THE AHAURA RACES.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 156, 12 January 1867, Page 3

THE AHAURA RACES.

(VROM OUlt OWX CORRESPONDENT.) Ne.w Year's Day was the advertised date for the commencement of our little race meeting to which all the sporting denizens of this district, who from any cause were precluded from visiting the more pretentious Hokitika coursejfiave for some time been looking forward with the (greatest i interest, but unfortunately New Year's Eve proved very wet and threatening, with every appearance oi a formidable rise in the river, that might have the effect of preventing the arrival of many expected visitors from up the country, and it was accordingly determined, after considerable and somewhat angry discussion, to postpone the affair till the advent of better weather. This decision proved somewhat unlucky, and gave rise to a display of much ill-feeling on the part of those who attended on the faith of the published programmes, in -winch 'no provision was made for the untoward event. As the day. turned out fine after all, a very respectable sprinkling of spectators was assembled on the course, who gave vent in no measured terms to their disappointment, more particularly as the lessees of the refreshment-tents had been forewarned of the postponement, and consequently had forwarded neither liquors nor comestibles to the spot, and although a number of private and spiritedly contested races were got up impromptu, the novel scene, probably unprecedented in colonial experience was witnessed of a race ground conducted on strict tetotal principles, The course was in fine order, and ffllly justified the encomiums I bestowed upon it in my last letter, «is an arena -.admirably adapted for its, purpose. On 'the; following days (Wednesday and Thursday), the races were. held. i\goorcling

to programme, in spite of most unfavorable weather— some of them having been run in a regular down^puur — and of much wrangling between the owners of horses, the Stewards, the Judge, and everybody concerned, especially as to the definition of the term " district," which by some was held to include a radius of only a few nu'les from the Ahaura township,- '.while others contended that this was only a transparent dodge for keeping away competitors that might be dangerous. A sort of compromise was at length effected, and some horses from beyond the Arnold were permitted to. run, but without much effect upon the ultimate result. It is, however, to be regretted that care was not taken beforehand to define precisely what was intended to be comprised in the term " district," as it would have saveduiuch unpleasant cavilling. The events on the list, exclusive of private matches, came off in the following order : — Distkict Rack, L2s— Open to all District horses, three miles, one event, aivd to carry list ; welter weights; entrance L 3.. Mr McFarlaue's lilk. m. Limerick Lass. Mr Carroll's gr. g. Grey Doctor. Mr Devery's eh. g. Dan O'Connell. The race laid entirely between the mare and tho chesnut, it being evident that the grey (though bound to ho a gallant horse in virtue of his colour) coiild'nt live the distance, and he accordinglj' caved in at the first round. Dan pushed his antagonist hard for the first two miles, and appeared to have a good chance of winning, but unluckily fell with his rider at that point, and the Limerick Lass came in an easy winner, to th'j entire and uproarious triumph of tho " buys in green," who nuistei'ed rather strongly on this as on evory other occasion in. these parts. Packer's .Race, L15 — Open to all bmui fide District Pack Horses, one mile heats ; welter weights, entrance LI. Mr McFarlane's,bay pony Little Wonder Mr Don] an's blk. in. Biddy. Mr McKonna's bay cob -r*-=-Mr Long's blk. m. Saucy Noll. Mr Sweeney's eh. g. Captain, Tin's, although culled a Packer's race and ridden in pack saddles, was really as 'much a trial of speed as of endurance and power, 'which are the qualities usually deemed most essential in this class of animals. It resulted in a very good contest between the two leading horses without ' nniph show' for .any of the others except the cob, who made gome very fair, running for a good pai't of the distance, . Hurdle Race, L 20 — Three miles, over oi'^ht hurdles, to carry list 71bs ; entrance L 2 2s. Mr -McKenna's grey pony --— , Mr Carroll's blk. g. Black Prince, Mr Deveroy's eh. g. San die. Three miles of running and eight flights of three feet six hurdles ai'e enough to try tho mettle of even a thorough Irish "fencer." Nevertheless each of the horses did their work well and took their leaps gallantly, leaving the victory at List so undecided that I believe tho Stewards have still a protest before them for consideration. A new saddle and bridle offered to I beaten Packers was carried off by Mr Devevey's bay gelding Tommy. Handicap Race, L10 — For all horses, to bo handicapped, on the ground; two miles, entrance LI. : Mr McFarlane's b. p. Little Wonder. Mi' McKenna's gr. p. Mr McFarlane's blk, m. Limerick Lass. Mi' Deverey's eh. g. Dan O'Connell, Mt Long's blk, in. Saucy Nell. A good deal of difficulty was experienced in hand&apping the horses on account of the varying estimates formed of their per-' forniiuices, but the adjustment was at length conijjleted, to the satisfaction probably of nobody, as is usually tho case. ( What is called a tight race ensued, and the grey came in a winner with very little to spare. Hurry Scurry, L10 — One and aJialfmile, post entry (winner of District Race not allowed to start) ; entrance Ll. There were .five entries for this race, but the struggle lay only between Little Wonder, Mr- McKenna's bay, and Black Bess, who came in in the order- named. Trotting Match, L10 — Tliree miles ; entrance 15s. v l: The bay again came forward and won, The Consolation Stakes, L10 — For all beaten horses, was won by ■ Dan O'Connell in two heats against four opponents. It was a very good race and concluded the public part of the sport, but the next day was filled up with several smaller events, some of which were of . interest, among others a trotting match of a mile and a half against time,' which was performed in six minutes. Apart from this which has been the allengrossing topic, there has been very little to chronicle or to talk about ; but some speculation lias been excited by vague reports of the proceedings of several parties . of diggers who are believed. to be at work up the Ahaura river, with what amount of success is uncertain, A canoe brought down five men on Saturday in search of supplies, who were believed to have come from pretty high up the stream. They brought with them a young man belonging to a party bringing sheep overland, who having returned into the bush to recover some strayed sheep, had got bewildered in the mazes of that never to be sufficiently execrated track that leads back towards the well-named Starvation Point. He had been absent for tliree days, as it was believed without food, and his comrades having given notice of his disappearance, much commisseration was felt for his probable fate, and parties started out in search of him, but returned without success. He had, however, succeeded in forcing his way through the bush to the river side, where he was luckily picked up by the passing canoe and brought down to the township, much exhausted and nearly naked, but otherwise not much the worse for his adventure.