MAROKOPA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 224, 12 January 1910, Page 5

MAROKOPA.

Own Correspondent.

'The race meeting arranged by the Marokopa Sports Club duly took place on January 3rd, and was most successful .from every point of view, the racing being interesting and the financial result satisfactory. A large number of horses came from places outside the district, which is most encouraging to this young club, and it is hoped that before another year we will be able to have a course of our own, the racing at present having to be carried out on the beach, which is not altogether satisfactory from a spectator's point of view, a sharp bend on the course hiding the horses from view in the first part of the race in progress. Three "bookies" paid for the privilege of betting on the events, and appeared to do a fair amount of business. The open events resulted asunder:— Cup, one mile. —Yankee Doodle 1, Kaikuku 2, Kaiparu 3. Flying Handicap.—Kaikuku 1, Yankee Doodle 2, Caramel 3. Steeplechase. —Kaiparu 1, Kaiware 2. Kingbolt, the other starter, fell at the last hurdle, his rider leading him in, thus 10-ring third money. The standing chop was won by Moore, and the underhand blo'ck by Bentley.

A plain and fancy dress ball was held in the evening, and was well attended. The hall had been decorated for the occasion by the Sports Club's energetic secretary and-a band of willing helpers, and presented a most gay appearance. The grand march was led off by Mr J. Kinnane and Miss Rose Willison, and was taken part in by a large number of ladies and gentlemen. Amongst those in fancy dress were Mrs A. Symonds "Hospital Nurse," Mrs C. Tynan "Rags," Mrs S. Carr "Night," Miss Carr "Summer," and Miss Willison as a "Highland Lassie." Dancing was kept up till mofning, the music being supplied free by Messrs Bell (piano), Saunders and Smart (violin), the duties of M.C. being carried out by Mr J. Kinnane. Songs were contributed by several gentlemen during the evening, and a Highland Fling was danced by Miss Rosie Willison in appropriate dress. The proceeds of the ball are to be used for the purpose of reducing the debt on the hall, and it is intended to get up a series of entertainments for the purchase of a piano for use in the hall. The instrument at present in use is kindly lent by Mrs Willison, who is always to the front in giving her services for any public cause, and to whom the arrangements for carrying out the ball had been intrusted with such satisfactory results.