%META:TOPICINFO{author="PaulKlemick" date="1187293743" format="1.0" version="1.1"}% %META:TOPICPARENT{name="PolishArtilces"}%

-- PaulKlemick - 16 Aug 2007

GORE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY: THIRD ANNUAL GATHERING

Pressident, W. A. Donald, Esq; vice president, George Low, Esq; directors, Messrs Beattie, Dolamore, Gray, Johnston, Hewitt, Murdoch and Wallis. Secretar y and treasurer, Mr. R. Dewar

The weather unfortunately interfered greatly with the Society's gathering on Tuesday last. In the morning heavy showers fell at intervals and a strong and cold wind from the southwest did not add to the comfort of those who ventured out. It was by no means a day to tempt any one to put on a kilt in preference to the inexpressibles of every day life, but there was for all that a brave show of bare knees. The weather improved a bit in the afternoon, and we learn that over L43 was taken at the gates. Making allowances for children and others who go in for free, the attendances must have been about 1200 or 1300. Had it not been for the unfavourable weather there is no doubt that there would have been several hundreds more upon the ground. The appearance of the ground itself is greatly improved by the substantial fence with which it is now surrounded, and the members of the committee deserve special praise for the excellent arrangements made upon the ground. Messrs Geo. Low, Gray, Johnston, Hewitt and Wallis were not only hard at work all day long, but, together with the secretary, Mr. Dewar, they devoted considerable time and labor beforehand in making all preparations. That portion of the ground used by the cricket club was roped in, the rope forming the outer boundary of the running track which measured a little over 350 yards to the lap. Within this circle all the events were decided with the exception of the quoits match, for which a ground had been prepared a little higher up under the shelter of the southern fence. The booths were erected at the top of the ground on the rise, and the secretary used the cricket club's shed as an office. Mr. Dewar was kept busy in the building most of the day, receiving entries and so forth, and was as usual obliging and attentive to his duties. Mr. Wm. Souness acted as timekeeper, in which position he is thoroughly at home, and in regard to the fact that the times will be found to be slow it must be borne in mind that the track was ordinary turf, not perfectly level, and the wind was often strongly against the runners. With reference to the throwing of the hammer it would clearly be only right in future to prevent the swingers from competing with those who stand. The swinging is very commonly barred on account of its danger, but if the committee should think fit to allow it, let the throwers be divided into two classes. Capital order was kept on the ground, and although the publican's booth appeared to be very liberally patronised there was no rowdiness occasioned by too frequent applications. A teetotallers' booth was ready for the use of those who leave alcohol alone and Mr. Hurd provided food for the hungry. There was no lack of music; rather the contrary. The Gore Brass Band were on the ground and played a number of selections, and pipers were also present in force. Thanks to the exertions of the gentlemen named above and to the careful attention which had beer paid beforehand to all details, the lengthy programme was got through by seven o'clock. Following is the prize lsit:-

Judges-Pipe music and dancing: Messrs McDonald and F. Fraser. Wrestling: Messrs Ambrose and Pope, with Mr. Wallis as referee. Quoits: Messrs R. Gray and Johnston. Running and jumping, throwing the hammer, etc., Mr. Geo. Low.

Bagpipe Contest.-First prize L4, David Gray; second prize L2, Kenneth Cameron. There were four competitors.

Quoits, 21 yards-First prize L1 10s, second, L1. For this event there were half-a-dozen competitors, and the winner last year, Mr. W. Robertson, again secured first honors. T. Shields was second.

Youths' Handicap Race, 200yds, for boys under 16-First prize 15s, second 10s, third 5s. Eleven entered, and the handicappers were successful in producing a close finish. Jas. Hacking was first, R. Hacking second, and James Shield third.

Gore Caledonain Society's Handicap First distance, 100 yards.-The first heat was won easily by Skitch, the scratch man, with J. A. Duncan (7yds) second. J. Irving (3½yds), A. Smith (7yds), and A. Mason (9yds) also ran. In the second heat E. Macpherson had a walk over, and the third was won by H. McLeod (9yds), with D. Duncan (2½yds) second. The other runners were J. McArthur (5½yds) and S. T. Kennedy (7yds). In the final Skitch ran up to McLeod with very little effort about 20yds from the winning post, and led home by half a yard, running well within himself. Macpherson was third. Time, 12 seconds.

Throwing the hammer.-First prize L1, second 10s. There were 10 competitors, and as we have mentioned in our introductory remarks, some used the swing and some did not, the latter of course having no chance against the former. H. McLeod threw very neatly, and his winning throw of 95ft 9in was, under the conditions of the ground and the weather, a very good one. M. Hanley, also a swinger, was second with 87ft 9in, and Trembath, who stood, was next with a good throw of 76ft 4in.

Highland Fling. First prize L1 10s, second L1.-C. Henderson was placed first of the four competitors, and D. Gray second.

Gore Caledonian Society's Handicap. Second distance 220yds.-Skitch again won his heat, Macpherson had another walk over, and H. McLeod won his heat. In the final Skitch again won comfortably from Macpherson. Skitch thus had gained 10 points, McLeod five and Machperson five.

