WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1171, 30 December 1879, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

In spite of our wishes to tho contrary* Boxing Day turned out wretchedly wetj and it was at first doubted whether the Kacos would come off or be postponed. At 11 a.m., however, the weather cleared up, and for the remainder of tho day was comparatively fine. About 1 p.m. the steamer arrived vith a good number of visitors, including part of tho Hamilton Band, i The first race run was the Hurdle Race. Several horses started. The course was in a terrible state, and every horse baulked at the hurdles. The winner turned up iu Derric, Destiny a good second. Next came the Maiden Plate. This was won easily by Bond's Molly Darling, Sympathy second. Por the Whata Whata 1 Handicap a good field faced the starter, and it proved the closest race of the day, Sweet Briar winning by a length, Loafer second. For the Settlers' Race, which was confined to horses owned within twelve miles of the township, Siminer'sDestiny secured first place, Sympathy second. The Pony Race was a gift to Bond's Wee Pefc. It will be remembered that this i little mare won fche Pony Kace last year. t There is no doubt but, that the capital condition in which Bond's horses came to the post contributed greatly to his success The Trotting Race was performed in very slow time — Darkie first, Naughty Boy second. The Consolation Race was simply a tussle between Loafer and Gladstone, and they came in in the order mentioned. Between the horse, races foot sports were carried out. The results were :— • Maiden Race ; 150 yards. / Maclean. . . „ . . 1 Davis „ . . 2 Handicap Race ; 440 yards. Davis . . . . „ ... 1 Naylor . . . . „ . . 2 Handicap Hukdle Race ; 300 yards. Bvydon . . ; , . . 1 Datlaran . . . . „ 2 Boys' Race. Bishop . . . . . . . . 1 *a«a . . . . . . „ 2 It will be seen from the above that a good long programme was got through. No protests were entered, and, notwithstanding the bad state of the course, not a spill occurred. ' ad the weather been fine we should have had alargfe^gathermg 1 in our township. The Hamilton Band contributed greatly to the entertainment of those in the neighborhood of the hotel. In the evening: the ball came off, aud in spite of the high prioe of the tickets there were a good number present. Dancing

|:.wa-8 of course carried into the small hours. Messrs Barker .and Henry, members of the Light Infantry Band, whose services were retained for the ball, discoursed somo excellent music, much to the enjoyment of those present. There ia one thing- I ennnot pass over without a slight notice ; this is that' as thp naS^es seem to have means to procure lieiuor'aV^hoso races the local constable should havtrsome as3istanco in keeping order. As it is, without a lqck'-up and quite by himself, Constable Clarice hii-d'to act moro tho part of peacemaker ' than of constable, and, despite hia-efforts, some dissracafnl scenes took place, one cf which will probably form the subject of a. case in tho Hamilton Police Court.—[Correspondent ] . < ■ •