PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1891, 10 November 1874, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

PARAWAI SPORTS. The most attractive feature of the day's amusement was the sports and races at the Parawai Gardens. It was quite evident from an early hour tha l ; this was to be the principal attraction, for when the Thames Scottish Band started ia the morning, with a lively march, a large concourse followed their wake, and subsequently, when the games were fairly started, the general public put in a much larger appearance. Altogether, during the sports there was a very largo concourse on the -ground, Amongst the amusements provided was a merry-go-round, and besides this there were swings and other amusements. The gardens themselves and Hie strawberries and cream provided in the bowers were great sources of attraction, and these, combined with the beautiful weather, which was neither too hot nor too cold, served to draw holiday-seekers out of their domiciles, and thus increase the numbers. As usual, the Maori element was largely represented. They are indefatigable attendants and frequent competitors at sports, and sometimes their energy and spirit in this respect compensates for the caution and calculation of their .European fellow citizens. They each go in to win, and if they are beaten it is because they can do no better. The introduction of the Maori element, therefore, especially into horse racing, is very desirable, and in no pla?e have we such a close combination between the two races as there ia at the Thames. The amusements were very good, and the visitors to the gardens thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The first event was called at 12 o'clock. This was a Foot Race—soo yards handicap ; entrance, 2i (id. First prizs, £2; second, £1 J. Roycroft, scratch • 1 J. Waite, 15 yards ... 2 B. Berriman, 30 yards ... 0 This race augured well for the success of the future events, and was a good proof of the judgment of the handicappers. Berriman was an untried man, and therefore got the largest start, but it was known that the event virtually lay between .Roycroft and Waite. The first round did not decide the event, Berriman was out of it, but the other two breasted the tape simultaneously, and the judge gave it in a dead head. It was subsequently ruu off between Waite and lioycroft, when the latter won by about 5 yards. The next event taken was Throwing the Hammer—Entrance, Is. First prize, £1. T. Brennan ■ ■ • 1,70 feet T. McColl ■ - • 2,75 feet There were only the two entries, but there was a very large amount of interest evinced in the competition, It is usually looked upon as a Caledonian game, but here there were ina'.clied representatives of the Scotch and Irish races. It was a close contest. McColl took the hammer first, and threw the hammer 67 feet. Then Brennan took his swing, and sent it 70 feet 4 inches. Mc'.'oll took his turn, and sent the hammer flying 75 feet, alter which Brennan took his place, and marked 76 feet. Mc'Joll tried liisclnnco again, but failed to score over his former mark,, and Brennan was declared the winner. The next event was the Running High Jump—Entrance, Is; prize, £1 There were four entries, and the prize was won by Koycroft. Parawai Purse, 10 sovs—2 miles, handicap, for all Local Horses. Kutrance, 1 sov. Belle of the Isles, 9st 41bs - . 1 Potentate, 9st 71bs ... 2 Tarn. O'Shanter, Bst 71bs - - 0 Cymro, Bst .... 0 This was the great event of the day, and was looked forward to with very great interest by those on the ground. It was felt that the horses wero not running so much for the prize, as to prove their worth for the forthcoming events at Christmas, it was plainly understood that none of the horses were in good condition. Belle had not been a week off the grass. It was well known that Potentate was out of condition, and Tarn o'Sbanter was not only bad with a sore back, but no one knew his capabilities, and were doubtful as to his racing ability. As for (Jymro, he was known to be out of the race before he started. There was a good start made, but Potentate's rider, who had a good start, pulled up, to the surprise of everybody, and allowed the other horses to gnin a distance before he started after them. Of course he was pulling against the stream, for the Belle took the lead and kept it. She held her ground and inside running until such time as she finished, but it might be that the relative positions of the horses would have been changed only for a misfortune to Bobbet's horse. On the second round, when running strongly on the quarter of the Belle, and gaining ground every stride, his saddle shifted in the round turn, aud his rider came to the ground. Then he was out of the race. J he Belle finished a long way offPoteuhte, whose rider sought to make up for lost lime by taking his chances of success on any misfortune to the leading horse. Footiiurdle Hace—soo yards handicap; entrance, 2s 6d. First prize, £2: second, £1 There were four entries for this event, which was won by Boycroft, who started on scratch. Waite had 20 yards start, Berriman 45 yards, and Fenton 50 yards. Pony Race, 5 sovs—lJ miles; 14 hands 1 inch and under; catch weights. Entrance. 5s Fryer's Hero 1 Merrinian's Titokowaru ■ ■ ■ 2 The other entries were Buckley's Pan, Taipari's Parai, Merriman's Ohiuemuri, Davis's Henyo. A fair start was got, and all went off together. Hero tpok '• the lead, aud maintained it to the finish, but he had. a very close contest with Titokowaru, who ran close to his girths up to the finish, and it was no fault of his rider that he did not win, for he worked his little horse gamely. Running Long Jump—ldutrauce, Is; prize, £1 There were three entries, and the prize was won by Summerton, who cleared 15 feet 6 inches. lioycroft was close up to , this mark, but could not reach it. Hurdle Race—s sovs; 1£ miles; handicap; lintrance, 10s For this event there were four' entries, I and it was, without doubt, the. finest race i of the day. JN'ot a horse refused a hurdle. The gamest foot was bound to win, and the contest was as keen and close as if the race was run on the flat. Une false i start was made, but after the horses were got together again, tho start was perfect. Mr Bobbett's chestnut r horse stnricd away with a slig X , 1 ad aud cleared his hurdl s in sueI ce siou in splendid style, nut .\pcrahama's JN alive stuck 100 close to hU [ skirts to make the running qomforUlilo lie had wore spied than the chestnut and

