TAPANUI ANNUAL RACES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 261, 30 January 1873, Page 8

TAPANUI ANNUAL RACES.

The Tapanui annual races took place on Friday) the 24th instant. The weather was really fine, and the assemblage of spectators far larger than was anticipated. The various races were competed for exGellently, and created great interest and excitements tfhe race course, which is : situated about a mile from the township, | was in good condition, and had evidently been carefully attended to by the stewards. t The booth was under the charge of Mr. Noble M'Millan, and a large trade was done, which evidenced the character of the refreshments purveyed. Mr. Braudigau had a stall, from which he dispensed pastry to the hungry. Mr. Howat, as judge, was "all there;" Mr. Kinnard, as clerk of the course, performed his duties admirably ; and the starter, Mr. T. Hewitt, got the horses away in capital style. At twelve o'clock the spectators began to gather, and during the afternoon there were between two aud three hundred present. A large number of the visitors came from considerable distances, and all the great producing interests were fairly represented — squatting, agricultural, and mining. A large number of ladies graced the scene with their charming presence. Asia was represented by a solitary Cliittaman, who gazed sadly, but kindly, on the sports of the Western barbarians. Everything went off without a hitch, evidencing the excellence of the arrangements. A rather smart trick was attempted to be perpetrated. It was observed that in the Maiden Plate Weasel shied at a certain part of the course, and bolted, losing all chance of the race. When the Consolation Race was run, some individual placed a stick on the course near this particular spot, at the end of which was attached two handkerchiefs, evidently with the object of destroying Weasel's chance. The horse <>n this occasion had another rider, who, although the horse again shied, managed to keep him on the course. The mean perpetrator of the dodge, if discovered, should be kicked off every race course in the province. The first event on the card was the Maiden Plate of 15 soys. 1| mile. Weight for age, Mr. M "Kay's b.g. Bosjosman, 5 yrs (A. M'Kay) 1 „ Gordon's br.g* Weasel, 4 yrs (Monaghan) 2 „ Wheeler's Goatsucker, 5 yrs (White oak) 3 M'Kay's Dolly harden and Monaghan's Otamete also started. After one false start, the field got away well together, Dolly Varden and Bosjosman slightly leading. The latter kept its lead, and won by two lengths, after a good race, Goatsucker a fair third, the others nowhere. Tapanui Handicap of 30 soys. 1\ mile. Mr. Edgar's b.m. Empress (late Duchess) (Owner) 1 f> M 'Kay's eh.m. Rose (late Novice) (Gait) 2 „ „ br.g. Saladin (A. M'Kay) 3 A good start was effected, Empress securing the inside place. Saladin was out of the race from the first, and the other two kept neck-and-iieck until the run home, when Rose suddenly broke down, and Empress won easily by several lengths. Time, 4m. 9s. Hurdle Bace of 15 soys. 2 miles ; over 8 flights of hurdles. Mr. M'Kay's br.g. Saladin (T. M'Kay) 1 „ „ b.g. Bosjosman (A. M'Kay) 2 „ Wheeler's b.g. Goatsucker (J. fit ' Coll} 3 „ M'Kay's b.m. Dolly Varden 0 The first round all negotiated the fences except Dolly, who was got over with difficulty. The second round Dolly, instead of taking the hurdle, ran off the course, and threw her rider, who, however, was not injured. She was not seen again iv the race. From the commencement Bos. kept the lead, maintaining it till the last hurdle, when Saladin passed him, winning by a couple of lengths, hard held. Hack Race of 10 soys. 1 mile hea's. Mr. Logan's Young Jenny (Whiteoak) 110 „ Roger's Minnie Gray (A. M'Kry) „ Hunter's Mount Maid „ Dickson's Tommy (Monaghan) „ Edgar's Beeswing (T. M'Kay) Tommy won the first heat and Beeswing the second. The concluding heat was won by Tommy, after a capital race, by sheer" jockey3hip on the part of young Monaghan. A protest was entered against both horses, on the ground that Tommy went inside a post in the first heat, and Beeswing in the second heat. It was sustained by the stewards, aud Young Jenny, who came in second in each of the two heats, was adjudged the stakes. Consolation Stakes of 10 soys. 1£ mile. Mr. Monaghan's Otamete 1 „ Gordon's Weasel 2 „ M'Kay's Dolly Varden 3 The race lay between the first two, resulting as shown above. A Hurry Skuriy of £3 was improvised. Four started ; Monaghan's bay pony pulled off tlie money. This was tLe last event, and after it had been decided the spectators dispersed, allwell satisfied with the day's sport they had enjoyed.

The meeting of the Waipori miners, convened by the promoters of the Golden Point Water Race, was not held owing, to the anniversary soiree of the local Wesleyan Church taking place on the, evening it was called for. Mr. Squ're3, however, submit' ed to several leading citizens an offer which they intend to take into consideration. The promoters of the company, it appears, have surveyed accurately the course of the race, and I obtained a subsidy from the General Government, the expenses incurred therefor being £100. To save the district the Government subsidy and the money expended, they offer to resign their whole interest", free of consideration into the hands of three trustees, provided these irastees undertake to carry out the scheme. We may state that the promoters .of tne scheme made an offer to the proprietors of the 0.P.Q., "reef to furnish twothirds of the capital necessary to bring in the race, provided they (the proprietors of O,P.Q. Co.) provided the remaining third. This proposal was rejected. We may also mention that no offer of any kind has been imde by the local miners to co-operate in furthering the enterprise. The scheme suggested to the people of Waipori now, is as folio W3 : — The cost to bring tke race on to payable gold will be £1800. To provide this capital it is proposed that 15 practical miners should each take a £50 share, and pay for it in work ; the public to contribute £750, and £750 to be contributed by the Government. This would leave a surplus of £400. After the race is once brought on to payable gold, its further construction will be -a work of no difficulty.