WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 1017, 31 December 1878, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

December 27. Nkvkb since the old days, long before the . native war, has our township put on its holiday attire so completely as on the Christmas now past and gone. .Natives mustered m large numbers from .all parts ; tents and ivhares innumerable were erected for their accommodation — extensive supplies of food were laid m, and, judging by their well-fed and wellclothed appearance, they passed at Whatawliata a happy as well as a merry Christmas, and m one respect they observed the day better than the Europeans, th« Rev. "W. Barton preaching to a large congregation m the afternoon, -whereas we had no service of any kind. In the evening, the racehorses to compete m the various events on the following 1 day commenced to arrive; and m such numbers that the powers of our host of the Whatawhata Hotel were taxed to the utmost to find the required accommodation. Towards evening, also, the various canvas booths, wherein hard and soft drinks wore to be dispensed, became conspicuous on the green ; but lively as Whatawhata appeared on Christmas, it was as nothing to — BOXING DAY. The day broke rather cloudy, but no rain foil, and the day was cool and pleasant throughout. At au early hour, about .a dozen horses exercised upon the course, and from 9 a.m. visitors commenced to arrive m traps and on horseback.. At 11 a.m., the steamers Delta, from Nyaruawalria, and Waikato, from Alexandra, hauled alongside the landing, well freighted with passengers. The township now began to have quite a lively appearance, the fair sex being well represented both m numbers and beauty. Ihe flay fell to the fiwt race at 1 p.m. The first race was the Maiden Plato, 1 Osovs; distance, l^uulea. In this race, S3ven ran. It was apparent from the first that Hall's Sultan had it m hand, winning easily by several lengths.— lJ all's Sultan, Ist ; Lamb's Wanauyfa, 2nd. The second event -was the Hurdle Race, £10, 2 miles. In this race, six horses ran. Count was the favorite. Count, however, baulked at the first hurdle, as indeed they all did. Billy Barlow -mado the running- after this, jumping well, and' maintained the lead to the. last hurdle. Here, he was caught by Scotland Yet, who was splendidly ridden by P. Sidwoll, and landed a winner by a length. The rest were nowhere. — Lainar's Scotland Yet, Ist ; Billy Barlow, 2nd" The third event was the Whatawhata Handicap, 20sovs, 2 miles. Seven started. This from the start was a neck-and-neck race between Tlirt and Derby, Flirt always retaining the inside place. The pace was good throughout. Won by two lengths. — Bond's Flirt, Ist ; Pollard's Derby, 2nd. The fourth event was the Galloway Stakes, osovs, 1 mile. Eleven came to the post. It was a good race, the horses keeping well together. The treed and good training of Wee Pet, however, proved too much for her oppenents. Won by two lengths. — N. Bond's Wee Pot, Ist ; Cooper's Tipperary, 2nd, The fifth event was the Hack Eace, 7sovs, li- miles. This race was well contested".— F. Bond's — , Ist ; Te Okau's -, 2nd. The sixth event was the Trotting Race, osovs, 2 miles. In this race, as usual, the dark horse won. Seven started, Black Thorne had the race m hand from the first, finishing about the same, 50 yards, ahead of Fanny, as the latter had been put behind him. — Black Thorne, Ist ; Graham's Fanny, 2nd, The last event was. the Consolation Stakes, osovs, 1^ miles. Eight came to the post, any odds being offered on I Derby, who won as he liked. — Derby, Ist ; Tandem, 2nd. This concluded a good day's racing. The Committee, including the Judge and Starter, may be congratulated upon the success which, m every rospeot, attended their efforts. The handicapping gave general satisfaction ; not a single protest was entered, and, notwithstanding the large number of natives and Europeans iv the township, not an altercation of any kind occurred. The visitors from ISTgarnawahia and Alexandra expressed their pleasure with the trip and races, and certainly we were glad to see them. Although it is the first time we have had races upon such an extended scale, it will not bo the last. In tho evening, a mov-e was mado m the direction' of a hall, which had been fitted up, and every arrangejnent mado for tho comfort and couyoiu-

oflce of those who went m for tho light | fantastic, and about nine o'clock the room i became comfortably nlled. The pooplo ! had evidently come with the intention of enjoying themselves. The services of Mr Davis had been secured as musician. Creature comforts of every kind were m abundance, and, botwoon them and dancing, the night hours sped Towards morning", the dangers". beciaine anxious about cloaks and hats: !;Thus ended our Christmas holidays, T&X<l, if productive of no other good,, ib will be something pleasant to remember during the hard work of tho coming year; — OohRESPONDENT.