INVEFCARGIIL NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2392, 4 January 1900, Page 21

INVEFCARGIIL NEWS NOTES.

(Feom Otje Own Coekesfondent.) INVERCARGILL, December 27,

Monday and Tuesday were observed as clcse holidays throughout this district, and business has been resumed to-day in only a half-hearted manner. Until this morning the weather remained fine for the holidays. It has again cleared, but remains very "windy. The passenger traffic on the railways has not been great for Christmas time, yet more than sufficient for the accommodation provided by the department, and trains everywhere have been running late, to the great discomfit of passengers and friends awaiting their arrival.

On Sunday the Hon. G. H. Reid, exPremier of New South_Wales, accompanied by his wife, arrived at the Bluff. They were met by the Hon. J. G. Ward and Mrs

Ward, and accorded a welcome to tlie colony. on behalf of the Government. Mr Ward received a hearty we'eome on his return from Wellington on Saturday evening from the citizens of Invercargill, per his Worship the Mayor and a large number' of country folk who, about the time of his arrival, were wending their way to the station to join the various evening trains to the country. His friends and political supporters in the Waikiwi district are tendering him a banquet on January 9.

December 28. Ihe day broke beautifully fine, but early in the forenoon heavy rain began to fall,' and continues. There has been so much interruption of this kind that turnip sowing is far behind. Eeports from the country; state that the rivers are high.

, January 1. -Except for a strong disagreeable wind th» weather for the holidays has been fine. There was a very large attendance at the Southland Caledonian Society's sports to-day, at which the first Championships of the colony, arranged for by united societies, were part of the programme. Those decided to-day were:— Pibrochs— J. K. Cameron 1, D. Cameron 2, A. S. Wilson 3. Throwing 161b hammer — F. Forde, 123 ft lin, 1; E. Tobin and D. T. Manson tied with 104 ft lOin. Running- High Leap— M. Hanley, sft 6in, 1; F. Ford M. R. Bates, and A. Carson tied at sft sin. Half Mile— L. Broad 1, C. Evans 2; time 2min 9sec. Vaulting— F. A. Cowie 1, A. P* Cowie 2. Reel Dancing— J. M'Kenzie Forbes 1, J. M'Kechnie. 2, R. Smith 3. Tossing the Caber— F. Forde 1, W. Robins 2, A. Carlson 3. 120 yds Hurdles, over 10 flights— J. T. May 1, G. H. Harris 2, W. R. Bates 3; time, 17 3-ssec. Border Wrestling— J. M'Fadyen 1, R. J. Scott 2, D. T. Manson 3. 220 yds Race— J. W. Green 1, L. Broad 2. G. H. Harris 3; tinie, 25sec. Highland Fling and Sword Dancing— M'Kenzie Forbes.