CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S ANNUAL GATHERING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2080, 4 January 1894, Page 19

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S ANNUAL GATHERING.

President: Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R. Vicepresidents : Mr W. J. Moore and Mr C. F Greenslade. Hon. treasurer: Mr W. Swan. Superintendent : Mr J. H. Chapman. Starter: Mr Notman. Official handicapper : Mr W. J. Burk. Quoiting handicapper: Mr J. Wedderspoon. Bicycle handicapper: Mr J. M 'Don aid. Hammer handicapper: Mr J. Samson. Official timekeeper : Mr E. Hogg. Director of music : Mr T. Chapman. First Day. The thirty-second annual gathering of the Caledonian Society of Otago was opened at the society's grounds on Monday morning. At first it was feared there was a very large falling off in the attendance, but when the weather I improved in the afternoon it was patent tl at the popularity of the society's sports is not declining. As compared with the attendance on the opening day of 1893 there was a falling off, but this was clearly due to the inclemency of the weather. The programme of sports was complete and so far as their management was concerned there was no ground for faultfinding. There was plenty of good music, the Dunedin Ordnance Band, under Mr Coombs, being in attendance, besides which the bagpipes were kept going merrily enough from time to time. Then there was no wasting time, and the long programme was through very shortly after 5 o'clock. It is estimated that fully 5000 people attended during the afternoon ; and amongst the visitors present was the Rev. Dr Stuart, who was heartily welcomed on behalf of the society by its president, his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. S. Fißh). Taken as a whole, the sports were of a very satisfactory character. As formerly, much interest centred in the bicycle races, in which there was good competition. The Five-mile Open Race was remarkably good, and was run in the fastest time of any ordinary race at sports in this colony, being only two seconds under the New Zealand record time. It was won by a visitor from Timaru, with Dunedin men close up as second and third. The time proves that the Caledonian track is one of the best in the colony. There was a splendid contest in the Three-mile Open Race, the men finishing within a foot of each other ; but the Mile Handicap was somewhat disappointing, as a new beginner got in and won easily on his handicap. The foot racing was also remarkably good ; indeed, taken altogether, it was much better than usual. All the heats in the 100 yds Handicap were close, and the final was won by 3in. The Mile Race also resulted in a very close finish. In the walking races the scratch men were over-handicapped, and when they saw they could not reach the others they practically gave in ; the time of the scratch man being 14min 50sec, and the race was won in 13min 36sec. The three Sydney runners (Werry, Francis, and Morrisey) proved to be as good men as any we have had as visiting competitors. The wrestling was also good, and for many the bagpipe music and the dancing proved very entertaining. The various events resulted as follows : — Caledonian Handicap, 100 yds; 10s given to winners of heat 3 (prize takers excepted). Prizes, jCIO, £5, £3. FIRST SERIES OP HEATS. First Heat.— A. Francis (6Jyds) 1, A. E. Walker (3Jyda) 2. C. Werry (scr), A. J. Woodley (7yds), R. A. Dutton (74yds), and James Irvine (81yds) also ran. Won by a yard ; a very close race between Walker and Werry for second place. Time, 103-ssec. Second Heat.