THE ALABAMA RINK.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 4 July 1888, Page 2

THE ALABAMA RINK.

The announcement m our columns of a Candle Race at the Skating RiDk las' night, drew together a very large gathering of the public and a splendid muster of skaters, fully half of whom were ladies. The platform was densely crowded. There must have been fully 150 people there, and the remainder of the non-combatant visitors stood round the walls. There was the usual display of bunting and the room presented a very lively appearance. The skates whirled round m a ceaseless march and the audience held quite an agreeable conversazione, _ people falling easily into passing acquaintance with one another. At 8.30 p.m. chairs were brought out and placed at opposite corners, forming the boundaries of a course round, the. room. In the middle was a chair on which the candles were placed, and about -which stood the officials. The race was run by successive couples m heats, the winners of which afterwards contested finally for the prize. The mishaps, the mighty efforts, the inglorious tumbles, and the pluck of the contestants excited laughter and applause, and formed an enjoyable evening's spectacle. In the intervals, the ordinary skating crowd took a turn or iwo on the floor. The prize was awarded to MiLeonard Dodson ; and the skating of that gentleman and of Mr Coster was certainly admirable. At the conclusion of the contest, Mr Kirby, at the request of the management, presented Mr L. Dodson \yith a silver fish-knife and fork, for his candlerace win, and Mr Ewart (whose name was received with immense applause) with a Silver medal for his victory iri the recent half-mile race, and, m doing so, expressed his appreciation of the excellence of the management, and of the evident enjoyment of the skaters. The rink was kept open until eleven o'clock. Special attractions are offered for Friday and other days, as will be seen on reference to an advertisement m another column. The results of the race last night were as follow : — FIRST DRAW. Ist heat — Coster 1, Oldershaw 2. 2nd heat— McArthur 1, Shepherd 2. 3rd heat — Bartlett 1, Robinson 2. 4th heat— L. Dodson 1, J. Warren 2. sth heat— Penny 1, Green 2. 6th heat— Thomas 1, Harris 2. 7th heat — Carter 1, Nosworthy 2. SECOND DRAW. Ist heat — Coster 1, Penny (disqualified). 2nd heat — Dodson 1, McArthur 2. 3rd heat — Carter 1, Thomas- 2. ' 4th heat — Bartlett a bye. THIRD draw. ° Ist heat — Carter 1, Bartlett 2, 2nd heat — L. Dodson 1, Coster 2. final heat, Dodson 1, Carter 2.