TE AWAMUTU. THE MEETING OF THE SQUADRONS.—GRAND GALA DAY. (From Our own Correspondent)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 398, 1 December 1874, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU. THE MEETING OF THE SQU ADRONS.— GRAND GALA DAY. (From Our own Correspondent)

The meeting of the Cambridge and Te Awamutu Cavalry troops ia generally a red letter time with the inhabitants of the Waikato district, Jt is made an occasion of festivities and sports, and the country for miles round make up their minds, for a good outing. Saturday last formed no exception, to the general rule. Ido not remember to have seen a larger or more brilliant company assembled in VV aikato than were collected to witness the evolutions of the troopers, and the races which followed the conclusion of the manoeuvres. There'inust have been altogether some 300 persons present, nearly all well mounted, and amongst them at least 80 ladies. Tho rendezvous for these meetings is alternately Cambridge and Te Awamntu. This year it fell to the lot of the Te Awamutians to have "the spectacle in their territory. " Business before pleasure" ia a very wise proverb, and tho gallant troopers were far too soldierlike to neglect the lesson it teaches. The parade, therefore, was of course the first proceeding of the day. The troops met at Rangiaohhi, amalgtmated, and marched through Te Awamutu to the paradeground, which was in Mr White's paddock. The ground had been marked off so as to enable the movements to be correctly gone through. Colonel Lyon, who was the officer in charge of the review, hore tdok command, and put the men through variousievolutions, which were executed with great precisi(Jn, not a mistake being made. The pet sonffe/ -A' the troops was very good ; they wera in number about |70, and as they marched past the saluting point presented a most serviceable and soldier-like appearance. The men asa rule are young, strong, and active, and I think it would bo hard to find the equal of the horses as a whole in any Vounteor Cavalry Corps in the colony. The reviewing officer passed the highest enconiums on their efficiency, and praise coming from such a quarter cannot fail to be very gratifying to both officers and men. The junior officers were then called upon to mancenvre the troops, and displayed considerable efficiency therein. A luncheon, provided by Host Lewis, was the next feature of the programme. The sprend was laid out in the Volunteer Hall, and if the quality of the viands provided is to be measured by the execution done by the guests, it was of a first-class character. About 200 persons sat down. It ceitainly reflects the greatest credit upon Mr Lewis that ho should be able in a small place like Te Awamutu to give satisfaction to such a large company.

THE RACES. As soon as the inner man had received duo attention, a general movo was made to the paddock where the race-course had been laid off. The ground had been admirably chosen, u steep slope on one side of the course forming a capital natural grandstand, from which a view could be had of the whole of the running. The appearance presented to the lookers-on was very pleasing ; the handsome uniforms of the troopers and their arms and accoutrements glistening in the sun, lent a gay colour to t »c assembled crowd of spectators ; here and there a horse prancing and struggling to break loose from its rider's command, and ladies and gentlemen galloping from point to point of the course kept an endless moving panorama before the eye ; and last, but not least, the bright, pleased countenances of the ladies added a peculiar charm to the scene such as we in the Waikato can seldom experience. The first event was— The Msidon Plate, distance 1£ miles : Higginson's Larry, 1 ; Sorgt Fisher's rjan horse, 2. Four horses started. Steeple Chase — 1£ miles, over a fair hunting country : Rutherford's Garibaldi, 1; Trooper Drubble's Young Costello, 2. For this race five horses came to the post. At the first fence Garibaldi and Young Costello baulked ; Roches Barney rushed to the front and cleared it grand style, closely followed by Kays Costello. Bond ,on Don, charged the fence, but both girths gave way. his rider was rather heavily thrown, and he was never afterwards in the race. Barney continued to lead the running, taking his leaps in fine style, and looked all over a winner, but on nearing the finish Garibaldi and Young Costello, who had been gradually creeping, rushed pist him and finished in the order given above. Costello, I hear, has been staked lately and severely hurt, therefore stood no chance. Race for a saddlo, the gift of Mr Costello— distance twice round the course : Higginson's Larry, 1; Fisher's Long Drive, 2; Trooper Meagan's Dolly Varden, 3. Larry jumped off with the lead, which he kept throughout, and' won tolerably easy. Te Awamutu Cavalry Cvp — Distance 2 miles : [ Rutherford's Garibaldi, 1 ; Bond's Don, 2. Three ran. Garibaldi picked up the inside running, and made play at a great pace. As they passed the winning post the first time round, Garibaldi and Don were racing neck and neck and it looked like I anybody's race, but Garibaldi gradually drew ahead and ultimately passed the post a few lengths ahead. All Comer's Raee — Distance one mile: McCarthy's Lanty, 1 ; Roches Dick, 2 ; Taylors Char ie, 3. | Lanty leaped off the scratch and taking up the I running led his horses at a slashing pace, making it too hot for the others to live near him, Dick made a bad start, but afterwards passed every horse but the winner whom he was unable to catch. Trotting Mateh — Distance 2 miles — owners up : Taylors grey m..re, 1 ; Sing's Billy, 2. Four horses came to the post for this event. Two o them, however, fell out after th« first round. The mare and Billy were each backed friely by their respective fanciers, and great excitement was manifested in the race. The mare made all the i mining and won as she liked. A match was afterwards arranged between Lanty and Larry for £10 a side, which was won by Lanty ; but a dispute arising between the owners in reference to Lanty's jockey having struck Larry on the head with his whip, the stakes were withdrawn. This concluded the day's amusement. Every, thing passed off peaceably, and the company dispersed, apparently thoroughly well batisfied with the sport.