THE GERMAN BAY RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 608, 12 May 1882, Page 2

THE GERMAN BAY RACES.

It was a very melancholy task for those gentleman who have endeavored to get up a successful steeplechase meeting , in German isay, to d.ride at their gathering on Tuesday evening last to postpone it for another season.

When they started to work thorn tip a month or two ago every one seemed delighted, and subscriptions were so freely given by ull asked that the Hnan-

cial success of the affair was soon assured. Liberal prizes were then offered, and fvciy one fancied that enough horses would be entered to ensure a real I v good day's sport. Such, however, was not to he tlio case, and it was then thouirht it was own if to the fact of the steeplechases in Christcliurch on th ■ same day, and :it Heathcote a few days after. The time for nominations was therefore extended to May 8, and every one was still full of hope that good fields would face the starter, and that the best prizes were offered for steeplechases on the Peninsula would ensure the best racing in return. Such, however, was. not the case, and the meeting had to be abandoned.

Now, we think the paucity of entri s was owing to a variety of causes. In the first place, the Club were rather late in C' nnnencing to arrange about the meeting, for all the others had been fixed some time previously, and this of course placed the last comers at a disadvantage. Secondly, it is much better, if possible, for all country clubs to communicate with the central ones, so that all may agree to the fixture taking place at a, certain date, and so avoid clashing ; and if this conrse had been pursued this year, a better result might have been attained. Thirdly, the programme of events and rules under which

they will be run, and all particulars, should be printed as a racing circular, and sent round to the various sporting papers so that they might place the meeting on their list of fixtures, and also to the sporting hotels, to be sesn by ihose likely to be interested.

If these steps are taken next 3 ear, in good time, if the nature of the course is fully explained as of an ordinary character, and not left to be imagined as a scene of horrid horse traps, there :s little doubt we might have a good steeplechase me ting here nexts ason.

There is another question, and that is, would not an ordinary meeting with good hurdles be more attractive and bring more horses ? There is one great difficulty, and that is the course, but we should think that if an energetic committeee were appointed they might find some suitable spot. The rest would be easy.

We cannot help thinking that the suggestion of one of those present—that a Jockey Club for the Peninsula should be at once formed—is a good one. It would hold people together and make them more ready to commence next year. Besides, with officers and a committee in existence things are always more easily arranged. We therefore hope that the sub-committee appointed to wind up matters VfiU draw up n report recommending the formation of such a club, and using a portion of the subscription ■« in paying off present liabilities. We think the committee were right in not holding the races as the fields were not good enough, but we also think that they will be to blame if they do not show they are not fainthearted, and endeavor to advauce the prosperity of racing on the Peninsula.