— M. V. Morrisey (sJyds) 1, T. Clarke (4yds) 2. T. Christie (4yds) and R. B. Lattimer (B£yds) also ran. A close race ; Lattimer a capital third. Time, lOisec. Third Heat.— H. Petrie (7yds) 1, W. Baird(Byds) 2. J. Irvine (6yds), J. Robson (7Jyds), and P. O'Neill (Bsyds) also competed. Won by a yard. Time, lOJsec. Fourth Heat.— F. Symonds (7yds) 1, H. A. Solomon (41yds) 2. J. King (6yds) and T. M'Kersey (9yds) also ran. Won easily. Time, 10 3 ssec Fifth Heat.— T. Tarpey (6yds) 1, T. Brosnahan (7Jyd 8 ) 2. J. Gair (3yds), C. Ladd (4Jyds), H. J. Coombe (BJyds), and A. E. Thomson (lOJyds) also ran. Won by a yard, Brosnahan being about half a yard in front of Gair. Time, lOJsec. SECOND SERIES OF HEATS. First Heat.— A. Francis (61yds) 1, M. V. Morrisey (sJyds) 2, H. Petrie (7yds) 3. A. E. Walker (3Jyds) and T. Clarke (4yds) also ran. Won by half a yard ; a very close contest between Monisey and Petrie for second place. Time, lOJsec. Second Heat.— T. Tarpey (6ydt>) 1, F. Symonds (7yds) 2, T. Brosnahan (Hyde) 3. H. A. Solomon (4Jyds) and W. Baird (Byds) also ran. Won by a couple of feet ; the rest almost in a cluster. Time, lOisec. FINAL HEAT. A. Francis, 6Jyds 1 T. Tarpey, 6yda 2 M. V. Morrisey, siyds 3 H. Petrie (7yds), F. Symonds (7yds), and T. Broanahan (7iyds) also ran. Won by a foot, Morrisey a capital third, and the rest all close up. Time, lO^ec. Youths' Handicap Walking Rack. One mile. For youths under 16 years of age. Prizes, £2, £1, 10s.— M. Keys 1, W. Craig 2, R. Wilson 3. W. D Corson, J. Hendrick, J. M'Ledowney, and F Smith also competed. Won by about 20yds, the same distance separating second and third. Time, 7min 47sec Caledonian Handicap, 3£oyds. 10s given to the winners of heats (prize winners excepted). First Heat. -A. Francis (11yds) 1, A. E. Walker (10yds) 2. C. Ladd (Byds) and W. Baird (18yds) also ran. A very close race. Time, 41sec. Second Heat.— C. Werry (scratch) 1, J. Gair' (Byds) 2. T. Clarke (10yds) and T. Brosnahan (12yds) also ran. Won by half a yard ; Gair winning second honours by a couple of incheß. Time, iOsec. Third Heat.— M. V. Morrisey (9yds) 1, A. E. Thomson (19yds) 2. R. A. Dutton (18yds) and J. Robson (22yds) also ran. A good race between first and second. Time, 40Jsec. FINAL HEAT. C. Werry, scr 1 A. FraDcis, 11yds 2 M. V. Morrisey, 9yds "... 3 Werry got the best of the pistol by three or four yards, and in the straight he took command. Francis made a good bid for first honours, But lost the place by a few inches. Morrisey was a fair third. Time, 38isec. Bicycle Handicap. One mile (open). Tro phies, value £2 2s and £1 Is.— T. Maw (65yds) T JR. Crow (40yds) 2. C. E. T. Hall (scr), R. M'Kenzie (30yds), J. Whelan (40yds), S. M'Donald (55yds), J. A. Taylor (85yds), E. Morgan (110 yds), J, Currie (120 yds), and F. Harraway (200 yds) al«)

competed. This was a rattling race from start to fiuish. -In the last lap Maw took a strong lead and won easily from Crow, M'Donald was third, and Hall fourth. Time, 2min 3315e0. Handicap Walking Race. Two miles. Pnzas, £5 £2, £I.— A. Crichton (2Soyds) 1, R. Fordyce (230 yds) 2, T. W. Leslie (scr) 3. F. W. Bowen (scr) also competed. With three laps to go Dunn retired, and Fordyce was than leading, with Crichton a yard behind him. Then came Leslie, about 200 yards in the rear, and Bowen struggled on gamely 40 yards behind the Wellington representative. In the last lap Fordyce was still leading, but in the straight he was tackled by Crichton, who walked very pluckily and pulled off the race by less than a foot. These two were completely done out at the finish. Leslie came in j third, a long way behind Fordyce, and Bowen did i not finish. Time, 13min 36sec. I Handicap Hurdle Race, 410 yds. Prizes, £G, £3, £2.