NATIVE SPORTS ON THE PUNIU.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1497, 7 February 1882, Page 3

NATIVE SPORTS ON THE PUNIU.

Thk ceremony of opening the new meeting house built by Major Te Wheoro, M.H.R., at his settlement, Te Karaka, Puniu, on Wednesday last, was to the natives a most important event, and which they spared no expense to celebrate in an appropriate manner. Food was provided in immense quantities, including 1700 loaves of bupd, flour, tea, and sugar in proportion, with cart-loads of eels, plenty of pigs, and 12 sheep to regale the visitors who were invited from all parts. Two days feasting was provided, with horse racing on the second day, the native subscriptions for the prizes being supplemented by our townsfolks and others. The weather on Thursday was all that could be desired, and there were besides the natives a good number of Europeans from all the surrounding settlements. The racing was first-class, giving more sport than many of our more pretentious meetings. The stewards, Major Te Wheoro, Messrs Paratim, Te Whau, W. Searancke, and others did all in their power to make things pleasant and succeeded in doing so. Every race was most closely contested, a half-length being the longest distance between first and second horse in any race, although the handicapper simplified his duties by giving in the handicaps the same weight for all horses for the Maiden, 10 stone up, and for the Cup and others 11 stone. The treasurer, Mr Alexander Thompson, settled up at the conclusion of each race, which also gave great satisfaction. Messrs H. H. Reynolds and Manahi Te Ratu officiated as judges. For the first event,

MAIDEN HURDLE RACE. There were three entries. Prize £5. Distance, ]£ miles. Mr A, Thompson's Poni 1 MrJ. Hetet'sMina 2 Mr Whatu's black horse, Paraki also ran, but while the three horses were leaping the last hurdle Paraki fell, hurting his rider, but not seriously. Won by a neck. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, distance, H miles ; weight, 11 stone. First horse £7 ; second £2. There were five entries for this race, viz., Hetet's Haurepo, Piripi's Blue Gum, J. Ormsby's Buckland, Kuriu's Kapara, and Puke's Saint. This was a most exciting race, and was won after a severe struggle by Blue Gum by a bare head, Saint second. Maiden Flat Eace, distance 1J miles ; weight, 10 stone. First horse £5; second £1. Entrance ss. There were seven entries, with a close contest for first place, resulted in Mr Henri's Jimmy 1 Major Te Whero's Nipe 2 Karaka Cup. The great event of the day j distance 2 miles ; weight, 11 stone. Entrance 10s. First prize £7 j second £2. Four horses only entered, and at the la&t moment two were scratched after weighing and mounting, leaving the race between the two crack&, viz., Mr Thompson's Tandem and Mr A. Kays Orakau. After a severe struggle Tandem landed the stakes by a head only. , Pony Race, for ponies 14 hands and under ; distance 1^ miles. First prize £4 ; second £1 . Entrance ss. There were six entries for this race, which was well contested, lesulting in Mr Watu's Paraki 1 Mr Laidlaw's Wheelhaid 2 For the trotting race, distance two miles, prize £3. three started. Won easily by Mr John Iletet'.s Minnie. For the consolation stakes, pizre £3, there were fi\c entries. Won by Mr A. Kays Orakau with Puke's Saint second. This concluded the sports, the great majority remaining on the ground for tea, etc. Tawhiao with his sons were present, as also Major Mair and numbers ov our most prominent settlers ; the only wonder was where they all came from at such short notice.— [Alexandra correspondent, Feb. 4th].