Correspondence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 411, 25 November 1874, Page 3

Correspondence.

TUAPEKA RACES. {To the Editor.) , Sir, — In reply to a letter in your issuo of the 16th instant, signed "Haricot," the — riter presumes to point out several reasons •why our annual races should not be held so late in the season as St. Patrick's Day ; and one i_ that the Dunedin races are to be held on or about that date. The Dunedin people hare chosen, this for the best se_son ; let us follow suit, and we shall have a successful meeting. The writer goes on with a lot of bosk about -wiiat racing is intended for 5 but I would ask him, in what has our local stock improved for the last ten years under this

grand guiding principle ? It has been too plainly shown (so much the worse for his argument) that the Tuapeka races have been misorablo failures in this reßpGot. " Haricot" tliinks I may own a scrubber, and am speaking from a selfish point of view ; but he is altogether at sea. I own no horses, but feel it my duty to write on this as a public question," when I see the public money squandered in such a reckless manner as has been of late years. "Haricot" then advises me to join the St. Patrick's Sports Committee. I may inform him that it would be no hard matter for me to join the Jockey Club, especially after seeing these expansive ideas. As one of the Club, let him consider whether wo are able to pay for all this vain pomp and nonsense to gratify perhaps two or three of our local sporting characters or betting men. I think the people demand something more from our Jockey Club than to offer two or three good prizes, sufficiently big to bring one or two gentlemen with horses who make their living solely by horso racing and gambling. We had better racing before this gigantic principle was introduced. I refer "Haricot," who says he is a member of the Jockey Club, to my letter of the 11th inst., and let him reconsider his arguments, and if a Town Councillor attended the sports last year, I believe this year the Mayor and Council will attend in a body, and it must be a success ; and I firmly believe tho subscriptions would roll in, and this must be a matter of consideration by our Jockey Club. — I am, &c, Obseevbe.