CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8877, 2 January 1890, Page 3

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF WELLINGTON.

FIFTH ANNUAL GATHERING.

Office Bearera.— President, Mr. T,-Kennedy Macdonald ; vice-presidents, Colonel Hume and Dr Macgregor ; treasurer, Mr William McLean; secretary,. Mr David Wightou; superintendent of ap->rts, the President ; starters. Colonel Hume and Charles Stuart; handioappera, the Committee, assisted by Mr T, L. Barker ; timekeeper, Mr S. Kohn ; director of music, Mr John . Jack.

The first day of the new year, high holiday and time of jubilation as it is, brings with it to this district one very _ welcome event, which is the annual gathering of the Caledonian Society of Wellington. It is at this gathering, for the most part, that the people of the city, not only Scotchmen, but those of all nationalities, foregather in pleasant reunion to meet old acquaintances and find new ones, to_ talk over ths events of the y«ar that i<s dea(l, and in short to enjoy themaelvea. Hither, too, come Scots from all parts, many of them in tartan, kilt, and bonnet of their native land, and with the beloved pipes nnaer their arms, ready on a moment’s notice -to skirl away like modern Orpheuaes. These last are much honoured and respected by all true Caledonians, who look with a dancing eye upon their mazy dances, and listen with enchanted ear to the pibroch or the reel ■which the bagpipes, produce. Apart from them, however, one sees nearly all the guid people.of the city within the select circle of the roped ring, who, having kept Hogmanay in colonial fashion, are busily shaking hands with every' newcomer, wishing him “A Happy New Year,” and mayhap having "a crack about auld lang syne.” Outside the green space enclosed by the ropes for the oompe 1 iters, and fringing the circle, are crowds of people—men, women, and chil dren. The grandstand and the steps leading to it, and the slopes to its right and l=ft, are covered with people also, mostly of the female gender, arrayed as is their wont in lively-coloured dresses and most bewitching head-gear. Consider the dork green backing of the trees that hedge the reserve, and say, do you like the picture f Yesterday’s gathering, was certainly one of the best in all respects that the Society has held. Speaking generally, one would judge these festivals by the closeness of the competitions, tho excellence or otherwise of the management, and the attendance of spectators-; and in all these respects everything was just as satisfactory as could be. During the morning and up till lunch about 2000 people paid for admission, but the afternoon brought a great accession, until at 4 o’clock the attendance was certainly not leas than 0000. The management of the sports was all that could be desired. All the officers worked energetically, and the übiquitous President (Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald) who was also president of sports, had everything worked upon an excellent system. The competition generally was keen, and the handicapping all round was proved to have been very well judged. Tho Caledonian Grand Handicap, of four events, was, of coarse, the event of the day, £37 In cash and a gold medal being given away for It. The handicap was won by G. Newth, who hails from Palmerston North. He won the one hundred and two hundred and twenty yards stages, and finished third in the four hundred and forty yards heat. The other beat - the half mile—was won by R. H. Whisker. Newtb, who scored 13 points, takes the special prize of j£s and gold medal (which is to be won.twice in succession at the Society’s gatherings), W. R. Maokay was second with seven points, and R. H. Whisker tli(rd with 6. The winner, it may be mentioned, was trained by T. Willis, of Palmerston North, who also trained. who' won. the Handicap last year. The bagpipe tnnaic was of a first-class style, numerous distinguished musicians from other partsof the Colony being present. The principal prize-takers in this part of the programme were Messrs T. Maokay, of Amberley, and G. Robertson, of Ashburton. They were also the moat successful competitors in the dancing. T. Maokay also won th.e President’s gold medal for the competitor scoring the most points. Having wen the trophy twice in succession, it now becomes his own property. Decidedly a feature of tho day was the tug-of-war, in which eleven members of the Committee met a team of all comers—a team, look you, of well-conditioned, stalwart young men, the like of Which could hold their own anywhere. Of how the ten Galedorians (who included two ex-Mayors in their number) grappled the rope, put their heels into the ground, and lay back to await the impending crisis; how they maintained their own for one fleeting second and then gave way, who shall sing in Homeric strain ? Like tho Grecian wrestlers—

