BOXING DAY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 959, 27 December 1881, Page 2

BOXING DAY

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL picnic;

Shortly nfier nine o'clock the children assembled at the Mnstertnn Sunday School, and from there marched down to ihe paddock-kindly : lentfor thg/occasion by Mr Judil. The ground was : ,a very f;ivoral>lo one. A'group of large willows formed an ndmirablo shelter near tliti m:ir»in nf a deir stream, This was the central wot fur the day. gome four hundred children asFomhlpd here,'- and enj' y -ti themselves thoroughly, Not onfytho pupils in tho Weileyan Sohopl '' "■■'"'iv'rwi*-^r.

■ 'lira |}rossl,; hut the momWa,of the Jhnrch England find Presbyterian ; iinday Solmfl? wero ai'o there by invitoion. The'effort! which -were made' by ■he Committee, the teaoliera, find:' the Church members to feed mid amuse this ! itt]o'liriny were beyond praise. ' The jwhole affair was admirably and ;#m ft marked success, attracting a ' very .large number of adultvjsit'ors, i't addition ■'to the dittle ones. All sorts of. outdoor aprtrta were indulged in, and with the protection nf the willows the extreme heat of the day failed to be any drawback to thorough onjoymont. .; FORESTEBS' SPORTS. Committee : MessrsE, Brown, fi. Smith, D. Piokeriiig, J : . H. La Roche, J. Walker, J, Williams, H. Petersen, J. Yates. Starters. Messrs Cr. Dixon find J. Brown. Handicappers :■ Messrs A. A. Elkina and G. Heron. Treasurer: F. Gray. Secretary : F. T. Redman.

This gathering took place in the paddock kindly lent by Mr Donald Donald at Snlway, nnd was as might have been anticipated—a complete success. The usual procession of the order was formed in the. morning and marched, through the town on to the ground, headed by the Masterton Brass Blind, The weather waa glorious, and was almos.t more than could have been wished for. The beat was sn groat that it was hard work almost to sit in the shade. The energetic Committee suffered a gnnd deal.from.the heat, tors at the Sports wei'e almost overpowered by it. There was a larger attendance of spectators than last year, and the grounds on which the Sports were hold being conveniently laid tiff for seeing and being seen, and being, also in tho vicinity of standing bush offered every facility for visitors to make themselves comfortable. There was a good display of booths; Clayson's refreshment stall being a'central establishment, having on its riaht the Piince nf Wales' Hotel booth, and on its left the Royal Hotel booth. Too much credit cannot be given to tho Band. The member* of it played well and constantly throughout tho day, and their efforts to enliven the scene were fully appreciated

The following is the programme with the list of winners :

Boys' Race, nuclei' 12,200 yards—T. Ridgway 1, W. Heron 1. ■' Maiden Race, 220 yards—J. Peters 1, A. J. Welch 2,

Hop'Stepand-Jump-J. Waterson 1, W. B. "Welch 2.

Walking Handicap—T. Bambry 1, J, Bennett 2.

Youths' Three-legged Race—W. and R, Welch,

Hurdle Handicap—W. Dixon 1, W. Harvey 2. Yautling with Pole—J. Peters 1, W. E. Welch 2. Foresters' Handicap, 800 yards—F. Bright 1, J. Quigley 2. Stone and Basket Race, 35 yards—J. Tidswell 1, F. Bright 2. Throwing Heavy Hummer—A. Hooker 1, J. White 2. Girls' Race, under 12, 150 yards—L. Dixon 1, B. Dennan 2, Running High Jump-Iraia White 1, J. Waterson 2. Volunteer and Fire Brigade Race, 440 yards, handicap—J. Wyeth 1. F. Bright 2. * Putting the Stone-W. E. Welch 1, W. Fitzgerald 2. One Mile Race—J. Tidswell 1, T, Bambry 2, j. Bennett 3.. Sack Race,—Hugh Welch 1, H. Welch 2. Standing High Jump—W. E. Welch 1, Iraia White and A. Hooker tie. 100 yards race—F. Bright 1, W, Harvey 2, Juvenile Foresters' Race—A. Pickering 1, A.'Catt 2, '' Boys' Race—A, Dash 1, C, McLnchlau 2, H. Welch. Consolation Race—S. Avery 1. A. J. Welch 2.

