ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2272, 1 February 1887, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Waipa Racing Club's Summer

Meeting,

President : Major .Jackson. Vice-Presi-dent: F. A. Whitaker, Esq. Judge: Major Jackson. Stewards : Mr W. Taylor, Mr J. \V. Ellis, Mr W. Bond Mr C. J. Storey, Mr J. H. Scott, Mr Westtiey, Mr F. A. Whitaker, Mr J. Pollard, Mr Rigg, Mr J. B. Teasdale. Starter : Mr Storey. Handicappers : The Committee, exclusive of horse owners. Clerk of Scales :Mr Stitchbury. Clerks of Course : Messrs Gibson and W. Higginson.

Foil a wonder, the weather upon Anniveresiry Day 1887 proved line, and in consequence the attendance at the Summer Meeting of the Waipa Racing Club on their beautiful course at Te Awamutu, was much larger than is usually the case. It is probable that the number of visitors who put in an appearance throughout the day could not have been less than 900 or 1000, and these included a large proportion of the fair sex, in buggies, on horseback and on foot. The other districts of Waikato, particularly Hamilton and Cambridge, were well represented, and the excursion train from Auckland brought up a good many people, including a decent sprinkling of the secondclass gambling fraternity, and as they were allowed to ply their avocations on the ground, we presume that they were conductors of games of skill. Mr Adams had a totalisator on the ground, which was fairly patronised throughout the day, though its situation, abutting on the course, rendered it difficult of approach immediately before each race. The publican's booth was under the charge of Mr Sage, but from some cause or other it was not conducted so well :<s in former years, and many complaints were made on this score. The accommodation in the saddling paddock, &c., was much better than heretofore, a wooden structure taking the place of the inconvenient tarpaulin tent. The Te Awamutu Band, under Bandmaster Sibley was present, and contributed in no small degree to the pleasure of the meeting. As usual the bulk of the spectators disposed themselves about the hill, which is justly denominated " the natural grand stand," and a very excellent vantage ground it proved to be. We would, however, suggest to the authorities of the cluD the desirableness of expending a moderate sum of money in beautifying the spot by means of terracing the ground and planting shrubs and ornamental trees. No more suitable racecourse exists in the North Island, and if its natural advantages were but availed of in the direction we have indicated, there would not be a prettier one. When the club, which we are glad to know is in a healthy financial state, finds itself with a little more money than it well knows what to do with, we trust it will give our suggestion some consideration. Fine weather, as yve have hinted, had a great deal to do with the success of the meeting, but fine weather is of little use without good management, and the committee and their efficient secretary, Mr R. W. Roche, are deserving of all praise for the completeness of their arrangements and the careful manner in which they were carried out. All the officers are veterans at the business. Major Jackson is too well known as a judge and Mr C. J. Storey has dropped the starter's flag too often to require praise at our hands. Suffice it to say that both gentlemen satisfied the horse-owners and the general public. Mr Stichbury, formerly of Te Awamutu, and now of Auckland, who was on a visit to his old haunts, good-naturedly filled the post of clerk of scales, and the Messrs Higginson were to the fore as clerks of the course. The racing on the whole was above the average, though in the big events the finishes were not so exciting as they might have been. Orphan made a desperate struggle for first place in both, but Snake in the Cup and Pretender in the Plate won hard-held and practically as they liked. The Maori Race, as usual, was a hard fought contest from start to finish, and in some respects was the most interesting race of the meeting. The Hurdle Race was a complete surprise, only two horses coming up to the winning post, the result being a pretty rich harvest for those who backed the winner on the totalisator. The following is a list of (the various events :—

Handicap Hurdle Race, of 35sovs., over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft. Gin. high. Nominations, ; acceptance, lsov. Mr A. McKinnon's b g Argyle, aged, 10st. 31b. (Grady) 1 Mr Kingi's Dick Hunt, aged, lOst. 131b.