Defiled with honourable dust they roll. Still breathing strife4kid unsubdued of soul. At the second time of asking they made a most heroic stand, and for one minute it was pull devil, pull, baker, for neither had the advantage. Youth and condition told, however, and science fell while brute stiength stood. A most enjoyable day’s amusement was brought to a conclusion shortly before 6 o’clock with the Consolation Handicap. Mention should bo made of Mr Gray’s Band, who were stationed in the rotunda, and who provided very, good music during the day. The usual booths for the sale of liquid and solid refreshments were on the ground, and •were all well patronised, though not sufficiently to lead to unpleasant consequences. A capital luncheon was served for the members of the Committee and other officials, at - the Caledonian Hotel (Mr Cloggio’s), Following are details of the sports: Maiden Hurdle Race, 120 yards, 10 ' hurdles. Prizes, £3, £2, and £l. First heat —WV Pyke, -1; W. Brannigan, 2. Second heat—H. Arnold, 1; W. S. Whiteman, 2. Final heat—H, Arnold, I ; W. Brannigan, 2; W. S. Whiteman, 3. Won easily. Maiden Flat Race, 100 yards (amateurs only). Prize, a trophy presented by the Wellington Tramway Company, value £3 3s,- 0. J. Hickson, 1; J. E, Hume, 2. These were the only starters, and Hickson ■won by three, or four yards. Patting the Stone (221 b). Prize, £3, £2, and £l.—W. Welch, 31ft lOin, 1; MoFarlane, 31ft Sin, 2 ; Love, 30ft, 3. Bagpipe Music, Pibrooha and Laments, prize, £5, £2, and £1. —T. Mackay (Amberley), ! ; G. Robertson (Ashburton), 2 ; J. Gair (Marton), 3. There was one other competitor, Caledonian Grand Handicap.— Four events, special prize for most points £5 and gold medal, the latter to be won twice in succession before becoming the absolute pro perty of a competitor.—First stage 100 yards, prizes, £5, £2, and£l. First heat— J. Watte (7yds), 1; T. Murray (Syds), 2. Won by four yards. Second heat—P. J. Fitzsimmons (Byds), 1; T. G. Dean (Byds), 2. Won by a foot. Third heat—J. Mackay (syds), 1 ; W. F, Brannigan (4yds), 2. Won by a yard. Fourth beat—G. Newlh (oyda), 1 ; R. H. Whisker (syds), 2. Won easily. Final heat—G. Newth (syds), 1; J. Watts (7yds', 2} W. F. Brannigan (4yd?), 3. Newth won by a couple of feet after a grand race; Brannigan a good third. Bagpipe Music (matches). Prizes, £5, £2; and £l.—G. Robertson, 1; T. Mackay, 2; B. Gallie (Mareakakaho Station, Hawkea Bay}, 3. ‘ • •• Running High Jump. Prizes, £3, £2, and Troy, CXt7u>, i j D. McFittiaue, oit

6in, 2. This event resolved itself into a match between the first two. Caledonian Grand Handicap (second stage, 220yds). Prizes, £5, £2, and £l. - First beat —W. R. Mackay (syds), I; J. Welland (Byds), 2. Won easily. Second heat—G. Newth (9yds), I; W. F. Brannigan (Byds), 2. Kewth and Brannigan practically had the race to themselves, and the former won on sufferance by a couole of yards. Third heat—F. M. Leokie (Syds), 1; -G. Beid (Byds), 2. Won easily. Final heat—G. Newth (9yds), 1; W. F. Brannigan (Byds), 2; W, R., Mackay (syds), 3. This was a fine race between the first three, who finished very close together. Time, 23 2-sth sec. Tossing the Caber. Prizes, £3, £2, and £l. —D. McFarlano, 1; J. Scott, 2; W. Welsh, 3. Hurdle Race, 120yds, 10 hurdles. Prizes, £3, £2, and £l.—W. Arnett (scratch), 1 ; W, F. Brannigan (Syds), 2; T. Simpson (scratch), 3. Won by a couple of yards. Time, 18£seo. Wrestling, Border style. Prizes, £7, £3, and £1 10s.—This contest passed off rather tamely. J. O’Brien, of Napier, threw_ D. Fergusson, of Wellington, twice, and Ellison was cross-buttocked twice by J. W, Scott, of Blenheim. O’Brien and Scott met to decide who should take first' prize, and O’Brien put his opponent down twice easily. The contest for third prize was between Ellison and Fergusson, and was won rather easily t-y Ellison. The result was therefore O’Brien, 1 ; Scott, 2-j Ellison, 3. A Tug of War.—Eleven a side, for a prize of £5, between a team representing the Caledonian Society, and captained by Mr W. M. Blair, and a team of nil comers, who were captained by D. Love (a Native) wa.s won by the latter. Vaulting with Pole. Prizes £3 and £1 10s. —D. McFarlane (9fb7i«n), 1; J. Mackay (9ft 4>in), 2; B. Glasgow, 3. Four competed. Quoits. Prizes £4, £2, and £l. Murphy, 1 ; J. Mann, 2 ; W. Ransom, 3. Twelve competed. Long Jump (amateurs only). Prize, trophy value £3 3s. —J. M. King (2Cft 2in), 1, H. W. Batger and J. E. liutne also competed. Bagpipe Music (in costume), Reels. Prizes, £5, £2, and £l.—T. Mackay, 1; J. Robertson, 2 ; I). Gallie, 3. Four competed. Bagpipe Music (in costume), Strathspeys. Prizes,’ £5, £2, and £1. —G. Robertson, 1; T. Mackay, 2; D. Gallie, 3. Four competed. Grand Highland Reel (in costume). Prizes, £5, £2, and £l.—T. Mackay, 1; A. McKenzie (Ashburton), 2 ; G. Laing (Pitone), 3,

