ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 467, 23 January 1850, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY SPORTS.

Yxstxrdat being the Tenth Anniversary of the. Founding this Settlement; was generally observed in Wellington as a holiday. The weather was magnificent, and the*howers of the previous days had the effect of laying the dust. Booths were erected on Te Aro Flat, but these were not so numerous as onprevious occasions, and the sports were curtailed of their principal attraction, horse racing being rendered in a great measure impracticable at Te Aro, from the buildings and inclosures which have sprung, up during the last twelve months on the former course ; a hack race, a maori horse race, and others of a similar "Icind, however, took place; with tolerable success ; -there was a considerable number of persons present during the day to witness the sports. ■■ : The amusements commenced with a Sailing Match, the following vessels started : — Mr. J. Houghton's.. . ,H«tppy-go-Luiky Mr. Armstrong's Catherine Johwitone Mr. Worser's Mary Ann The wind was rather light at first but freshened before the end of the race, which

was won by Mr. Houghton's boat which took the lead and kept it throughout. DINGUS. Mr. Waters' Fairy Mr. Mills' Hype Mr. M'Kenzie's Water Lilly. This race was won by the Fairy — beating her opponents by a considerable distance. Whau Boat Rack. — Six boats started for this race, five whaleboats and a gig belonging to Mr. Hornbrook ; the race was won by Mr. Young's boat manned by a crew of whalers, the custom-house boat manned by ! a crew from H. M. S. Fly started but gave up after the first round. Cart Houi Rack, — Three horses started but owing to some dispute the race remains undecided/ Hack Rack. — Three horses started, the race war won by a horse belonging to Mr. , Wade. -] Maoki Horns* Racb.— This race, thofegh not entered in the programme* was of j the best?. contested and.mf^t, Jnteresting that tookplace during the daj\ Four horses started, and after three heats the race was won kyPhomtium Tenax, belonging to James Miha of Wairarapa. Though upwards of eighty pounds have been subscribed for the Anniversary spores only £2 was offered as a prize for this race, which seems to have been an after thought ; no Maori race is arranged at Burnham Water. And yet the Maories are purchasers of horses to a large amounted are equally interested with the settlers in the prosperity of the polony, and if encouragement were given to them, would enter with considerable ■ spirit into' these amusements ; "thejr certainly manage these things better at 'Taranaki. Twelve men started for the Foot Raes, once round the course the distance being rather more than a mile; the race was won by Paton of the 65th Regiment who was a winner on a former occasion, To these amusements succeeded the Rural Sports, which afforded considerable diversion ; we are glad to be able to add that the day passed over without the occurrence of any accident.

Thb Hutt. — The operations of hay making, which commenced in this district on the first of December, have been actively carried on during the two last' months, and iftvrtoefcH brought to a successful termination, the weather having been peculiarly favourable, and the results are conspicuous in the appearance of Haystacks of varied form and size, which at every homestead now form so prominent and important a feature. Owing to the continued dry weather the yield in some situations may probably not equal that of the preceding season, the average return of the present one has been - stated at about 1^ tons per acre. Of grain there does not appear to have been *- so much cultivated this year as last, but what has come under our observation shews every, prospect of an abundant return. The dry weather it was thought at one time, would have a prejudicial effect on the grain and potatoe crops, but the late refreshing showers have been of great service, and the crops present a pleasing and promising appearance.