The Athletes and Athletic Sports of Scotland

MANAGEMENT OF SCOTTISH GAMES. 125 will be determined to make uphis leeway. If not of the right stamp, let him sink into the obscurity he is fitted for. In a programme such as has been indicated there may be fifteen, seventeen, nineteen, twenty-one, twenty-three, or twenty-five different competitions,but never two competitions of the same kind. As each competition is entered on, the spectators will know that when itis finished there will be no other competition of the same kind again that day, so that there will be fresh interest in every competition during the whole time the gathering lasts. Those acquainted with programmes in the North are aware thatthe five throwing events areusually heavyand light hammers, heavy andlight stones,and caber. As there isgener­ ally only a few pounds in difference of weight between heavy and light in each instance, there is no good in perpetuating a system which merely givesa good hammer-thrower or stone-put­ ter two prizes instead of one. On the same principle there might be two competitions in running high leap, onewith heavy shoes andone with light. It is far better tohave 56lb. weight and wrestling inplace ofsecond hammer and stone. GOOD ARRANGEMENT.— Witha programme simplified to from fifteen to twenty-five events,each event quite distinct from the other, the next points necessary to the successful carrying through of a gathering are that the events shall come offin a fixed order of succession, and each competition commence punctually at a fixed time. Want of orderly arrangement and unpunctuality are the great defects ofmost gatherings, and are tantalising to spectators and worrying to competitors. It is generally considerably past the hour fixed for commencing before astart is made ; the order of events, as set down in the programme, is not followed; at one time two competitions are going onat once, at another time no competition is on; one set of competitors tries to get one competition; another, another; some competitorsare not ready when wanted; one committee man advises one thing; another, another; spectators are allowed to gather within the ropes, and so the confusion goes on.