RACE DAY.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2084, 12 March 1898, Page 2

RACE DAY.

Otrß reporter was. driven out to the Te Aroha race-course yesterday afternoon by Mr A. W. Edwards, one of the keenest sportsmen in the neighbourhood, and iu company with that gentleman and ’Mr Nat Ferguson, another well-known lover of the sport of kings, took a stroll round the new enclosure and inspected the improvements recently carried out by Searle and Tatterßfield, contractors, there at the instauce of the T.A.J.O. The racecourse is probably familiar to most of our readers and needs no description, although we might mention, qnpassant, that the area within the track, about one mile and a quarter to the lap, a matter of some fifty acres, at a rough guess, is in turnips, whose delicately hued-tops present a pleasing relief to the eye, and afford a striking contrast to the ragged tea-tree scrub of last year. Travelling over the fiat country traversed by the Waihou road yesterday after bestowing a glance at the fantastic wind-blown wraiths from the bash, fires one feature in the landscape catches and holds the attention,.namely the Grand Stand recently erected at a cost of some hundreds of pounds, on a slight eminence commanding a sweeping view of country, as well as the entire course. The site is admirably chosen. The ground enclosed for a saddling paddock covers over an acre in extent, and presents a compact and comfortable appearance, with ifipaatty .stall stable (40. x 10) and jockeys’ dressing rooms. Turning to the stand we must congratulate the architect (Mr Francis Pavitt) on his arrangements. The manner in which that gentleman has studied the economy of space and provided for every want is worthy of note. The entire building is only 50ft by 20ft, bnt every convenience is to be found within those uarrow limits. Luncheon, Stewards, ladies’ retiring, and weighing rooms are all to be found finished and furnished in a style reflecting credit on all concerned. The department, devoted to refreshments -Mr Peter Baine has the contract on Monday by the way—is a triumph of neatness and convenience. As is befitting the structure is a substantial one and well calculated to support the 500 people with which it will be packed on Race Day. Our reporter was most favonrablyimpressed with what he saw, and considering the value of the prizes and the number of good entries, providing the weather is fine, there is no reason to doubt but that the crowds of visitors ‘flocking‘to the most charmingly situated little course in the peninsula, will have a great day’s sport on Monday.