GORE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1169, 14 April 1903, Page 2

GORE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SPORTS. Office-bearers.—President, Mr Jus. Beattie; vioe-presidents, Mr A. A. Mao Gibbon and Dr Geo. Copland; Oommittee, Messrs W. Domigan, A. 3. Gibbs, J. A. Jule, E. B. Bowler, G. Brett, Q. J. Anderson 1 , D. Hartnett, A. J. Pope, A. Hughes, A. Martin, H. Wright, J. Instone, T. Ambrose, C. Bobins, G. Whittingham, T. G. Laurenson, W. Baker, H. Martin, B. 0. Mitchell, J. Ussher, G. Taylor, H. Mayo, and B. Boss; secretary, Mr D. M. Cochrane ; Treasurer, Mr D. Maeara; starter, Mr P. WalliB; bandieappers, Messrs F. Walliß and T. Ambrose; time-keepers, MW. Baker.

The Gore Caledonian Society made a departure from its usual custom in holding sports on Boxing Day, and fixed its annual gathering to be held yesterday (Easter Monday). The innovation must be regarded {is entirely satisfactory, as there was no clashing with other district fixtures, and the result was a most successful and enjoyable meeting. The gate money amounted to over £44, whioh sura, reckoned together with members' and competitors and juveniles tiokets,- would indicate an attendance of over 1000 persons. The weather, happily, proved fine, although rain threatened in the early part of the afternoon, this, no doubt, affecting the attendance considerably. However those who came (and the whole district was well represented) weie admirably entertained, and a most attractive programme was presented. The Gore Brass Band (under Mr Mayo) provided good musio during the afternoon, /me intervals between the selections being satisfactorily filled by the bagpipes. The Society retained the management of the refreshment tent in its own hands, and this was supervised by Messrs G. Brett and J. A. Yule. Various lady friends and relatives of members of the committee, led by Mrs Yule and the Misses Brett, dispensed the refreshments, besides providing a large proportion of the excellent comestibles available.

The management of the meeting was splendid, and no single bitch occurred during the afternoon. Onusual interest was centred upon the wrestling. In the heavy-weight division a large number of competitors came forward, and these being, splendid specimens of humanity, the various contests were very close and keen. The cycling events were fairly good, there being, however, a noticeable tendency towards " loafing " in several of the events. The imposition of a time limit, however, at a later stage had the effect of livening matters up very considerably. The various pedestrian events afforded the spectators good Bport, and F. Tosswill is to be complimented on his consistent running in the Sheffield Handicap. The finishes in both cycling and pedestrian events were very close, indicating that the handicappers (Messrs F. Wallis and T. Ambrose) had accomplished their tasks with unusual success. The Citizens' Kace, in which " old buffers " and the " new iniquity " were pitted against • each other, created considerable merriment. The handicapper, however, showed considerable meroy towards the old stagers, and the representatives of the present day exponents of the art of running were hopelessly out of the hunt. This event was won by H. Walton (Mataura) after a most exhausting struggle. The other items on the programme all created a due amount of interest, and the proceedings closed shortly after five o'clock. Following are the results :

Youths' Bace, 120yds.-First 2Cs, second 10s, third ss: J. Boss 1, B. Donaldson 2, L. Smith 3. Eight entries.

Shisffield Handicap, 135 yds. First £B, second £4, third £2, fourth £l. FIRST ROUND. First heat—C. Cook, lljyds, 1; D. McGill, 14yds, 2 ; time, 13 2-sth seo. Second heat—W. Colvin, syds, 1; G Campbell, lOJyds, 2; time, 13 3-sth sec. Third heat—S. Pedlow, 12Jyds, 1; Whitford, lOJyds, 2 ; time, 14sec. Fourth heat—F. Tosswill, 12yds, 1; H. Bruce, lOJyds, 2; time, 15sec. SECOND ROUND. First heat—C. Cook 1, F. Tosswill 2 : time, 13 l-sth sec. Second heat—W. Colvin 1, G. Campbell 2; time, 13 2-sth sec.

FINAL. F. Tosswill, 12yds .. .. 1 W. Colvin, syds .. 2 C. Cook.lljyds .. .! 3 G. Campbell, lO.Jyds .. .. 4 Time—l 3 4 sth sec. There were 21 entrants for this event, of whom 15 faced tbe starter. Tbo heals were closely contested all through, and the final was a splendid tussle, all the men being in a bunch at the tape; so close indeed, was the finish that the decision of the judaes was questioned by a good many. Pibroohs. First 30s, second 15s : W. Cameron 1, J. Duncan 2. Three entries. Half-mile Bicycle.—First £3, second 10s. —First heat: G. Taylor, 40yds, 1; A. Balston, scr, 2 ; J. Strachan, 20yds, 3. Second heat: T. Hoffman, 50yds, 1; G. Lambourn, 55yds, 2. Final: G. Taylor 1, A. Balston 2. There were eleven entries for this event, whioh was pulled off easily by Taylor. District Handicap, 135yds.—First £2, second £l, third 10s.—First heat : D. Mcson, 7£yds (dead heat), 2. Time—l4sec. Second heat: C. Cook, 6yds, 1; S. Pedlow BJyds, 2. Time—l4sec. Final: C. Cook l' S. Pedlow 2, D. McGill 3. Time—l 4 l-ssec! There were eleven competitors for this race, which was won somewhat easily by Cook. Cumberland wrestling, any weight.—First £2, second £1: E. Dale 1, J. Ford 2. Seven entries.

