The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-09-06 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH ATHLETIC BPORTB.

Although the weather on Thursday last seemed
almost ruinous to the gathering which wee appointed
for that day, yet the wise discretion of the committee
in adjourning it to Tuesday Lad was not only fully
proved, but was rewarded by most abundant success.
Although to the middle of Turty'ay the weather WM
very doubtful, and a shower .4- two fell, even during
the sports there wag not sufficient rain to deter a very
large and fashionable assemblage from vi. king the
ground, while the excellent arrangements included
every possible detail, apparently, that could be
thought of. The course was loped in exceedingly
well, and the reserved enclicsura was pros Ho I with
comfortable seats, and also protected from being premed
upon by the large crowd, which hourly increased until
It formed, with the rem ved seats company, three sides
of • great equare several deep. Thi-re were ten's
provided for refreshments and shelter, and they seemed
to do • very lively trade, Mr. Abbey. of the London
Hotel, giving much satisfaction.
When the op c onmenced the weather waa fine. I
although a warning drop or two stole down at
irregular intervals; and the view overcultivateri fields,
the Bay, and to the distant hire, was all the clearer
and better defined beca Ise of the state of the atmos-
phere. The cricket-field overlooks a pleasant stretch
of land and sea, the only unpleasant feature in which
was the field of corn next to that where we were
gathered, and in which the wheat lay on the ground
ready cut, bat threatening to grow out ruinously in
consequence of the frequent rains preventing it from
being carried.
In the ground itself everything warn gay and favour-
able, if we except that the tor( itself was rather wet;
but the grand mass of people, the active committee,
and officers, and the backgr..und formed by the Wey-
month College, and some of the most fashion Able pads of
Weymouth, presented a panorama surpaseing in liveli-
ness and beauty many which are to be seen in Wey-
mouth or Amon 1. The committee,who were numerous,
were distinirnishei by blue, yellow, and black rosettee,
Captain Kelsey acted as referee, C. lone' Stanleytioott,
Mr. C. Mercer. and Mr. C. J. Sendamore, as ju lges.
Messrs. B C. Stephenson and W. Scott, started the
races by sound of pistol, Captain F. M. Robinson kept
the time to a fifth of • sec .nd, and Mr. H. Tizard
, George, the honorary secret try, had an acting honorary
secretary ip Mr. R. M. Bridge.
First of the two exce'lent bands to arrive was the
Weymouth Swum Bin, under Mr. A. G. Pollock,
R. A.M., who very tastefully played a choice selection.
including a ime with all the brightnese and beauty of
the Pinafore music, and at half-past three arrived the
bend of the Prince of Wales'. Own West Yorkshire
Regiment, who with their Indian deer, led in silver
chains by two ban lumen. were the observed of all,
and they played with great power and good taste, a
good selection.
Tbe eventa were very numerous, and inc'utled :-
100 Terris Flat Race, for Boy. under 12, reehirnte of
Weymouth or twirls of schools in the tow.. Six me, in
two heat.. —let, W. Docker, Weymouth C RM..] :
R. Knight. St Mary's School: 3rd, C A Carruthers.
Ilekombe itegi. School. Docker won hy about 3yd.. the
°theta very do.. Second heat J. A II reket, Wey•
mouth: 215. A. 11 iyier. di to; 3rd. A. Bike, ditto, The
first two were close to.ether, the thiut lost by &bait four
yards. Another heat wee run: but the judges found it
Impossible to wiptirote Hanger and Rocket who were
ern Is the final beet Rocket, • smelt boy, neatly won
"be tint prize Ss., in Mime, Ranger taking end, Is. ed.