YESTERDAY'S HOLIDAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 124, 25 May 1878, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S HOLIDAY.

Those who were anywhere near the centre of the town yesterday tuorniag about ten o'clock were reminded by the cheers proceeding from some hundreds of little throats that the day was no ordinary one. At that hour '< Ben Crisp " had marshalled his forces, and was parading the town with a waggon load of wee ones, and a large following of children of less tender years. When tired of walking the streets they adjourned to the paddock in Coliingwood-street, where they devoted their attention alternately to cakes and games, and in the evening were treated to an exhibition of the Magic Lantern, after which the merry party broke up, not one of them having enjoyed him or her self more heartily than the old man to whom they were indebted for their day's pleasure. In order to provide amusement for older holiday keepers, some gentlemen had made hurried arrangements for a day's racing, which was the means of attracting some 500 or 600 people to the old course, on whieh, in the days gone by, had taken place many game struggles between some of the finest horsea that hud ever stripped on a southern racecourse. The arrangements were well made and carried out, but the sport.as might be expected under the circumstauces, was not of a very high order. The first event on the card was a handicap hurdle race of 15 sovs, about two miles, over eight flights of hurdles. Eive horses were entered, but only two came to the post— Mr Blower's Septimus, and Mr Bradcoek's Keikei, the former ridden by J. Hagan, and the latter by its owner. Keikei went away with a lead, which he retained until at the seventh hurdle, Septimus challenged him, and the two took the leap at the same stride. A Bplendid race ensued, which was won by Keikei by a bare length. The Hack Hurdle Race was won by Mr '.Little's Sprightly, beating Mr Burrow's Catch -me -if -you -can, and Mr Penney's Phoebe. Betting 2tol on a fall, the layers of the odds winning, there being two such accidents, but fortunately no one was hurt. The second handicap hurdle race, like its predecessor, saw only two horsea start, Keikei and Happy Jack, the latter of which retired at the third hurdle. For the Novel Race nine started, each horse being ridden by the jockey nominated for one of the other competitors, the last horse to win. It was a sorry exhibition. A horse called Darkie ridden by Mr T. Harley, occupied the proud position of winner. For the Handicap District Plate of 20 bovs, five horses came to the post, but the race was a gift to Mr Bolton's Half Caste, who had to carry a swag about the same size as the little jockey, who rode her admirably, in order to make up the required weight of 8 stone. The others which ran were Mr Trask's Larrikin, Mr Gundry's Little Peacock, Mr Meman's Wild Boy, Mr Little's Sprightly, and Mr Lines' Happy Jack. The Handicap Trotting race of 10 sovs was, after several breaks, won by Mr Carter's Charlie, the handicap being as follows;— Mr Trask's Blackbird to start from scratch, JMr Satherley's Lucy 20yds back, Mr Carter's Charlie 50yds back, Mr Gifford's Blue Coote 100yds back. The Pony Race, which was a wellcontested event, was won by Mr Haycock's Little Wonder, beating Mr Hagan's Bobby, Mr Trask's Tommy Dodd, Mr Tippett's* Annie Lisle, and Mr Bartlett'a Jessie. This brought the day's amusements to a close, and the visitors to the course returned to their homes in town and country by the railway, the running of the trains having been very conveniently arranged by Mr Ashcroft, the manager. In the evening the customary Volunteer Ball was held in the Provincial Hall which was gaily decorated with flags and artistic frondal ornamentations. The Ball, which was largely attended, was a most brilliant one, and passed off with the greatest spirit, every individual present being to all appearances bent on thoroughly enjoying themselyes, in which they most certainly succeeded. It was a very late hour before the last sounds of the Artillery Band echoed through the Hall.