THE CALEDONIAN GAMES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1323, 7 April 1877, Page 17

THE CALEDONIAN GAMES.

The Easter sports of the Caledonian Society were held at the Caledonian Grounds on the 2nd under most favourable auspices, the weather being beautiful, and the attendance of the public good, there being upwards of 4000 people present. Owing to the recent rains, the ground was sloppy in places, and an inner running ring was formed, 220 yards in length, instead of using the ordinary one. The games began at an early hour, and the long programme provided was got through by six o'clock, the Committee and Judges allowing no time to be lost in getting off tbe various events. The entries were large, and most of the good local men competed in each department of sport. The wrestling was the best that has been seen here lor years, owing to the good form shown by Dagg, of Cromwell, but the result of this contest was rather disappointing. In pedestrianism, James Macpherson showed how good he is by fairly running away from all his opponents in the big handicap, while Burke, as usual, took, a very prominent position. Henderson showed better form than he has exhibited of late, but Kurtzman seemed out of condition. The other events do not call for special comment. The following were the results of the various sports : — Grako Easter Monday Handicap, of 220, 330, and 440 yards.— Prizes, £10, £5, and £2. The first, second, and third at each distance to win £3, £2, and £1, and to score six, three, »nd one point respectively ; ■ the highest aggregate winning the £10 prize, the second £5, and the third £2. First Distakcb.— 22o Yards. Points. James Bf acpherson (scratch) ... 1 6 Martin (16 yds) .. .....' 2 2 ' SUnbrook (10yds).. .'. ;. 3— 2 The first heat was won by Stanbrook (10 .yds), James Macpherson (scratch), 2. Time—. 27|? secs * S'urtb.e'second heat, there was a close finish. Burke (3 yds) and Martin (16 yds) breasting the tape together.: ' Time— 26J sees. The third heat proved an easy thing fcr Smith (13 yds) and Scanlan (15 yds), the rest of tbe field being nowhere. Time— 2B sees. In the final heat, Macpherson came through his opponents capitally ; Martin and Stanbrook finishing together for second honours, divided the second and third place, taking two points each. Second Distance.— 33o 'Y.ards. James Micpherson (scratch) .. 1_ q Burke (4 yds) 2 3 Gebbie(Uyds) 3-1 The first heat Burke and Gebbie appropriated easily. Time— 4si sees, In the second heat, Kurtzman (8 yds) looked all over a winner till 80 yards from home, when he shut up suddenly ; Smith (14 yds) and Brooks (10 yds) then came in first and second. Time — 45J eecs. Macpherson spreadeagled his field in the third heat, Gebbie second. Time— 4s sees. The final resulted as above, Macpherson winning by three yards, Gebbie about the same distanca behind Burke* Time— 43^ sees. This decided the first aggregate prize, "Macpherson ljavints scored 12 points. TnmD Distance.— 44o Yards. x, , • r , Points. Burke (scratch) 1 6 Henderson (13 yds) 2 3 Gebbie (12 yds) 3 — 1 In the first heat four started, and Gebbie came in an easy winner, Henderson second. Time, lmin. 23sec. The second heat proved a walk-over for G. Murdoch (12 yds), and Scanlan (18 yds) ; and the thiid heat resulted similarly for Burke and Berraa (14 yds). The final heat produced a good race, Burke winning by a bare yard, and Henderson, who came well at the finish, just shaking off Gebbie for second place. The following is, therefore, the final result of the handicap : — 220 yds. 330 yds. 440 yds. Pts. Jas. Macphereon .. 6 6 .. 12 Burke 0 3 6—9 Henderson . . . . 0 0 3 3 Gebbio .... 0 1 1 — 2 Martin .... 2 0 o—2 Stanbrook .. .. 2 0 0 2 Macpherson took first aggregate prize, Burke second, Henderson third. Wrestling, open to all comers. Prizes, £15, £5, £2. Competitors to wrestle best ot three falls throughout J. Tyson 1 Allen I M'Lachlany 2 Inthi3 event tbe men were pitted according to weight. The contest lost a good deal of its interest through the absence of Robertson, but the names of Tyson, Dagg, and Fothergill, all of whom are well known, were found on the list. Da.gg was pitted against Fotherg'Jl, and immediately on taking hold Fothergill attempted the swing hip on Dagg, but failed, and after a short but severe struggle, Dagg cross-buttocked his opponent. Tyson (champion) then met Ogg, and the judge's declared a throw ia the former's favour. Webster disposed of M'Lacblan, and Allen was not long in cross-buttocking Mace. Henry, odd man, w«is allowed a fall. Dagg then put Fothergill out by throwing him veiy cleverly for the second time, and Ogg agJiiu succumbed to Tyson. M'Lachlan and Allen also disposed of Mace and Henry, and then Tyson aud Da?g met. The tv/o men were soon found to be jnore equally matched than many anticipated,

and after Tyson had swung Dagg off his feet, the latter cleverly cross-buttocked the champion, amidst great cheering. In their next bout Tyson behaved more cautiously, and some time elapsed before they got a proper grip. After a sharp tussle, however. Dagg went down) and the excitement became intense. In the deciding bout, each seemed afraid of tha other, and after slipping their holds two or three times, Dagg gave in without a fall, it being understood that he and Tyson divided the first prize, in the event of the latter throwing Allen and M'Lachlan. These two Tyson threw twice successively, and they divided the second prize. What became of the third we are unable to state. Grand Highland Heil. Prizes, £2, £I, loa. J.Ogg j Buchanan 3 Murray, junr '. "3 Handicap Walkwo Race. Two miles. Prizes £3 €2, £1. ' ' Brooks (30aec.) ,. . i Wells (60sec.) .. .. o Kerr (20sec.'> '" " 0 Carr (scratch) .. .. *" 0 Smith $osec ) .. .. \\ \\ '' q This was perhaps the tamest walking race ever seen in Dunedin, for Smith gave up the contest after going two laps. Carr retired dead beat at a mile and three-quarters, and the three other competitors kept the same distance apart all the way after the first lap or two. Although Brooks won by several yards, he was almost pumped out; in fact all tho starters seemed out of condition. The winner's time was 18min. 135 sec. HORirrrpE. Prfees, £2, £1, 10s. Swan .. .. .... 1 Buchanan .. 9 Smith " " '\ 3 Youths' Walking Race. One mile. Prizes, 15s, 10a „. . 7s, ss. Sheehan .. „ „ #> t Macpherson „ „ " " *' j Leekie ..... " ** " q Burke, R .. .. " " \\ % This race was the usual farce— one little fellow managing to get into second place by dint Ye !7, sus Pi cc i oo s-lookingu s-lookings -looking walking, while the rest plodded gamely round in very fair style Tune, Bmin. 383ec. Ikish Jig. Prizes, £2, £I, los. Buchanan .. . 1 Murray .. .. 9 Swan .. . o cusack .. .. ;; ;; ;; ;; The three prize takers danced very well, but Ousack entertained a far higher opinion of his own qualifications than did the spectators, who earnestly requested that he might be removed trom the dancing stage. Handicap Hurdle Race. 330 yards. Prizes. £3 £2 £1 * * Christie .... 1 Burke .. .. S Stohr .. .. " " ""S. The competitors were handicapped on the ground, and about a dozen started. Christie had a good start, and kept it throughout, but Burke pushed him very hard at the finish, and so well were the men put together that Stohr and another competitor almost made a dead heat for third place. Time, 51Js<3c Sword Dance. Prizes, £2, £I, los. Murray, junr i Gsrs " " 9 CaWweU, junr \\ ." 3