(Teiwi) _ 2 Alaric, Daybreak, Harkaway and Monitor also ran. Alaric got away with the start, but came to grief on entering the second round, and did not show up afterwards. Harkaway was less fortunate, falling at the | very first hurdle, while Monitor and Daybreak could not be kept on the course. Dick Hunt also ran off, but was got into the running again and came in a respectable I second. Arg.yle kept in. his course steadily [ and won with plenty of room to spare. There were 107 on the totalisator, 12 of whom were on the winner. Dividend (10s tickets), £4 3s. Maiden Plate of 30sovs., for all horses that have never won an advertised race exceeding 20sovs. Weight for age. Distance, 1£ miles. Mr J. Peel's b g Daybreak, aged, (Goldsmith) 1 Mr J. Craine's br m Fishplate, aged ... 2 Mr A. McKinnon's ch m Reckless, 3yrs 3 Also ran : May Moon, Grasshopper, Norma, Black Ben, Wet Sail, Dick Hunt, Grey Friar, Venture, Liberator, Ernest, Iris, Bangalore, and Dorinda. Raupo, Pahenga, Joe, and Britannia were scratched. Owing to the large field, the starter had some difficulty in getting thein away on even terms, and when the flag fell Dorrinda and Reckless had the advantage, keeping up the pace pretty hotly. They kept the lead until coming into the straight, when the field began to close up, Daybreak, coming through strongly and soon takiug the lead. Fishplate, who was fancied by many, passed Reckless near the post, and took second honours. Time, 2rnins 2lisecs. There were 121 investers, 15 on the winner. Dividend, £3 12s 6d. Nov lit. Race, of 30sovs. Distance, once round the course, about 1 mile. Weight for age. The winner to become the absolute property of the Club. Entrance, lisovs. Mr J. Peel's b m Glenny, aged (Goldsmith) ... 1 Mr H. Hunt's g g Whakatane, aged ... 2 Mr G. Lake's c g Harkaway 3 Joe and Blue Ribbon also ran. Grasshopper, Black Ben and Dorinda were scratched. Joe commenced by running off the course, and the race was consequently a gift to Glenny. Dividend £1 2s. The winner was sold at auction by Mr J. McNicol for £15 10s the purchaser being a native. Te Awamutu Cup Handicap, of 50sovs. Nomination, lAsovs. ; acceptance, 2sovs.; with a sweep of lsov. ; amount of sweep to go to second horse. Sweep to be paid with acceptance. Distance,- 2 miles. Mr J. Brown's ch g Snake, Sst., aged (Dunston) 1 Mr J. Peel's b m Orphan, 7st. 71b., aged (Armer) ... .. ... ... .. 2 Mr Wright's b m Tamora, 7st. 21\>., aged 3 Welcome Larry (list. 101b.) and Fishplate (Gst. 41b.) also ran. Pretender (late Alpha) was scratched. With Pretender out of it, the race was practically a gift to Snake, who really won as he liked, though the Orphan made a gallant struggle under the whip up the straight. Tamora was thought to be in it, but her backers were doomed to disappointment. Time, 3min. 4!Hsec. There were 100 investors (£1 tickets)," 40 on the winner. Dividend, £1 19s. ■ Maori Race of ssovs. Glenny 1 Black Ben ... ... ... ... ... 2 There were four other starters. Kihikihi Pi.atk Handicap of 30sovs. Distance, 1A miles. Weights to be declared immediately after the Maori Race is run ; acceptance 15 minutes before the race starts. Nomination, lsov. ; acceptance, lsov. Mr Windsor's Pretender (late Alpha), 9st 41bs (Durston) 1 Mr J. Peel's br m Orphan, Sst 41bs (Anner) 2 Mr Wright's br m Tamora, 7st 21bs ... 3 Kenilworth, Ernest, and Bangalore also ran. Reckless, Daybreak, Welcome Larry, Victoria, and Coral were scratched. This race was Pretender's from the start, though the Orphan again made a hard sr.ruggle for it. There were 134 investors, (57 on the winner, but though the dividend was figured up to be 18s, the totalisator people only paid 17s, thus clearing 15 per cent on the transaction. Whether this is allowed by the club we do not kuow, but if not it should be looked into, for the practice opens the door to all sorts of tilings. The meeting was certainly the most successful held at Te Awamutu for years, and those who took part in it have reason to congratulate themselves.

