Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards (Part 4) -

Lot 1152    eSale    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards (Part 4) - H

Estimate $700
Bid at live.noble.com.au

THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY, Nelson, handcrafted in silver (38mm), no maker, ring top, bar and ribbon suspension, reverse inscribed 'Prize Medal/for Tilting/Job Lines/Jany 1st 1872'. Toned, very fine and a rare early piece.

From Nelson Evening Mail, 2 January 1872 - Courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past.

"CALEDONIAN SPORTS.
The public of Nelson were indebted to the Caledonian Society for a most pleasant holiday yesterday. At an early hour the cabs began to run in the direction of the Maitai well laden with passengers, in addition to whom there was a constant stream of pedestrians all wending their way towards the same goal, and by two o'clock there must have been quite 1500 people on the ground, where the arrangements that, had been made were excellent, and reflected great credit upon the Committee and their indefatigable secretary, Mr.Brind.

A ring, 180 yards in circumference, had been roped off for greater convenience in carrying out the various sports, for viewing which, every facility was afforded by the erection of a stand, which was largely patronised throughout the day, while the commisariat department was well attended to by the proprietors of the numerous booths. The weather, too, proved delightful, the clouds being just sufficient to form a protection against the sun's rays, while a delicious breeze that, was blowing rendered the atmosphere cooler than it had been for several days past.

Shortly after eleven the programme commenced with a hundred yards race for boys, and was carried out with considerable spirit throughout the whole day, special interest attaching to the racing and wrestling, in the latter of which Mr.Stavert, who proved himself the champion last year, again came off with flying colors, even though he had to contend against the most disadvantageous circumstances, there being altogether five competitors, and he, having thrown, first the man against whom he was originally matched, and secondly, the winner of the other bout, being compelled to tackle the odd man, who came into the ring perfectly fresh, for the best of three throws. It also happened that this last man proved by far the most formidable of the three against whom he had to compete, and a prettier tussle than that which took place between these two could scarcely be imagined.

It was evidently Mr.Christopher's game to wind his opponent, who was not by any means in first rate condition, not having undergone any previous training, and consequently it was a long time before the necessary grip was obtained, but when the struggle arrived at that stage, the result was not long in doubt, Mr.Christopher quickly going down with his massive rival on top of him. At the second turn an equally long contest took place with a different result, however, Mr.Stavert being this time underneath in the fall. In a very few minutes the rivals were hard at it again for the third time, but this was but a very short bout, Mr.Stavert succeeding almost at the first attempt in getting a grip of his man who was at once thrown heavily, the victor on this occasion not accompanying him in his fall.

In the running flat leap the fine distance of 20ft 8 1/2in was accomplished by Mr. E.Blundell, who gained the first prize, the second being awarded to Mr.Norgate, who ran, or rather jumped, him very close, the umpire recording 20ft, 7in as his leap.

The gymnastic feats on the horizontal bar were exceedingly clever, those performed by Messrs. Brind and Gully attracting considerable attention, and giving rise to no little applause. The mile race, for which nine started, was cleverly won by Mr.Tennant, who ran with great judgment, and appeared to be in excellent condition, the result, we are told, of hard training, which fully entitled him to the prize he so fairly won. One of his opponents, Mr.Sayle, ran in far better form but, either from want of speed or of wind, he was unable to successfully compete with the winner.

The tilting in the ring was a very pretty trial of skill, and was viewed with much interest by the lookers-on, Mr.Lines, who occupied a similar honorable position last year, proving the winner. We have alluded to these few events as being specially worthy of notice, but cannot afford space to describe in detail the whole of the day's proceedings, the results of which will be found below.

The three prize medals for vaulting with the pole, tilting in the ring, and the mile race, were, before the close of the day, presented to the successful competitors by Lady Monro, who addressed a few suitable words to each of the winners, as she pinned the prize to his breast.

The Nelson band, which was in attendance, tended to enliven the proceedings, and its strains proved irresistible to lovers of the dance, who formed themselves into parties in various parts of the field.

On the whole the sports were a decided success, and the Society under whose auspices they were got up are to be congratulated on their able management...."