ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1175, 8 January 1880, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

January 4, 18S0. In consequence of the unfavorable weather the committee of our annual sports postponed them on Boxing Day until New Year's D*y. Notwithstanding the rain a large number of natives put in an appearance, and the weather clearing up by noon they at once extemporised some horse racing and other sports, some of tie prizes being supplemented by the committee. Although the course in the Government paddock is only some half-mile round, some excellent races took place, principally matches from £2 to £5 a-side Tho following day (Saturday) was also kept as a holiday by the natives in the township, and more racing, &c, wat> indulged in, and all pass>ed off most harmoniously. New Tear's Day being all that could be desired for a day's pleasure, at an early hour the township was alive with welldressed, happy-looking natives and halfcastes, evidently bound for a day's thorough enjoyment, and by 12 o'clock a large number of equally happy-looking settlers with their wives and families were present on the ground, making some 500 present, all told, a bout 11 o'clock the sports commenced under the management of the following gentlemen :— Judge, Major Mair; starter, Mr P. Conn ell; 'handicappers, Messrs Connell and Johnson; assistant judge, Mr T. Kirk ; clerk of the course, Mr G-ooch ; clerk of the scales, Mr A. Aubin. Mr P. Pistrucc* was indefatigable in his duties as honorary secretary, as indeod were all the members of the committee, the result being a splendid day's enjoyment without hitch or serious accident, only one dispute occurring in the Hurdle Race, the question being whether Rattler actually jumped" over or outside one of the hurdles. It was ultimately decided against him, and Mr Wetherall's horse was awarded the prizo. The following was the programme of the sports , —

Native Boys' Race, 150 yards ; first prize, 17s Gd; second, os; third, 2s 6d. Twelve entries. Rantu 1 Were 2 Bete 3

Foot "Racu (for boys under 10), 100 yards ; first prize, 10s; second, ss; third, Is. Fifteen entries. W. Knabbs .. ..1 C. Pinch 2 "Rogers . . . . . . 3

Foot Race (for "boys under 16), 150 yards ; first prize, £1 ; second, os; third, Is. Eighteen entries. T. Simpson „ „ 1 T. Asmuss .. ..2 Curlev . . • • . . 3

Giuls' Ra<te (under 16), 100 yards; first prize, 17s 6d ; second, 2s 6d ; third, Is. Twenty-four entries. Miss Stunner . . . . 1 Miss Munro . . . . 2 A Native . . . . • . &

Maiden Plate, 150 yards ; first prize, £1 ; second, 10s. S. E. Hutton . . . . 1 Box 2

' Running Long Jujtp ; first prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Five entries. C. Searancke (18ft. 4in.) 1 a. McFarlane .. ..2

200 Yards Race; first prize, £1 10s; second, 10s. Six entries. H uuter . . . . . . 1 R. Stewart . . . . 2

Running High Jump; first prize, £1; second, 10s. Three entries. G-. McFarlane . . . . 1 Kuna 2

Hurdle Kace, IjO yards, over S flights hurdles ; first prize, £1 10s ; second, 10s. Five entries. W. Murphy . . . . 1 J. 11. Mutton .. ..2

I Flat Race, 100 yards; first prize, £1 10s ; second, 10s. Six entries. . J. R. Hutton .. ..1 S. C. Hutton .. ..2

(Three-legged Race; first prize, 15s. Hutton and McFarlane . . 1

QuABTER-miiE Kukdlr Race ; first prize, £2 ; second, £1 10s. five entries. J. R. Button . . . . 1 G. McParlano . . . . 2 JiNOLiNa Match.; prize, lOs. Garmonsway . . . . 1

Hop, Step, and Jump ; first prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Three entries. Taitoho . . . . . . 1 A Native 2

Waiiine Raci; ; first prize, 7s 6d ; second, 2s 6d. J welvo entries. Poui 1 Mere 2

One Mile Racb ; first prize, £4 ; second, £1. Nine entries. Rogers 1 K. Stewart .. -.2

Wrestled Match ; first prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Tour entries. Aoanga . . . . . . 1 Graham 2

Hubdle Race, 1} miles; pme, saddle and bridle. Five entries. Thompson's Rattler past the winning post, with Wctheraira Derrick second. < protest was lodged against Rattler for not jumping a hurdle, which was entertained, and the cri/e awarded to Derrick.

