WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 483, 10 December 1879, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our own Correspondent.) Bth December, 1879. In compliance' with advertisement,- about twenty gentlemen assembled in the old Town Hall on Wednesday evening last, to consider the advisability of holding athletic sports at Waverley on Boxing Day. Mr Winchcomb was voted to the chair,who having read the notice calling the meeting, made a few appropriate remarks. It was proposed by Mr J. Aiken', seconded by Mr Hogg, and carried, “That athletic sports be held on the cricket ground at Waverley on Boxing Day.” Mr Meredith banded the following list of names to Hie Chairman, stating that lie bad been requested by Mr Ballam to propose them as a committee : —Messrs Scott, Mitchell, G. Johnstone, W. Hume, D. M. Hogg, W. Overond, T. Read, B. C. Meredith, J. B. Taylor, and W. A. G. Winchcomb.

Mr J. Aiken objected to the manner in which the committee bad been suggested. He did not object to any of the names, but ho could not see the use of calling a meeting if things were all cut and dried before band.

Mr Davis said the parties named might object to act. At this stage Mr Ballam arrived at the meeting, and informed those present that the names lie had asked Mr Meredith to propose had all consented to act in the event of their being elected, and he then proposed that Mr J, Aiken’s name be added to the list. Mr Aiken objected to stand, as also did Mr Fookes. Proposed by Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Woolston, and carried, “ That Mr Milne’s name be added to the list.” Proposed by Mr Ballam, seconded by Mr Woolston, and carried, “ That the names submitted be the Committee.” Proposed by Mr Ballam, seconded by Mr Woolston, and carried, “That the choice of Secretary and Treasurer be left to the Committee.” Proposed by Mr Ballam, seconded by Mr Hogg, and carried, “ That the booth be t sold by public auction by Mr F. E. Jackson, on bis attending the Hawera sale.” Proposed by Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Ballam, and carried, “That subscription lists be left at each of the hotels and stores, for the purpose of collecting the necessary funds.” Mr Ballam stated that about £lO had already been subscribed. Mr. J. Aiken asked how many_ of the Committee ' were present—on being informed that there were seven in the room, he proposed that seven members be a quorum, and that they proceed to make out a programme at once. Mr Ballam suggested, and it was agreed to by the meeting, that the Comrnitttee be allowed to appoint their own time of meeting, as there were a lot of preliminaries to attend to before making out the programme. After the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting separated. There is a poem written by one R. Burns, in which the following words appear—- “ The gift would give us To see ourselves as others see us.” And I would strongly recommend one or two of the elite of Waverley to study that poam.

The following by “ Spectator,” which appeared in the Wanganui Iterald of the 4th instant, speaks for itself: —“ From a retrospective point of view, the itteating last week of the Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club, and which was briefly reported by telegram in your columns, was in many respects a success ; but there was plenty of room for improvement,

which the stewards and the officials fully recognised, and are prepared to carry out before the next meeting comes around. Every credit is due to them, however, for the manner in which they worked for the success of the meeting, and as they all seem to have the interest of the sports at heart, the Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club may be expected to go on and get strength as meeting succeeds meeting. It is satisfactory to know that the Club was in a position on Saturday to hand over the winmrigs to the lucky horse owners* arid when it is known that a full settlement has not been made by the Patea Chib of its liabilities from the meeting held there in October last, those who considered themselves badly treated, and stuck out for a race meeting of: their own, will 'now be able to chuckle over their financial positiorij as compared with that of the Patea Jockey Club.” I may supplement these remarks by slating that the Waverley Club have about £37 of a surplus, after having liquidated all claims of the last meeting* which speaks volurnns for the energy of the stewards • and on the settling night Mr Ballam brought forward and proposed the following resolution, which was carried, “That the WaverleyWaitotara Club get Up a rate* to be called the Waverley guineas, of £lO5, second horse to receive £ls out of the stakes, for all present two-year olds bred between Taranaki and Wellington* to be run on the Waverley course in November next j nominations £2 2s, to close 10th February, 18o0* of bear post mark of that date; acceptances £5 6s, to close on night of next general entry—colts Bst 101b, fillies Bst 51b.” This makes the Waverley-Waitotara Races a certainty in the future. The Club also propose ploughing the coarse and putting it down in English grass in February next ; they also propose shifting the judge’s stand and placing it on the opposite side of the course* which will make this coUrse oiie of the best ill the North Island. I am informed that Messrs Ballam and Co. feel a little indignant (and I should think justly so) at the stewards of the Agricultural Show, on account of their not having informed them, or presented to the winner, the cub given by them for the best 2-year old Gladiator foal at the Show. The cup still remains in Mr Ballara’a possession,- ready to be handed over as soon as they are informed who is entitled to it.

The public tfre anxious to know if the tender for the portion of the railway between Waitotafaand Waverley has been accepted. It is rumoured that the lowest tender which was sent in about a month ago,- did not exceed £14,000, or about £2OOO per mile, which,- if correct, would make this piece of linro tire' cheapest in the North Island, and the Government should be urged to proceed with the work at once, as there is not the slightest doubt but that this line Would more than pay expenses.