AKURA MAORI RACES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4123, 27 May 1892, Page 2

AKURA MAORI RACES.

The First Hieeting. OFFICERS. PRESIDENT: H, P. Timuioranei; VICE-PRESIDENT! Manihera K. Maaka, Stbwabps : Karaitiana Korou, Mcnuera Ngatuere, Hamuera Karaitiana, Mara T« Tau, Taiawhio Te Tau, ffainohu H. B. To Huki, Hapeta | H. Whakamairu, Mita A, Tuhokairangi, Ngarori Tamihana, Kawana Ropiha, Raharahi A. Tuhokairangi, Kohen Tahana, Toi Natanahira, Pahira Anaru, Te Ao A. Har&wira, A. Mikaera Te Honu, Eamjinui W ; Kiflgi, Koreu Karaitiana, Hanita Arama; Jddoe, B. A. Tuhosairanga; Startir, M. A. Tuhobairangßj Clerk of Scaibs, W. Earaitiana and George Ellers; Clerk of Courbb, Kereu Karaitiana; Teba--BUKKE3,'\?aiuohuH. H. To Huki, A M. Te Honu, and William lorns Handioapper, A. R. Macfarlane.

The first rave meeting held under the auspices of the natives residing in' ihe Masterton district came off yesterday at the Opaki. It was originally intended to hold the meeting at the Akura on Queen's Birthday, a new course haviug been specially prepared, but owing to the recent , heavy rains it was found advisable to obtain the use of the Opaki course and to post* pone the races. As might have been expected the attendance was therefore not nearly bo large as it would have; been had the weather been suitable on the 24th, but still about 900 natives were present, and a goodly number of pukeha 'sports' also. A rather lengthy programme of eight, eyonta was got through in a very oredii able manner, each officer oarrying out hia duties with precision, Mr W. lorns. the Secretary, being simply indefatigable. Although the course was very heavy and in some places dangerous, no accidents occurred witli the exception of a s'ight fall which Winteringham got in the Hack Hurdles! Tho details of the racing are as follows

HURDLE HANDICAP, 25 SOVB, 2 MILES, The only starters for this event were Mr W. B, Buiok's Playboy and The Joker. The race proved rather a hollow affair, both horses refusing the stioks on several occasions. Finally The Joker, afbor baulking the last hurdle but one, came down, and Playboy passed the post and was declared winner after taking 7min 11 8-sths seconds to do the distance. The only investment on the machine was £1 oil Tbe Joker, probably put on by some otber joker. 2ND HURDLE HANDICAP, 10 80VS, 1 mile and a distanoe.

Hflurus Haweraj lOat .„ • 1 Hanta's Taratahi, list • : 2 This event brought eight starters. The fit-Id was sent away in a bunch. The favoriie led out from the start and won rather easily witli Taratahi a good second. Every hurdle was negotiated without mishap. Div. £3 lis, Time 2min 27seo. farmers' welter,

A. W. Oave's gh Ahitanga, Bst 91b 1 H, Mahupuka's bg The Toad, 9st 2 W. B, Buiok's oh h OocW-the Walk, 9st 101b ... 8 This wa3 ono of the best races of the day. From an excellent start all the hor3eß run together into tho straight, when the son of Piscatorious came gamely but under the whip and won prettily by a length from the Toad, Oiv, £ll7s. Time 2min 2seo, AKORA MAORI HANDICAP, 35sOVS ) 1| miles, J, Freoth's ch g Violence, 7st 91b 1 T, brg Avoca, 7st2 A. Kolia's oh in Waitanga, 7st Sib 3 Kaitara got rather the best of the start. Violence was a strong favurito on the macbino and did not disappoint his backers, winning rather easily, Div. £1 9s. Tirno Bmin sseo. Maiden Hack Hanioap, Wbiteman'a Jenny Lind Bst 71b 1 H, Preston's Butcher 9st 71b 2 W. B, Buiok's Pride of Kildare 7si 71b 3

This event brought out a field of eight, The flag fell to a fair start, Jenny Lind Was the first to show out with Pride of Kildare and Once Again in close order. At the home turn Butcher made a splendid attempt to make up ground but only succeeded in reaching second place half a length from the winner, Dividend, £1 lis, Time 2roin 2-ssec. Flying Hanioap, 20 sov3 mile. J. Frenth's oh, g, Violence 7st Ilk 1 W. Whiteman's Jenny Lind 7st 51bs 2 Box Iron obtained a flying start hut whs unable to main'jio the advantage Violence coming away out of a field of eight and winning easily. Dividend 'll3s. Time lmin 25 l-sseo.

JIAOK'. HACK BAOE, 10 SOVS J 1 MILE. )eeming, Bat 71b 1 Buru, Bst,;. • ... 2 Seven horses faced the starter for this race some of the riders and horses presenting rather a grotesque appearance. The horses were supposed to have never previously faced a barter and this may account for tho fact that Bom 3 of them were a little fractious at the post. Finally the field was despatched, a horse bearine the somewhat notorious name of Deeming getting a start of about three chains. With this trifling advantage ho managed to win by half a length from the second horse, Kuril, the rest being a yery long way out of it. Dividend £7 lOe.

A Consolation Handicap wound up the programme, the race being run in tho dark, and won by The Toad, who, it will be remembered, pulled off a race in the same manner at the lost Taubereiokau meeting,