Foxton Racing Club.

Manawatu Herald, 28 August 1894, Page 2

Foxton Racing Club .

The annual dinner of the Foxton Racing Club was held at the Foxton Family Hotel, at BJBo^p4n^kst night. The chair was tcdupigd %h^ the Vice-President, and Messrs William 8 and Rhodes occupied the vice chairs. » ■ . • • The catering was all that oould?be desired and the delicacies were placed on the table in a first-class: manner. The room was very prettily decQrabed with evergreens, flags and mirrors and was well lighted. Mr* Border is to be congratulated on hig efforts to please. Many apologies for non-attendance were received from guests, notwithstanding which the dinner was the^ best yet attended. Among the many gueata of the club we noticed Messrs Russell, Edwards, Stevens, Boberti and Haybittlc,

The evening, after dessert was reached, was passed in toast and song Mr Bottomley's presiding at the piano helped much to assist the Bingers an! td enliven the intervals. The health of the $ueen and Governor having been given from the chair Mr Williams proposed the health of " Our' Guests " to which Messrs Edwards, Haybittle and Vernon replied. V- ' The Chairman then on behalf ot the Club presented a gold match-box and sovereign case to Mr H. Gillies. In doing so he recalled the fact that Mr Gillies had been connected with the Foxton Bacing Club in the early days and had even, after he had moved away from the town kindly attended each racemeeting to act as Starter. As he had now resigned, the Club could not allow him to do so without asking him to accept this slight memento, which must be taken not for its value but as an indication of the feelings of the members. Mr Stevens who received the present on behalf of Mr Gillies, who was unable to attend, felt sure Mr Gillies would very much prize the case. He was aho sure he would be only too happy to assist in still furthering the interests of the club. Mr McMillan gave the toast " Kindred Clubs " and Messrs Stevens, Haybittle, Boberts and Edwards replied. The Foxton Bacing Club proposed by Mr Edwards was responded to by the Vice-president and Secretary. Mr McMillan pointed out that he did not consider the proposed manner of reducing the number of meetings fair, it should be the days of racing that should be altered. The Club was n0w.,18 years old and during the past had spent £2000 on improvements and given £6000 in stakes. The Club stood in the 82nd position in a list of 231 clubs. The stakes given by the Club averaged £894 per race, which was only £5 or £6 below the average of the Wanganui Metropolitan Club which was second on the list of the colony. The Agricultural, pastoral and dairying industries proposed by Mr Bhodes was acknowledged by Messrs Davies, Gowev and Boberts. Mr Davies gave the " Timekeeper " whioh Mr Nixon replied to. Mi\ Mitchell proposed the "Commercial Interests " and Messrs Hennessy (in a short but capital speech) and Bhodes acknowledged. Mr Bussell proposed the Flax Industry and coupled the names of Messrs Dudson, Forster, Williams, Jenks and Bradcock -with it. These gentlemen very briefly responded. Mr Williams proposed the Press, acknowledged by Messrs Vernon, Bussell and Thynne. " Horse-owners " was proposed by Mr Stevens, and responded to by 9 'Messrs Boberts, Purcell and Young. Mr Bussell proposed the " Native Bace" and Bori Bangeheua very pleasantly acknowledged it telling the company that the word " Pakeha " was derived from the Maori name of the white root of the cabbage tree whioh resembled them in colour. He recalled to mind an old time instance of a mistake made by the old aboriginals in taking soap for food which they oat but speedily ejected. H<j and his race had seen how good the pakehas were and he trusted they would for the future be treated as one people. The chairman proposed the Caterer and Mr Border acknowledged the compliment. Mr Edwards proposed The Ladies and Messrs Gower and 0. Bobinson returned thanks. Mr Haybittle proposed The Chair which was suitably acknowledged. The proceedings started at 8.30 p.m.. and ended at 2.80 a.m., and in a report space could not be found to mention so fully as we would* like all that was said and sung. We therefore record that Messrs Young, Haybittle, Bussell, Cook, Ennis, Little, Edwards, Vernon, Border, Mitchell, Nixon and 0. Bobinson all sang or recited. Mr Haybittle was a host in himself and with song or recitaton kept the room in a roar. Bori, by particular request gave a haka song, very short but which afforded on opportunity of judging the past by the present., We prefer the present style of the two. We think the members of the Club are to be sincerely congratulated on the proceedings of last night. The guests seemed to have enjoyed them selves. The honorary secretary is no doubt satisfied as to his efforts and the dinner committee must have worked very hard, and where that has to be done needleas to say Mr T. P. Williams was one of . them, and " all there " in . fact, we understand that Mr Border wisely and most trustfully confided the whole of the decorations to Mr Williams, which were admired by all. We can only hope the success of; these gatherings will still further spread and grow.