Race i'or Native Horses (native riders) ; hoats ; prize, saddle and bridle. Thompson's Tandem . . 1 Hetet's Tommy . • • • 2

Flat Kacje, 1} miles ; prize, saddle. Ten entries. W. Bond' 8 Chanco . . 1 In tho evening two concerts were held— the one in the Public Hall in aid of its funds by the Pirongia Minstrels. This obtained a large audience, who enjoyed themselves amazingly, and was largely patronised by our native friends Tv Tawhiao and other sons of tho Maori King were present— as one of the members remarked to me, " they appeared under Royal patronage," As this troupe

have now had plenty of practice their performance was really excellent, and as such appreciated. The inevitable dance afterwards was also thoroughly enjoyed ; hardly a person leaving, and dancing kept up almost unceasingly until sunrise, and I have no douht surihet would have found the majority "footing^ ifc," could they have found the music. The concert held in the schoolroom, in aid of Saviour's Ohureh, was a grand succasa, and altogether of a superior class to what we Lave enjoyed for some time past at least, some of our old favorites again coining forward after a long absence from our social reunions. A great number also attended on account of their wishing to pay their last respects to our respected pastor, the Rev. L. C. Brady, who is about to ta<e his departure from amongst us, to the general regret of his parishioners, with whom he has so long ministered. The rooa waa most tastefully decorated for the occasion, and reflected great credit on the committee, Messrs Aubin, G. Ahier, Mr Gentil, and other gentlemen, wbo also spared no pains to carry out the evening's enjoyment. Mr John (the chairman), opened the proceedings in a short and appropriate speech, and the concert commenced. Where all acquitted themselves of their respective parts so creditably, it is hard to criticise or particularise the performance of any individual who took part in the concert, but Miss Raje's rendering of " Lime Trees by the River" and " Children's Voices," the chorus by the cfcoir in an adjoining room giving the effect of beinsr at a long distance, was most delightful, and were amongst the erems of the evening Mr Kirk' 8 song " Little Brown Jug," although unexpectedly requested," was most capi tally rendered. " Thy Voice is year,"v ear," by viiss Susan Finch, was most tastefully and expressively given. Mr Dick's song, " The Laird o' Cockpea," brought down the house, and the encore was imperative and had to be obeyed. "Little Gay Deceiver," by Mr G. Prince, was a first appearance and a success. The Rev. Mr Phillips' readme. " Mr Pickwick's dventure with the Middle-asred Lady in the Yellow Curlpapers," was an immense success, and caused roars of laughter, the rev. reader evidently fully realising Mr Pickwick's delicate position. The same "■entleman's sono- " Ruby " w\s alro a great treat, and the accompaniment by Mrs Ros^-Watts made it one of the features of the evening. " The Kerry pocruit," by Captain Capel in character, t"> save the building- had to be repeated. Mrs Miller's sons:, " he Female uctionper," was Runsr most piquantly, and was most laughingly applauded. The Rev. Mr Brady's song, " Breathp Not of Parting," was *noht breathlessly listened to. " God Save the Queen " concluded the best concert, as I have before stated, that the Mexandra settlers have had for a long time. The chairman, after thanking tho^e present for their attendance, received a vote of thanks, as also the performers for I their kind exertions in providing so plea- , B>mt an evening's entertainment. The forms were then removed, and a large number remained to dance to the strains of the Awamutu Band, another treat for those who delight in terpaichore. — [Own Correspondent,!