The Queen's Birthday

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 143, 27 May 1890, Page 2

The Queen's Birthday

f.fffA y ' --■-'-. - S*ff — "-***" I The weather on Saturday was eyery. ; thing that eonld be desired for a holiday. A* bright and cloudless sky, a moderate : and refreshingly-cool breeze from the south', with the warm rays of the sun to make the air pleasantly warm for those who were not moving about. At ten o'clock the Rangitikei Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenants McKenzie and Taverner, mustered at Mr Daw's stables and marched to lhe racecourse pn. which the.tournament was held, and a few minutes afterwards the Manchester Rifles, commanded . by Captain Pleasants and Lieutenants Kirton and Gosling followed theni,' headed by the Feilding Brass Band. On arriving at the scene, of operations, the cavalry and infantry were formed in line and received Major Liddle witha'general^salute. The Major inspected the several corps and expressed great satisfaction with the number and appearance of the men who were clean and soldierly. "'After which the Manchester Rifles .fired the feu de joie, and three cheers *were given for Her Majesty,- which were- joined in * by* the cavalry. The cavalry then formed squadron and with the. Manchester Rifles in column, . inarched past— rand - again, were congratulated by the Major, who expressed great satisfaction with the> Manchester Rifles for their steadiness inmarching. .The cavalry then, after selecfing Sergts. Fowles and Henson from .heManchester Rifles as " points " wetrfcthrough The Musical Ride, a very interesting performance, to . the; inspiring . strains of the hand. By this time a con- . siderable number of civilians had gathered on the ground and surrounding grassy hills, while others were comfortably placed ou the convenient platform within the fence of tbe saddling paddock. The real business of the day was commenced. 1. Pursuing Practice Competition — Squads of four men ; sweepstake, 10s ~ per squad; open to squads from artytroop Only two squads competed, viz., Corporal McKenzie's and Trooper Carrol'iand the stakes were won by the firstnamed squad. 2. Open Handicap Hurdle Race—Sweepsstake, 10s; 1 mile. •■■'■'-

The following horses |also. started :— Roake's Saffron, 10 0, and Hughes* Brighton, 9-11. This promised to be a goodrace for the whole field till the half-mil& was reached, „when v Saffron, who!- had . hitherto led from the start, ran off the course, leaving the leadership to Ringa, who came home about three lengths ahead. 3.. Heads and Posts— Sweepstake, le per man ; open to all cavalry . McDougal and Carrol tied, and on running it off: the stakes were won by tha first-named. Burne, Fraser, William^ Rigley, Frecklington and Bailey alsb com - peted. . 4. Capture of Field Gun— ln squads of 8 man ; ... sweepstake, 8s per squad ; opea to squads from any troop. <-' Farrier Sergeant Williams' squad, linhv 45sec8^;| Corporal McKen'zie's squad 2min15secs. -This 'was the'most exciting' £nd interesting event of the day, and was a. novel sight to most of the spectator--The Manchester Rifles defended the gun-* exchanging a brisk fire with a party ot troopers in skirmishing order oh foot, who forced the Rifles to retire, and then covered the capturing squad. Apart front Sergeant Williams! men accomplish ing the feat in 30 seconds less time than the other squad, the superior style in which they seized the gun, and galloped with it mto the line! waß greatly admired. 6. Cavalry Hurdle Race— Sweepstake of 10s ; 1 mile; weight, 12st; open to any cavalry horse ■'-.-.; H. Burne's Beacon (8 stone over) ... 1 A'Court's Ringa (2 stone over) ..-.^..X W; Bailey's Jim 1(4 stone over) al-6 rahl This was a capital race between the twofirst horses, whiie Jim was nowhere at all6. Sword Bayonet Exercise This was gone through by tbe -whole; company of the Manchester Rifles under Captain Pleasants, and in such excellent style that at the conclusion the men wex -a warmly applauded, both by the troopers, and civilians. 7. Cavalry Flat Race— Sweepstake of 10s; £-mile; weight, list; open to all cavalry J. MeDonnelTs Coquette ... ' ... * 1 H. Burne's Beacon A.. ... - ... 2s Sanson's Sunbeam also ran. This was. the prettiest race of the day. From a. good^'start Coquette assumed dia lead, and. kept it x till tbe finish, coming in first oy a length. 8. "Victoria Cross Race-^Sweepstake of 2s»6d ; open to all cavalry Frecklington, 1 ; MeDougal, 2 ; Williams, 3. Three others also competed,. . the • "-wounded men" being picked upv under a heavy fire from the Manchester -Rifles, placed on their rescuer's horses,, and then oarried into camp. 9. Night Alarm— Sweepstake of 2s 6d; open to all cavalry Carrol, 1 ; Doughty ,2. MeDougal ani Sanson also competed, and each of the-, four competitors went through the business of. this interesting event in a considerable difterence of time. The tournament concluded with the musical ride by the cavalry. The cavalry then formed line andi Lieut McKenzie thanked Major Liddle for his kindness in acting as judge and inspecting officer, and called for three: oheers for the gallant Major, which weree heartily, given. ' L , 'S't:A The Major in a brief speecfr tb*a___t»_! Lieutenant McKenzie and the men for the complin ent, and remarked that he j ad seldom had gr ater pleasure »_»• s sting them on thai occasion. Turee cheers were given for Mr Lethbridge who had so kindly lent them ther* ground and given other praotioal assistance ; for the Manchester Rifles ; and for the people of Feildiug who had given them such a cordial welcome. In conclusion we have to compliment. ; the proprietors of the respective booths, ' Messrs Larsen and Joseph' Smith, on the excellence of the liquid and solid refresh-'! ments provided, and we were glad to se« eaeh was liberally patronised. . We understand that this tournament: will for the future be held annually i_r Feilding owing to the excellent nature of the ground, and it is intended to make it attractive not only to the various volunteer corps on the coast, but to the public.

A'Court?B Ringa, 10-0 .;. >.V ■■ ..y 1 H. B, Lance's Dangerous, .ll-7 ... 55 Rutherford's Evelyn, 9-0 ... ... £