HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1233, 25 May 1880, Page 2

HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

Yesterday, bein<r the 6 1 at anniversary of the birthday of her Majesty the Queen, was observed throughout the district as a publio holiday. The Government offices, banks, and stores in the several townships were all closed, and with the exception of a solitary constable or two the streets were deserted. The piincipal atti actions were the

Te Awamutu Annual Races. Stewards: Messrs J. S. Htukland, AY. Scott, Henderson, Foster, W.iinwright, Wm. Taylor, J. H. Scott, and C. J. Storey. Judge: Major Jackson. H.indu-.ippcrs: Messrs Weathenll, Bertram, and J. R. Roche. Clerk"of Scales : MrHertram. Starter: Mr "Wattors. Clerk of Course : Messrs W. Higginson and Pollard. Thime annual events came off this year in a paddock kindly lent for tke purpose by Mr (Joodfellow, close to the new railway atation, the paddock used on former occasions nob being available. The course is not naturally a very good one, and it was rendered extremely bad by the heavy rain we have experienced for the last few days. The stewards did all in their power to make the meeting a success, and little besides the bad weather interfered with their efforts. Owing to the railway facilities the number of visitors was large, about 1200 people being on the ground. By the courtesy of Mr Fallon, the special train from Ngaruawahia and Hamilton to Ohaupo was allowed to run over the newly-constructed section between the latter place and Te Awamutu, and a large number of people from this part of the district availed themselves of the opportunity to be present at the races. The train was indeed very uncomfortably crowded, and many of the passengers had to content themselves with seats in some empty trucks, which, by the way, would have been none the worse for asweeping. At all the stations between Hamilton and Te Awamutu fresh accessions were made to the ranks of visitors. The new portion of the line was found to be in very good order, very little oscillation being perceptible, notwithstanding that, like' all new lines, it had felt the effects of the heavy rain. Arrived at the station, a atart was at once made for the course, and, the weather at this time being bright, the road from the station presented a very lively appearance, buggies, horses, carts, and all kinds of vehicles being brought into requisition. On the course there were the usual swindling games of under and over, wheel of fortune, &c. Mr H. Kirkwood, of the Exchange Hotel, Alexandra, had a booth on the ground, and was very liberally patronised. There was, however,no drunkennessor rowdyism, and the services of the police, although available, were fortunately not required. The newly-formed Te Awamutu Cavalry Band was present, and played several selections in fair style, considering that the members have only recently been got together. The weather during the day was most unfavorable for sport. About half past 12 there wns a smart shower, anil although the rain held up for some time afterwards, the appearance of the sky was threatening. About 4 o'clock the rain began to fall anew and settled into a regular down pour, through which the last three events had to be run. There was little or no betting on the events, although great interest appeared to be takeu in the results. The races commenced with Maiden Plate, of 15 soys. For all horses, three years old and upwards, that have never won a public stake exceeding 10 soys. Distance, 1^ miles. Weight for ago. Entrance, 10a. Second horse save his stake. Mr Keith's Hard Times, aged; 9st 21b 1 Mr Bond's bm Molly Darling, 3yrs 7sfc 91b 2 Mr Tanner's blk M Wheel of Fortune aged; 9st 21b 3 Mr Whites's Matana, 7st 91b, also ran. Perfume ami Little Nell were scratched. A pretty fair start was effected, Molly getting a little of the advantage with Hard Times following close up. In this order they went round the course the first time, but when about half-a-mile from home the mare was passed, and Haid Times won pretty easily, with Wheel of Fortune a middling third. Hand' Cap Hurdle Race, of 20 soys, with a sweep of I soy each for starters'. amount accruing from sweep to go to second horse. Distance 2 miles, over eight flights of hurdles 3 feet 6 inches. Nomination, 10s. ; acceptance, 20s. Mr J. S. Buckland's b q Serenades aged, lOst. 41b 1 Mr Gallagher's oh h Hastings, aged, list. 41b 2 Mr Rutherford's eh q Sportsman, aged, 12«t. 41b 3 Mr Pattersons Gladstone, list. 41b.; Mr Laings Harold, list. 41b.; Mr Keith's Hard Times, lOst. 71b.; and Mr Wetherill's Daric, lOst., also ran. Considerable interest was manifested in this race. Sportsman appeared to be the favorite, though when the difference in weight between him and the winner was considered there were found several ready to affirm that the latter would have some say iv the matter. Sportsman took the start and led to the first hurdle, which was negotiated by all the horses except Gladstone, who balked and ran off the course, takiug Harold with him. The latter returned and jumped the hurdle, but had lost too much time to be afterwards in the race.- Sportsman balked at the third hurdle and lost the premier place, which was then taken by Serenader. Several others refused the same hurdle, and although Sportsman continued to balk he managed to come in third, Serenader running and jumping well for first, with Hahtings not at all a bad second.

