MENAGERIE RACE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2343, 10 July 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

MENAGERIE RACE.

We wont yesterday about two mile out, to Baron D'Este's chateau to see a menagerie race. Imagiuo a small course marked out on the grass approach to tha chateau, and hundreds of carriages surrounding it. A saddling paddock containing ducks, sheep, goats, ut fox, geese, turkeys, a calf, pig, lambs, fowls, a rabbit, a poodle, and many others, all decorated with ribbous and parti-colored bows. Two French betting men, with their lists, offering tho odds against anything (a safe arrangement), and tents with tea in galore! Mr" Foccus" looked mighty wild; but he was muzzled, poor lad. The turkey seemed to be much fancied ; but the first race was a dead-heat between a duck and a young Cochin cock, and on their running it off the same result happened, so they divided the stake, and the two birds sat down with their beaks opeu, fairly " cooked;" but Master " Cochin" soon begau to peck some' corn. Each bird had a lady or gentleman driver, who was provided with a thin bamboo wand decorated with colours, and a ribbon tied to the bird or beast as a rein. The drivor must drive it, but not get in Iront of it. The second, a ladies' race, was won easily by an old duck which had evidently been driven home many a time. It was a comical sight, I seeing her waddling up the little banks put as obstacles in the course.

The race was for unimiils ami birds driven by gentlemen. The " Foccus" went off "at score," but feeling his chain an oncnmbrance, he set to work to twist ami jump like a monkey, and was passed by the sheep, lamb, turkey, pig, and calf, but ultimately finished about fifth with a tremendous rush, trying to " steal away," and going iike a greyhound close to the ground. The pig was trotting a good fourth, but suddenly remain tiered that the other way was his line, and he turned upon and repeatedly charged his drivtr, who, after persevering with him for a quarter of ac hour, gave it up. Several geese and turkeys squatted on the track, not being " fit," and were proof against all ticklings of the wands. The poodle ripped round the course and was disqualified, and the sheep, after going steadily to the distance, bolted oil' the course, crossing the lamb badly and upsetting himself and his driver, amidst roars of laughter, but eventually, being righted, won an exciting finish by a neck (of mutton) in front of the lamb! The calf's-performance was disappointing. After going "tail on end" for a bit, and always on the wrong side of the flags, he got disgusted the intervals of his spurts became longer, and his early and best efforts having been restrained, he turned sulky and gave it up,