RACE-MEETING AT DRYBREAD.

Dunstan Times, Issue 235, 26 October 1866, Page 2

RACE-MEETING AT DRYBREAD.

['PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] On Wednesday evening last, a numerously attended meeting of the sporta'-loving resi&ents'df the district was held at Mr Mellow's Dunstan CreekOlofel, for the purpose of initiating preliminaries towards bringing about race 3 and other sports to be held at Christmas or New Years' Day. Mr W. P. Dixon occupied the chair. The chairman on rising, said, he believed that the meeting was fully aware of the object for which it Was called, viz. :—To make arrangements for a race-meeting, to be held on the racecourse belonging to Messrs Glassford Brothers between Drybread and Black's. It was not for him to state !as to Whether 'the races should take'plaee before or after the Christmas holidays, but it ' was' for him to state that a sporting meeting on a large scale should be held at either of the times mentioned, so as to give the inhabitants of Drybread and the neighbouring districts an opportunity of enjoying themselves during the_ customary annual festivities, and more especially as the circumstances of the miners and tradesmen warranted a reasonabl. outlay of funds and time in' sociable pleasures He considered that the residents of Black's district would have no cause whatever to object to having the races held on Messrs Glassford's course, as it was almost "equidistant between that locality and of Thompson's and Drybread diggings. The course at Black's was not in any sense to be compared With the 6ne at Messrs Glassford's, and he, the chairman, was inclined to believe, that if an intelligent deputation were appointed to visit Blaektown, and confer with the leadingresidents there, amicable arrangements could be arrived at, and a race-meeting brought about equal in importance to any ever held in the upcountry districts. Mr Hinchcliff proposed that a public-meeting be held at Black's, and a deputation from Drybread be present to urge the policy of the two districts uniting in holding one meeting to represent both places. He would acknowledge that at first sight it might appear unreasonable to the residents erf Black's for those of Drybread to propose holding the meeting on Glassford's course, but he nevertheless thought that a deputation possessed, of ordinary argumentative tact, could effectively convince the people there that the superiority of Glassfords course would more than compensate them for the trouble of travelling some three or four miles. Mr M'Culloch seconded the proposition, and said that it was most desirable to solicit the willing co-operation of the inhabitants of Black's. Although the district of Drybread with the assistance of St. Bathans, could bring about a very creditable meeting, still an amalgamation with Black's was indispensably necessary to make the meeting a "great success." Black's, no doubt, could of itself hold a race meeting ; but neither of the districts could, when isolated from the other, do anything worthy of being generally appreciated. He therefore cordially supported Mr HinchclifFs proposition, and trusted that the deputation would succeed in making every desirable arrangement with the tradesmen and sporting-miners of Black's. The proposition was carried nem con, and Mr Trusdale propped that a meeting at Black's be held on the Friday evening following. The proposition was agreed to. Mr Chapman proposed and Mr Broderi'ck seconded, that the day of the races be named by the Committee appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting. The proposition was seconded and duly carried. Mr Hinchcliff proposed that subscription lists be printed, and that as soon as possible, a preliminary notice of the contemplated races be advertised in the public journals. Mr Mellor, in seconding the suggestion, said that he could vouch for a large amount of support being given by the sporting residents of St Bathans. Mr Pierce, of Old Dunstan Creek, had promised to do all in his power to collect funds, while Mr Kinross would no doubt prove himself a host in that line, amongst the well-to-do residents of St. Bathan's. It was argued during the meeting, as to whether it would be wise to hold the racemeeting at Christmas, or on the very dawn of the New Year, but the strongest arguments were adduced in favor of the latter time, as the horses could conveniently attend after the Dunstan races were over. It was also argued whether the collecting of funds should take place at once or not, and it was finally agreed to commence forthwith, so as to ascertain the sum that could be offered for prizes, as an inducement for the owners of horses resident in Dunedin and other distant places, to visit the Dunstan, and Drybread and Black's races. A strong committee of collectors was appointed) but as the several names will appear in an advertisement j I need not enumerate them. I »