— R. B. Latfcimer (23yds) 1, M. V. Morrißey (14yds) 2, N. G. Binnie (15yds) 3. N. Parker (18yds) and R. J. Rodgers (21yds) also ran. Won by half a dozen yards, the same distance between second and third. Time, 59sec. Obstacle Race, twice round the ring. Prizes, £3, £2, £L— P. M'Donald 1, H. A. Solomon 2. N. G. Binnie 3. C. W. Bowie also competed. Won by a dozen yards. Time, 3min 41sec. Handicap Bicycle Race. Three miles (open). Trophies, value £3 and £I.— R. Crow (70yds) 1, T. Maw (220 yds) 2, A. Marshall (280 yds) 3. There also competed : O. E. T. Hall (scr), R. M'Kenzie (50yds), E. Godward (90yds), J. Whelan (110 yds), J. A. Taylor (260 yds), and J. Currie (350 yds). At half the distance Crow was leading, with Marshall, Maw, Whelan, and Taylor close up in that order, the others being a long way behind : and entering the last lap Crow still led, Maw being second, Marshall, Taylor, and Whelan following next. A desperate race ensued, but Crow managed to hold out well, and won comfortably, with M aw second, Marshall third, Whelan fourth, and Taylor fifth. The others were over a hundred yards behind. Time, Bmin 6sec. Seauntueus. Prizes, £3, £% £I.— J. D. S. Burt, 1, J. Murray 2, H. Bills 3. E. Bills and A. B. Christison also competed. Youths' Handicap Race, 350 yds. Prizes, £1 10s, £1, and 103.— C. Cook (10yds) 1, T. Fogarty (36yds) 2, H. Morrell (18yds) 3. Also started : F. Williams (14yds), C. Irvine (7yds), C. Jensen (10yds), C. M'Donald (20yds), and J. H. Morrell (scr). Won by a j ard ; Morrell a good third. Bicycle Handicap. Two milea (roadsters). Prizes, trophies valued £2 10s and £I.— T. Harraway (390 yds) 1, J. Currie (lbOyds) 2, A. Marshall (110 yds) 3. Also started : R. M'Kenzie (tcr), It, Crow (30yds), E. Morgan (120 yds). Harraway "walked in," winning by over 100,ds. Currie, amidst great excitement, beat Marshall by less than a foot for second place. Crow and M'Kenzie were close up. Time, smin 36ses. Throwing the 16lb Hammer (standing), Tossing the Caber, and Putting the 221b Ball (to be decided by points) Prizes £7, £4, £2. Throwiog the Hammer.— J. Stark, jun. (90ft 7in) 1, D. Reid (87ft S.n) 2, A. Skinner (87ft sin) 3. 11. Thompson also competed. Tossing the Caber.— Stark (39ft 7in) 1, Reid (38ft 9in) 2, Skinner (34ft) 3. Thompson also competed. Putting the Ball.— Stark (31ft 6jin) I, Skinner (28ft 10.1 in) 2, Reid (24ft lliu) 3. Thompson also competed. AGGREGATE POINTS. J. Stark, jun. (2J3 points) 1 A. Skinner (214 points) 2 D. Reid (213 points) 3 Grand Wrestling Cojipetition (list and under), three styles— Border, Cornish and Devonshire, and Catch-as-catch-can. Best of three in each style. Standards, 10a (prize takers excepted). Prizes, £6, £3, £2. BORDER STYLE. First Round. Stood. Fell. M. Stevenson J. Riddell W. Riddell B. Hcaro M. Powley T. Churchill R. Powley J. M'Arthur. CORNISH AND DEVONSHIRE STYLE. First Round. M. Powley B. Hoare M. Stevenson W. Riddell R. Powley J. Riddell J. M'Arthur T Churchill CATCH-AS-CATCH-CAN STYLE. First Round. J. Riddell B. Hoare M. Powley J. M'Arthur K. Powley W. Riddell M. Stevenson T. Churchill Sailor's Hornpipe (in costume). Prizes, £2 10s, £1 103, £I.