CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8854, 16 April 1892, Page 6

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S SPORTS.

President: John Robertson, Esq. Vice-Presi-dents: Messrs. Tait and Itobortson. Committee : Messrs. G. Johnson, J. Stewart, D. Simpson, A. Graham, J. Ness, T. Craddock, R. (hover, A. Anderson, Ti McCune, and R. .Barber. Judges : — Dross, Piping and Dancing: Me srs. Gillies, McDonald, and Captain Farquhar ; Stone, Hammer, and Caber Throwing: Messrs. Craddock and McMurtrie; Running and Jumping: Messrs. Tait and Robertson ; Quoit Handicapper and Judge : Mr. G. Smith. Starter: Mr. J. Robertson, Stewards: Messrs. Johnson, frazer, Jas. Johnson, Barber, Stewart, Simpson, Graham, J. Kw.m, Grover, Anderson, and Medina. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. Eraser. lion. Secretary: Mr.

R. T. Michaels. For the first time in the history of the Caledonian Society of Auckland sports were held under its auspices yesterday. The members of the Society are more than anxious that everything Scottish should be made popular in this part of the colony, and, emulating the example sot by " brithcr Scots" in the South, are determined that there should be a great gathering of the clans at least once a year. The Society's maiden effort was made under circumstances of the most inauspicious nature, the weather being so unpleasant and threatening as to upset all their care-fully-made arrangements. It was intended that the sports should be held at Lake Takapuna, in order that the attractions of that beautiful locality might be added to those of the day's festivities, but the strong wind beating straight on the beach made it impossible for any steamer to land passengers there. It was therefore decided that the sports should be held on the Takapuna Racecourse, the site being easily accessible from the North Shore and fairly sheltered from all meteorological vagaries, but as the other, place had been specially prepared for the occasion, it was a matter of considerable difficulty to get tilings ready on its suddenly selected substitute. The platform for dancing was ready at the Lake, the handicap distances for the foot races had been carefully marked off, and all the necessary provisions for the refreshment of a Caledonian assemblage had been judiciously made, and then the Society had, because of wind and weather, to shift to a spot where all these favourable conditions could not be enjoyed. They had to hurriedly get a platform erected, they had to measure the distances over again and rely upon them being fairly accurate, and, worse than all, they had to put up with refreshments which, though excellent of their kind, were not of the description Caledonian gatherings do most appreciate. With all these difficulties in their way the Society achieved great things, and the meet—as a preliminary one, and as one held under the circumstances already detailed — must be pronounced a gratifying success. The entries might have been more numerous, and the proceedings more lively, but the first effort in the direction of providing a day's sport of the kind during the year is entitled to every encouragement, and worthy of every support. In Dunedin the annual Caledonian gathering i 3 a very big event, an occasion upon which thousands and thousands of Scotchmen congregate, and the Auckland Society have come to the conclusion that they ought, with the Scotch population they have here, and with a few years' experience, fairly rival their Southern compatriots. At any rate, the first attempt was a most meritorious one, and it may be expected that the gatherings will be made annually more popular, until they become what the Society so earnestly desire. Probably there "were about 2000 people present during the day. It would scarcely de kind to criticise the arrangements since proper arrangements were, under the circumstances, simply impossible. It can honestly be said, however, that the office-bearers were untiring in their efforts to carry through the programme in a manner satisfactory to all, and that their efforts were well rewarded. Hunters Band was in attendance, and played a number of selections during the day. It may also be mentioned that the bagpipe music for the Highland dancing was most capably played by Mr. A. Mcßae. The different events resulted as follow :—

Handicap Quoting Match : Stirling, 1; Dunne, 'J. Bagpipe Music, Reels and Strathpeys : A. Mcßac, 1; J. S. Fotheringham, 2. Two entries. Putting the Shot: W. Leane. 33ft llin, 1; C. Shaw. 33ft Klin. '2. Three entries. Hop, Step, and Jump : A. Bruce, 37ft Sin, 1. One other competitor, but ho did not turn up at the appointed time. Best Dressed Highlander: G. Goldio, Athol tartan, 1 ; A. Spiers, Royal Stuart, 'J. Three enbries. Best Dressed Highland Lassie : Misswen, Victoria tartan, 1 ; Miss Goldie. Royal Stuart. Two entries. Miss Goldio lost first 'place because of the colour of her shoes. Grand Highland Reel : 1). Simpson, 1; A. McLean, 2. Eight competitors. Running High Jump : Miniuix, 40ft lOin, 1; Kelly, '2. Cumberland Wrestling: J. Stillwill, 1; J. A. Pearson,-. Two entries. Bagpipe Music, I'ibrochs and Marches: A. Mcßae, 1; J. S. Fotheringham, 2. Two entries. Tossing the Caber: Aitkenhead, 15ft 3in, 1; Stirling, '2. Four entries. Highland Fling, men : A. Speirs, 1; R. D. Campbell, 2. Five entries. Highland Fling, boys :J. Whitelaw, 1; Y\ . Whitelaw, 2. Two entries. Throwing the Hammer : W. Stirling, sSft Din. 1 ; S. Steven, 57ft, 2. Two entries. Best-dressed Highland Boy: J. Simpson, 1. There was only the one competitor. Ghillie Galium : A. Speirs, 1; D. Simpson, 2. Five entries.

100 yds Handicap, amateurs only. First heat H. Atkinson, 4yds, 1; A. Farquhar, scratch, 2. Second heat: H. Freeman, 4yds, 1; 1.. Bedell, 4yds, 2. Final heat: Atkinson, 1 ; Freeman,'-'. Fourteen entries. Shcantreaus. in costume :A. McLean, 1; M. McLean, 2. Five entries. Caledonian Handicap, 440 yds : J. McDermott, 10yds, 1 ; J. Leikis, 9yds, 2. Nine entries. Reel of Tulloch, in costume : A. Mcßae, 1; R. D. Campbell, 2. Seven entries. 75yds Sack Race : McDermott, 1 : Shaw, 2. One Mile Walk, amateurs only : T. White, 60yds, 1; K. Phillips, 30yds, 2. Four walked. F. Creamer, scratch, finished second, but was disqualified for breaking into a run. Sailors' Hornpipe : Newman, 1; Coleman, 2. 200vds Handicap, amateurs only: H. Atkinson, Byds, 1; H. Freeman, 7yds, 2. Nine ran. Tug-o'-\Var, 10 men a-side: Married, 1; single, 2. Two entries. The dancer who made the most points in the various competitions, A. Speirs. wins a gold medal. The trophies and prizes will be presented at the Society's " social" on Thursday evening.