Blandford, Wimborne and Poole Telegram. — 1875-10-01 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

PORTLAIVD.  CELEBRATION OF THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW. The gallant 102nd Madras Fusiliers seem determined to keep evergreen in the memory of the regiment the terrible scenes of the Indian Mutiny, at all events the glorious deeds by which the beleaguered Residency of Locknow was finally relieved by the noble band of British soldiers who cut through hordes of enemies, and delivered the heroic garrison. Such deeds ought to be remembered, for they stimulate the young recruits to become worthy successors of those who withstood the murderers of Cawnpore, and re-established the British empire in India. A good half-week or more was taken up with something or other special in the regiment; on Wednesday there was shoot. ing at the Chesil Beach, and this extended into Thursday; on Friday there was shooting again, on Friday the sergeant's ball was held in the Gymnasium, when about 110 or 120 were present, and there would have been more but for the wet weather, and a most enjoyable time it was. But the climax was on Saturdaf, when the annual athletic sports were indulged in, at the great parade ground in the enceinte of the Verne CitadrU, at the very top of Portland. So boisterous had been tke weather on the previous day, with alternate storms of wind and rain, thunder and lightning, that it was expected the sports must be put off to another week; but on Friday night the barometer showed a rapid rise, and at six o'clock next morning all was preparation for the sports. The committee consisted of Major G. J. Harcourt, Capt. W. F. Vetch, Lieut. IL T. Hicks, and Quarter-Master G. F. Stenson, and a real active committee they were, whilellte sub-committe were equally hard-working in their way • the latter consisted of Sergt...Major Armstrong (a most obliging hon. sec.), CoL Sergt. Coulter, Sergts. Langston, Pratt, and Pottinger. A space was roped off and a course provided for flat races, while 10 flights ,of hurdles were pitched for the jumps, and one flight was banked up, with a ditch on the off side. A number of capital British, French, Sardinian, German, and other flags were obtained from H.M.S. Warrior and Boscawen, and these made the place quite gay. There was a refreshment tent, a tea tent for the gentry, and so on. and the parade ground was ready for visitors. The sports commenced about one o'clock, and soonthere was a large gathering of officers and their friends from the neighbourhood, while the soldiers and sailors, and the families of the garrison, mustered in strong force. The  attendance of the middle classes from Weymouth was not very numerous, it being Saturday, and the sports not being made known so generally as they might have been. But still the crowd was a large one, and they seemed much interested in the competitions, while Privates John Drake, Elliott, and tilmans, dressed as clowns, made fun by their curious antics. The fine band of the regiment played from time to time, and CoL-Sergt Mackenzie's troop of gymnasts did some capital feats on the horizontal bar. The wind blew very srtongly from W.S.W., and, as this parade ground was fully exposed to its force, the cold was felt, especially by those who had come in light attire. The sports and the competitors were as follows : ILARRInII SIEN'tI RACK, leo yaids —Six started. First 10s, Colour-Sergeant Williatus; secuud, be, Lyons; third, 2 (Id, Pratt. _  Sommut's Rams, over 15 years' service, 200 yarda—Six started. First, .10s, McGee; second, ss, Sharma : third, Et 01, Liorrigan. Boy's ItAce, under 15 years, 100 yards. A large number started. First, Is, Egan; second, as, Mc. ; third, Es, Connell.