TARANAKI. (From our Correspondent.)

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 466, 19 January 1850, Page 3

TARANAKI. (From our Correspondent.)

The weather has been finer during the last three months than anything we have ever experienced, and the crops are ripening fast. I regret to add that a great many patches of wheat have died off, from what reason I cannot .say. Some assert that the wheat has been destroyed by a fungus that is in the soil, others attribute it to the ravages of a kind of wire worm. With the exception of the loss in the wheat crop, nothing can promise fairer than all the other crops. Our annual races and sports took place on the 27th and 28th ultimo. The fir ± day commenced with a ploughing match on a piece of fern ground belonging to Mr. Randle, of Moturoa, each plough to break and turn over one quarter of an acre of ground. Six ploughs with four oxen, and one plough with two oxen contested this match; the first plough finished its work in one hoar and thirteen minutes. The Judges of the Ploughing Match, Messrs. J. Hursthouse, W. George, and Cowling, adjudged the first prize of £5 to W. Russell, ploughman to Mr. John Smith ; the second prize of £2 to Thomas Bay ley, jun., ploughman to Mr. T. Bayley ; and the third prize of £1 to W. Rundle, ploughman to Mr. Rundle's plough. The races were next in order, and came off as follows:

THE TAKANAKI STAKES OF £10.

First heat well contested by Oho and Mr. Henwood's mare, Mr. Autridge's a good third, the second heat won by Ohio in a canter. ' THE TRADESMEN'S PURSE OF ft SOYS. Five Shillings entrance, catch weights' once round and a distance.

THE MAORI STAKES OF £5.

This was admirably contested, and did the native riders infinite credit. The day amusements closed about 6 o'clock. The second day's amusements consisted of foot racing, jumping, chasing a soaped pig, climbing a greasy pole, &c, at all these diversions the natives seemed most highly de*. lighted. The wrestling match caused great interest, several natives contested, and the winner of the first prize was a native named Wiremu Pihiti, who threw every European, rather to the discomfiture of our good Devon and Cornish men who pride themselves on their wrestling. All the amusements passed off very favourably, and as the natives carried off nearly all the prizes they were greatly pleased.^ Rawiri Waiaua who won by his mar« r Oib'o £15, made an excellent speech" to

the stewards on receiving the money, and gave a donation towards the Fund for the next year. The Government brig arrived this morning from Auckland with Lady Grey, Miss Pitt, and Mrs. Page on board, they landed this morning. His Excellency Sir George Grey left for this place on the 4th ult. via Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, and is hourly expected. The Attorney-General has been here last week on a visit from Auckland, but left again this morning. New Plymouth, Bth January, 1850.

Bawixi Waiaua's b. m, . . . . Okio . . — aged .... 1 1 Mr. Autridge's r. g... Matchless.. 4= years old 3 2 Mr/Hemrood's b. m. ..Best ....6 „ 2 8 Mr. Halse's b. m Ne11y.... 5 „ 4 4 Mr. Stewarts gr. q aged . .bolted

Ten Shillings entrance, weights for age. Heats once round and a distance.

Te Reos br. m Kotiro 1 1 Mr. Dar^s br. q Captain 2 2 Halcopa's br. h. February 3 3 Mr. Hulke's Dusty Miller . . bolted Tfar. Mui-cfi's Km. ... .:. Kitty Won easily by Kotiro.

tftinn Waiaua's b. m Okto 2 'c Tahana's b. h 5 larira's b. m Jettie 4 'c Beo's b. m Kotiro ... .3 'c Niha's b. h Pitoi 1 1 5 4 3 2 3 4 2 1 5

Two shillings and sixpence entrance, heats once round and a distance.