ANNIVERSARY FETE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 363, 24 January 1849, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY FETE.

On Monday and Tuesday the ninth anniversary of-this settlement was celebrated with the usual sports and diversions. Xh© weather on Monday at first was .unpromising, but the rain ceased as the morning advanced, and the day became fine and clear. The usual preparations had been made by the innkeepers for, providing refreshments for their customers in the erection of a long line of wooden sheds, which were gaily decorated with flags, and a commodious stand was erected for the use of the ladies. During the, day there was a,numerous assemblage of persons .on Te aro, not only from the Town, but also from the neighbouring country, districts, to witness the amusements and to enjoy the general holiday. The Band of the 65th Regiment, by Colonel Gold's kind permission, were on the course near the stand appropriated to the use of the ladies, and during both days in the intervals between the races performed a variety, of well,selected( pieces of music. „ The first day's amusements commenced with a, sailing^ match between the following vessels :—r- t ' . Petrel Mary Ann. Fisherman. , Edward Stanley. „ , During the two first rounds the Edward Stanley kept the lead of, the other vessels closely followed by the Petrel, which passed her in the third round and came in first, the Fisherman coming in second, but having fouled the Mary Ann, the question as to their places will be referred to the Committee. This race was followed by a sailing match for skiffs or dingies for which four i boats started, the Waterlily, Fairy, Hope, and Mr. Ormond's boat; the match was won by the Waterlily. There is a dispute as to which boat came in second. There was no whaleboat or canoe race on this anI i ' . . i <

Hurdle Race. — Eight horses started for this race ; at the first leap Barbiere the favourite refused, though brought up several times by his rider, who was' nearly thrown over his head, but recovered his seat with wonderful dexterity ; Miingamungd fell at the second leap, so that in this heat the race lay between Bushman and .Forlorn Hope, who kept well together Busiiman coming in first, and Forlorn Hope secdnd. The second heat, which was closely contested, was won by Bushman, BarUere being second. Theresuit of this race was unexpected, Barbiere being decidedly thefavourite at starting, and would have won easily if he had not refused several of his leaps.

leaps. [ Hack Rack.—Sevenhorses started in this race. In the first heat Rainbow bolted, and the race appeared to lay between What's that to you and Scroggins, Bullet eyeha.v'mg lost considerable ground by going on the wrong side of the:post 1 at starting. On nearing the ditch in front of Captain Newlitihams's house Sctoggin's rider fell and What's that to you came in first. *>l n the second heat only three 1 horses started,' Bullet eye, Spectator and What's that to you. Builet eye t who was well ridden by Master Suited 1, won-this and the following heat. The Hack race was succeeded by a footrace once round the course ; six soldiers startedfOtt'thiß race, which was won by Paton of the 165 th- M'Dervett comi&gpin second; the race (a distance-of a mile) was run'in seven minutes and seconds. • < '* •

thirty ."Mule > Race.—Three mules started for this race. The-first heat was won by Bess/ who wafs decideldly the favourite at starting; in the second heat she lost her temper and consequently lost- the race, which'was'won A}y,Mrj'WsX\&ce's< Ringtail. < •" ' A Foot Hui die Race concluded the first day^amusements. Seven soldiers started: the prize, was divided between Svreeivy and Qoin,"