Cumberland Wrestling, list unV.— First £2, second £1: J. Barry 1, D. Gardiner 2. Five entries.

Bunning High Jump.—G. Campbell, Ain 1; A. Hoffman, 2Jin, 2, - Two Mile Wheel Eace.—First, £«, spcond £3, third £l, fourth 10s: First heat ■ A Mutch, 230 yds, 1; C. Shanks, 180 yds 2 • J. Strachan, 140 yds, 3. Timo—smin. lseo' Second Heat: G. Taylor, 180 yds, 1; J. Baldwin, 180 yds, 2; T. Hoffman, 200 yds, 3. Time—smin 9sec. Final: J. Strachan 1T. Hoffman, 2; C. Shanks, 3 j G. Taylor, 4! Time—smin 37seo. Eleven entries. This was anything but an interesting race, the riders simply jogging along till the last lap. Highland Fling.—First 20s. second 10sA. Sutherland ], J. Peart 2. Three entries Mile Handicap—First £3, second 30s, third 20s: T. Menzies, 70yds, 1; H. Dixon, 40yds 2; T. Carroll, scr, 3. Timo--4miii 50secs. Six entries. Dixon should have won this race, but made a mistake in the finishin* post and let Menzies pass bim. A protest was lodged against the winner on tho ground of having attendance during the race. This will be considered at a meeting to-morrow evening,

120 yds Handicap.—First £2, second £l. First heat: 0. Cook, SJyds, 1; F. Tosswill, oyds, 2. Time, 12 l-sstjo. Second beat: J. Henderson, 6yds, 1; G. Campbell, syda, 2. Time, 12 2-sseo. Third heat: E. W. Taylor, B£yds, 1; H. Bruee, syds, 2. Time, 13 2-5 sec. Final: C. Cook, 1; G. Campbell, 2. Time, 12 l-59e0.

Marches.—First, 30s; second, 15s: A. Duncan, 1; J. Cameron. 2. Three entries. 220 yds Handicap.—First £3, second 30s, third 20s: W. Colvin, sor, 1; F. Tosswill 12yds, 2; Whiteford, 12yds, 3. Time, 24sec! Twelve entries.

Citizens' race.—Trophies. First heat: G. Maoe, 1; J. Dickson, 2; H. Walton, 3. Time 14sec. Second heat: P. Daly, 1: F H Hart, 2; E. Sherborne, 3. Time, 13sec." Final: H. Walton, 1; F. H. Hart 2. Forty entries.

Half-mile Handicap.—First £2, second £l, third 10s.—T. Menzies, 35ydB, 1; A. Low, 45yds, 2; E. Fench, 45yds, 3. Time, 2min Bsec. Ten entries.

Sailors' Hornpipe.—First 20s, second 10s: J. Peart, 1; A. Sutherland, 2. Three entries. Throwing cricket ball.—First 203, second 10s : F. Barclay, BSyds, 1; J. Taylor, 80yds, 2; L. Broad, 75yds, 3. Bight entries. Best Dressed Highlander.—A. Sutherland. Best Dressed Highland Youth.—E. Bobertson.

THE CONCEBT. In the evening the Society's annual ooncert was held at the Town Hall, the bmlding being filled to overflowing with a holiday audience. The entertainment was heartily appreciated throughout, and most of the items were encored. Mr J. Beattie presided. The Gore Brass Band supplied »n excellent overture to each part of the programme, besides playing a number of selections outside the hall prior to the commencement of proceedings. Mrs Blue, of InvercargiU, made a welcome re-appearance before a local audience and sang •' Locbuag&r " in the first part and "Highlanders" in the second, being worthily enoored on each occasion. Mr Lionel Broad, of InvercargUl, oltased the

audience immensely with his ooeter tongs, and he too was enthusiastically enoored ai eaoh appearance. A large number of recitations were given, Miss Cook contributing "The Death ofPrinoe Charlie,"Mln Marshall "The Man bom Snowy Biver,"and Miss Bates "Just One Glass More," all ot these being exceedingly good. Mr 0. Evieon gave several humorous recitations, (or which he was enoored, and Mr Ladbrook also contributed. Mr J. B. Taterson sang with his old-time zest "Scotland let," and "The Maegregor's Gathering," Mr Bawlinson contributing "The Sleeping Camp" (encored) and " The Good Bhine Wine " excellently. Mr Peart gave a sword dance and sailor's hornpipe, and Mr W. Cameron a Highland fling, these latter items creating considerable enthusiasm, Mr J. Cameron playing the necessary pipe-music The various accompaniments were tastefully played by Mesdames J. B. Paterson and Blue and Mr Brett. The programme closed by the singing of the National Anthem.