HAVELOCK CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 205, 4 January 1872, Page 5

HAVELOCK CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

(From a Correspondent.)

jPinding you had no report of Box-ing-Day's, sports at Havelock, I en-close-you the particulars thereof. Tiie residents of Havelock and Waitahuna. as a rule, are very dilatory in commencing to provide for Christinas amusement. If one refers back to the last three years he will find sports jrot up at the last possible moment. No public announcement that they are to come off is given, consequently plea-sure-seekers in the surrounding districts uo to places which do not hide their light under a bushel, whereas had they known of the amusement provided at Havelock, they would have proceeded thither, and added greatly to the success of the sports. I trusf those who annually take these matters in hand will ponder this carefully, and next year give timely intimation of their intentious. The fault does nor rest with the residents of the district for they subscribe liberally enough when called u.pon. t The place where the sports are held is adtnirahlv situated. For races there is a magnificent course, and sin excellent view of the proceedings is obtained from the sur rounding slopes. Besides these natural facilities for holding successful races aud sports, the splendid drive from either Tokomairiro or Lawrence Hives Havelock a threat advantage over any place within a circuit of twent\ miles for holding festive gatherings. However, depending nn their own resources as they did, and considerin*.the shortness of the notice, Wuitahuna and H.'ivelock certainly made a'fiV&tclass show on Boxing-Day, at the scene of the sports. At one tim' 1 there muet have heen fully six ht mlren people on the ground, rau^in-r in ag f ' frum |fchose in the "sere and yellow i*»af" to babes younger than 187 L. The fiir portion of the community must* r i cl in force, arrayed in iray costumes of various hues and styles. which, r-onfristing with the sober attire of the lords of creation, imparted to the tout ensemble a chnrni which required only to be seen to be admired. T'io animation nf tho" scene, especially the lively spirits of the assembler! beauty of Waitahuna, Haveloek, and parts adjacent caused your correspondent to forswear for eyer his misouramous sentitnents, and be more than once pictured himself seated wit l " some fair one driving merrily *■<» the racecourse. There was « time — but no matter. Her*e are the prosaic details —

Maiden Plate, of L 5. Four horses entered, <tnd, after a severe contest was won ny Mr. F. OudaiUe's Kelly by half a length.

F>ot Race, 200 yards ; prize, 303. Four on + -*i) 3. Won by Mr. L. Walker.

Ilan Heap I ojl^' Ra -c f 150 yards ; prize, 20s. Nine en vies. VV-mi >»y Cooper.

Putting the Stone (211b5.) -Ist priz^, R. Craig, 20s ; 2nd prize, - - Black, 103. Six entries. *

400 yds Hurdle-Race. — Ist prize. James Waiker, 20s; 2ni prize, Louis Walker, 10s. This was a we.il-contes ed race.

Havelock Town Purs«, of K5. Three horses ran. George's Tommy won, but was disqualified. Boult's Sandy took the prize. Sack Race. — Ist prize, James Walker, 203. Four entries. Vaulting. — Ist prize, It. Craig, 20s. Three entries. ! 'nnning Hop, Step and Leap.— lst prize, R. Craig, 20s ; 2nd prize, J. Grant, 103. Roys' Baco, 100 yds — Ist priz", — M'Kenzie, 103. ; 2nd prize, — Pennel. 2s. 6d. Tossing the Caber. — Ist prize, G. Walker, 20s ; 2nd. prize, R. Craig, 10s. Four entries. Miner.-*' Pnrae, of L 4. Won tty Mr. Johnson* Nnncy, after a splendid' race. Three h« rses ran. Thfee-Legged Race. — Ist prize, H. S.Walker, 20s ; 2nd prizj, Rhillips and Flett, 10s. Six entries. Hitch and Kick. — Ist prize, R. Qraig, 15^. Three entries. Tlie quoit match (21 yards), .for which, there wer£ .six entries, was^vitiidrawn, it being too late: There wqre two refreshment booths administering to the best ef- their 'ability and satfsfactorfly to the-^nblic wants. AJI present were well satisfied with the, day's sports.