— T. Wood 1, A. B. Christison 2, H. Bills 3. Three others competed. Highland Fling (in costume). Prizes, £2 10s, £1 10s, £I.— J. D. S. Burt 1, H". Bills 2, J. Murray , 3. E Bills. A. B. Chrintison, D. Kilgour, and D. M'lntosh also competed. Caledonian Wheel Race. Five miles (scratch). Prizes, trophies value £4, £2, and £I.— C. E. T. Hall (Timaru Tourists) 1, R. M'Kenzie (0.C.C.) 2, R. Crow (D.C.C ) 3. Also started: T. Maw (0.C.C.), E. Godward (O.C.C), J. Whelan (Timaru Tourists), S. M'Donald (Oamaru Rovers). Crow started with the lead, closely followed by Hall, M'Kenzie, Godward, M'Donald, Whelan, and Maw in that erder, For the greater part of the journey that position was never changed, but after going half the distance Maw retired. Hall and Crow were making the pace very warm, and a number of the knowing ones were of the opinion that, if the riders kept racing the way they were, the five-mile record of New Zealand would be broken. With a mile to go Crow still had command over Hall, who appeared to be riding a very patient race. Just as the bell rang for the last lap the Timaru champion shot past Crow and was never headed, winning by fully a dozen yards from M'Kenzie, who was about a machine length in front of Crow. Godward was fourth, Whelan fifth, and M'Donald last. Time, 13min 47sec, which breaks the previous New Zealand record of 14min ssec made by Reynolds, of Auckland. One-mile Running Handicap. Prizes. £5, £3, £I.— A. Burk (65yds) 1, A. Francis (40yds) 2, W. M. Livingston (10yds) 3. Also started : W. M'Donald (scr), N. G. Binnie (10yds), G. Miller (bsyds), A. Spiers (75yd3), W. J. S. Hobbs (85yds), N. W. Head (95yds), A. E. Hobbs (95ydB). Coming up the straight Francis passed Burk and was winning, but when two or three yards frcm home he completely collapsed, and Burk won on the tape. Time, 4m in 33sec. Second Day. On the second day the weather was more promising, and the attendance materially improved. It is estimated that not less than 6000 persons visited the grounds. All arrangements made by the committee and officers of the society were carried out s»tisf actorily, and there was no hitch in the proceedings. Again much interest was shown in the cycling events and in the wreßtling. The wind was unfavourable to very high rates of speed beiug attained in any of the races, but the results show thafa the pace was by no means slow, but in many instances, when due allowance is made for the drawback mentioned, was really extraordinary. The events duriDg the day resulted as follows :—: — Grand Wrestling Competition (list and under, three styles— Border, Cornish and Devonshire, and Catch-as-catch-can. Best of three in each Btyle. Standards, 100 (prize takers excepted). Prizes, £6, £3, £2. M. Powley 1 R. Powley 2 M. Stevenson 3 These three, having stood in each style on Monday, wiestled olf for first, second, and third money, with the above result. In the Border style R. Powley threw Stevenson, and M. Powley was odd man. Then in Cornish and Devonshire M. Powley threw Stevenson, It. Powley being odd man, and in Catch-as catch-can the result was the fame, M. Powley throwing Stevenson, with R. Powley odd man. The Powleys then met for jirst and second places, and M. Powley threw his brother in each style. Grand Wrestling Competition, for all-comers in three styles — Border, Cornish and Devonshire, and Catch-as-catch-can. Separate prizes to be given for each btyle. Prizes : Border — £5, i £3, £2 ; Cornish and Devonshire - £5, £3, £2 ; J Catch-as-catch-can— £s, £3, £2.

