SPORTS AT NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 4 January 1873, Page 2

SPORTS AT NGARUAWAHIA.

On New Year's Day there was a second series of sports at the above township, commencing with horse racing and finishing with foot sports a^ on Boxing Day. The first on the programmo was a Kurdle Race : one mile and a distance, over four hurdles. Winner £5, second save entrance ss. There were three entries, viz. : — Mr Hedgcr's r g Tiger Sir Carpenter's br g Crundagai Mr Hedger's b g Lion Tho first two on the list started at a tremendous pace. Tij;er fell at tho first hurdle, his "jock," however, was soon re-seated on tkft hog skin, and followed Gundagai, who was nearly up to the second hurdle, at a good pace. Lion was only entered to make up the race, and was pulled up at the first hurdle. 6btiidagai fell at the third jump and his rider got a severe faking, l\o mounted again, however, but was unable to keop his horse on the course. Tigor won at an easy canter. Ihero were five entries for the Trotting Race of one mile. Mr Hadden's Maori Weed led round the course and won easily. Mr Byron's Tommy succecdod m making a bad second. For the Hack Raw, run m mile heats, there were six entries. In the first heat, Mr Carpenter's Gundagai was first past the post, cJoseiy followed by Mr Ferguson's Kitty. In the second, Mr Ferguson's mare easily landed her colors at the pout, Typographer being a close second. Gundagai was pulled up at the distance, m order to save his wind for the match, that was yet to bo run with. Kitty, m wliicli the mn.ro fairly ran away from him, and, of course, won at discretion. This terminated the horso ricing, and an interval of one hour ensued, m order to allow all to partake of refreshment before tiie commencement of the FOOT SPORTS, which began with, the competition for the prizo offered for the best running high jump. G. Barton won the prizo easily, and jumped three more inches after the other competitors wore beaten. Martin (a native) took the second prize. High Vaulting with pole came noxt: the prizo was taken by — Hunt, Tilling, second. C. Barton was again successful m carrying olf the prize for tho 300 yards Hat race Martin, (native), second, who ran exceedingly well, so much so, that lor the last 30 yards it waa really doubtful who would win. The next raco waa for boys over twnlvo and uuder fifteen — 100 yards. Monro took the first and T. Diggles the socond prizes. The race for boys under twelve was won by a nulivo boy named James, second by G. MeG-uiro. Polly won the first Wahine raaori race, and Susan the second. The moat amusing item on tho programme was the walking on the greasy boom. Several natives entered. The boom had boen considerably pared down since Boxing Day, and our native friends had much greater difficulty m earning their money. The falls wore numerous, and the eccentricities displayed by Borne of the competitors caused great fun. This brought the sports to a termination. We should not be doing our duty did wo not express the thanks of tho community to the committee who so ably carried out two of t!is most successful days' nports yet beld m the Waikato. The good ordor maintained by natives and Europeans throughout tho holiday sports must havo- been

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gratifying to all who tako an intent m improving the inanncre and customs of the people. We never r member to have seen the same number of people collected togetlierwithout drunkenuessa and disorder being rampant. '-Phos^^ people of Waikato> showed that they are a sobav alti orifly community. . :' x|l U