RURAL SPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 200, 2 January 1869, Page 2

RURAL SPORTS.

« The following is the conclusion of our report: — In the 100 yards r*ce some false starts were made. Hodgson won the first prize no second prize being awarded. There were ten entries. The 100 yards race was keenly competed for ; it was won by Ollivier, Davidson being a good second. The horizontal bar exercises for men were excellently performed ; it may fairly be doubted if they could have been better executed by professionals ; Neal and Barry particularly distinguished themselves by the ease and grace with which they performed their feats. Their double summersaults excited great admiration. The threelegged race also excited much merriment in which those who took a part in them heartily joined. The Hurdle race was smartly contested, the competitors taking the flights with the utmost agility and with apparently but little effort. The Sack Races created much amusement. Owing to scarcity of sacks the races were run in heats. The Tilting match terminated the proceediugs of the day about 6.45 p.m. Messrs J. Ollivier, J. C St. Quentin, G. H. Wilson, J. C Angus, H. E. Alport, L Cole, Wynn Williams and C. Gordon were ou the ground, and took an active part in promoting the success of the sports. Captain G. H. Wilson acted as Judge, and Mr. L. Cole as starter. The arrangements of the day were admirably carried out and nothing was omitted on the part of the committee, which could conduce to the public enjoj'ment. We would suggest, however, that on a future occasion the ground should be kept clear of vehicles and horsemen, as their presence yesterday was a source of annoyance and danger to ladies and children. On the whole the committee may fairly be congratulated on the success of their exertions which resulted in providing one of the pleasantest days spent for some time in Christchurch, and in affording the public by means of the best selection of sports, the opportunity of passing almost for the first time in the province, a really delightful holiday. Nothing occurred during the whole day which could annoy the most fastidious, and although at the close of the sports, there must have been in consequence of arrivals from Lyttelton and other places nearly 3000 people on the square, not a single instance of intoxication was to be witnessed. The total amount of entrance fees was £16 14s 6<l ; seats on the platform, £7 7s. The proceeds of -the. concert on the previous evening were almost^cao. Taking these sums, and the amount sußscvibM into account, the total in the hands of the Treasurer will be about £97 16s 6d, or when all pfries, &c, have been paid, about £45. The following is the list of prizes : — Hoop Race, for boys under 15 years of age, 7 entries, 100 yards; Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, a knife. Fearon, Ist; Mullins, 2nd.

Wheelbarrow Race, 40 yards (blind), for boys under 15 years of age; Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, a knife; 6 entries. A Ritchie, Ist; Black, 2nd; Ashby, 3rd. Foot Race, 200 yards; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1 ; 16 entries. Ist prize, Broom ; 2nd, divided between Hodgson and Fisher. Vaulting with pole ; Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 ; 6 entries. Ist prize, Forbes ; 2nd, Hedge. The Donkey Race did not come off. Foot Race 100 yards ; Ist prize, £2 ; 10 entries. Hodgson, Ist prize. Three-legged Race, for men; Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £l ; 5 double entries. Ist prize, divided by Mellor and Hodgson. Three-legged Race, for boys under 15 years of age; 8 double entries; Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, a desk. Tully and Digby divided the Ist prize; Kissel and Little taking the desk. A third prize — 7s 6d — was also divided between Black and Ashby. Standing High Leap; Ist prize, £2. Ist prize, Fisher. Foot Race; 440 yards; Ist prize, £5; 2nd, £2; 8 entries. Mellor, Ist prize; Ollivier, 2nd. Horizontal Bar, for men; Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1 ; 4 entries. Ist prize, Neal; 2nd. Barry. Horizontal Bar, for boys under 15 years of age; Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, a knife. Ist prize, Briggs, Wilson and Percival receiving a knife and 5s each. Hurdle Race, 200 yards ; Ist prize, £4 ; 2nd, £2 ; 4 entries. Ist prize, Hodgson ; 2nd, Mellor. Sack Races. 80 yards ; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £l ; 3rd, a knife ;10 entries. Ist prize, Forbes ; 2nd, Smart ; 3rd, Fletcher. Extra Prize, 800 yards ; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, a knife. Ist prize, Ollivier ; Davidson, 2nd ; King and Gordon, a knife each. Tilting ; Ist prize, £8 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, a cup ; 4th, a whip ; 15 entries ; Ist prize, Beattie ; Rule, 2nd; T. S. Williams, 3rd; and Holmes, 4th. Extra Prize Foot Race, 200 yards ; 9 entries. Ist prize, Ollivier ; 2nd, Davidson ; King and Gordon, a knife each.