OAMARU CALEDONIAN SPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18750, 2 January 1923, Page 8

OAMARU CALEDONIAN SPORTS

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. (Frov Oub Own Correspondent.' OAMAEU, January 1. The third annual gathering of the resuscitated North Otago Caledonian Society was held to-day on the A. and F l . Association’s show ground, and was a pronounced success, thought it started under very unpropitious condit'ons. The morning came in with a lieht rain with tho appearance of developing into something worse, and spoiling the meeting. but though occasional light showers fell at intervals during the afternoon, when proceedings were commenosd tho rain was insufficient to damp the ardour of those immediately conrened or deter the public from attending. Later in the rain disappeared, and for the rest of tho afternoon the weather was just about ideal for outdoor sports. The consequence was that the attendance was tolly up to that of last year, while the increased charge for admission gave better gate receipts and other sources o finconio gave better returns, so that the financial results wore high satisfactory. As to the sports, though not productive of anything remarkable, they were most enjoyable, Large entries had been received for well nigh every event on a long and comprehensive programme. Thin was specially marked in connection with the running events, which had the effect of adeling greatly to the length of the programme owing to the necessity for splitting the items into boats, the consequence being that for over five hours things were kept going merrily, thougli at times from two to four events were simultaneously in progress. The piping and danc’ng division of the programme was very full, so that bagpipe music monopolised tha greater part of the time in one form or another, and few opportunities were afforded for hearing the Municipal Band which was in attendance. The committee had made admirable arrangements, and these were well carried out by the stewards, the result being that no dull moment was allowed to intervene. Tha handicapping generally was good, and in nearly every track event a close and exciting finish was witnessed, some being so close that the judges pronounced dead heats for places. The chief event of the day—the 120 Yards Caledonian Handicap—with its long list of acceptors, was particularly ■noteworthy for the manner in which it caught on. All the Imlbdozen preliminary heats were well contested, and so too wore the semi-finals, while decision in the final was reduced to a question of inches. It was much the same with all the other running events up to the mile, without exception. The bicycle races also produced exciting finishes. A particularly interesting item was the primary schools’ race, in which five schools were represented, and which was won for the first time by a town team, tin Oamant North quartet gaining the verdict on fl. good contest. -'-I! I J!ESSI-i"*T!3 , ia