THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1373, 21 April 1881, Page 2

THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

There were two somewhat important occurrences in connection with the Volunteer Review and Encampment at Te Awamutu on Easter Monday which unfortunately were crowded out of our Extraordinary published yesterday. At ttiis late period it is not necessary that they should be noticed at any great length, but it is right that they should be duly recorded. The Races, which had been organised by the officers of the Cavalry and others for the entertainment ot their visitors, were held at the Racecourse, Te Awamutu, on Saturday. The first event was a Handicap Hurdle Race, of 6ao% r s.; distance, U miles; over six flights of hurdles. The winning horse was Captain Raymond's Tommy Dodd, carrying list. 71bs. ; Mr Weatherall'a Derrick, similarly weighted, coming in second. Three others ran. A Maiden Plate ot ssovs., distance 1J miles, was won by Saint, the property of a native named Te Puke. Two other horses entered. 1 An Easter Handicap, of Ssovs., was won by Air Kays Orakau, two other horses having entered. A Troop Plate Handicap, of 33ovs. for the first norse, and Isov. for the second horse, were won respectively by Mr Limmer's Kate and Mr Bond's Molly Darling. This part of the programme also included a Hurry Scurry and a Consolation Handicap. Foot-racing likewise took place, with the following results :—lOO: — 100 yards, won by Farrell ; 150 yards, by Hoteni (a native) ; 300 yards, over four flights of hurdles, 3ft. Gin. high, by R. Patterson ; hop, step, and jump, by Rata, who covered 38ft. 4in. On Saturday evening the officers of the Hamilton Cavalry entertained their brother officers of the other Cavalry Troops and the Thames Battalion, and as many of the Auckland officers as were in camp, at dinner, in a marquee erected for the purpose. The viands were supplied by Mr W. H. Pearce, of the Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, and when this is said it will at once be inferred that the quality was irreproachable. The chair was occupied by Capt. Whitaker, having Colonel Lyon on his right and Major Murray on his left. The vice-chair was occupied by Lieut. Johnson. Full justice was done to the excellent spread provided, after which a short programme of toasts suitable to the occasion was gone through. The visiting officers expressed their utmost pleasure at the nature of their reception, and with the arrangements made for their and their men's comfort ; and the Waikato officers referred in glowing terms to the handsome treatment which they had experienced at the hands of the Thames people the previous year. The greatest harmony prevailed, and the company separated after diinking "The Givers of the Feast." This dinner gave a good indication of the thorough good feeling which subsisted between the officers of all ranks during the whole time of the encampment. The music at the banquet was supplied by the band of the Thames Navals.