YESTERDAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 39, 14 January 1881, Page 2

YESTERDAY.

(BY OCR 9PFCIAL EErOPTF.n.) Otaki, Tnursday. The above races are bein;,' held today, on the Otaki R .cecourse. Great fears were entertained last evening that the weather would not be favorable, as the close, moist atmosphere betokened rain. However, notwithstanding a small shower or two chat fell during the night, the day has been ■ill that could be desired. Tne rain that did fall has had the effect of laying the dust, which otherwise would have beon anything but pleasant. For the past few days racehorses and vi. i tors have been arriving from all places on the coaat, both north and south, and tbis morning visitors have been rolling un in great numbers, both on horses and in traps, including two vehicles from Foxton. Amongst the visitors are a number of the " under-and-over " gentry, although I do not think they will do a great business. Of course tho clever canaries are on the ground, and are well patronised. Messrs Greenough (of Otaki), aud Tom Roach (of Ohau), each have a booth on tho grouud for the sale of liquors ; whilst Mr Harper iias a refreshment booth. They are all doing a good trade. The following are the officials, as per the "c'rect card ":— President, Mr Simcox; judge, Mr Braithwaite ; starter, Mr Fred. Bills ; clerk of scales, Mr C. Mitchell ; clerks of the course, Messrs H Wi P.-iraia md T. ltitson ; stewards, Messrs Gillies, A. l>ake, T. Seymour, H>.ma t. Ao, ... Kebbell. F. Rutherford, M. Carkeek, T. Ransrield, and Hoani Taipua ; handicapper, Mr T\. Stevens ; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Jillet. The muster on the course is extremely rood, between four and five hundred people >>eiug present, and as there are a largr number of horsemen, buggies, traps, &c, .lie field has a very animated appoarance. A small band is performing some good niisic as I write. Tne course, which ma 1 -* be described as .imply mown out of an immense lield of -histles. is in very fair order. The first race — H indieap Hurdles — ha? just been run. I enclose some note . of it, but must send particulars of the other races by tel graph, promising a full acconnt for Tuesday's paper.