THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

North Otago Times, Volume XV, Issue 595, 31 January 1871, Page 4

THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

The Caledonian gathering on the 2nd inst. was a complete success. The day turned out fine, and the grounds were thronged by visitors from all parts of the neighborhood. The Grand Stand was filled with ladies, and there could not hare been less than from 1400 to 1500 people on the Cricket Ground, where the games were held. The first event of the day was the quoiting (5 rings each), thero being ten competitors for the prizes. The play was indifferent, and the result stood as follows: —1st, John Bandeen ; 2nd, J. Eodgerson. For the 200 yards footrace 7 started. This was a splendid race, Miller going to the front at the first jump and keeping the lead throughout, Stockley 2nd, W. C. Robertson 3rd. A protest was lodged against the second competitor on the ground that he had entered under a false name. At half-past 11 the competitors (8 in number) for " putting the light ball" commenced play, Robert Chalmers taking first honors (37£ft.), an(* John Shaw second (36ift.). For the prize offered for Running High Leap there were five competitors, Lawson winning with a clear jump of 5ft. John Allan taking second place having cleared 4ft. llin. " Throwing the light hammer," four competitors. Here there was a good contest, James Grant winning first honors, —winning throw, 92ft. 9in. John Liddle second. Standing High Leap, this was the next event, for which three contestants came to the scratch, John Irwin winning with a 4ft. 3in. iump ; W. Lawaon, 2nd, 4ft. 2in. For the prize offered for Bagpipe Music there were two competitors, the music being really good. The competition, which was regarded with much interest, resulted at follows: —W. Sutherland, 1st; C. M'Tnggart, 2nd. For the Highland Reel there were eight competitors. This was well contested, the prizes falling as j follows: —1st, W. M'Intosh ; 2nd, James Robertson ; John Sinclair highly commended by the judges. Putting Heavy Ball. —Here six athletes came to the front, J. Shaw winning with a throw of 30ffc. 8in. Robert Chalmers second (29ft. 7in). The next event was the 400 Yards Hurdle Race. Seven competitors. Mooney went off with the lead, Miller following closely. At the third hurdle Miller fouled his leap and Mooney passed him, but shortly after a dog got in the way, and Mooney being baulked, Miller passed him again, and won a good race splendidly. A, protest was lodged with, the stewards against the event. For the Boys' Race there were nineteen entries. This race was perhaps the most interesting event of the day, the youngsters running well, and places being won as follows : —1st, James Thomas ; 2nd, George Evans ; 3rd, Henry Zierk. Highland Fling —three competitors. This was very fairly danced, W. M'Intosh taking first prize, and James Robertson second. For the Vaulting with Pole there wa9 a capital competition —six competitors. Inch by inch was steadily gained, Irwin winning at last by a jump of 8ft. 9in., beating the next competitor by one inch, Lawson, who came next, succumbing at 8 feet 8 inche3. For the Velocipede Race (handicap) three started. The victory was, however, an easy one, the result being T. Smith first prize (LI). No second prize was awarded. For the Irish Jig there were only two competitors, viz., J. Dixon and W. Maitland. The dancing of both was good, first honors being awarded to the former in accordance with the general opinion of the spectators. No second prize. Tossing the Caber. —For these prizes nine competed, the result being —1st, C. Duff; 2nd, John Shaw. The competition was a long one —the caber appearing to us to be far too heavy, the wood not being properly sea oned. For the prizes for Hop, Step, and Jump, seven competed, the competition being a close one. There were several ties, and the final result was —1st, J. Cagney ; 2nd, James Gemmill. The Sack Race prizes brought nine to the post, and the competition provoked much amusement. J. Irwin won first, and W. Aitken second place. Six Hundred Yards Race. —Four ran, three of them being Dnnedin men. The 1st prize was won easily by the fourth, a Oamaru man, J. Miller, who jumped away with the lead and kept it throughout. Ho ran neatly and well, and came in without any signs of distress. There being only one entry, the Sword Dance did not come off, a reel being danced by Messrs M'Intosh, Robertson, Henderson, and Sinclair, to fill the gap in the programme. On its conclusion, the dancers were loudly cheered. The Wheelbarrow Race brought three competitors to the post, and created much amusement. The 1st prize was well won by E. Benson. For the prizes offered for Tilting there were twenty-five competitors, and a spirited competition, which resulted in James Orr carrying off first, and Peter Dunbur second honors. For the prizes for Wrestling, Border fashion, there were five competitors —Irwin and Matheson going into the ring first. Matheson threw his man. Second pair: Ewbank lay down to Duff. The fifth competitor not coming forward, the match lay between Duff and Mathe»BOu. After a great deal of trouble in petting hold, Matheson threw Duff. In the next two rounds Duff threw Matheaon, thus winning the 1st prize, Matheson the 2nd. For the prize offered for Best-dressed Boy in . Highland Costume there was no competition. The Wrestling therefore concluded the games, and the crowd quickly dispersed, all unanimous in saying that the Gathering had been a most marked success, and all expressing themselves thoroughly pleased and satisfied. The officers of the Society deserve great praise for the energy they have displayed, and may well bo congratulated on the deserved success which has attended their efforts. The following is the

