GERALDINE’S LAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1153, 27 September 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE’S LAMENT.

TO THE EDITOK. Sib. —Although the recurring Geraldine Races take place to-day, there has, in reality, been nothing ‘ horsey’ to record in regard to the sayings and doings of the residents of the Geraldine district. Never in the memory of the * oldest inhabitant ’ have racing matters been so quiet, and this is no special wonder, for the races last year did little or no good for the township, and now it is even worse, the course being some miles from Geraldine. It appears a misnomer to call them 1 Geraldine Races’ when they take place at Orari, and we heard more than one individu? 1 remark that they will no longer support them by way of subscriptions. In former years the w ak before the races was always a lively time in the township, horses, their owner,’ jockeys, bookmakers and many others arriving, spending their ready cash, and making a lively time of it. The main road also presented a very animated scene in continuous lines of vehicles, equestrians and pedestrians proceeding along ie towards the racecourse then used close to the township. Now, all things are changed, and Geraldine bears to all intents and purposes the appearance of the proverbial * deserted village.’ Visitors to the races will proceed hither and thither by rail from North and South, and return to whence they came immediately they are over. The business portion of the people are also complaining, as during race time in former years, many a one used to come into the townsHp, make purchases, and pay their outstanding accounts, and it is extremely doubtful if this will be the case this year—at all events it has not been so up to the present time. Is it too late to alter such a state of things 1 Undoubtedly it is for this year’s racing, but I would advise the members of the Geraldine Racing Club to seriously consider their own position, and that of Geraldine in the matter. Could not arrangements yet be made whereby the old racecourse could again be utilised. Geraldine has suffered, and is still suffering, like most townships in New Zealand, from the dullness of the times, but is it not a suicidal action on the part of the Geraldine Racing Club to take away from it the chance of ‘making hay whilst the sun shines.’ I sincerely hope and trust, in the interests of the township and[diatrict that we shall not have to record the like lament next year.—l am, etc., . .One'lnterested.