THE CHARLESTON RACES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 446, 5 January 1869, Page 2

THE CHARLESTON RACES.

(from our own correspondent.) The New Year was ushered in amidst general rejoicing, bands playing, guns firing, and loud cheering. The band of the Casino proved a great attraction to a large assemblage, and lovers of dancing had the opportunity afforded them of tripping gaily out of the Old into the New Year at the ball given by Mr Jones of the Harp and Shamrock, at the Belle de Union. Great numbers of people perambulated the streets till morning, tempted by the delightful weather out-of-doors. Business was generally suspended throughout the town and the unusually fine weather, coupled with the fact of our Race Committee having advertised a very fair programme for the day's proceedings, induced a very large concourse of people to attend the races, the presence of the fair sex, who attended in large numbers, making, with their pretty faces and merry conversation, the day to pass away in a pleasant manner. The cordial feeling existing among all classes of the community showed itself in the many wishes for a " Happy New Tear " expressed by friends and acquaintances on meeting, and also by the good order kept, and a ready desire to comply with the rules of the course.

Cullen and Co.'s Grand Stand was well patronised, a great many ladies availing themselves of the view of the course which it afforded. Mirfin's Queen's Hotel was also well patronized, and the other establishments did a fair business. Melville's Target was extensively used, and afforded a source of enjoyment to wile away the time between the races " Aunt Sally," who came to the course in holiday attire, did not seem to be at all popular, why, I could not ascertain, but she certainly had the cold shoulder shown her. The Clerk of the Course, Mr Proffitt, came on the ground dressed in customary style, and exerted himself to the utmost in the discharge of his onerous duties. The first event of the day was the maiden plate of £ls, added to a Sweepstake of £2 each. Distance one mile. Weight for age. There were five entries for this race, which ended in Eimmer's b.g. Skinny Bob, 10st 1 Fenton's b.m. Jenny, 10st 121b 2 Humphrey's b.g. Why Not, lOst 81b ... 3 M'Parland's b.g. Will if I Can, lOst 21b 4 Allen's g. h. Tom. Scratched.

packers' PURSE of 10 sovs. Heats, one mile. Catch weights. Post entry. Entrance £l. Six entries were made for this race, which was closely contested.

Ist heat. L. Howe's c.h. Sulky I S. J. Loring's b.g. Charon 2 Rimmer aud Go's b.h. Ben ... ,'„ 3 Warne's g.m. Dozey ... o Allen's b.h. Tom 0 M'Parland's b.h. Win if I Can ... ... 0 2nd HEAT. Three started. A very exciting contest ensued, placing S. J. Loring's Charon 1 T. Howe's c.h. Sulky "'. 2 3rd HEAT. Was closely contested from the commencement, and ended in nearly a dead heat, coming in T. Howe's c.h. Sulky I S. J. Loring's b.g. Charon 2 BUTCHERS' PURSE. of £lO. 1£ miles. Catch weights. Entrance JBI. Post entry. Three, entries were made for this race. Only two started. M'Qinley's b.h. Squatter 1 Kingham'sb.h. Selim (distanced) .." J. Brownlie's The Rag Selim, who had the lead in this race was disqualified, having run inside the flags. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. £2O. Smiles. Five flight of hurdles. Entrance £1 10s. Catch weights. For this race there were four entries. Forder's Shillelagh lost lib 1 Kingham's Selim list ... 2 W. Woolfe's Slim Jim 10st 51b . . "3 T. Allen's Tom 0 Three only started. This race was well and closely contested, Slim Jim leading until near the close, but on taking the leap in front of the Grand Stand, Shillelagh made a splendid spurt, and took the lead and kept it, coming in a winner by about two lengths. Jan. 2. The ball given last evening by Mr Nahr, of the Empire Hotel, was a

complete success, the large billiard room, which had been fitted up for the occasion, being densely crowded. The attendance of ladies was very good, and they deserve great praise for making such a splendid appearance, their costumes being not only expensive, but splendidly got up, and costing no little time and trouble to produce. The ball given at the Belle de Union was also very extensively patronised.

The attendance of visitors on the race-course was not so large as it was yesterday, probably owing to the overcast appearance of the weather. The Grand Stand was again patronised, and the rest of the booths did a fair share of business. The game of football was a great attraction to many, who evidently enjoyed the sport to their heart's content. " Aunt Sally" was again on the ground, but, as on yesterday, was not in favor. Firing at the target appeared to be more successful. A drizzling rain was falling nearly the whole afternoon, but not sufficiently to interfere with the sports. Between the races Mr Thomas Dwan sold by public auction the horse Why Not, with saddle and bridle, which was knocked down to Mr Proffitt for the sum of £26. The first event of the day was? the CHARLESTON HANDICAP. £4O. 2 miles. Entrance £4. Half forfeit. There were three entries for this race, but Cossack was withdrawn, and as he happened to be the favorite, it caused some disappointment to many sweep-holders who considered their money certain. Penton's b.h. Why Not 1 Gilmer's Little John 2 Cossack (withdrawn) It appears that the owner of Cossack considered him too valnable to risk on such a course. A very close contest took place between Why Not and Little John, but the result was in favor of the former. MINERS' PUBSE. £lO. Heats. One mile. Entrance £1 For this event there were thr°e entries, the horses coming in in the following order: — Ist heat. T.Howe's Tom 1 M'Ginley's Squatter 2 T. Howe's Sulky (distanced) 2nd HEAT. K'Ginlay's Squatter l T. Howe's Tom 2 A protest having been entered against Squatter, as not having been worked on the Nelson Goldfields, as required by the rules, he was withdrawn, and the 3rd Heat resulted in a walk round for Tom—winning the stakes. booth-holders' purse. of £8 added to a sweepstake of £1 entrance. Heats. Ist heat. Campbell's b.h. Tommy ... 1 Jones's b.g. Dusky 2 do Win if I Can 3 Forder's Young Jerry (distanced) 2nd heat. Tommy ... ... ... i Dusky ... ... ... ... ... 2 In this race Tommy had but little to contend against. A protest is lodged against his receiving the stakes in consequence of having won a prize at the late meeting at Westport. I have not been able to learn the decision of the Stewards in reference to it. consolation stakes. Handicap. £lO,-1 mile, post entries. There were 4 entries for this race, which was well run, Selim coming in Ist; Charon, 2nd ; and Dusky, 3rd. This being the final race of the meeting but few entered, as Selim was considered by far the best horse on the course, although, unfortunately, on the previous day two to one was freely offered on all sides. Although carrying about two stone more than his weight, he came in an easy winner:— Selim, lOst 71b 1 Charon, 9st 21b 2 Dusty, Bst3lb 3 Slim Jim, 9st 71b stratched.

In reference to the Charleston Race Course, only one opinion can be arrived at, viz., that it is the worst on the Coast, and it is to be hoped that a more suitable site may be selected for any future meeting. The Stewards cannot be highly complimented on their skill in conducting the meeting, though they have no doubt done their best to bring the meeting to a successful issue. Much confusion has arisen in consequence of stake-holders not knowing who was entitled to the mpney, the judge having decided that sweepstakes should go with the stakes, whilst others who should be more up in horse-racing say it is entirely at variance with the rules or practices of other courses.

I regret to inform you that Mesßrs Biirmer and Forder had to shoot their horse Ben, which was injured in the race for the Packers' Purse yesterday. He was a valuable horse, and considered one of the best roadsters on the Coast.

The weather seems to be setting in again for rain, the usual precursors of bad weather making their appearance in sudden squalls of wind and rain.