The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-06-13 00:00:00

ROYA.L HORSE ARTILLERY ATHLETIC

SPORTS.
On Tuesday • series of compeßtions amongst the
men of the E Battery B Brigade came off at the Dor-
chaster Barracks. The soldiers had been in practiee for
the event for some little time past, and it was looked
forward to with Interest by • great number of civilians
as well as by the military. The morning being fine, •
goodly peaty of spectators arrived from the country
and at the time the sports ocinecenood-11 o'clock
there was quite a crowd of lookers-on. The officers of
the battery acted as stewards of the rases, /so., and
their decisions were accepted in every case without dis-
pute. Sergeant-Major Gays took an active part in
arranging the men, and getting them together. Sergeant
. Emmett again officiated as referee. The guns and
waggon' had been removed from the barrack green,
and the space allotted for the sports enolosed with
"'Minty at the time specified the first competition
began,whiciti was,for a silver-mounted cane,for the shoe-
ing smith who made the beet pair of horse-shoos Four
smiths oompetel, and the interest taken in the result
by their comrades was very lively. Tho spectators
oargerly watched the progress of their work, and each
competitor seemed to use great care in the finishing of
the shoes. Upon being submitted for examination, the
pris) was awarded to Farrier Emmett.
Now began the list of races, which was long, but
well arranged. A flat race of 100 yarels.—First prize •
silver watch, presented by Hr. ; second prize,
5s There were 15 competitors.
Corporal Baton • • - - • 1
Shoeing Smith Brooks - - 2

The entries for this race included the beet runners
of the Battery, and the substantial character of the
first prise induced the competitors to do their best.
The race was rattier a close one; but Baton kept up a
rattling pace from the outset, and dashed in first amidst
hearty cheers.
The appearance of the sky had been threatening for
scene time, and the rain now began to fall. This did
not cheek the sports, however, which were continued
with unabated vigour.
The next competition was putting the shot—s silver.
mounted whip. Five entered, but the superior strength
and skill of Gunner Gray were too much for his com-
rades: and the shot, which was • 32-pounder, was sent
an mussing distance, which the other competitors tried
in vain to exceed.
The next on the ptogramme was a Flat Race of 200
yards. First prise, • silver-mounted whip; almond
prize, 5,- Fifteen competed.
Shoeing-sanith Brooks
Corporal Hilton
•
Thia race was well run, and the plaudits of the
spectator' were loud.
Torowing the Cricktt Ball—A silver-mounted cane.
Nine competed. There was some excellent throwing,
but once or twice the ball fell short • considerable
distant* of the point reached by Driver Howard, to
whom the prise was awarded, amidst much cheering.
Flat Race of 100 yards for boys. First prize, • knife;
second prise, • knife. Thirteen ran.
F. Williams
T. F. Tatum
The boys were of different ages, and a few yards'
trace was given to the youngest. They ran well.
High Jump.—First prize, Is.; second prise 2s. 61.
Eight competed, amongst them being Lieutenant
Burnett. Corporal Hilton won the first prise, jumping
higher than any of the others. Lieutenant Burnett,
who bad made some really first-ohms jumping, endea-
voured repeatedly to clear the height, but failed,
striking the creel-stick from the support*. Gunner
Winter won the second prize.
Wide Jump.—First prise, 5e.; second prise, 2s. 64.
Six entered. The best jumps were made by Shoeing
smith Brooks and Gunner Bowen, to whom the prism
were awarded.
An interval of one hour followed, after whieh the
competitions were resumed. The kites band of the
Dorset Militia attended at two, and, despite the
stormy state of the weather, they played at intervals
some excellent music. The next thing on the pro-
gramme was • silver welsh for the beet turned out
gunner in marching order. lig: ocrepetition excited
eel:aide:able interest amongst the men.
ware chosen from mob subdivision, and the cloaca
stipulation was that no emistenee was to be given
theca in "Musing oat." They were to rereskstness at
vialog /*oboe', end in 13 marmites hest their
latusee=te.de court Campbell led est his bovestry
emd gellemed down the Mew dealivity to
the ?mop wheel. mime Oedema Pepe wee to
their tespoothre emit& Jest two