Montreal Highland Games, 1865

Montreal Gazette, 18 August 1865, page 2

The Caledonian Society

Yesterday the Tenth Grand Annual gathering of this society took place at the Victoria Gardens, and came off with all the éclat which it deserved as one of the most spirited pic-nics of the season.  The day was all that could have been desired and neither pains, trouble nor expense seems to have been spared by the managers in order to command success.  The proceedings may be said to have commenced at the early hour of 10:30 with a game of quoits.  In the afternoon the rest of the games were proceeded with about 1 o’clock.  The fine band of the 69^th Rifles was present, as well as the pipers of the 25^th Regiment, while in the shed usually appreciated to dancing, Renaud’s Quadrille Band presided with their accustomed untiring energy and skill, which were largely drawn upon during the afternoon.  The list of games was both long and varied, and as might have been supposed.

“Tossing the caber, throwing the hammer, the sword dance and Highland fling were not forgotten.  The prize for Ghillie Callum or the Sword Dance, as will be seen from the list, was taken by a seaman of the ‘Styx’ named Donnelly; the blue jackets indeed were well represented and added to the picturesqueness of the scene.

The men of the Royal Artillery also contributed much to the attractions of the afternoon and “Tilting at the Ring, Mounted Independent Sword Practice, and other military games elicited their never failing interest.  The precarious chances of the competitors in the sack races, excited the usual amount of gratification, which is so often secretly felt, if not so frankly expressed in other people’s misfortunes.  In conclusion, we may state that during the afternoon the gardens were thronged with pleasure seekers, and that the result could not be but highly favourable to the funds of the society.

For further particulars, we must refer our readers to the list of games in which Major Fletcher, David Mair and John Boyd, Esqrs., consented to act as judges.

Names of Winners

Drafts- 1^st Prize Mr. Gates; 2^nd do, Mr. Murdoch.

Quoits- Mr. Renshaw, 1^st Prize, Mr. Schofield, 2^nd do.

Pole leap- 1^st prize, Mr. Brazeau, 9 ft 4 in; 2^nd do, Mr. Moffat, 8 ft 10 in.

Quarter mile race- 1^st prize, Mr. Ackerly, 25^th Regiment, 2^nd do, Mr. Coleir, 60^th Rifles

Tossing the Caber- 1^st prize, Mr. Brazeau, 4- ft, 2^nd do, Mr. Smith, 38 ft.

Running High leap- 1^st prize, Mr. Brazeau, 5 ft 8 in; 2^nd do, Mr. Moffat, 5 ft 2 in.

Sword Dance- 1^st prize, Mr. Donnelly of the Styx; 2^nd do, Piper Stuart of the 25^th.

1 Mile race- 1^st prize, Mr. Fitzgerald; 2^nd do, Mr. Delamir.

Tilting at the ring- 1^st Prize, Sergeant Wright; 2^nd do, Sergeant Munton.

Putting the Heavy Stone- 1^st prize, Mr. Brazeau, 29 feet; 2^nd do, Mr. Brolin, 28 ft 4 in.

Putting the Light Stone- 1^st prize, Mr. Brazeau, 33 ft 10 in; 2^nd do, Mr. Brolin, 33 ft.

Sack Race- 1^st Prize, Mr. Walker; 2^nd do, Mr. Ingrass.

Mounted Independent Sword Practice- 1^st prize, Sergeant Major Whinton; 2^nd do, Mr. Jenner.

Boys Hurdle sack race- 1^st prize, J Jackson; 2^nd do, Crofo; 3^rd do, T Jackson.

Hurdle race, in three heats- 1^st prize, Mr. Bachman, 2^nd do Mr. Stephen

Running Long leap- 1^st prize, Mr. Fagan, 16 ft 9 in; second do, Mr. Brazeau, 16 ft 7 in.

Highland Fling- 1^st prize Mr. Laird

Challenge Race- there being no competition, it was won by Mr. Johnston.

Boys race- 1^st prize, Mr. Crofo; 2^nd do, Mr. Bratt; 3^rd do, Mr. Grane

Barrel race- This was a new thing, which created a good deal of amusement.  1^st prize, Mr. Crofo, end Mr. Cliff.

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