%META:TOPICINFO{author="PaulKlemick" date="1187346652" format="1.0" version="1.1"}% %META:TOPICPARENT{name="PolishArtilces"}%

-- PaulKlemick - 17 Aug 2007

GORE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL GATHERING.

President, Mr. J. H. Dolamore; vice-president, Mr E. D. Bust; committee, Messrs W. Baker, Dr. G. Copland, W. Domigan, A. J. Gibbs, R. Dewar, J. Harvey, D. Hartnett, O. Kelly, P. Macassey, D. Macara, A. Martin, J. B. Nichol, D. O'Callaghan, D. L. Poppelwell, A. J. Pope, J. A. Simson, G. Taylor, F. Wallis, H. Wait, J. Kerr; starter, Mr. F. Wallis; secretary, Mr. John Latham.

The thirteenth annual gathering of the Gore Caledonian Society was held on the Society's grounds on Tuesday, under the most auspicious circumstances. The weather in the morning was rather threatening, frequent showers falling, but if faired about mid-day, and a splendid afternoon was experienced. The attendance was very large, about 1200 being present, the gate money reaching the respectable total of £44. The committee had carried out their arrangements in first-class style, the result being a splendid day's sport. The times for starting the different events were strictly adhered to, and the programme was completed shortly after 5 p.m. The chief attractions of the sports were the bicycle events and the wrestling competitions, not so much interest as is usual being taken in the foot races. A large number of the members of the Invercargill Pipe Band were on the ground, and played selections at intervals. The Gore Brass Band was also in attendance, and rendered a capital programme. Mr. D. Richardson had a publican's booth on the ground, while Mr. Spear had charge of the fruit stall.

As was said previously, much interest was evinced in the bicycle events, and some close finishes were witnessed. The Maiden Race was easily won from D. Simson from the 35yds mark. The different heats in the Lady's Bracelet were all closely contested, and the final was a good race, A. Wallis just winning by a few inches. The Half-mile Dash produced some excellent finishes, and the final heat was hotly contested, Simson just beating McLeod by half a wheel, A. Wallis and Stewart (the scratch men) getting blocked in the straight. Out of five entries for the Five-mile Championship only two (A. Wallis and J. Stewart), faced the starter. These two riders took lap about till the last lap, when Stewart put on a spurt and won easily. Wallis turned the tables on Stewart in the next race, the Two-mile Handicap, Christie finishing third, close up. The wrestling events all produced interesting bouts, and keen interest was taken in these popular items. Good fields started in the different foot races, the feature of which was the running of F. Robins in the 350yds handicap and the 440yds hurdles, both of which he won from scratch after conceding long starts. Following is the prize-list:-

Bagpipes: First, £1 10s; second, 10s.-J. Cameron, 1; K. Cameron, 2. Three entries.

Youths' handicap: First, 10s; second, 5s; third, 3s.-E. Sherborne, 1; P. O'Neill, 2; W. Wellbrook, 3.

Maiden bicycle race, one mile: First, £2; second, £1.-Frist heat: J. McKinnon (95yds), 1; E. Wallis (95yds), 2; time, 2min. 43sec. Second heat: D. Simson (35yds), 1; W. Copland (95yds), 2; time, 2min. 41sec. Third heat: T. Christie (95yds), 1; J. McLeod (45yds), 2; time 2min. 37½sec. Final heat: D. Simson (35yds), 1; W. Copland (95yds), 2; time, 2min. 35sec. Sixteen entries.

Wrestling, North Country style (11 stone and under): First, £2; second, £1; third, 10s.-T. Boyle, 1; M. Stevenson, 2; G. W. Johnston, 3. Four entries.

120yds Handicap: First, £2; second, £1; third, 10s.-First heat: P. Holland had a walk over. Second heat: F. McCullough (7yds), 1; G. Heenan (8yds), 2; time, 13 3-5sec. Second heat: J. Ryder (4yds), 1; J. Dickson (7yds), 2; time, 14½sec. Final heat: McCullough (7yds), 1; Heenan (8yds), 2; Ryder (4yds), 3; time, 13sec. Fourteen entries.

