DRYBREAD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 229, 20 June 1872, Page 8

DRYBREAD.

(From our own Correspondent.) June 13th, 1872

I see from your issue of the 30th ult. that, though we are in rather an outlandish part of the province, wo are still communicable with the centre of the gold mining community, which induces me to send you a few items from here. I was glad to observe your notice of iron piping introduced here by Mr. Greenbank, as I am quite sure it only wants a trial in your district to prove its general efficiency. We have had some stir here lately in the way of horse racing, which augurs well for Drybread despite the late want of water. I give you a synopsis of the racing. It commenced on Wednesday, the 29th ult., with a trotting race between J. Mellor's (Tinkers), Tommy and J. Mellor's (Drybread), Jessie. Two miles and a half, both at scratch. This was a good race, but Tommy was rather too many for the mare, and won by about 30 yards. Time, 9m, 13sec. On Thursday, we had another meet, when Tinkers' Tommy tried his mettle with Old Bluey, of Drybread. The " old un " got 410 yards start, and came in an easy winner. Twice round the course — about two miles and a half. Saturday was, howover, the great day, and despite a nasty fog which hung over the race course, there was a goodly muster of the Drybread and Tinkers people. The booth was let to Mr. John Mellor, of Tinkers, who, I think, did a fair business. The first event was a trotting match between Mr Greenbank's Tommy, at scratch, against Mr. Mellor's, (Drybread) Jessie. 550 start. This was won by the mare easily; stakes, £10 aside. As the day was cold, no time was lost ere the second race was announced, and this was the district handicap trotting race. There was a good deal of speculation attached to the race ; but owing to the game manner in which Old Bluey ran on the Thursday, the betting was all in his favour. Eight horses put in an appearance; Mellor's (Tinkers), Tommy at scratch. The old one, with his 440 yards, got over the two miles and a half well, and came in hands down. We had hardly time to have a nip ere the third race was on the tapis. This was Greenbank's Tommy, stratch, against Hutchinson's Morven. 300 yards start. A good many were sweet on Morven, but if anything was laid on him it was a bad investment, as Tommy collared him at the firsl mile, and won easily, Morven drawing up. Then came some flat racing, which was a little more exciting especially on such a cold day. The first was a match between Mr. Mellor's (Drybread), Merrylass agaiust Mr. Hutchinson's Ida ; 10st. 10lb. up ; £10 aside. Merrylass won easily. She was ridden by Mr. McGregor with great judgment. The last event was a handicap hurry scurry. Merrylass won by half a head ; 4 started ; Miss Grant .second. Merrylass carried 3st. more than Miss Grant, and only won by the clever manner in which she was handled by McGregor. A protest was entered, but not entertained.

Things in Tinkers are looking better now since we have had the last shower, and the Blue Duck have had water lately, which was verywelcome. They have been doing nothing for the last six months for the want of it. This is a rich claim, but owing to the prior right to the creek water, they unfortunately are often without the indispensable fluid. I think some alteration ought to be made in the mail services to this place and Tinkers. Papers and letters (your own paper amongst the rest) arrive at Blacks on Saturday, but are not delivered here till Tuesday. Why can we not have the mail to arrive here on Saturday night, and be despatched on Thursday eyening to catch Friday's coach? This arrangement would suit all hands, as they would have time to reply to correspondence. Really the business people ought to stir in the matter, as they are more immediately concerned. In fact, I don't see why we should not have a mail service twice a week for the two places— Drybread and Tinkers. I think it only wants a little knocking to have the door opened.