THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14053, 10 November 1909, Page 6

THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

A LOYAL HOLIDAY. The King's Birthday was very generally observed as a holiday in 11martu Here and there hammer and. saw could be heard, but these were rare exceptions. Shops and offices were closed, and the only busy spot was the railway passenger station and its vicinity at train times. ine morning was doll, and the sky so heavilv overcast as to make it aoub,.fnl whether it were wise to undertake long excursions, though a lighter sky on the windward horizon gave hopes of a clearing up. As a matter of fact the day continued dull, bnt dull onlv, and the holiday makers who left town for north, south, and west by early trains did so safeh as to weather. A reverse stream was seen on tie arrival of the first express from Christchurcb, a good many visitors for the day detraining trom it. Cricket, tennis/ and bowling had their votaries in town, and a team of the Timaru Bowling Club visited \\ aimate. Caroline Bay was fairly well patronised " during the afternoon, though a cold breeze off the sea_ was, a drawback to full enjoyment or the scene. The new northern grass-plot proved useful as a playground, rounders and other active games being played there. Motor launches were running trips about the roadstead, but the cold breeze and choppy sea reduced their patronage considerably. Fishing was a popular pastime, the old north mole and the breakwater being well occupied by hook-and-line fishers. The rivers were largely patronised by anglers, and some very good baskets were obtained. Our Temuka correspondent writes: —The King's Birthday was observed as a close holiday at Temuka, and all places of business, public and private, were closed. Flags in honour of tie occasion were flown from the Post Office, Court House and school, and many private places had bunting displayed. There was no holiday fixture and the town represented a deserted appearance. At the park a friendly cricket match between the Temuka second and Timaru High School team attracted about two dozen sjiectators, and about the same number of persons were''engaged in a pairs competition on the bowling green. The scholars attending the Primitive Methodist Sunday school, with their friends and relatives, journeyed by traction carriages to Mr Lewis's farm at Winchester, and enjoyed a splendid day's picnic. A number of enthusiasts spent the day whipping the Opihi and Temuka, and some fine bags were recorded. MACKENZIE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. SUCCESSFUL SPORTS MEETING. Patron—Mr T. Buxton, M.P.; President, Mr W. Bain; Vice-Presidents, Dr S. J. Cook, Mr E. Macdonald; Treasurer, Mr J. Trotter; Secretaries, Messrs W. L. Hosking and G. C. Martin; Committee of Management, Messrs P. J. Beaton, J. Caskey, J. W. Skinner, A. L. Dobson, J. McMillan, J. H. Doyle, B. and W. Cartwright, W. Sutherland, W. Phillips, F> L. McGregor, and E. O'Connor;

Judges of General Sports, Messrs R. Li. ijiiiika, J. CasKey, A. L. iJooson, D. Sheehan; Judges of Wrestling, Messrs J. Trotter and W. Cartwright; Judge of Highland Music and Dancing, Mr Wm. Mcßride; Starters, Messrs T. Turnbull and M. Hanmnghan; Handicappers, Messrs J. P. Kalaugher and \V. L. Hosking; Masters of Track, Messrs W. L. Hosking and P. J. Beaton. With great enterprise the Mackenkenzie Caledonian Society held their first annual sports gathering at Fairlie yesterday. An attractive programme drew a fine class of athletes, and also a large attendance of spectators, many valuable trophies and good money prizes being offered. The number of spectators far exceeded the expectations of even the most sanguine of the promoters, and when it is stated that £3O was taken as cat© money while members were admitted free, it will be realised that the meeting was a pronounced Buccess from that point of view. In previous years it was customary for tne Mackenzie Hittes to hold military sports on this date and later the Fairlie Football Club, but judging by the success of yesterday's meeting the Caledonian Society will endeavour to make this an annual fixture. A special train left Tiniaru at 9 a.m. and left Fairlie at G. 15 p.ni.. and this opportunity was largely avail- ; ed of by the people of Timaru, the accommodation of the train being taxed to its fullest capacity before reaching Fairlie. Among those present from kindred societies were Mr Gunnion, President of the Temuka Caledonian Society, Mr Stewart, President of the Pleasant Point Society, and Messrs Mcßride and Burmester, Directors of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society. As befitted the occasion the Tiniaru Pipe Band was in attendance, and signalised tne opening of the sports by marching round the enclosure to the appropriate tune of "The Mackenzie Highlanders." The weather looked rather threatening in the early part of the day, but towards afternoon it brightened up and continued to be particularly favourable for a sports meeting. The spores were of a very high order, many of the events proving particularly exciting, showing that the handicappers understood their business, and for the society's maiden effort all credit is due to those connected with the management, for without exception they were carried out successfully. A squad of the Timaru Ambulance Brigade was on the ground, but luckily their services were not required. A long and varied programme was. gone through, which included the following events: — RUNNING EVENTS. 100 Yards Handicap, 15s, 5s —First heat: G. Walton 1, J. Lochore 2. Time, llsec. Second heat: S. Southby 1, E. Dunstan 2. Time, 11 3-osoc. Kinal: J. Lochore 1, G. Walton 2. Time, 10 3-ssec. 130 Yards Mackenzie Sheffield Handicap, £6, £2, £l—First heat: Sullivan 7yds 1, H. Leybourne 7yds 2. Won by yards. Second heat: Woods scr 1, Henderson 6yds 2. Time, 13 3-ssec. Won by two yards. Third heat: Palmer 6yds 1, Walton Byds 2. Won by a foot. Time 14sec. Fourth heat: J. Lochore Byds 1, E. G. Rutherford 7yds 2. Time, 14 2-ssec. Won by four yards. First semi-final: L. : Woods scr 1, Palmer 6yds 2. Time, | 14 2-ssee. Second semi-final: Walton Bvds 1, F. Henderson 6yds 2. Time, j 13 2-ssec. Final: C. F. Palmer 6vds