MOUDER SIYLE. First Round. M. Powley A. LitolfF R. Thompson J. Riddell R. Powley R. J. Scott J. Nyhon J. M'Arthur. T. Churchill- won from B. Hoare, who declined to wrestle, as he was slightly hurt. Second Round. R. Powley J. Nyhon M. Powley R. Thompson T. Churchill, odd man. Final Round. R. Powley M. Powley. R. Powley was therefore declared the winner, and M. Powley beat T. Churchill for second money. Youths' Handicap Obstacle Race.— Twice round the ring. Prizes, £1 10s. £1, 10s. C. M'Donald (30yds) 1 ; C. Cook (15yds) 2 ; J. H. Morrell (scr) 3. M. Keyes (18yds) also ran. A good race. Won by a few yards. Time, 3min 57sec. Dunedin Handicap, 220 yds ; 10s given to winners of heats (prize takers excepted). Prizes, £8, £4, £2. First Heat.— H. Petrie (18Jyds) 1, C. Werry (scr) 2. P. E. Wilson (12ydB) and H. A. Solomon (16yds) also ran. Won by a yard, Werry succeeding in getting second place by half a yard from Solomon. Time, 24Jsec. Second Heat.— T. Brosnahan (18Jyds) 1, J. Gair (12yds) 2. W. Baird (2Hyds), R. J. Rodgers (21iyds), and R. A. Dutton (21Jyds) also ran. A grand race. Won by a few feet. Time, 24sec. Third Heat.— A. Harrison (21Jyds) 1, T. Tarpey (16yds) 2. J. Irvine (15yds), C. Ladd (17yds), and Jamea Irvine (lSJyds) also ran. A capital race ; won with a, little to spare. Time, 24£ sec. Fourth Heat.— A. E. Walker (9iyds) 1, A. E. Thomson (21yds) 2 J. King (15£ydf) also competed. Won by half a yard. Time 24Jsec. FINAL HEAT. T. Tarpey, 16yds 1 H. Petrie, 18iyds 2 A. E. Walker, 9Jyds 3 C. Werry (scr), T. Brosnahan (18} yds), J. Gair (12ydB), and A. Harrison (21ids)also ran. A grand race from start to finish. In the straight Werry made a desperate effort to catch his men, but Tarpey, Petrie, and Walker managed to keep ahead of him— the Christchurch representative winning by a couple of inches from Petrie, who was only a few inches from Walker. Werry was fourth, and the others were all in a line, half a yard behind. Time, 23 4-ssec. Bicycle Handicap. One mile (roadster) Trophies, value £2 2s (presented by Mr J. Allen, M.H.ilt.) and £1 Is (by Mr J. Braithwaite).— J. A. Taylor (85yds) I, A. Marshall (70yds) 2, D. M'Leod (100 yds) 3. The other starters were : R. Crow (scr), J. Currio (90yds). E. Morgan (100 yds), H. Smeaton (160 yds). This was won by about 30 yards, with M'Leod a good third. There was a strong wind blowing, and so the speed was materially diminished. Currie fell at the first round and had no chance afterwards, and after making another round retired. The scratch man was not placed, and though he made up a good part of his handicap he really had no chance to win, and finished fifth. Time, 2min 49sec. Sword Dance. Prizes, £3, £2, and £I.— J. Murray and J. M'Kechnie (equal) 1, H. Bills 3. The other competitors were : E. Bills, J. D. S. Burt, A. B. Christison, and D. Kilgour. Handicap Walking Race. One mile. Prizes : I £4, £2, and £I.— A. Crichton (95yds) 1, W. Brown (90yds) 2, W. Dunn (105 yds) 3. The other competitors were : R. Fordyce (80yds), W. Parsons (80yds), C. Gardner (Ssyds), W. T. Smith (05yds), J. E. Guest (100 yds), J. Lawless (150 yds). D. A. i Mitchell (170 yds), A. Campbell (180 yds), A. A. Cameron (180 yds), and A. Findlay (190 yds). Crichton, who has greatly improved, won by about a yard, and there was about 20 yards distance between the second and third men. 11. Fordyce (80yds) was a good fourth, the scratch man, who walked strongly and well, was fifth, and F. W. Bo wen (20yds) was sixth. The distance men were soon disposed of, but Leslie was quite unable to make up his handicap. The scratch man's time was 6in in 52sec, or 28: ec more than the winner's time. There was a first-rate finish between Crichton and Brown. Time, 6min 24sec. Dunedin Handicap, 440 yds ; 10s given to winners of heats. Prizes— £B, £4, and £2. First Heat.— H. Petrie (25yds) 1, L. O'Driscoll (37yds) 2. R. A. Dutton (26yds) also started, but did not finish. Won by about a yard. Seven of those who had entered did not start. Second Heat. — C. Werry (scr) 1. Brosnahan (24yds) 2. J. Gair (12yds) and N. G. Binnie (30yds) also competed. The race was an excellent one, Werry winning on the tape. Time, 51 3-ssec. I Third Heat.