancing competitions for men, while young Peddie, of Napier, carried off similar events for boys. The events for amateurs resulted aa follows:—looyds—T. W. M’Kinley Harley 3yds, 8. 220yds—P. H. Harley loyde, 1; M. S, Dodwell 20yds, 2; W. P. Larkin 7yds, 3. 440yds—F. H, Harley 20yds, 1; M. S. Dodwell 20yds, 2, Bicycle Handicap, three miles—D. Brand 270yds, 1; L. J. Herbert 200yds, 2; James Bisloy (Napier) 20yds, 3. Bicycle Handicap, four miles— F. B. Muir 450yds, I; T, M. Lucky scr, 2; J. T. Herbert 275yds, 3. The ground wus in a soddened state, and, in consequence, the times of the various events were very slow. OAMAEU CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. OAMABU, Jan. 1. The Caledonian games were held in fine weather to-day, and the attendance was large. The cycling was the principal feature, a largo number of competitors coming from Christchurch and other places. The bagpipe music and dancing prizes were alto well competed for, ae were the wrestling, hammer, balls and caber; but the footracing had few competitors. The cycling events resulted as follows One-mile Novice—W. Hedley 25yde, 1; W. Thomson scr, 2; D. Johnson 20yds, 3, One-mile Bicycle Handicap—E, J. Lilly 40yds, 1; E. Ledez 65yds, 2; A. W. Josh 50yds, 3. Time—2mia 45|sec. Two-mile Bicycle—E.J. Lilly 90yds, 1; A.S. Barker 50yds, 2; J. Eapson 60yds, 3. Time— Smin 4Ssec. Three-mile Bicycle Handicap —T. Clarkson 60yds, 1; Lilly 120yds, 2; A. E. Barker 70yds, 3. Time—Smin 5436 c. Two-mile Test Bicycle Eace—C. E. Wilson 60yds, 1; T. Clarkson 50yds, 2; E. J, Lilly 40yds, 3. Time—smin dO-sec. Lewis, and Boyd fell, the former once and the latter twice. ‘ Martin won the 200yds footrace, and M’Lauchlin the 440yds and tho 440yda Hurdles. Donald Dinnie competed in dancing and with the hammers, balls and caber, and won several prizes. DUNEDIN,. Jan; 1. : The holiday was largely spoilt by the weather. Showers with mist prevailed up till past one. Large numbers left town by the trains north and south, aad harbour excursions were well patronised. The Flora was crowded with passengers for Oamaru. . The attendance at the Caledonian sports was about 5000, which is much below the average. None of the wrestling : events are completed. The following ate the results so far:—Caledonian Handicap, 100yds —A. Francis 6=}yd, 1; T. Tarpey 6yde, 2; M. Y. Morriay 3. Time lOsec. Caledonian Handicap, 350yds—C. Werry scr, 1; A. Francis Hyde, 2; M. V. Morriey 9yds, 3. Hurdle Race, 440yds—R. B. Lattimer 22yda, 1; M. V. Morriay 14yds, 2; N. J. Binnie 15yds, 3. Two-mile Walk —A. Crichton 280yds, 1; A. Fordyce 230yds, 2; T. W. Les'ie scr, 3. F. P. Bowen ecc also atarted. Caledonian Wheel Race (in which all started from scratch)— Hall, Timaru, 1; Mackenzie, Dunedin, 2 ; Crow, Dunedin, 3.