], L. Woods scr 2, G. Walton Byds 3. Finished in a bunch. Time, 14sec. 440 Yards Handicap, H'-l, 10s — •> ■ Sizcmore 9yds 1, C. F. Palmer 3yds \, F. Henderson 7yds 3. Time, 60.2~'>sec. A good race, won by 3yds, Palmer beating Henderson on the post. The winner led throughout. Twelve starters. SSil Yards Handicap. £2, 15s —\V Tavener 1. W. Dunn' 2, Sugrue 3. Time, 2min Isec. Tavener won by about 2vds. same distance between second and third. r , . One Mile Handicap, .CI, 10s—Smart 1, Irvine 2. Won by about -!oyds. a' number of others retired. Time, 4mins 4osec. Schoolboys' l?ace, ss. .'is Henry Irvine 1. Smith '2. School Girls' Race. f>s, 3s—Net he Tliompson 1, Flora Smith 2, Nellie Smart 3. „ , _ 130 Yards Sheffield. Hurdles, £2, 15s —M. Metcalf scr 1, H. Jack 3yds 2. Time, 19.4-ssec. Second heat: E. S. ■Rutherford 7yds 1, J'. McYey 3yds 2. Time, 20sec. Final: J. McYey 1, M. Motealf 2. Time, 19see. HIGHLAND GAMKS.

Throwing the Caber. £l. 10s—Monro scr, 36ft 11 in 1, Roddick IBin 33ft Gin

Wrestling list and under, £1 10s, 10s—D. Taehen 1, J), liain 2. Putting 161b Shot, £l, 10s—M. Metoalf 3Gffc 12Jin 1, J. Roddick and Monro tie 36ft Gin. Throwing lGlb Hammer. £l. 10s— Murphy 20ft 118 ft lliin 1, 11. Cartwright scr 116 ft 4in 2. Wrestling, Open, Cumberland, £2, 155,. ss—J. Roddick 1, G. Munro 2, P. Murpbv 3. High Jump, £l, ss—M. Metcalf scr, oft oin 1, 1). Connell l.'.in, sft 4.1 m 2. Pole Vaulting, 15s, ss—T. Horgan scr. and 1). Connell 2in each cleared 10ft and divided. Hop, Step, and .lump, £l, 10s —M. Metcalf scr, l!)ft 4in 1, D. Connell 3in, 40i't 3:n 2, T. Horgan 2in. 40ft lin 3. District Maiden Wrestling, 19 years and under, £l, 10s —E. Sullivan 1, W. R. McVey 2, Brophy 3. Sullivan was disqualiiied being a non-resident of the district, and first and second prize were awarded MeVey and Brophv respectively. Quoits, £l, 10s, ss—J. Bain 1, D. Cuthill 2, F. Clarkson 3. BAGPIPE MUSIC. I Reels and Strathspevs, £1 10s, los.— J. McMillan 1, Robertson 2. Marches, £1 10s, los.—J. McMillan 1, G. Robertson 2. DANCING. Highland Fling, £l, 10s—J. Kilgour J, W. Burns 2. Highland Reel, £1 ss, 10s.—J. Kilgour 1, C. Burns 2. Highland Fling (for boys and girls), 15s, and Gold Medal, 5s. —R. McKnight 1, R. Boreland 2. Sword Dance, £l, ]os.—W. Kilgour 1, W. Burns 2. Hornpipe, £l, 10s. —Kilgour 1, J. Lvneh 2. 'lrish Jig, £l, 10s.—Kilgour 1, Lynch 2. Peel (for boys and girls of 10 years and under), 15s and medal, 5s. — E. Burns 1, R. Burns 2. FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITIONS. Ono Man Manual—H. Welsh (43sec) 1. W. Close (42soc, pen. 2see.) 2. Two-man manual —A. King and H. Hopkins (36 3-ssec) 1, W. Close and H. Welsh (39sec.) 2. Trophies were given for these events. Various medals and trophies are to be awarded for most points. A QUIET DAY. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Nov. 9. The holiday passed off quietly. A strong wind blew all day, bub the various excursions were well patronised. VICE-REGAL DINNER. r WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. His Excellency the Governor gave a dinner to-night in honour of the King's Birthday. Tie invited guests included the Prime Minister, the (Hon. D. Buddo), Mr Justice Cooper, the Mayor of Wellington (Dr Newman) and various foreign consuls.