Hamilton Swimming Matches. The above races came off on Saturday, and 0 proved for a first experiment a great success, so much so that it in intended to make them an annual event. A large number of boats were on the river, kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by 001. Do Qnincey and other gentlemen, and W.C. & S. Co's s.s. Waikato brought' up a large contingent from that erstwhile famous boating centre, Ngaruawahia. The first nice, % mile for boys under IG, started punctually at 2 o'clock, and was ' won by only 3 seconds by Wilfred Yon ■Stunner, Fred Wild being 2nd, and F. Gaudin a bad 3rd. Ma tail was picked up half way by Mr Pascoe. Thpf next was the event of the day, the Cup 1 Race for men, and was won by our popular sport, Charlie Beale, Souter maintaining the reputation of Cambridge by keeping close at the Hamilton representative's heels. Passing utider the bridge the proverbial sheet, or at least a mainsail, would have covered all. Two of the competitors failed to turn up in time, though the start was delayed on their account. One swam the course with the others, though not from the starting point. Sargent was a good third, Kirby, who finished before him, being disqualified. The next race A- mile for boys nnder 14 was won by D. Gelling, Matau being 2nd, and J. Pascoe 3rd. With ten yards more, the last would have been second if not first, as ho was coming up with a set sail. The Diving Match was a gift to J. W. Wright, of Te Aroha, who submerged himself for 57j;secs., Wiremu Tai lasted 47 and H. Tristram 45 sees, without blowing. The race with clothing on across the river fell to A. L. Souter, four others competing. J. Kirby won the Consolation Race, also across the river, in something under record time as our representative thought. The attendance was very large, especially during the competition for the Cup. Looking at the bridge and banks from the steamer, they appeared one mass of faces, all evincing the keenest interest in this, the first aquatic tournament at Hamilton. May it go on and prosper. Great credit is * due to the Hon. Sec. Mr F. Gaudin, the starter, Mr P. E. Stevens ; the judge, His Worship the Mayor, and the other members of the committee. Very wisely it had been decided to give no money prizes, and the articles won were presented by the mayor after the races at the well-known establishment of Mr McLernon, who had displayed his usual taste in their selection, and who will engrave the names of the winners free of charge. The following is the programme:—

ThkkivQUAhtkr Milk, for boys under IG. Entrance, Is. Frizes. Silver Cup and Medal. Wilfred Von Stiirnier 1 F. Wild 2 Four started. One Mile. Entrance, 2s Gd. Prize, Sixguinea Cup. C. Beale 1 A. L. Souter 2 G. Sargent 3 The other competitors were : H. Wilson, J. Kirby, R. G wynue, G. Keep, F. Jolly, H. Tristram, P. Mis->en, and A. Chambers. HaEiF-miljG Race, for boys under 14. Entrance Is Prizes, Silver Cup and Medal. D. Gelling 1 Matau 2 Pascoe 3 Diving Match. Entrance, Is. Prize worth 30s. J. Wright (57isecs.) 1 Tai(47secs.) 2 H. Tristram (45secs.) 3 Race ik Clothes, across the river. Entrance, 2s Gd. Prize worth 30s. Souter won from four others. Consolation Race, across the river. Entrance, Is. Prize worth 30s. Three started and Kirby won. ! Auckland Annual Regatta. The above regatta took place on Saturday, and was favoured with delightful weather. The water was fairly smooth for the rowing events, and there was a good working breeze for the sailing matches. Not only were there fair entries for the races, but the public, (of which there, was a large attendance), were treated to some most exciting contests. The Regatta Committee were untiring in their efforts to give satisfaction, and it is needless to say that they deserve the thanks of the community, so well did they carry out the programme. Sheehan's fine band was on board the Arawata, and added much to the pleasures of the day. The ships in the harbour and at the wharves were in full holiday attire, flags streaming from truck to taffrail. The event of the day was the Champion Whaleboat Race, and resulted after a hard fought battle in a win for the Waitemata Rowing Club's Crew, who have thus won this event three times in succession. The North Shore Crew were second, whilst the Nelson Crew secured a good third. The following is a description of tha various events FIRST RACE. Coasting Vessels, any rig ; from 12 to 35 tons, and that have not been built for yachts. First prize, £20 and Mr Lewisson's Cup, valued at 10 guineas ; second £12 ; third, £5. H. M. S. Gannet (W. Spencer), 17 tons 1 58 0 1 Mahuraugi (E. Hodgson), 21 tons ... ... 200 2 Seagull (E. Collingwood), 20 tons 2 7 30 3 Yachts nnder 0 tons. First prize, cup, valued at £10 ; second, Messrs. P. Hayman and Co.'s cup, valued at £3, and £2 added ; third, £2 10s. Jessie Logan (W. Jones), o.j: H. jr. s. tons 2 l'J 0 I Malua (R. Logan) G tons ... ... 0 Masher (H. Whitaker), f>.{i tons o 1 ( ishing Boats over 4 tons. First prize, £7 and Messrs E. Porter and Co.'s Cuu, valued at £3, and pipe ; second. £5 : third £2 10s. H. J|. S. Christina (F. Williams), Si tons " 2 44 0 1 Albatross (F. Holland), 9 tons ... 2 5o o 2 May (D. Holland), 8 tons ... 3 0 0 3 Fishing Boats, 4 tons and under. First prize, £5 and Mr Lewisson's Cup, valued at £3, and nipe ; second prize, £3 ; third prize, £110s. Manola (W. Holder) x Italy (J. Lwny) ° 2 Truant (J. Lecky) 3 Secret (H. Cope) 4. Open Sailing Boats, 2nd Class. First prize £7 and Herald Cup, valued at £3 ; second prize, £3 ; third prize, £1 10s. H. jr. s. Alice (C. Bailey, junr.) ... 4 30 0 1 Imp (M. McLeod) 4 34 2 2 Surprise (J. Collins) 0 Open Sailing Boats, 1G to 18 feet. £4, with sweepstake of £1 added; second boat to save stakes and sweepstake. Belle (S. Dewar) 1 Open Sailing Boats, 3rd class. First prize, £5 and Messrs Kohn Brothers* cup ; second, £3 ; third, £110s. Phyllis (W. Holmes) 2' 28 0 1 Ely (J. Warnon) 2 30 15 2 Kohimakama Training School Boys, First prize, £0. No. 1 Crew (white) j No. 2 Crew (blue) 2 Champion Whaleboats (as per regulations.) First prize, £100, with £10 added for each additional bona fide starterabove five boats ; second, £30; third, £10. Waitemata Rowing Club x North Shore Rowing Club ... . 2 Wapatu Boating Club (Uira) .!! 3 Manakau Rowing Club 4 Hauraki Rowing Club 5 Thames Rowing Club ... g Men-of-war and Naval Brigade Cutters Race was won by the Chanticleer, (Auckland Navals); Nelson, (Devonport Navals), 2 ; Isa Darling, (Thames Navals), 3. The .Amateur Whaleboat Raca was wotn by the North Shore Rowing Club. Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting. Thk above races took place on Saturday : the weather was delightful, the heat being' tempered by a fine fresh northerlj" breeze, and there a fair attendance. Tha whole of the racing with the exception of ■ the last race afforded some excellent sport. Some excitement was caused over the last race owing to a strong feeling existing in the nnnds of many that it was a " No start, and at one time it was feared that a riot would ensue. Some averred that it was only a, bad start. Thero were only four tickets 011 the total isator on Jessie, and she would have paid £150 on each ticketMr Lyons, owner of Catesby, lodged a., protest against Jessie's win, and the Anniversary Handicap was run over again, the: owner of Jessie declining to start her for it. The race was eventually won by Catesby, and the dividend was £2 Is, The s

