CALEDONIAN SOCIETY’S ANNUAL SPORTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 12

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY’S ANNUAL SPORTS.

President—Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald ; Vice-Presidents —Messrs Robert Gardner and D. T. Stuart; Treasurer—Mr Robert Sloan ; Secretary, Mr David Wighton ; Referee and Superintendent of Sports —The President; Starters Colonel Hume and Mr Charles Stewart; Handicappers —The Commitee (assisted by Mr T. L. Barker) ; Timekeeper Mr S. Kohn ; Director of Music—Mr John Jack. The annual sports meeting of the Caledonian Society of Wellington has become so essentially an institution that it is quite identified with the New Year, and, without them, the celebration of the first day of the year would be neither adequate nor appropriate. The popularity of athletic sports appears to be

diminishing, and, until we have seen what development takes place in the public taste, it will be too soon to express an opinion ; but, in spite of Plimrnerton, the Hutt, Oriental Bay, Island Bay, and the other of our show places, what would New Year’s Day be if there were not a Caledonian sports to celebrate it ? What, indeed, if there were not running, jumping, tossing the clumsy caber, and putting the heavy stone ; and if, above all, there were no bagpipes and no sturdy, stubborn Scots to rouse the slumbering fires of patriotism within the breasts of Caledonia’s sons by squeezing the aforesaid bagpipes till they screamed again ? Surely it would not be New Year’s Day at all ! Apart, however, from its national association, the Society’s gathering is the most enjoyable fixture of its class we have in or anywhere around Wellington. The events are invariably well contested, there is always a long programme with good prizes withal, and the management is invariably excellent. Wellington people are to be seen holiday-making there to a greater extent than anywhere else,’ because the attendance is never simply fairly good the Basin Reserve is always “ pretty fou,” and very well it looks, with the clear space of green sward inside the ring, backed up by the gay-coloured dresses of the ladies. Tuesday’s gathering was, if anything, an improvement upon those held in previous years, the attendance being large and the competition keen in all classes of events. The management of the sports was as near perfection as is compatible with earthly incompetence, and the officers of the Society are to be complimented upon the energetic and systematic manner in which their various duties were performed. The Secretary, Mr Wighton, is entitled to every credit for his conduct of the business part of the gathering, in which he was very greatly assisted by Mr P. P. Webb. _ The superintendence of the sports was in the hands of the President (Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald), the Vice-Presidents (Messrs R. Gardener and D. T. Stuart), Colonel Hume and Mr Charles Stewart, and left nothing to be desired. As to the music, it is sufficient to say that it was under the directions of Mr J. Jack, whose enthusiasm and ability are well known. The music was indeed unusually good this year, pipers having come from various parts of the Colony to compete. Honours were divided by Mr McKay, of Ashburton, and Mr Campbell, of Christchurch, the latter’s music being especially admired as “ simply graund. ” Hogmanay had been kept up in proper style on the previous night, and some of the pipers had made the welkin ring at early morn ; but there they were as spruce and as fresh as though “ makin’ a nicht o’t” were quite an ordinary occurrence. The Caledonian Handicap of four events fell to S. J. Thacker, who has won a good many events in the Manawatu district. He takes the special prize of L 5 and a gold medal, which is to be won twice in succession at the Society’s gatherings, for scoring the most points in the Handicap. Thacker scored seven points—first in the 100yds and third in the 220yds. W. Branigan and W. Mackay came next with six points each. Thegold medal given by the President for the competitor scoring the most points at the gathering—points to count thus, Ist, 2 ; 2nd, I—was won by T. M. McKay with a score of 14 points. Ample provision was made for the satisfaction of the inner man, and Mr Gilmer (Empire Hotel) and Mr McArdle (Caledonian' Hotel) each had booths. This hot weather is extremely trying to the system, and consequently both proprietors were well patronised. Mr Gilmer also provided an excellent lunch. Next to the piper’s, Gray’s band is to be highly commended for the excellent music they supplied during the day, which was quite a feature of the meeting. The invariable games were there in great force, from the fascinating whirligig (humble imitation of fortune’s wheel in which some people do well and some get exceedingly unwell) down to the unpretending cocoanut-shying apparatus. The attendance was large in the morning, but as the day went on it increased greatly, and at 4 o’clock there were about 6000 people present. The judges were as follow :—Quoibirig —Messrs J ames Barry, A. W. Brown, R. Brown, James Hutchens, D: M. Luckie, A. A. Stuart-Menteath, M.H.R., J. Russell, T. Scoullar, Jas. Stewart, and Andrew Young. Running Messrs J. Duthie, R. Gardner, Dr Gillon, J. H. H. Jack, Jas. W. Jack, S. R. Johnson* H. M. Lyon, A. A. S. Menteath, M.H.R., D. Pryde, C. Stewart, G. Wilson, and W. G. O. Johnston. Pipe Music and Dancing—Messrs W. N. Blair, A. Cameron, R. N. Cowan, John Jack, Dr Macgregor, Messrs J. McGlashan, W. McLean, J. Reid, and G. Wilson. Vaulting and Jumping—Messrs A. W. Brown, James Hutchens, S. Kohn, D. M. Luckie, Jas. Russell, T. Scoullar, D. T. Stuart, and Andrew Young. Tossing Caber, Putting the Stone, Throwing Hammer.—Messrs R. Brown, R. Dunlop, J. Duthie, S. R. Johnson, Dr Macgregor, Messrs W. McLean, George Wilson, and T. Scoullar. Wrestling.—Messrs A. W. Brown, W. Chalmers, Dr Macgregor, Messrs D. Pryde, J. Reid, George Wilson, and Andrew Young. Following are details of the various events : Maiden Hurdle Race, 120 yards ; prizes L 3, L2, and LI.—W. Winger, 1 ; D. Kitchen, 2 ; G. T. Johns, 3. Won easily. Putting the Stone (221 b); prizes L 3 ; L2, and LI.—A. Cameron, 28ffc 9in, 1 ; J. Sherwin, 28ft 4in, 2; J. Scott, 27ffc 6in, 3. Maiden Flat Race, 100 yards (ama-

