NEW YEARS DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2115, 2 January 1880, Page 2

NEW YEARS DAY.

1880 lias been ushered in by the people of Timaru in a loyal warmhearted felicitous manner. There lias been abundance of kindly greetings, music, mirth, and diversions and not a hand has been raised we believe except in friendship. Even the practical jokers for once abandoned their customary exploits, and emulated the example of the more sober-minded by observing the festival with unwonted decorum. Space and time will not permit of our entering into details how the old year was rung out and the new year in amidst showers of rockets, the firing of guns, the solemn peals of church bells, the silent prayers of large congregations, the friendly grasping of hands, the heel and toeing of glasses, the sound of many songs, the skirl of the highland pipes and the more sonorious strains of brass instruments. The peace-lovers could ramble the streets or sleep in their bods with the most perfect tranquility for Timaru was armed to the teeth. Volunteers patrolled in front of their orderly-room, and but for their officers some of the citizens, innocent of the watchword, would have been locked up in the guard-room. Nearly one hundred constables including the armed men from Wellington manned the police depot and were ready at a moments notice to charge any law breakers, not in the usual way before a bench of Magistrates, but at the point of the bayonet. At eight o’clock the artillery men, under Captain Hamerslcy, to the number of 42, including officers, and the cadets, 32 strong, under Captain Jackson, mustered at their headquarters. Some time afterwards the Temuka hides, under Captain Young arrived by train and in company with the artillery corps marched to the police depot and thence to their bead-quarters, where they were met by Mr Beetliam, P.M., Commissioner Weldon, Judge Ward, and several Magistrates. Mr Beetliam paid them a graceful compliment for the alacrity they bad displayed in responding to the call of duty when it was found their services might lie needed. In themeantime the special constables to the number of 350 assembled at the police station, where their left elbows were decorated with bad ges of white tape, and they were armed with “ Manuka persuaders,” or batons, turned out in creditable style _ at Mr Bruce’s wood factory. Forming into rank they marched through the principal streets, singing the National Antem as they went, and Mr Jonas, their commander, putting them through manual and platoon drill

until they complained of that highly infectious ailment extreme thirst. How the antidote was_ applied it is not for us to tell.

THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING. The Caledonian sports were the grand eveihts of the day. A Highland piper in full uniform, followed by several kilted countrymen, and preceded by a bridal turn-out marching from the railway station, proclaimed the gathering. - The Agricultural Show grounds, like the shipping on the blue placid waters of the Timaru roadstead, were resplendent with colors. The red lion rampant of Scotland, in its ground of golden silk, held a central place, supported right and left by the Union Jack and the Harp of Erin. Flags also decorated the fine spacious marquees and booths which Mr Richmond, of the Melville Hotel, and the other caterers had erected. The Caledonian Society’s band enlivened the day’s proceedings by playing with their usual proficiency a number of choice natural selections. Alternating with their music was the strain of the pipes, giving a zest to the grand spectacular effect of the Highland dances. The weather was all that could he desired, and the fair sex mingled with the throng in unusual force. It was computed that at one time nearly 5000 visitors were on the ground, not including the occupiers of over 70 perambulators, We regret that the space at our disposal forbids ns doing more than simply recording the results. The games, races, dances, &c., were splendidly contested, and we must not forget to say that the wrestling was one of the grandest features of the day, the smallest of the competitors, W. Thompson, winning the admiration of all by the case with which he levelled his more powerful antagonists, laughing heartily all the time. The following are fie results

Quoits. , W. Mackenzie ... ... 1 T. Knight 2 W. Cupningham 3 Walking handicap, two miles, G. Miller (25yds) I J. Cameron (scr) ... ... 2 R. McKnight (15yds) ... 3 Time 17 rain, 57 sec.. Gagpipe Music, in costume; Pibroch ! . Marches, Straphcyes, Reels. R Calder ... 1 R. Finlayson ‘ ... ... 2 C. Gallic ... 3 100 Yards Handicap Race. D. Towhill (scr) 1 T. McAuliffe (oyds) ... 2 W. Hurcomb (4yds) ... 3 Time—ll Msecs., Throwing'lGi.n Hammer. J. Wood (76ft 2in) ... 1 J. B. Talbot.(76ft Hn) ... 2 W. Talbot (73ft Uin) ... 2 200 Yards Handicap Race. D. Twohill (scratch) ... 1 R. Bray (7yds) ... ... 2 McAuliffe (7yds) ... ... 3 Sack Race (in masks). J. Miller ... 1 D. Cruikshank ... ... 2 G. Miller 3 Highland Reel (in costume). I), Buchanan ... ... 1 D. Cruickshank 2 G. Kidd 3 Highland Costume (men),, G. Kidd 1 D. Gallic 2 U. Buchanan ... ... 3

The prize was given to a costume of the Royal Stuart tartan, presented to Mr Kidd by Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Balmoral on Sept. 23, 1859, as a prize for the sword dance. Mr Gallic wore the Stuart tartan, and Mr Buchanan the Chisholm tartan. Boys’ Highland Costuke. J. C. King- ... 1 J. Henri .... 2 C. McKinnon - ■ .3 200 Yards Handicap Back (Boys under 16.) J. Kelman - - - 1 F. Cullman I -2 W. Hughes ... 3 Vaulting with Poke. McAnliflfe, Oft. 4in. 1 Twobill, Bft. lOln. - - 3 Reel of Tulloch, iu costume. D. Buchanan - - .1 D. Gallic- ... 2 R. Calder - - - - 3 440 Yards Hurdle Race. T. McAnliflfe (9yds) ... 1 D. Twohell (scr) ... ... 2 F. Cameron (12yds) ... 3 Time—l min 3sec. Wrestling, Cumberland. S. Jackson ... ... ... 1 J. Jackson ... ... ... 3 W r . Thompson 3 Highland Fling (in Highland costume). E. Cruik shank 1 D. Gallie 2 D. Buchanan 3 Punning High Leap. J. J. Connor (sft lin) ... 1 A Malcolm (sft) 2 T. Sullivan ... ... 3 Sword Dance. D. Cruikshank ... ... 1 D. Buchanan ... ... 2 D. Gallie ... ... ... 3 800 Yards Race. R. Bray (scr) 1 T. Me Auliffe (scr) ... 2 F. Camei’on (10yds) ... 3 Time —2min 24|sec. Sailor’s Hornpipe. G. Gleeson 1 D. Buchanan 2 J. Collins 3 Tossing the Caber. W. Talbot ... 1 —Happie . 2 J.R. Talbot 3 Irish Jig. D. Buchanan ... ... 1 G. Gleeson 2

C. Culling, M. O’Brien, and J. Lynch also competed, hut as they were not in costume, tlxey were disqualified. Running Flat Jump.

T. Me Auliffe being the only competitor for this even, it was decided to give him second prize. One Mile Handicap Race. D. Bradly (200 yards) ... 1 D. Shine (15 yards) ... 3 T. McAuliffe'(ls yards) ... 3