Wrestling, North Country style, 11 stone and under. First prize L2, second L1.-There were five competitors. In the fist trial Hoffman threw King, but on meeting the second time King turned the tables. The final between these two was a capital bout, Hoffman finally scoring the point. Sutherland put Ford down twice in succession, the latter lacking science. Finally Sutherland was adjudged the winner, with T. King second and Hoffman third.

Gore Caledonian Society's Handicap. Final distance, 350 yards.-There were only Skitch, Macpherson and McLeod in this, and it was evident from the start that Skitch intended to do no more than ran into third place, which would leave him a majority of points. The race between Macpherson and McLeod was a very close one, the former winning by a game effort on the post. The prizes were: First £10 10s, second £5 5s, third £2 2a. In addition the winner of each heat received 10s.

Putting the Ball-First prize L1, second 10s. There were six competitors and the contest was between Degan and Pope. The competitors were putting from behind a long lath, and the measurements were made, wrongly, as we thing from the centre. Degan had the leading put, which he had made from the top end, and Pope was advised to give his last try down the hill and get the advantage of the lay of the ground. He did so, but put from the top end of the lath and was thus a good bit behind. As he had no other try Degan was pronounced the winner, but inasmuch as Pope took the ball and put it about a foot over Degan's mark immediately afterwards it was clear that the question as to which was the best man was undetermined. The winning put measured 27ft 11in, the second 27ft 3½in, and the third, that of J. Puller, 26ft 3in.

Mile Handicap Race-First prize L5, second L2, third L1. Out of 14 entries there were eight who came to their marks. These were M. Russell scr, W. B. Skitch 40yds, E. Ottery 40yds, J. McArthur 50yds, B. Ward 55yds, A. Wallis 95yds, J. Sarginson 95yds, and J. Dun 125yds. Skitch ran out after going three laps, and Sarginson obtained the lead and kept it most of the way. But in the last lap the scratch man came with a rush and won by a dozen yards. McArthur was third. Time, 4min 57sec.

Hop, step and jump-First prize L1, second 10s. There were only three competitors. J. Irving won, covering a distance of 42ft 5in, and J. Degan was second with 40ft 2½in.

President's Handicap-First distance, 150 yards. Macpherson won the first heat by a grand final effort; Baker was second and Dickison third. In the second heat McLeod was first, Olsen second, and Irving third. The final was won by Baker, with McLeod second and Machpherson third. Macpherson was unfortunately baulked at the corner by some one running across him, and this destroyed his chance and probably lost him the cup, valued at L8 8s.

A private match between Briggs and Jacob, both of local fame, was next brought off. Neither man appeared to be in the pink of condition, and Jacob somewhat injudiciously indulged in a preliminary spin, which his supporters feared took a great deal out of him. After one false start caused by the fractiousness of Briggs, both men were got away on level terms. The race was never in doubt for a moment. Briggs took the lead and, leaving Jacob literally standing still, romped in an easy winner by some 30 yards. The event created considerable amusement.

Sailor's Hornpipe-First prize L1, second 10s. Only two entered, D. White being placed in front of T. Kennedy.

President's Handicap-Second distance, 220 yards. Macpherson won the event pretty easily, Baker being second and McLeod third. This gave Baker 8 points, Macpherson 7 and McLeod 5.

Running High Leap-First prize L1, second 10s. There were four competitors. Pope first dropped out at 4ft 11in. H. McLeod won by clearing 5ft 2in, P. Hanley being second.

Half hour go as you please-First prize L2 10s, second L1. Russell had this event in his hand from the start. He slung along at an easy gait, and when time was drawing near ran away from the others as they challenged him, with the greatest ease. He oompleted 25 7/8 laps. Ottery did 25 5/8 laps and A. Wallis 25½ laps.

Vaulting with Pole-First prize L1 10s, second 15s. H. Pope and Degan both cleared 9ft 9in and agreed to divide the prizes, neither succeeding in clearing the next rise of the lath.

Handicap Hurdle Race-350 yards. First prize L2 10s, second L1 10s, third L1. J. McArthur, who received 10 yards start, was first, H. McLeod (13 yards) second and J. Lang (10 yards) third.

Wrestling-Heavy weights. North Country style. First prize L2, second L1. Scott defeated Farguhar, Hanley beat Slattery, and Aitcheson scored two throws against Sutherland's one. Robins had a bye. Then Aitcheson disposed of Scott after a good tussle, and he also put Hanley down. Scott was also thrown by Robins and finally Robins and Aitcheson were the only two left. Two severe bouts ensued between these two, and some grand wrestling was shown. Robins was ultimately successful in gaining both falls.

Quarter Mile Race-First prize L2 10s, second L1, third 10s. There were fourteen entries for this race, which was won by Skitch, with Macpherson second and J. H. Duncan third.

Consolation Handicap Race, 150 yards, confined to all defeated competitors-First5 prize L1 10s, second 15s, third 7s 6d. This was won by A. Smith, who was given three yards, C. Olsen, (two yards) being second, and D. Duncan (scratch) third. H. McLeod was the other starter. The Mataura Ensign", 30 December 1887.