taura only) ; prize, trophy (presented by Wellington Tramway Company) value L 3 3s.—S: Saunders, 1 ; F. Clark, 2 ; W. Sim, 3: Won by a yard. These were the only starters. Caledonian Grand Handicap of four events, points to count as follow : —First 6, second 3, third 1. First aggregate prize, L 5 and gold medal (the latter to be won twice in succession before being owned). First heat, 100yds ; prizes, L 5, L2, and LI. This had to be run off in heats, which resulted as follows : —First heat —J. W. Kilner (scratch) 1 ; J. H. Stock (4yds), 2. Time, lOisecs. Second heat—W. 11. Mackay (4yds), 1; J. S. McGifford (syds), 2. Time, lOsec. Third heat—T. R. Saywell (2yds), 1 ; J. Cunningham (2yds), 2. Time, Fourth heat—J. Thacker (syds), 1; R. Jarrett (6yds), 2. Time, 94sec (the competitors started before the pistol was fired). Fifth heat — A. Cameron (6yds), 1 ; W. Pyke (2yds), 2. Time, lOsec. Sixth heat J. D. Mackay (syds), 1 ; F. M. Leckie (4yds), 2. Time, lOjsec. Seventh heat —Leckie (4yds), 1 ; Jarrett (6yds), 2 ; J. D. Mackay (4yds), 3. Time, lOsec. Eighth heat —Thacker (syds), 1 ; Say well iOlsee. Final Heat—S. D. Thacker (syds), 1 ; T. R. Saywell (2yds), 2 ; F. M. Leckie (4yds), 3. Thacker, who had won all his heats easily, had an easy victory in this. Leckie ran Saywell very close for second place. Time, 9^sec. Running High Jump. Prizes L 3, L2 and LI. —J. Troy (sft 4in), 1; E. Green (sft 3in), 2 ; G. T. Johns, 3. Bagpipe Music (marches). Prizes L 5, L2 and LI.—T. McKay (Ashburton), 1 ; D. Campbell (Christchurch), 2 ; D. Ross (Wanganui), 3. J. Jack was the only other competitor. Sack Race. Prizes, Mr G. Irons’ trophy or L2 2s, and LI. —Two competitors started—A. Johns and J. W. Scott. Johns, who was only a small boy, won easily. Bagpipe Music (reels). Prizes, L 5, L2 and LI.—D. Campbell, 1; T. McKay, 2 D. Ross, 3. J. Jack and J. Gear were the other competitors. Quoits. Prizes, L 4, L2 and LI.—D. Murphy, 1 ; J. Mann, 2 ; W. Luke, 3. Three others competed. Hurdle Handicap, 120yds. Prizes, L 3, L2 and LI.—T. Simpson (Byds), 1 ; J. Troy (4yds), 2 ; J. J. Johns, (12yds), 3. Wen easily. Wrestling (Border style). Prizes, L 5, L2, and LI. —For this event J. Scott, Jones, Collins, and Person entered. Person easily disposed of Collins in a rough and tumble style, and Scott crossbuttocked Jones twice in beautiful style. Scott and Person then met for the final, Scott getting the first two falls very easily. Jones and Person wrestled for places, and as the former broke his hold twice, Person took second prize. Handicap Flat Race, 220yds (amateurs only). Prize, a trophy presented by Cobb and Co., valued at L 5 5s. —S. Saunders (11yds), 1 ; J. M. King (scr), 2. Eight others started. King ran very pluckily, but was unable to catch. the limit man, who won comfortably. Time, 24fsec. , Caledonian Handicap, second heat, 220yds. Pi*izes, L 5, L 3, L2.—The heats resulted as follows:—First heat —J, Cunningham (3yds), 1 ; J. S. McGifford (Byds), 2. Second heat —F. M. Leckie (Byds), 1 ; W. R. Mackay (Byds), 2. Third heat— R. Jarrett (Byds), 1 ; T. O’Brien (12yds), 2. Fourth heat—S. J. Thacker (7yas), 1 ; J. D. Mackay -(Byds), 2. Final heat—W. R. Mackay (Byds), 1 ; F. M. Leckie (Byds), 2 ; S. J. Thacker (7yds), 3. Mackay won easily, Leckie beating Thacker and Jarrett by a couple of yards for second place. Jarrett beat Thacker on the post, but the judges gave the latter third. Time, 24sep. Bagpipe Music, pibrochs and laments. Prizes L 5, L2, and LI. —T. M. McKay, 1; D. Campbell, 2 ; J. Gear, 3. D. Ross also competed. Bagpipe Music, strathspeys. Prizes L 5, L2, and LI.—D. Campbell, 1 ; T. McKay, 2 ; J. Gear, 3. The music in this competition was exceedingly good, and the winner, in the opinion of good judges, was about the best piper wjio ever played on the Basin. Highland Reel in Costume. Prizes L 5, L2, LI —T. M. McKay, 1; A. Jack, 2 ; X). McLennan, 3. There was one other competitor. Highland Reel in Costume (boys), extra event. —R. Mcßae, 1; E. Moon, 2 ; W. Duest, 3. Bicycle Handicap, two miles ; amateur only. Prize, trophy (presented by Mr J. Lachman), value L 5 5s. —L. G. Porter (40in Facile), 520yds, 1 ; R. Renner (30in geared to 40in Apollo Safety Roadster), 225yds. These were the only starters. Won very easily. Time, Bmin. Tossing the Caber. Prizes L 3, L2, and LI.—J. W, Scott, 32ft 4in, 1; O’Connor, 30ft lin, 2 ; Sherman, 26ft fiin, 3. Three others competed, but they failed to toss the caber. Vaulting with Pole. Prizes L 5, L2, and Ll.—Green, 10ft 6in, 1 ; D. Kitchen, 10ft 4in, 2 : Mackay, 3. Two others competed. Sword Dance in Highland Costume (men). Prizes L 5, L2, and LI. —T. McKay, 1; A. Jack, 2 ; D. McLennan, 3. Four competed. Sword Dance in Highland Costume (boys). Prize, trophy (presented by Mr Robt. Gardner), value L2 2s.—W. Duest, 1; E. Moon, 2 ; Cockburn, 3. Four competed. Caledonian Handicap, third event, 440yds ; prizes, L 5, L 3 and LI.-—W. i Branigan, 12yds, 1; R. H. Whisker, scratch, 2 ; J, Atkinson, 20yds, 3. Sixteen