Te Awamutu Cup Handicap, of 40 soys., with a aweep of 1 soy. each for starters ; amount accruing from sweep to go to second horse. Distance, 2 miles. Nomination, 205.; acceptance, 30s. Mr Walters' Piscatorious, 3yrs., 6st. 101b 1 Mr Keith's Soukar, syrs., Bst. 81b. .. 2 Mr Byers Golden Crown, aged, 7st. 71b 3 Out of the nine acceptors eight faced the starter, viz: —Mr W. Smith's Destiny, Bst 71b; Mr Thompson's Tandem, 7st 41b; Mr Donovan's Little Nell; sst 101b, and Mr T. Bond's Molly Darling, sst 71b : Saunterer being scratched. After several false starts, at the first of which Destiny went off at a gallop, and could not be stopped until she had gone right round} the course, the field was sent away on pretty even terms, the favorite, Piscatorious, having slightly the best of it. He led from the first, followed by Soukar with Crown third, and these positions were not altered, the race being won by about three lengths, with Crown a fair third. Selling Hick Race, of 10 soys. Distance, 1 mile. Weight, lOst. Winner to be sold for £15; surplus if any, to be divided between the funds and second horse. Entrance, 106. Post entries. Mr Cochranes Performer „ .. 1 Mr Hannah's Doctor .. .. .. 2 Shamrock] and Harkaway also ran, although the last named did not go once round the course. There were no remarkable features iv the wee, which was de-

oided as abdve, Performer was afterwards knocked down to a native named Puke for £25. Publicans' Pub?e Handicap, of 2'> soys., with a sweep of 1 kov. each for starters ; amount accruing from sweep to go to second horse Distance 1^ miles. Nomination, Jsn.; acceptance, 16s. Handicap to appear immediately after the Cup is decided. Acceptances to close at 2.30 p.m. Mr Walter's Piscatoriou«, 7fc>t 71b . . 1 Mr White's Barney, sst 101b . . . . 2 Mr Keith's Soukar, 9st 3 Mr Buckland's Omega, Mr Wilkinson's Orakau, Mr Gallagher's Sauuterer, and Mr Thompson's Tandem also ran. Ariel, King Quail, Grand Duchess, Destiny, and Harold were scratched. This race lay between Piscatorious and Barney, the latter pushing very hard for ffrst place. After the race a protest was entered against the first horse on the ground that he had gone inside one of the posts, but it had not been decided when our representative left the ground, Ladies' Pubse, of 20 soys. For horses three years old and upwards. Distance It miles. Welter weight for age. Entrance, 20s. Mr Walters' Grand Duchess, Sat. I3lb. 1 Mr Gallagher's Saunterer, Bst. 131b. . . 2 Six other horses faced the btarter, but the race lay batween the two placed Although run in a bjiiuding shower of rain, which effectually damped the spirits of the onlookers, this race was one of the best of the day, the contest between Grand Duchess and Saunterer being really exciting. By the time this race was ruu a move had been made in the direction of the train, the heavy downpour of rain being unbearable. The Consolation was consequently seen by very few persons. There were some three entries for this event, which was won by Omega. The darkness had set in by the time the train started. The road back to Hamilton was rendered uncomfortable on two accounts : first by the miserable state of the weather, and secondly by the excessively crowded stato of the carriages. Despite these drawbacks, however, the excursionists appeared to have eu joyed the day's sport.