THE PANTOMIME. There was a large audience in the Town Hall 'lust evening to witness the opening of Mr J. 0, Marter'a Christmas pantomime This performance was preluded by a very nmusinsr farce which was played with ureal Kpirit,aiid then, after a brief interval, the piece uf the evening was produced. Tile first scene revealed some lwlf-rlozeu spectral Maories with enormous and grotesque visages, who were supposed to represent Mastcrton in'lßss. Tho effect was a novel ooe, and was "fairly successful. Tim wns followed by the introduction of the Fairios of the pantomime. Misi Kate Jones sustained very crediialily the role of Queen, ami was well assisted by Miss Jessie Jones, who rejoiced in ihc name of Silsaline. There were also four attendant fairies who assisted the Queen and Salsalino in completing a very f.iir ballet urouu. Scene 111 represented Miistertou in 1881. The artist who undertook to depict Mr Renall was nit. pu-ticjilnriy successful, nor was Mr Boetham's " alter ego" a very striking likeness of the original. A diminutive Dilrymplo was a better effort, and brought down ilie house. A stage Chinaman was also effective, The audience were, however, fairly interested and amused till Mis Jessie Jones appeared as a graceful columbine, Mr J. G. Mutter as harlequin, MrW. C.Martor as clown, Mr F, Robinson as pantaloon, and Mr G. Armstrong as Policeman X, Peals of laughter from young and old welcomed this portion of the entertainment. The scenery and dresses were perfect, and the only drawback was the small size of the staee. Messrs J. C. Marter, W. G. Marter, and P. Robinson, wore well trained in their several pails, and wore the life and soul of the piece. The grand denouement representing fairy land was very prettily got. up, and for a small stage was a wonderful effort in the way of transformation. The entertainment will he repeated to-night, and will, we trust, ho liherally patronized. As a local effort to amuse the public it deserves support, and it will, wo feel sure, go better tho second night than it did on the first when an. occasional hitch was almost inevitable.

LOWER VALLEY JOCKEY CLUB. President : Mr W, 0 Williams ; Stewards, Messrs W, S. Oohham, J. MoMasler, A. Sinclair, T. F. Evans, Geo. Pain, E. Buplcridsp, Geo. Harris, A R, McFarlatw, J. O.llnyward, H. Hume, B. Kimberley. A ' Hirachbers, J. W. Smith, H. C. Dowmoan and J. H. Tally; Starter; Mr John McMister; Clerk nf Scales: Mr A. M, Hirschhartt; Clerk nf Course: Mr J, Desmond ; Handicuppers: Messrs . P. F. Tancred and H. MoMnster; Judge: tyr Wallace Smith; Huh Secretary and Treasurer Mr C. J. Tully. The race meelina under the auspices of the above Club took place yesterday on a course at Maryborough. The weather was eery lint, the snn shining brilliantly in a cloudless cky. There heing no shelter of any kind on the ground, the heat proved very oppressive, and Host Bucljeridge was kept hard at work all day at.hia booth supplying "quenchers" to the mnny thirsty souls present. The roads from Grey town to Fea'hersion were dotted with horses, and vehicles making their.wav to the course at an early hour, and by 12 o'olock-thGre were si* or Seven | hundred people present; ,incl.iiditi'» : a.'ar?e '• ■number of Maoris. There wps no t ■taiieator for ■ the 'spsbulatiye, m.r band fop the muiioali bcit ths former Was coopan* | —ik - - 'J -- '

sated by numerous private sweeps, (wliioh of course, were nil "sub r<m") ; and the absence of the latter was more than made up for by the presence of a number of young men-with musical voices forming themselves into what they called a "Salvation Army," the ability to sing and also to " shnut,'- 'being the only qualifications required for membership. They certaiuly sustained with-energy the role they had taken up, sinking with great'spirit all day, Ono of the progresses" would have made a picture for Hogarth, : The " Army" was making its way to the " big juini)" of the Steeplechase. The tallest "anldier" was mounted on a very low standing horse, the leader, with a largt umbrella raised aloft, had the animal by the reinß on the right and was assisted by a ninua lonkinti j'oiith on the other side. Two other " brothers" gnspod the horse's fail, while the remainder, of the corps formed a guard on each flank; The horse was proceeding at a "jig jug," the rider rising hitjh in the stirrups to each step. the others helping the horse along, and all (except the latter) singing most lustily, tlV'tmit ensemble," creating a great deal of fun. The arrangements on the course for the convenience of visitors were "rough and ready," but nothing Brand was expected, and all seemed to enjoy the day's outing .immensely. Of the racing as a whole not much can he said. The entries were few and the contests not very close. In the Maiden Plate Mairoscured an unexpected and very popular win, though opinions wore freely expressed .that Wiiitangi could have beaten him had she heon raced right out, It would, however, be rather much tn sliy this as the colt was held' nearly, all the way and was only let out a few yards from home. The Sapling Slakes was simply a canter, but the Handicap. Steeplechase of 3 tililes was an event which alone was worth the visit to the course. There were 24 jumps, consisting of stiff fences, darkened hurdles, and lurf walls with a ditch each'aide. The longest jump was 14ft across with a wall in the centre 4ft high. The three horses cleared all the jumps splendidly each time, with the exception of knocking a few rails off one of the fences, As each horse cleared the " biu jump" he was loudly cheered, anil there has probably never been such intense interest displayed before in the Wairarapa in any race from start tn finish as in this first Lower Valley Steeplechase, which is also the first run in the district. Almost every person present ran from point to point in a state of tho greatest excitement to watch the racers take the hurdles, and loud were the cheers when all came in safely, and old Kangaroo scored nno unite to his long list of victories. A", three, riders were gifen a hearty round of applause after weighing in, and an extra cheer was (liven f r Lyford, who made his debut in that race on the Wairarapa lurf. Tho other races worth notice were the Handicap Hack Rice, in which a horse of Mr T. Eay's—Kakupo—lipnt five others after a close race, and the Flying Stake 3 Handicap which T. Ray's Onmus pulled off bv a neck after an exceedingly interesting finish with MeFarlane's Speculation, both hopes being well jockeyed. The public growled it little at the long interrals between the races, and we think iliey were drawn out a trifle longer than was necessary, though everyone appeared able to li'l up the timn pretty well, Mr B irnitt at his refreshment booth affording them one moans of doing so h_v providing good hot dinners, tea, fruit, &c., &c The officers of tho Club, us usual, worked hard to tiiiiko things run smoothly, and the proceedings went off without a hitch. One thing at this meeting is, perhaps, worthy of note, and that is there was no Consolation raco through there being only ono entry, owners apparently being satisfied with the vesuit of tho other events.

