CHARIOT RACES.—SHOW NOVELTY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 127, 15 June 1937, Page 7

CHARIOT RACES.—SHOW NOVELTY

The fact that the Manawatu and West Coast A. and -P. Associatiou is staging chariot races as an oral attraction on Thursday and Saturday afternoons of tho show, which opens to-day, and that. the chariots will race under the colours, red, white and blue, recalls that in llome, when chariot-rae-ing was one of the chief forms of public amugement, rivalry between factions and colours increased from the time of the Repubjic to that of the Lmpire until it was an absorbing passion for thousands, FJiny tells of one chariot-owner, a Uaecina of Volaterrae, who x sed to bring swallows smeared with his colour into the city, letting them loose to fly home and so bear the news of a victory. Vast sums of money were liid out by capitalists and even by senators upon horses and drivers ; the colour i'actions increased in numbers, a"nd thejr rivalry came to occupy men's ruiuds as coniipletely as do now the chances of football ttams in England's manufacturing towns— to say nothing of New Zealaufi, The trial rung given the three chariots specially built for the races tliiaweek have shown them to be capable of fast travelling on the ciuder track, and lovers of speed, contending horses, and novelty should find in the chariot races an toutstanding entertainment. For competitors, substantial prizes are offered, the money totalling £32. The entrants include one lady competitor aniious to prove her skill as a charioteer, and good support is being accorded the events, It is understood some of the competitors have obtained horses specially for the races, which will be run in heats over a, course oi one njile. There will be a consolation event for those at first unsuccessful.