New Year's Day.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3081, 2 January 1879, Page 2

New Year's Day.

Sports at Tararu.

The sports oti Demonstration Day and ob the two days of the Thames Anaual JRace Meeting'were so successful that the stewards of the Annual Meeting determined to give another day's sport yesterday for the benefit of Mr F. Bennett, the lessee of the Tararu Gardens, who so liberally subscribed to the previous days' sports. The manner the programme was carried out reflects credit on the com' mittee. Mr John Wilson officiated as judge, Mr Young as handicapper and starter, Mr Butler as clerk of the scales, and Mr Wells as clerk of the course. There would be about 2000 people on the ground shortly after the commencement of the sports, and the tramway and other

means of conveyance did a roaring trade, as also did the sellers of refreshments; The minor events came off' first in the Gardens. The first item on the programme was the

LADIES' RACE, once round tho course, let prize, 20a; 2nd prize, sa. Entrance, Is.

There were no entries for this, however.

BOYS' RACE, 100 Yards (Handicap), lot prize, 10s j second, 2s 6d. Entrance, la.

There were nine or tea entries, and some of the lads ran with all the " side " of old professionals. Dafty was the winner of the first prize, but we were unable to learn the name of the second prize taker.

GIRLS' RACE, 100 Yards; Fi«t prize, 10a. Entrance, la.

Several girls entered for this event, which was won after an exciting contest, attended withynuch panting and laughing, by Miss Maggie Johnston.

SACK RACE, four timetj round the pond. First prize, 30s; secoud, 10s. Six entries or no race. Entry, Ib.

The entries for this event were limited, but it perhaps caused as much amusement as any of the more orthodox sports. One of the competitors fell into the pond. Henderson was declared the winner of the first prize, and Fisher second.

WALKING THE BOOM. Ist prize, 10a Entry, Is.

This eTent, for which several entered, was won by Watson, after several attempts to reach the end of the spar. Henderson, after covering himself with grease, and convulsing the spectators with laughter, succeeded in catching the greasy pig. ■ ( This concluded the pedestrian sports* The committee then adjourned to the race course where entries were called for the HURDLE RACE (Handicap), 10 soys. Di«'*

tance, 2 miles. Enlranca, 15s. McGeehan's Hurricane, lOst 2lbs ... 1 Hoara Tareranui's Govt., lOst 7lbs ... 2 Dufty's Native, 9st lOlbs ... ... 0 Byers' Deception, 9*t 0 Mr Young got all the horse| away well together, and all the horses jumped well. Native took his leaps in splendid style, but had not the speed to keep up with the others. Hurricane won by a considerable distance.

NOVEL RACE of 5 sovb, 1J miles. Entrance, 10s. Conditions : Each jockey to ride another's horse. The last horse past the post to win the stakes. Tn« race must be run under 7 (seven) minutes. Poet entry. »

Quite a number of horses entered for this, most of them being old icrews with hardly any "go" in them. It caused great amusement, and a large number of disputes, A Maori horse, Devil, ridden by Johnny Maher, was declared the winner.

MAORI HORSE RACE (Handicap); 5 soys. Distance, 2 miles. Post entry, •10*. Taipari's Skylark, 9st 71bs ... ... 1 De Thierry's Maewa,9st4l bs... ... 2 Brown's Bismarck, 6st 7ibs ... ... 3 Hoara Tareranui's Govt., 6st 71bs ... 0 All the horses accept Skylark carried over weight, consequently the handicap did not have much effect in the race. It was a very good race between the first three for a considerable distance. Skylark won by two ck three lengths. Bismarck was well ridden and travelled well, many being of opinion that had he ridden his weight he would have won. Maewa carried lOlbs over weight. ' HACK RACE (Handicap); 5 soys. Distance 1} miles. ' Post entry, 10s. Byers' Deception, 9st ... 1 Dufty's Johnny, 7st ... 2 Brown's Bismarck, 9st 61bs ... ... 0 This was a good race, and was won by three lengths. Johnny,, was ridden over weight.

This concluded the programme of races, and very soon the course was clear. The whole affair was most enjoyable, the weather being all that could be desired.