equal nerve for jumping, and his rider landed hioi a winner about a length ahead. The other two horses, although heavily weighted, made splendid running, but the great point in .Native's favour is that he went once round the course on tho occasion of the false start, and won afterwards. Quoiting Match—Handicap; entrance, 2? 6d. First prize, £3; second, £1 This event, 'as being likely to occupy a considerable time, was started early. There wero six entries, and the first prize was won by James Sampson," tho second by George Kerr, There wero one or two events which were cut out of the advertised programme, because there were no entries, but we do not think visitors regretted this, as by the time the races were concluded it was almost dark. The visitors to the ground had in a great measure dispersed, the police had ordored tho closing of tho liquor stalls, aud most people began to feel home sick, But the sports were well sustained, and very great credit is duo to Messrs Home, Young, Quint, Cook, and other members of the committee for tho interest they took in .carrying the sports to a successful issue, aud to Mr Cassin, the spirited proprietor of iho Parawai Gardens, for having provided the prizes for the races and sports, aod every requisite accommodation to assist the committee iu carrying them through suecessfully. TARARU GARDENS. Tararu was.not fortunate enough to have sports to attract a pleasuring public, but its natural advantages are so great, added to the easy access by rail, that on a holiday large numbers are sure to assemble there. The weather yesterday was delightful, and in Tararu Gardens, away from the dust of the road, surrounded by flowers of every colour and perfume, and expanses of turf of living green, unscorched as yet by the summer's sun, nothing else was wanted to confer pleasure, if there was not much excitement. Family parties and picuic parties were everywhere, and to judge from the way in which they enjoyed themselves, ■ each party within its. own circle, they ■ seemed not to require any outside sources of amusement, but lo find all-sufficient pleasure iu each other's company. The children of the Waiotahi Creek school, to the number of upwards of 150, were present, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the usual games. The children marched from the school in the morning, headed by Pipe-major Fotheringham, of the 'lham.es Scottish. They were conveyed to Turaru by train, At twelve o'clock, when the children were getting some refreshment, his Worship the Mayor addressed them in a few remarks, stating that he had always taken a great interest in tho public schools, and would- continue to do so. Mr Bowe, Chairman of the Waiotahi School Committee, also briefly addressed the children. At the suggestion of Mr Brodie, three cheers were given by the children for the Mayor CRICKET. A cricket match was played at Parawai yesterday, between members of the Tradesmen's Club. Sides were chosen by Messrs Cox and Hulme, and the match, although iu some respects rather unequal, was not so much so as to allow the interest to flag. Hewitt, upon rluline's side, made 24 iu the second innings; and Curtis, upon Cox's side, made 17 in his second innings. In the first inuiogs both teams were slow to get to work, aud scoring was dull work. Mr Cox's side made a very good total. The following are tho scores made: — Huime's Side—First Innings. Wardell, b Burgess . 1 Robinson, ruu out ■ ■ . . g Bull, b Burgess >-..(; Cook, b Boon • - . . i . Hulme, bOloman, c Oox - . fj Hewitt, b Burgess ... 0 Godliurd, c Burgess fj Chilcott, b Burgess 0 McLeol, st Boon b Burgess ■ ■ 1 West, not out . o Wides, Byes, • ■ ■ . 2 Total 16 SECOND INNINGS, Chilcott, b Burgess 0 Crawford, o lir.dger, b Cox ■ ■ 1 Wardell, b Gloonau ... 17 Robinson, b'Burgess ... 0 Cook, run out 4 Hulme, bC.oonan - 4 Hewitt 24 Bull, b Burgess ....() Godhard, b Oox ■ . . -8 West, st Burgess - . . . 4 McLeod 1 Wides 5, byes 7, leg byes 2 ■ -14 Total ..... Cox's Side—First Innings. Q. Boon, run out ... 5 Lodge, b Robertson . . 3 Burgess, 0 Curtis .... 0 O. tiale, b duhne '• . . .5 W. Cox, b Warded .... 2 Walker, run out - . . . \ Cloonan, run out ■ . . .2 Curtis, b Bull . (j Bridget*, ruu out ■ . . .0 Aicluii, c Hulme . 0 J. Day, b Hulme ■ ... . 1 Wides, Byes, &c • . . . n Total ■ ... 35 SECOND INNINQS, Curtis, b Bull . . . . \>] Burgess, b Hulme .... 2 Lodge, 0 Crawford, b Wardell - ■ 9 • Cloonan, b Wardell .... 4 Cox, b Bull, ruu out ■ ■ •10 Walker, b Bull .... 0 Day 5 Boon, b Bu ! l 0 McGregor, b Bull ■ . . .1 Bridger \ Aiclun - - - . . . 0 Wides 1, byes 11 ■ . . -12 Total 97 The Cricket Club had some play at Tararu on Saturday. Sides were chosen, and a good match played, with the following result :— Whitford, b Hewitt .... 0 Paul, b headman ... 7 Lunkhaui, b >Steadinan ... 9 Crump, b Steadman ■ . 6 Uellion, c Curtis, b Steadman ■ ■ 2 Kubertshaw, uot out • - • 3 . Slator, c and b Uewitt - . -3 Vaughan, runout ... 0 Woodward, b Steadman - - -1 Curtis, b Hewitt ... 0 31 Bull, b Lankliam, 0 Paul . .14 Crawford, b Paul, c Gellion . . 0 Lodge, ruu out - - . '. 0 Steadman, b Lankliam ■ •• . 7 Watkiu, b Laukhara, 0 Paul ■ -'0 Bell, st Lankliam .... 4 Hewitt, at Whitford ... 3 Higgins .... 0 Lambert, b Whitford . 1 29