BOXING DAY IN GREYTOWN.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 December 1867, Page 3

BOXING DAY IN GREYTOWN.

Anticipating 1 the Englishman’s time honored holiday, Mr Fuller prepared an attractive programme of races and sports which came off in his paddock on boxing day. The weather was all that could be desired, and numbers flocked to enjoy themselves, among whom we noticed a number of the fair sex. Refreshments of all kind, in the drinking way, were provided by Mr Hammerich, and over the booth ; or rather she upper storey of the refreshment stand was devoted to a grand stand, where several ladies availed themselvet of the excellent opportunity of seeing the sports, A stand was also kept by Mr Alexander Grigg, where pastry, bans, gingerbeer, (fee. were dispersed to the more temperate and juvenile portion of the assembly. Mr Jno Campbell was appointed judge and Mr Richard Pace, clerk, both gentlemen fulfilled the offices with credit to themselves and satisfaction to the competitors. An excellent band under the able leadership of Mr Linn enlivened the intervals between the sports. The first event which came off was the “ hurdle race ” for which three entered.

Three hurdles of Bft 4in each were erected on the course round which the winners had to go twice. At the fall of the flag all got off well, but McMasters soon took the lead which he kept throughout, and won easily with Yule second. The jumping throughout was unexceptionably good.- The prize run for was £2 10s and the entries.

“ Throwing the heavy hammer ” for a prize of £1 ss', and entries was the next fox’ which twelve entex*ed. The hammer weighed about 141b5., and the four best throws were as follow: Laverty, 58ft lin, Joe, 58ft; Jack up the Orchard, sft 9in; and Mcßean, 66ft Sin. Next followed a “footrace” in one mile heats, which was easily won on both occasions by Mr D. McMasters as first and Yule as second. The running between the two was excellent, and the betting even. The prize was £2. Great interest was manifested in the 1 Vaulting with Pole’' which was now announced, but for which only three entered, as they were no doubt awed by thesuccess of Mr D.McMasters, who seemed determined to win all before him, and for this prize he entered against two others. The jumping began at 6ft., which being cleared by all, the pole was raised to 6ft Gin., at which height one competitor, Dixon, fell, leaving the prize (£1 10s) between the other two. The second competitor was disqualified at 7ft sin, hut another trial was allowed when the pole was put to 7ft 9in, which was cleared by both. Each again cleared Bft but at Bft 3in., McMasters was victor, and to shew that he could continue against all comers, he had thepoleraised to 9ft which he cleared easily and for which he was heartily cheered. The Tilting in the Ring was the great event of the clay, and twenty-eight entered the lists. This lasted a considerable time. There were four rings hung, and each cavalier had to go twice round and hear off as many as be could upon his lance. After all had gone through the ordeal the judge declared Messrs R. Greathead and George Wakelin were ties, each having carried off six rings. They were both ordered to go once round the ring to decide who should wear the laurels or the day, when young Wakelin bore off two rings, while his opponent took none, and he was declared the champion of the Tilting Ring. The prizes were £1 and all the entries (5s each) for the first, and £2 for the second.

For the “ running high' leap,” which next followed there were five entered. The prize of £1 and entries was won by D. McMasters, who cleared sft. lin.

Throwing the light hammer was next declared, and the prize was carried off by Laverty, who sent the hammer to the extraordinary distance of 81ft. 9in. “Putting the heavy stone”—and it “was” a heavy stone —next followed. Seven entered; and C. Ticehurst and Gallagher, after outstripping the others, tied each other a! 16ft., beyond which neither could go. A tie was then thrown off, when Ticehurst reached loft 10in., while his opponent threw short. Five entered ior the “standing long leap;” and it was at first thought that Laverty, who jumped to Bft. 9in. would win, but one, entered as Joe, jumped to 10ft. 3in,. and as no one could beat him he was declared winner. After he had won he . jumped 10ft. 6in. to show that he had not done his best to get the prize.

The “ Hop, Step and Jump ” was won by Mr D. McMasters at 38 feet Sin. Win-if-I-can was second at 37ft lin. Five entered. The prize was £1 and entries (3s each.) It was now getting 1 dark, but some other sports followed, among which we may mention that of “jumpingiu sacks” which was Avon by Blake and the “boy’s race” for which six entered, was won by young Ticehurst, T. Braggins being second.