TOKOMARU

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2029, 14 March 1907, Page 1

TOKOMARU

MAORI RACING CLUB’S MEETING. (Occasional Correspondent.) On (Saturday, March 9th, tho Maori Racing Club hold its annual raeo meeting; on the beach. The ovont attracted a’ big crowd of spectators, ; fqr tho most part Maoris, and there (Wjjs an entire absence of rov.’dincsg or drunkenness, tho conduct of the meeting j icing admirable. Tho programme, .consisting of six events, wap -run *iff 111 four hours, the officials working hard to prevent any unnecessary and vexatious delays.' Good entries were received for each race, and all races wore honestly ami keenly contested, not a suspicion , of swindling being breathed against any owner, trainer, or jockey. Tho' stewards did not have occasion to m ect once to consider any complaint <.°‘ l >r0 “ test. The officials, and especial, 'j “ le Secretary, Mr H. P. Mulligan, are to be complimented on the sucee,. <s of the meeting, and the wish is expressed that the natives will, in future meetings, maintain tho high standard set up at this one. The following .were the events and winners :

Maiden Scurry: Iha 1, Pariroa 2. Hack Race: Wongwong 1, Dolly Grey 2.

Marotiri Handicap: Heahakiau 1, Pariroa 2. Stewards’ Handicap: Titokowaru 1, ridden by Tori Mulligan, who succeeded in defeating on the post Huka, the rider of the second horse. —outaketake Cup: Iha 1, Pari.oa 2. This was the most important race of the day, and the owner of the winner, S. Babbington, received an ovation.

Consolation Handicap: Daisy 1, Lady Blue 2.

The, officials of the lueejuuK were : Handicapper, E. Potae; clerk of course, H. Tutawa; clerks of scales, C. Ryland and T. Potae; treasurer, Newton; starter, Poia Koria ; judge, W. 11. Potae; blackboard official, Wi Karaka; secretary, H. T. Mulligan.

GENERAL NEWS. It is reported that Hare Matenga, the Maori outlaw, has been seen recently in the Bay of Plenty district, whore he is supposed to have again got on the war-path, several camps having been robbed. Mr Kelley, of Tokomaru, the contractor for the Maori telephone line extension in the Waiapu and Bay of Plenty districts, has already com? pleted 140 miles of line, and he still has 50 miles to erect. The native schools along the East Coast are being remarkably well attended this year. At Tuparoa there is an attendance of over 90, and at Tokomaru Bay, although there is a public school in addition to the native school, the attendance is q vtvcord, their being over 80 on the roll. Substantial increases are also reported iu other schools. The Tokomaru Bay Axemen’s Association meeting, to bo held on March, 19th next, is attracting considerable attention, There are to be four events, and £32 is to bo given in prizes. Entries close on Saturday next,

It seems probable, owing to the difficulty of procuring a suitable playing ground, that there will bo no football in Tokomaru during tlie coming wjujicr, Tbo gj:qni)[] tho Club has had in tlie past ha j boon sold and built upon. It is a pity that such a flourishing club should bo disbanded, as for many yoars it lias supplied tlio champion team of the Coast.