— C. Ladd (23yds) 1, T. Morrisey 1 (scr) 2. There were only two starters. Time, j 57sec, FINAL. Morriaey, syds 1 T. Brosnahan, 24yds 2 Ladd and Petrie did not compete. O'Driscoll (37yds) was a good third, and Werry came in a close fourth. The pace was very fast, and Morrisey had all he could do to win. Time, 52sec. Grand Wrestling Competition, lOdt aud under. Two styles — Border and catch-as-catch-can. Prizes, £4, £2, and £1. M. Powley ... 1 W. Riddell 2 T. Churchill 3 In the Border style Churchill gave the fall to Riddell, and M. Powley had a bye. M. Powley then threw Riddell. In catch-as- catch-can Powley threw Riddell, and Churchill had a bye. M. Powley then met Churchill, and threw him, the final result being as stated above. Bicycle Handicap Race. Three miles (open). Trophies, value £3 (presented by Mesßrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen), £2 (by Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co.), £1 (by Mr Melville).— C. E. T. Hall (scr) 1, R. Crow (50yds) 2, T. Maw (180 yds) 3. The other starters were : J. Currie (400 yds), J. A. Taylor (300 yds), J. Whelan (120 yds), E. R. Godward (120 yds), and 11. M'Kenzie (70yds). This was one of the most exciting events of the day. There were 10 entries, and eight starters. At the fifth lap J. Whelan (120 yds) retired, R. M'Kenzie (70yds) followed two laps afterwards, and J. Currie (40yds) gave in at the ninth round. Subsequently it became known that M'Kenzie, whose prospects were good, had retired in consequence of one of the tires of his machine having been punctured by some sharp metal thrown on the track. The remaining competitors ran close together, but Hall soon took up third place ; this was changed j for second at the last round, and in the straight, 20yds from home, he passed Crow, and won by about a yard. Maw was a close third, and E. 11. Godward a close fourth. Time, Bmin 38cec. Two-mile .Handicap. Prizes : £6, £3, and £1. — W. M. Livingston (20yds) 1, N. G. Binnie (60yds) 2, A. Spiers (165 yds) 3. The other competitors were : W. M'Donald (20yds), A. Burk (75yds), J. C. M'Donald (85yds), K. J. Moreland (100 yds), A. E. Hobbs (185 yds), and W. J. S. Hqbbs (200yd8). At two laps from home Spiers was leading, with Livingston second, Binnie third, aud Burk fourth. The race was practically between these four, who were running close together, the other competitois being scattered and their chances nil. In the final round Livingston came to the front, and led to the tape, winning by about 12 yards, with Binnie second, and Spiers third. Time, lOmin lsec.

Irish Jig.— Dickey 1, T. Wood 2, J. M'Kechnie 3. The other competitors were : E. Bills, H. Bills, A. B. Christison, J. Murray. Bicycle Handicap, ten miles (open). . Firstclass limit, 50yds per mile. Trophies, value £6, £3, £1. £5 5s (presented by Mr H. S. Fish), £22s (presented by Messrs A. aud T. Inglis), £1 Is (presented by Mr R. S. Stedman), and £1 Is (pre-sented-by Me-srs Butterworth Bros.— A. Marshall (500 yds) J, O. E. T. Hall (scr) 2, K. Crow (50yds) 3. For this event there were 10 entries and six starters. R. M'Kenzie, J. Whelan, G. Wilson, and J. Currie were scratched. Shortly after starling the tire of T. Maw's (250 yds) machine burst and he gave in. J. A- Taylor (500 yds) gave in at the fifteenth lap, thus leaving the track to four competitors. Marshall, who had the advantage of a lap, maintained the high rate of speed with which be started, and the competitors ran nearly the whole distance close together, changing their places from time to time. When some seven miles had been run it wa3 apparent that the distance man

would win, and indeed he was within a lap of home before be was left. At this stage the others forged ahead, and Marshall went steadily, winning by fully half a lap. There was a grand race for second place, and this was gained by the scratch man with 12yds to spare, It. Crow being second, and E. Godward fourth. Time, 28min 25sec.

Reel of Tulloch. Prizes : Trophies value £2 103 and £1 Is (by Mosgiel Woollen Factory and Mr M'Kay.— J. Murray and J. M'Kechnie (equal). The judges recommended the giving of a second prize to A. B. Christison. H. Bills and J. D. Burt also competed. The sports concluded for the day shortly after 5.30, and will be resumed next Saturday afternoon.