PRIZE LIST. Quoiting. —1st (LI), John Bandeen ; 2nd (10s.), J. Rodgerson. 200 Yards Race. —1st (LI 10s.), J. Miller ; 2nd (15s. 0d.), Sfcockley. Putting Light Ball (161bs.). —1st (LI), Robert Chambers ; 2nd (10s.), John Shaw. •• Running High Leap. —1st (LI 103.) W. Lawson 5 2nd (15s.) T. Irwin. Throwing Light Hammer. —1st (LI 10s.). J. Grant; 2nd (15s.), J. Liddell. Standing High Leap. —1st (Ll 10s.), T. Irwin ; 2nd (15s.), W. Lawson. Bagpipe Music. —1st (L5), W. Sutherland ; 2nd (Ll 10s.) C. M'Taggart. Highland Reel.—1st (Ll), W. M'Intosh ; 2nd (15s.) James Robertson. Putting Heavy Ball. —1st (Ll), John Shaw; 2nd (10s.), R. Chalmers. 400 Yards Hurdle Race. —1st (L2), J. Miller; 2nd (Ll), H. Mooney. Throwing Heavy Hammer. —1st (L2), J. Grant; 2nd (15s.), J. Liddell. Boys Race. —1st (10s.), J. Thomas; 2nd (5s.) G. Evans ; 3rd (2s. 6d.), H. Zierk. Highland Fling.—1st (Ll 10s.), W. M'Intosh ; 2nd (15s.), J. Robertson. Vaulting with Pole. —1st (Ll 10s.) .J Irwin ; 2nd (15s.), W. Lawson. Velocipede Race (Handicap). —1st (Ll), T. Smith Ihish Jig. —1st (Ll), J. Dixon. Tos3ing Caber. —1st (Ll 10s.), C. Duff; 2nd (15s.), John Shaw. Hop, Step, and Jump. —1st (Ll), J. Cagney; 2nd (10s.), James Gemmill. Sack Race.—1st (15s.), J. Irwin; 2nd (10s.) W. Aitken. 600 Yards Race.—1st (L3), J. Miller; 2nd (Ll 10s), S. Mooney —protest against the latter. Sword Dance. —No competitor. Wheelbarkow Rack. —1st (10s.), E. Benson 5 2nd (5s ), R. Ure. Tilting. —1st prize (L3), James Orr ; 2nd prize (Ll), P. Dunbar. Wrestling (Border fashion). —1st prize (L2), J. Duff; 2nd do. (L1),R. Matheson. Best Dressed Bor in Highland Costume.— No competition.