Marokopa Races.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 395, 15 January 1909, Page 2

Marokopa Races.

As briefly stated in our last issue, the above races wera held on January 2nd, and passed off very successfully. The night previous rain fall vory heavily, but on the day it foitaaa'ely held off. And it was a pity that i did, for in place thereof there was a fierce westerly wind, which raised clouds of sand, this being unpleasant for all assembled. The attendance was good, included amongst the number being a fair sprinkling of the fair sex. Three bookmakers did a fair business ; the odds were tremendous, in a field of five “ Even money; bar two ” being called. A s plend id course was provided aiong the beach, a horse requiring good stamina to win. Mr Retemeyer officiated as starter, and Mr W. Kerr a* judge. There were six starters for the 4 furlong Pony Race, Tamaranga'a Business aud Barlow’s Who’d a Thought It being too good for the others, and after a good go they finished in the order named.

Only three contested the Maiden Plate, a nuggetty grey, owned by Rima Barlow and bearing the aristo cratio name of Ton of Bricks, finishing in front of the pony FireballThe prizes for the Cup were £4 and £l, the starters being—Bell’s Electron, Atkinson’s Roselh, Whauga’s Fish and J. Willison’s Kingbolt. It was a good go, but the first named, nicely ridden by bis owner (Percy Bel'), wou with a bit in hand. There was a slight mix up in connection wi*h the six furlong Pony Race. Half the field completed the go urso, Business romping in, but the starter declared “no start ” and or dered them back again. This time Roache’s Fireball (who had previously remained at the post) won, with R. Willison’s K&ware 2nd. Arguments, as was to be expected followed, resulting in a match being made for £2 aeide between Business and Fireball, a splendid race resulting in a win for the former.

It is not often that each a uniqne event as the Punga Town Handicap appears on a race programme. Near to Marokopa there is a group ofcamps of roadmen which has been given the name of Punga Town. Now the residents of the hamfat made up a special prize, the race to bo for ponies, to be ridden astride by women. The event took on well, the following horses starting—Peter (R. Willison), Titoki (A. Wil ieon), Niho (Potn), Kaware (Maringa), Business (Mrs Whitiora), Tom (Waibinga), Who’ a Thooeht It (Kite). The race was a good one from the start, the result favour of Lusineap, with Titoki second. How the fair (some of whom were dark) jockeys did ride I The way gome of them handled their mounts at the finish would put to shame meo who call themselves professional jockeys and who ride at big meetings. The same four horses that started in the Cup contested the Flying, Elec tron again winning, Kingbolt this timfc displacing Rosel la for secand place, all the horses finishing in a lirnncb.

The race of the day was the Steeplechase of two miles, and this event would have done credit to Ellerslie or Riccarton. The course included fences, ditches, brash fences, a wire fence, the finish being in heavy sand. On the fall of the flag Kingbolt took the load from his five opponents, every horso jumping splendidly. On the last round Kaware and Electron improved their position, but the wire fence, the last jcimp before going out on to the san<\ brought down Electron, Kingbolt winning by a few lengths. The win was very popular, as Jack Willison is a thorough good S port.

The dance on Friday night was well attended (nothwithstanding the fact that a M boycott ” was raised by some visitors from Ktnohaku, the price, 4s, being considered excessive). Miss A. Willison assisted Messrs Aubin and Saunders with the music. The floor —which is made of 3in. x lin. heart of ma tai—is beautiful to dance on, and the Marokopa residents assert that it is “ the best between Auckland and Taranaki.” Those that graced the floor wore certainly excellent dancer*, whilst besides the usual dances some pretty specials were introduced, the French minuet pleasing us more than the others. Two conpleH gave a cakewalk, aud fenr Maori girls a pot dance, the latter item being particularly good. The gathering broke up about 3 a.m., but uot before refreshments had been banded round a second time.

There was a larger attendance at the dance on Saturday night (the price had been reduced), the music being supplied by Messrs Aubin (piano), Saunders aud L. Armi'age (yiolin). Between dances a cake walk was given by Tapuariki and Poto, and Cooper and Kite, the item being well done and appreciated. Hari—who is a bom clown—j lined in, his ludicrous gyrations causing much msrriment. Four koliros entered for the poi dance oompefition—Poto, Kite, Tahusbi aud EUugitaka—the youthful Mauri judges piecing the two first named in that order. About 20 couples took the floor for the waltzing o»mpetitiou, 'bo people resting being appointed the judges. The winners were Hire and Kite, J. Willison and partner being second, and P. Bell a,nd Miss A. Willison third. The prize* for both competitions were donated by Mr and Mrs Williion. Supper was also pro vided. Before the gathering ter minated, Dr C. Campbell Jenkins thanked the Marokopa people for the extreme kindness they bad shown to the visitors.