Devenport Brass Band was present during the day. The following are the results Selling Steeplechase of oOsovs. Mr W. Russell's br g Rob Roy, 9st 41b (Waldron) 1 Mr W. Robertson's bile g Rowdy, lOst 41b (Fergus) ••• 2 Mr G. Hope's ch g Quilp, list 41b (J. R ae ) 3 Won by a iength." Dividend, £5 lGs. Mai dun Plate ok SUsovs. Mr J. O'Neill's b g Wat Tyler, Sst 131b (Fergus) ••• ••• 1 Messrs R. and K. Duder s c 111 Rosy, Sst lib (T. Taylor) 2 Mr J. French's b 111 Luna, Sst 131b (McNamara) 3 „ Won by a length. Luna a fair third, ijfhe totnlisator dividend was £2 ISs. Selling Race of 40.j<>vs. Capella 1 The Cat 2 Sir Bedeverc 3 Won by half a length. Dividend, £3 2s. Handicap Hurdle Rack of OOsovs. Magnesia • 1 I'ipi 2 Coral 3 Won by a length. Dividend, £3 Is. Takapuxa Cup Handicap, of 12550v5.; second horse to receive losovs. ; third horse, ssovs. out of stakes. Distance, li[ miles. Mr D. McKinnon's b g Scot Free, Ost. 121bs (Myers) 1 Mr Thos. Hedger's br h Wapiti 7st 81bs (Hicton) ... 2 Mr G. Wright's b m Friendship Sst 71b (T. Taylor) ... ... ••• ® Won by a length. Dividend, £2 17s. Hack Race, of oOsovs. Wat Tyler \ Harold jj Luna... Handicap Steeplechase, of 12osovs : second horse to receive losovs.; thud horse ssovs out of stakes. Distance, about three miles. Mr J. Lennard's b g Falcon, list Tibs (J. Rae) 1 Messrs R. and R. Duder's b in Zip, Ost 71bs (Hudson) ••• 2 Mr J. Kean's b g Tiger, lOst lllbs (Nolan) . ••• 3 A close win for Falcon. Dividend, £2. The Anniversary Handicap, of 50sovs. Catesby . 1 Friendship Reproach *>