A TRIP TO THE GRYMOUTH RACES.

Kumara Times, Issue 1083, 20 March 1880, Page 2

A TRIP TO THE GRYMOUTH RACES.

By Gleaner.

The early mere of St. Patrick’s Day found a number of persons (amongst whom may be classed jp of these notes) assembled arouncTa' horseless vehicle in the yard of a well-known coach proprietor of this town, the countenances of all bearing a most defiant “jump-my-claim” expression. The vehicle in question could, however, hardly be called tenantless, as the boxseat was adorned by a gentleman whose celebrated sporting “tips,” under the nom de plume of “ K-k-karactacus,” are as often found in Bell’s Life as

they are in the Australasian, and who evidently believed in bis case that the old maxim of “ possession ” being ■“ of the law ” was well fomMran The appearance of a livelyIdoking team from the adjacent stable at once solved the mystery of bo many •early risers in the field, as no sooner ’Were the horses observed than a simultaneous movement was made by all, and in a second every seat in the coach was occupied, the observation of “ A grand day for the races !” proclaiming the destination of the excursionists. Fairly down that abortion of a road teeming with ruts, debris, and stones, known as the Zigzag, but little occurred to break the monotony of the journey until near Houlahan’s junction, where the funeral of a celestial attracted considerable attention and caused various surmises as to the quantity of paper the chief mourner would require between there and Greymouth (a distance of sixteen miles) as at about every twenty-five yards he cast to the winds some Mongolian document. A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, and our team soon placed us at the top of the Marsden hill, the winding and steep decent on the other side being performed at a rattling pace under the skilful jehuship of one well skilled in the use of the ribbons— Jemmy Rugg. A halt at Marsden, the “ dew of the morning" imbibed, and we were again soon bowling along a good road, the sides of which were fenced for some distance by gardens where the rosy apples and luscious peaches hung in grand profusion. Soon after passing through the suburbs we pulled up in front of one of the numerous bostelries that adorn the great coal city of the West, the run as specially taken by one of Richmond’s chronometers being done in 3h. 10m. 7sec., including delays. Haring done the . town generally and interviewed several old friends, we with some four hundred others, left by the. first train fur the scene of the days enjoyment, the Greymouth racecourse, aituated at Omotumotu, on the .Brunner Main line. The course we found in splendid order, the grand stand, however, being in ,au exactly opposite.condition. The last new novelty in sporting circles, the “ Summariser,” we had an opportunity of examining for the first time, and from the general satisfaction expressed by all who had any dealings with this ** bookmakers enemy," there is little ' reason to doubt it will soon become an established institution in connection with the turt. However, to refer to the main object of our visit, the racing, we may say unhesitatingly that of all the meetings ever held on- this Goast, the Greymouth races of St. Patrick’s time, 1860, will be long remembered by the genuine sport-loving portion.’of the community as the-most successful meeting ever carried out up to the- present time. The weather was all that could be desired, the course good, and every item of the programme was honestly contested, in which the best horse won. After the many barefaced swindles to which the public have been treated on this Coast in racing matters of late, the change for the better at the last meeting at Greymonth was particularly noticeable as a step in the right direction, and one that the public heartily appreciated, as shewn not only by the attendance, but by the frequent expressions of approval during the meeting. After returning to town and refreshing the inner man, we terminated the day’s amusement by attending the entertainment in aid of the Grey River Hospital, and in this instance the epidemic of emulation had spread, as the Christy Minstrels engaged in the performance would not only bear favorable comparison with their Hokitika or Kumara colored brethren, but in several items they might be advantageously imitated by the latter. A few hours at the Hibernian ball, a little rest, and a return to Kumara next day, thoroughly fatigued, ended one of the most pleasant trips we have had on the Co ist.