MASTERTON RACES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 54, 3 February 1872, Page 9

MASTERTON RACES.

(to the editor oe the new Zealand mail.) SIE, —In common with, many others who take a pardonable pride in the yearly increasing success and popularity of the Mastertorj races, I subscribed for the meeting held at the beginning of the present year. The money was collected ostensibly for the race “ to be held on the Manaia race course on the Ist and 2nd January, 1872.” These races came off as advertised, and were, I am happy to say, an unprecedented success —never better racing on the Manaia race course nor fuch a cheering balance-sheet. In former years the balance, if any, was carried forward to the credit of the following year. Not so, however, this year. I need not even drop a hint as to the motive universally assigned to the promoters of the autumn meeting. The holding of this meeting is contrary to the wishes of the subscribers, with two or three exceptions, and if this meeting is held, not only will the usual supporters not subscribe to next year’s meeting, but they will hold the stewards liable for a misappropriation of the funds. This is no idle threat, but the fixed determination of some who will not stand idly by when public money is thus foolishly squandered. I will once more, in the interest of the public, warn the stewards that they will be held personally liable for all money expended on this auturn meeting. It may be objected that a public meeting decided upon holding these races. Can a meeting of nine or ten individuals be said to represent one hundred subcribers ? I should think not. I would also advise those iu arrears not to pay their promised subscriptions till next yeur.' This ( will cripple the efforts of the interested promoters of this meeting, and ensure as good a meeting next year as we have had this. I now leave the matter in the hands of thepublic, and hope they will lend their hearty support to those who have set themselves against tie perpetration of this act of folly,, which will prove the deathblow to races that are fast assuming an importance commensurate with the zeal of their»promoters, and the advancing prosperity of the flourishing township of Masterton.—l am. &c., A Subscriber.