Wo iiro haypy to say there were no accidents, very few drunks, and no need for tint active exorcise of their duties by the nilicemen present. Wh ni'ist congratulate the Lower Valley Jockey Club on llio visible improvement in tlio attendance at their gathering this yeir, visitors being oreaent at it from all the towns in the Waimrapa, as well as sevcr-il fnim Wt»lliu«tfi!i. The following is a list of the races Maiden Plate, Of £ls • 1A mile^; weights for ntfe. John Macara's Mairo, 3yrs (W. Hadii"H) 1 T, Day's I'apapa, atrnd (Hamilton) ... 2 No Nam", Waitangi, and Lavateria also ran. Waitnn»i ran inside a post, and though she came in second the third hope took the place. Mairo was held all round. Tune 2min. SOsecs. Sapling stakes. For 2 year-olds; f mile. Only two started. A, 1?. MeFarlano's Bamboo 1 Hnarne'B Barbarian filly was the second horse. HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, Of £4O; 3 miles. A. B. MoFarln ne's Kangaroo, 12st 31b (Desmond) 1 E. Henrnp'i K"hni, list (S Harris)... 2 T. H. Hill's The General,.list 12' h (LvM), also ran, Sitnray being scratched. This was (lie event of (lie day, General Mm.' the favorite, as it wsr n»t thought Kauwno could Rtav it out. The result proved that; ths old hurdler had not been liy even the knowing; ones. Tho start was slow, hut- the increased a t'ifle ai t,bn Irsfc hurdle was reached, o< - er which Kmiiarnn led, Geonrnl second, Khnc/nvno then showed tile way nvor nil thn jumns, and when ho was aViout to negotiate the longest and highest skip of all, nearly the whole of the people on the course were there to see bint do i l , and iiftnr a lireithloss instant a loud cheer burst forth as Desmond took h ; m clean over in splendid style. The General was ei]uallv successful, and T(ohni n.Werly n.ive himself an extra lift by 'iulitly toochin? oo the top of the tnrf wall with his hind feet. They raced steadily on, tiltinrr the jumns all round with tho same safely. A' out a m : 1o from home it looked as though General was ■iboiit to deprive Kangaroo of. his lead. Mit « little iMcin',' for it shut him up, and Kohai hail a trv. Ho nearly got on terms with the leader, and was going un pretty smartly on the inside of Desmond, when the latter shut, him out by drawin? Kangaroo close inside. Harris had then to try and work iin the outside, but the damage was done, and Kangaroo raced in ut winner by about, a leng'h, having to whip for the honor, General some distance behind. Loud cheers greeted each of the riders, A protest was entered' against Desmond for cuttingacross liohai and preventing him from coining up on tho inside of Kangaroo. The Stewards. after about an hour's consideration, disallowed the protest. L.V. J.C. Handicap. £3O; 2 miles. Only two entries, both by the same owner. Ika walked over. Handicap H\ck Race of 18; 1 mile; ■5 entries T. Ray's Kakapo, Bst (Hamilton) 1 A. horso named Soldora-Fed made a close seound. Handicap of £2O; 2 miles. T. .Hill's General, 12st (Lyford)... 1 Xohai /ridden bv TV. Crawford) was the only other starter, and he appeared t have.had .enough at the first steeplechase, 0 as ho could not he induced lo get oyer th < big - jump in uthiß.. eveiat #t •cjiy.^prioa

ueneral, us before, jumped splendidly all round, ' : Flying Stakes Handicap. T. Ray's Comus, 9st (Hamilton) ... 1 A. E. McF.ulane's Speculation, 7st. ' 61h (Hadfield) ... 2 McFarlane Venture, Bst. also ran, Thilu was considered Comus' itwasKfe remarkabiy close, and he win it, Both he and SpebinKin: were splendidly lidden,'"the the., straight when the latter went up and took front place, whips going at each. They paced stride f6r stride, head to head, , nearly all up the straight, but in the last few yards Comuß crept slowly arid almost imperceptibly ahead; and. won by a short neck; Time, lmin, 64socs, . Consolation Race. Onls one entry was made for this, Speculation being apparently the only ono needing to be consoled, which he was. by walking over for the prize. A hack raco was then run for a whip given by Mr \V. Armstrong, which was won by Mr Ray's Taratahi, beating seven others.' This concluded the proceedings.

General, as before, jumped splendidly all round, '