staited. Won by about two yards after a good race. Time, 53fsec. Long Jump, amateurs only. Prize, trophy, presented by Mr Robert Snodgrass, of Nelson, value L 3 3s. —J. Hume, 19ft Bin, 1|; J. M. King, 19ft 2|in, 2. Four competed. Best Dressed Boy in Highland Costume. Prize, trophy, presented by Mr D. T. Stuart, value LI Is. —W. Miller, 1 ; W. Duest, 2 ; R. Mcßae, 3. Four competed. Highland Fling, in costume (men). Prizes, L 5, L2 and LI.—T. M. McKay, 1 ; D. McLennan, 2 ; A. Jack, 3. Four competed. Highland Fling, in costume Prize, silver medal, value L2 2s, presented by Messrs G-. and J. Young, of Dunedin. —R. Mcßae, 1; E. Moon, 2 ; VY. Duest, 3

Throwing the .Hammer ; prizes L 3, L2, and LI. —J. Jackson and R. Glasgow each threw the hammer 80ft, and they agreed to divide the first and second prizes ; J. W. Scott, 65ft sin, was third. Four others competed. Mire Handicap, prizes L 5, L 3, and L2.—C. D. Morpeth (80yds), 1 ; R. Jarrett (40yds), 2; D. McGifford (scratch), 3. Eight started. Morpeth led from the start, and won comfortably by about 20yds, the same distance separating the second and third men. Time, 4min 42sec.

Seauntkeus Dance, in costume. Prizes, L 3, L2, and LI. —T. M. McKay, 1; D. McLennan, 2 ; A. Jack, 3. Four competed. Caledonian Grand Handicap, fourth event ; 880yds. Prizes, L 5, L2, and LI. —R. Jarrett (20yds), 1;A. D. Mahoney (scratch), 2; J. >i. James (30yds), 3. Fourteen started. Morpeth led for about 500 yards, when he was passed by Jarrett, who led until the finish. Mahoney made a great effort to catch the leader in the last 100 yards, but without success, Jarrett winning by about 10 yards. Time, 2min 7sec. The Consolation Handicap, 220yds, for a suit of clothes presented by the Wellington Tweed Company, was won by A. Cameron, who had Byds start.