Boxing-Day Sports. Hamilton Annual Athletic Sports.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1326, 30 December 1880, Page 2

Boxing-Day Sports. Hamilton Annual Athletic Sports.

Judges: Messrs S. Pascoe. G. Robson. Handicappers : Messrs W. Cussen, J, Coomhes. Starter : Mr C. Tipping. Hon. Sec, Mr Geo. Robson. The centre of attraction for most of the residents of Hamilton, and indeed for many people living in the upper portion of the Waikato, on Boxing Day, were the athletic sports on Sydney square, Hamilton East. Shortly before noofc, about which time the day's proceedings commenced, a considerable number of visitors had arrived from Cambridge and other places, and altogether there were several hundreds of people on the ground. The balcony of the Royal Hotel, which had been nicely decorated with ferns and evergreens, was used for the nonce as a grand stand, and taken ad vantage of freely by the softer sex. The Square was not unfortunately, in a n't condition for running on, and the course was in consequence laid off on the road, which being somewhat hard and hot did not tend much to the comfort of the competitors. Otherwise the arrangements were very satisfactory, and the committee of gentlemen who organised the sports are entitled to some credit for the success which undoubtedly attended them. The events were all well, and generally closely contested, a fact which goes to prove the justness of the handicapping 1 , against which indeed no murmers wero oxpressed. Taking into consideration the circumstance that the season was Christmas-tide, the behavior of the spectators was good, and only a very few cases of drunkenness could be observed. Below we give a list of the results of the day's sports. Maiden Race, 200 yards; Ist prize £1. G.Reid 1 J. Burke 2 For this race there were nine entries. Boys under 16 years; lbt prize 15s; 2nd prize, ss. W. Jones (scratch) 1 W. Hill (JO yards 2 H. McKenzie (10 yards) ... 3 Number of entries : 4. Running Hop Step and Jump ; Prize, £l Para (39 feet lOin.) ... 1 N. Hunt (38 feet lOin.) ... 2 McNeish also competed, but his best jump was several inches loss than Hunt's. Half-mile Handicap ; Ist prize, £1 10s; 2nd prize, 10s W. Hyde (scratch) 1 McKinnon (10 yds) 2 There were nine entries and the race created considerable excitement, the course being around the square. Hyde, who started at scratch, gradually drew through all his opponents and won several yards ahead of McKinnon, who also ran very well. Boys Race, under 12. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd prize, ss. E. Jones ... . . ... 1 J. Hackett 2 Seventeen started for this race, the youngsters coming in in a cluster. Running High Jump ; Prize, £1. McNeish (5 feet) 1 Hunt also competed. 100 Yards Race ; Ist prize £1 ; 2nd prize 10s. W.Davis 1 A. Potter 2 For this event there were seven entries. Four- Pakt Race ; Ist prize, 155.; 2nd prize, ss. W. Graham 1 Hone 2 There were five entries, and the event excited much interest. Old Men's Race, 150 yards ; Prize £1. G. Read (55 years) 1 Rori (55 years) ... ... 2 There four competitors and the old men made a good race of it, the finish being very close. Hukdle Race, 140 yards ; Ist prize, £2; 2nd prize, 10s. McKinnon (scratch) 1 Potter (30 yds) 2 For this Race, which proved very interesting, there were five entries. The winner ran and jumped well. Vaulting with Pole ; Prize, £1 McNeish (8 feet ß inches) )T - Albeit (8 feet ß inches) j ±ie Two others competed, but the contest soon resolved into one between Albert and McNeish ; the Cambridge champion, having, after repeated efforts, to share the honors with his opponent. Trotting Race for untrained horses, and horses that have never won advertised money. First prize, Saddle ; 2nd prize, Bridle. Heats. Mr Coleman's Blinkßonny... 1 J Primrose's Letty 2 This Wcis a really good race, five horses coming to the post. The distance was 2 miles. 300 Yards Flat Race (handicap); Ist prize £1 10s.; 2nd prize, 10s. A. Potter (lOyrds) 1 W. Davis (5 yds) 2 For this there were four entries, and Potter, having the advantage of a good start, could not be collared by Davis. Three-legged Race ; Ist prize, 15s; 2nd prize, ss. Hyde & Mclnty re 1 G. &T. Read 2 There was one other entry. Girls' Race (under 14 years); Ist prize Is. ; 2nd prize, ss. Ellen Slater 1 Ellen Barker 2 Four girls competed, and exhibited a lively interest in the sport. Sack Race ; Ist prize 10s ; 2nd prize, ss. G. Reed 1 J. Reid 2 There were three entries for this race, which, as may be imagined, caused much merriment amongst the onlookers. There vrere no entries for the "bucket of water" and "wheelbarrow" races. Consolation Handicap. The Consolation Race was won by H. Hyde.

Promenade Concert. The promenade, open air concert, in aid of the funds for providing prizes for the Hamilton West School came off in the gardens of the Hamilton Hotel on Boxing night. The night, although cloudy and threatening, was nevertheless still and dry, and i»o was not at all unfavourable. The pretty grounds surrounding the Cottage were gaily illuminated by a profusion of Chinese lanterns, the lights extending from the entrance gate around the Croquet lawn. It was somewhat late before the musical part of the programme commenced, the members of the Band having 1 been away attending the Ngaruawahia races, and when the overture was played the number iv the ground* must have been about 300. The band rendered great assistance though they were unfortunately deprived of their conductor. M. Calon who was absent at Eaglau. The vocal portion of the entertainment was fairly successful, the children's singing being perhaps the most noticeable. The following was the programme : — Overturo, Band ; chorus, " The Sleigh song 1 ," School children; song, " A warrior bold," Mr Laishley; song, Mrs T. G. Saudes ; selections by the Band ; comic

song, •' Makes a man look such a fool," Mr Johnson ; chorus, " The Blacksmith" (with anvil accompaniment), children; song, " Joyo.*s life," Mrs Ellis ; J comic song, "Polly said she loved me" (encored), Mr Browne ; piano duet, Miss Newell and Mr T. A. Bell; chorus, "Little sister's gone to sleep," children ; Seleclions, Band ; son«f, "In the gloaming," Mrs Mofflin; song, "The village blacksmith," Rev. MrFultn; Bong, "Alice were arfc thou ?" Mr N. Hunt ; piano solo, Miss Culpan ; chorus, " The Huntsman's chorus," children ; "National Anthem." Mr T. A. Bell and Miss Culpan presided at the pianoforte, and played the accompaniments in a very pleasing manner. The concert financially was very successful, the total amount taken at the gates being £12 10s.