One mile and a-half bicycle handicap: First, lady's bracelet.-First heat: D. Simson (55yds), 1; A. Wallis (scr), 2; time, 4min. 1 3-5sec. Second heat: D. Taylor (scr), 1; W. Teviotdale (125yds), 2; time, 4min. Third heat: J. Stewart (scr), 1; W. Copland (140yds), 2; time, 4min. 20sec. Final heat: A. Wallis (scr), 1; D. Taylor(scr), 2; time, 3min. 54sec. Seventeen entries.

Wrestling, 12 stone: First, £2; second, £1; third 10s.-Jas. Dickson, 1; D. Dickson, 2; M. Stevenson, 3. Six entries.

District handicap, 220yds: First, £2; second, £1; third, 10s.-G. Heenan (15yds), 1; P. Murtagh (14yds), 2; J. Ryder (7yds), 3. Time, 24sec. Nine entries.

Highland fling: First, £1; second, 10s.-Stewart, 1; Lowden, 2. Two entries.

Half-mile bicycle dash: First, £2; second, £1.-First heat: D. Simson (20yds), 1; J. Stewart (scr), 2; time, 1min. 14 3-4sec. Second heat: A. Wallis (scr), 1; J. McKinnon (50yds), 2; time, 1min. 13 2-5sec. Third heat: J. McLeod (25yds), 1; T. Christie (50yds), 2; time, 1min. 13 3-5sec. Final heat: D. Simson (20yds), 1; J. McLeod (25yds), 2; time, 1min. 15sec. Fourteen entries.

350yds Handicap: First, £2 10s; second, £1; third, 10s.-F. Robins (scr), 1; G. Heenan (11yds), 2; C. Humphries (10yds), 3. Time, 43sec. Thirteen entries.

Heavy-weight wrestling: First, £2 10s; second, £1; third, 10s.-John Dickson, 1; John Hoffman, 2; M. Stevenson, 3. Four entries.

Five-mile bicycle championship: First, £3; second, £1 10s.-J. Stewart, 1; A. Wallis, 2. Time, 13min. 52sec. Six entries.

Hurdle race, 440yds: First, £2; second, £1; third, 10s.-F. Robins (scr), 1; C. Keddell (13yds), 2; C. Humphries (16yds), 3. Time 64sec. Five entries.

Two-mile bicycle handicap: First £1 10s and special £1 1s (gift of Mr. T. G. Laurenson); second, £1.-A. Wallis (scr), 1; J. Stewart (scr), 2. Time, 5min. 18sec. Ten entries

WAIKAKA ATHLETIC SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SPORTS

Monday was nota good day for the sports, firstly owing to the threatening aspect of the morning, and, secondly, because of the fact that a picnic was held at Wendon Valley, some three miles a way. However, there was a fair attendance, and everything passed off well. The running was particularly good, and the various finishes proved that the handicapper (Mr. McDonald) was well chosen. Arrangements were carried out with commendable energy by Messrs A. McDonald (secretary), Bennetto, Shirley, and Brosnan. Following is the prize-list:-

100yds handicap.-C. Robins, scr., 1; J. Maslin, 3yds, 2. Splendid finish.

Hammer 16lb.-J. McKenzie (10ft), 88ft. 3in., 1; W. Cumming (10ft), 81ft. 4in., 2. Five entries.

Running high jump.R. Cross, 4ft. 8½in., 1; J. Hoffman and F. Boyle tied for second place. Four entries.

Putting 16lb ball.-J. Murray (1ft.), 33ft. 4in., 1; W. Cumming, 2. Five entries.

Wrestling, 11st and under.-F. Boyle, 1; M. Collins, 2. Five entries.

220yds handicap.-J. Maslin, 6yds, 1; C. Robins, scr., 2. Four entries.

Hop, step and jump.-J. Murray, 38ft. 2in., 1; Hoffman, 2. Four entries.

Vaulting.-R. McGillivray, 1; T. Ford, 2. Three entries.

Wrestling (heavy weights).- Hoffman, 1; F. Boyle, 2. Four entries.

Half-mile handicap.-J. Maslin, scr., 1; J. Murray, 25yds, 2. Five entries.

Farmers'Race.-J. Brosnan,1; M. Collins, 2. "The Mataura Ensign", 29 December 1898.