SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 358, 29 March 1861, Page 2

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

The Otago Witness, speaking of the Murihiku Races, says:—

" These came off on the Race Course, at Invercargill, on Wednesday, the 13th February, and, on the whole, may be said to have been very satisfactory and creditable to the district. The weather was all that could be wished, and the course much improved by a slight rain that fell the previous day. A large number of both town and country settlers assembled to view the sport, and the day was observed as a general holiday throughout the neighborhood. A feeling of uncertainty on the part of the owners of horses, as to the probability of the races taking place at all this year, arising from the lateness of the advertisement and the difficulty of communication with the country, prevented many from putting themselves to the trouble and expense of training horses that would otherwise have had a very fair chance of winning. As a natural consequence, the only trained horse on the course carried off the two principle races, viz., the " Hurdle Race," and the "Murihiku Cup." Mr. Robert Stuart, the fortunate owner of Pilgrim, the horse referred to, had been advertised as Judge, but resigned the evening before the race in favor of Mr. Alexander M'Nab, who filled the office most ably. Mr. Edward Jackson, as starter, sent off each race in good style; and Mr. Thos. Pearson, who undertook the troublesome duties of clerk of the course, got through his work very creditably." The Riverton races, which came off on the 20th and 2lßt ultimo :—-

" Were distinguished by all that spirit and good humor for which our Jacob's River friends are so noted. The original programme, we believe, was for only one day; but one day not being sufficient to let off all the pent-up ateam of the last twelve months, a second day's card was got up: and sundry dinners and four balls farther enabled the

Rivertonians and the " T. B.'a" successfully to accomplish theseveral objects of this their chief annual gathering, and rendered them all the more disposed to return to the peaceful plaits of their pastoral life. 1'