THE GRAND P I (] E 0 N MATCH

This match, which had excited so much interest among the metropolitan sportsmcrr^ and of which the pri/.e vvas a silvcr cup , value twcnty-five guineas , was decided on Saturday. Long before the appointed hour, Petersham Hace Course (the dcstined scène of action) and its purlicus, vvere dottcd vvith belligerent looking individuals, witli an extensive assortment of fire-arms, from the highiy finished « Joe Manton , " down to the su- })prannuated musket that is usually placed in some conspicuous part of a country domicile as a « terror to evil doers ! » As the day advanced , the plot thickened , and , by two < o'clock , the ground presented a very formidable array. The main body of the forces remained vvith the commissariat, at head quarters — that is to say , wilh the pigeons,, and the spring trap. Varions skirmishing parties postod themselves along the frontiers to eut off from the fugitives ail chance of retreat. In fact, if a new-comer in the Colony had, accidentally , corne upon the spot, he might have reasonably concluded that it vvasa grand field day with some of the militia. So much for a sort of fancy sketch, touching the preliminaries. IVe now proceed to u stern realities » — the events of the day, and the issue of the conflict. Be it ours, threforc , to record them , in a manner becoming a sedate historian.

The prize was a splendid silvcr cup, value 25 guineas, to be presented to Monsieur Delessert, as an acknowledgmcnt for the libéral support he bas afforded to the sporling circles , and bis gentlemanly, sportsman-lyke behaviour during his résidence in this Colony. The compctitors wero nominally twenty-six in number — five birds each, but, if sufficient birds were procuvable, seven each — distance, 21 yards. There were , liowever, three defaultcrs, so that tvvenly-three only came inio the lield.

314 NOTES

Ail thiiigs being adjusted, tlie first sliot was givcn at Iwenty minutes to tliree o'clock , and by the time five rounds were fired , t'.e sun liad sunk , and nlglit was coming. There were then three ties — eacli having killed his five birds. A dispute now arose as to wliether suftîcient birds were on the ground to allow se\:cn each, and if so, whether the ■terms of the match, in that respect, should be strictly adhered to. It aas, however, finally agreed upon that the match should be forthwith decided hy the ihree ties aforesaid. By a dim twilight , then (the moon seven days old) , at it the ucnt. One of the trio was soon /)07's de combat. The slruggle now lay between Messrs. Patterson and Whitfîeld — and highiy interesting it became — neck and neck. Two rounds were fired by each, and each brought down his bird, making seven consecutively. Tho eiglitli was now put up for Patterson, but owing to some untoward circumstance connected with its rise, several parties on the ground advised him not to fire. This advice was not followed, and a miss was the resuit. Whitfield's bird was put up, but, in some way or other, his pièce missed fire, — the same thing happened a second time ! the third decided the fate of the bird , and of the cup.

Now, we by no means vvish to impair, in the smallest degree, the freshness of Air. Whitfield's laurels; be has won others bcfore, and was declared to have won thèse, may lie therefore wear theui long. Butwe are not quite satisCed witli the Uro consvcuthe failures of his pièce at the eighth bird ! We are not aware that such an occurrence happened previously during the day; and, ail things considered, we think the termination anylhing but sasisfactory , Mr. Patterson was not fairly dealt with. However, they are both first-rate shots — Whilfield won a prize last week; but, if we were compclled to give a préférence, we should take Mr. Patterson, as a prettier and a « cleaner» shot. There were on the ground many capital shots, and many firstrate guns. The most valuable, and in every respect ihe best finished pièce, was M. Richard linderwood's — an A. 1, of the renowned Joe.

In the course of the afternoon, M. Delessert and the French Consul came on the ground with an exceedingly welcome accorapaniment — a hamper of Champagne, pro hono puhlico! This refreshing donation was moreover infinitely enchanced by the unostenlatious manner, and hearty good-fellowship with which it was dispensed. We have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with M. Delessert , but frora our observations of Saturday, we should think him fiilly entitled to the honorable distinction he has received from the sporting circles of Australia.

The utmost good feeling and hilarity prevailed ail day, nor was there a single accident. The birds did not rise well, they were too young— nor was the trap so good as it might have been. A pigeon trap should have a superior spring, to throw the bird up as it were. By the bye, there was a very remarkable occurrence. While one of the birds was up , a hawk very coolly sailed by , just over our heads , and struck at the pigeon. Of course , he received the reward due to his effrontery.

The day's proceedings were most appropriately wound up atMr. Thomas May's, where a choice banquet was accurately prepared. About eight-and-twenty sportsmen and amateurs sat down thereto, and discussed its merits as became them. Mr. Richard Underwood (to whose excellent management the business of the day had been conlided , ) in

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the chair, with Roohrood as i}icc. The cup was duly presentpd to M. Delesscrt , who , in a very neat straight-forward speech, returned thanks. Thatjgentleman also presented to the winner of the cup, (as a sort of quidpro quo,) a handsorne' goldmounted sword, which, both intrinsically and as a work of art, is certainly an équivalent for the cup — we should prefer it. The usual toats — the Queen, the King of the French, Sir George Gipps, Lady Gipps , and the iadies of the Colony , were drunk , and duly responded to ; and then — furthermore this déponent saith not.

The cup, which is very handsorae, is from the magazine of Messrs. Birnstingl. Upon it is engraved the crest of M. Delessert, with the names of the gentlemen who contended for it, and appropriate devices. This gentleman is about to leave us. He carries with him a tangible mémento of the esteem in which he is held amonghst the résidents of New South Wales ; but if report speacks true , his urbanity and sportsmanlike behaviour will leave a not less durable mémento in the recollection of Ihose who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

In enumerating the important personages of the day, we must not leave out our good friend Shaw , to whom the visitors at Petersham ai-e indebted for this contribution to their comfort and convenience, both on the course and at his bouse.

The foUowing is a copy of verses made on the occasion : —

To Eugène Delessert, Esq., of Havre-de-Grace , this Sonnet and Cup are respectfuliy dedicated by the members of the Australian Sporting Club, in honor of their friendship and esteem.

Sydney, N. S. W. , Jiily 12 1845.

Approving friendsliip wakes in tuneful thème, To blazon forfh thy praise — lier mark'd esteem , With blushing honors croivn thy youthful famé, Thy virlues laud , and private worth proclaim ! Australia's sons will long with pride record Thy manly feats when round tlie l'estive board In social liarmony they meet — and tell Of him who seem'd in ail tliings to excel — In proof of which, and their attachment, they This fribute small , as a mémento pay , To testify the ivarm exalted sensé In which they liold thy modest excellence : This toast on parfing give , their heartfeit pray'r , " Health and long life to gallant Dei.rssrrt! h

R. M. Blamey, M. D., etc., etc., etc. Script.

W. et H. Birnstingl , Delf.

X'OTKS.

THK SYDMEY MOR\TI\G HERALD.

Tucsday, Jiily 29 184".

« Sworn lo no masler, of no secl am I. "