Sword Dance, in Highland Costume (men). Prizes, £5, £2, and £1. —T. Mackay, 1: A. McKenzie, 2 ; D. Gallie, 3. Sword Dance, in Highland Costume (boys'. Prizes, £2, £1 and 10s. —E. Moon, 1; A. Moon, 2; M. Moon, 3. All the competitors came from Marton. Caledonian Gkand Handicap (third event), 440 yards. Prizes, £5, £2. £1 —W. R. Mackay (15yds), 1 ; P, M. Leckie (12yds), 2;G. Newth (12yds), 3. Seven others ran. Gormley' (20yds) led for about 200yds, when he was passed by Leckie, who maintained bis lead until about 40yds from home, when Mackay, who was running ‘ very strongly, passed him, and eventually won by about a yard, Newth being third, a few yaxds behind Leckie. Time, 52 2-sth sec.

• Beat Dressed Boy in Highland Costume. Prizes, £1 10s and ss—J. McKenzie (Gordon tartan), 1. Best Dressed Man in Highland Costume. Prize!, * trophy, value £2 2a—A, McKenzie (McKenzie tartan), 1. Three competed. Highland Fling in Costume (men); Prizes, £5, £2 and £l—T. Mackay, 1; G. Laing, 2; A. McKenzie, 3. Slowßicyole Race, 100yds (extra event). Prizes, £2 and £l.—T. B. Ellison, 1; N. Grubb, 2 j W. M. Pearson, 3. Throwing the Hammer, 161bs. Prizes, £3, : £2, £l,—J. Jackson (84ft Sin), 1 ; D. MoFarlane (83ft 6in), 2; J. O’Brien (80ft 6in), 3. Six competed, ■ . Highland Fling (boys) in costume. Prizes, ; £2, £1 and 10s.—W. Miller (Pitone), 1 ; A. Moon, 2 ; E. Moon,'3. Mile Handicap; prizes, £5, .£3, and £2. —W. L. Whiteman (25yds), 1; F. Wall (90yds), 2 ; C. D. Morpeth (20yds), 3. Eight others ran. Wall led until about 50yds from the post, when Whiteman passed him. Won by 3 yards. Morpeth, who came very fast at the finish, was third, 2 yards behind Wall. Time,.4min 40seo. - Seauntreus Dance in Costume. Prizes, £3, £2, and £l—D. Gallie, 1; T. Mackay, 2; J, Calder (Ashburton), 3. Five competed. Bicycle Handicap Race, 3 miles. Prizes, £6, £3, and £2.—W. M. Pearson, 37in Club Safety (300yds), 1 ; T. R. Ellison, 54in Special Club (scratch), 2; N. Grubb, 52in Singer Roadster (200yds), 3. These ware the only starters. Ellison passed Grubb after going two miles and a half, but he was unable to catch Pearson, who won amidst groat excitement by about 10 yards. Time, 13min 1 sth sea.

Caledonian Grand Handicap (fourth event) 880yds.—R. H. Whisker (scratch), 1 ; W. L. Whiteman (20yds), 2; W. Pyke (20yds), 3. Twelve started. Won by half a yard, after a capital race. Time, 2min 6 l-sth sec.

Consolation Handicap, 300yds.—R. O. Jarrett (syds), 1 ; H. C Saunders (20yds), 2. Seven started;