Tumut (from our Correspondent)

30 January 1869 The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser

January 28th. –

Mills

Owing to the long continued drought all machinery in our neighbourhood depending on the water for it a motive power is now at a stand-still. Mr. Moon's Flour Mill  on the Gilmore is at present idle, but Mr. McGillivray has escaped being placed in a like predicament by importing a portable steam engine for grinding wheat, which is now at work. 

Stock

We have had some Melbourne stock buyers in Tumut during the past week, on the lookout for fat cattle, but though our neighbour- hood is redundant (sic. probable should read - abundant) in the article required no sale has been effected, either the price asked or the present state of the roads deterring these dealers from purchasing.   

On Tuesday morning 12,000 sheep belonging to Mr. Brown of Narrandera passed through Tumut, 'en route' for the South Long Plain. 

Water Carrier Accident

Our Tumut water-carrier, Nathaniel Reville, has met with a very serious accident, having sustained a compound fracture of the bones of the right leg, and I am sorry to say the sufferer's previous state of health renders this a most critical case.

Early on Tuesday morning last Beville, in the pursuit of his usual avocation, had driven his water cart into the river when the breeching strap broke, and the horse (a colt recently broken in) commenced kicking with great violence, smashing the top rail of the dray, and striking Reville several times on the leg. Persons in the neighbourhood were alarmed by shrieks for help, and several hastening to the spot discovered Reville apparently half drowned clinging to the side of his dray.

John Haydon waded in, and released him from his perilous position, and in the meantime Dr. Lynch, who had been summoned, arrived. Under his directions a litter was prepared, and the unfortunate man having been borne to his home by a number of townsmen received the necessary medical attentions.

The above is one of these cases that clearly shows how desirable is the' establishment of a public hospital in Tumut. Reville has a wife and family entirely dependent upon his daily earnings, therefore the medical man in attendance must have small hope of remuneration for his assiduous attentions.

Dr. Lynch's promptitude in waiting upon the sufferer is well deserving of record.  

Anniversary Day

On Anniversary Day the weather was all one could desire at this season, the warmth of the sun's rays being tempered by a fine breeze.

There was a very large gathering of holiday folks upon tho race-course, to witness the Athletic Sports, which were a decided success and a vast improvement upon similar recreations held in former years.

The publican's booth, which was owned by Mr. E. A. Fitzgerald, who also acted as judge of the sports, and the numerous fruit and lemonade carts appeared to be well patronised, the varied contests of speed, strength, or agility passed off pleasantly, barring the dispute occasioned by the walking match, and general mirth and good humor prevailed.

At 12 o'clock the sports commenced with the 1st race for boys 14 years and under, 150 yards, which was contested as follows : — 

Walter Hoad 1   

Edward Murphy 2     

Charles Allat 3   

Jemmy Diamond ? 0 

Foot Race, The Tumut Stakes ; 200 yards. 

Thomas Green 1   

Thomas Eggleton 2   

George Podmore 3   

This was a very exciting and well contested race, the men being all well together, and Green running in gallant style. 

Hurdle Race, 150 yards; over five hurdles.

Alex Davis 1   

James Fallon 2  

Michael McNamara 3  

 Thomas Green, false start.

 The competitors in this race cleared the hurdles in handsome style, and the race was much admired by the public.

At its conclusion Green offered to run the winner for £1 a-side, but Davis declined.

Sack Race; 80 yards. 

Alex. Davis 1   

Henry Foord 2   

Thomas Bell 3   

Bell came to grief after going about a dozen yards, and was unable to regain his feet. 

Three-legged Race ; 200 yards. 

Henry Foord and Alex. Davis 1  

Thomas Bell and John Archer 2 

James Smiles and A. Lovett 3   

The winners came in about 20 yards a-head. 

A bun and treacle competition was here introduced, and some half dozen juveniles made rare mirth for their seniors.

Willy Green, won in a masterly manner. 

After this came the running hop, step, and jump, won by

James Fallon, who cleared 37 feet 6 inches;

Michael McNamara being only 7 inches behind,

and Thomas Green, the third competitor, distanced. 

Handicap Foot Race, 300 yards. 

Alex Davis 6 yards 1  

Thomas Green scratch 2   

John Handy scratch 3   

W. J. Piper 10 yards 0  

Thomas Percival 15 yards 0   

William Eggleton, false start 15 yards 

This was a very good race, and the result showed that the runners had been well handicapped. 

Throwing Cricket Ball ; 50 yards.

There were twenty-three entrances for this, and the first prize was won by an aboriginal named Saltbush, Thomas Fallon being next in excellence.

The wicket was not hit but the throwing of Messrs. Capel, W. Bridle Junr., and M. McNamara, was much admired.

The ball used appeared too light for the purpose. 

Foot Race, for boys under 14 ; 130 yards. 

William Eggleton 1

Bobt, Eggleton (disqualified) 2  

Edward Bridle 3   

Hurdle Race, youths under 18 ; 150 yards over five hurdles.

Johnny King 1 1

John King, T. Percival, J. Smiles, J. Archer, and T. Piper also ran.

This was a very pretty race, but the blackfellow took the lead all through, and maintained it with surprising agility.

In this race James Smiles received a severe crack on the head from a hurdle bar, and for a time lay stunned upon the course. 

Walking Match; 1 mile. 

John Haydon 1   

James Slattery 2   

Thomas Rose 3       

The judge gave this event in favor of Haydon, though as far as I can learn not one of the committee and very few of the public endorsed his decision. Rose evidently went at a sling trot, Haydon it is thought at a fair walk might be more than a match for Slattery, but the style and bearing of the latter, who appeared in gay walking attire, was the theme of general admiration. Time 9 min. 7 secs. 

Live Wheel-barrow Race ; 50 yards.

H. Hoad and E. Fierce 1   

H. Foord and J. Archer 2   

T. Green and A. Davis 3    

B. McAlister and W. Bridle jun. 0   

This race created much mirth, and manifestly restored the good humour slightly damped by the former event. 

Consolation Race ; 150 yards, seven competitors started. 

Thomas Eggleton 1   

James Fallon 2   

This concluded the programme of the sports, which were very harmoniously and pleasantly carried out, with the exception of the difference of opinion as to the walking match, and the competitors and spectators adjourned to town well satisfied with their day's recreation.

Allow me again to observe that in organising sports and public recreation Tumut beats Gandagai, as the Americans say, “by chalks”.