TE AMAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2414, 29 December 1887, Page 2

TE AMAMUTU.

The Holidays.— Everything was very quiet here during the festive season, other townsliips having sports, none were held hero. Alexandra people always holding their sports and races on Boxing-day, people here never think of getting up any amusements of a kindred nature on that day, and as Alexandra is so near, Te Awamutuitcs usually go there for their amusement. This year was no exception to the rule, and a good number went there as usual, but the rain fell heavily enough there in the afternoon, to drive them home at an early hour. We were not fortunate here in the matter of rain, for it did not amount to more than a drizzle. The Auckland races and other attractions drew a good number from hero on Saturday and again on Monday, but to those of a sporting turn, the 2nd proximo will possess the moat attractions as that will be Cup Day, when the great Nelson will strip for the big event. Alexandra sports and Auckland racing are an easy transition to tba doings of the South Auckland Racing club on the 29th, at Hamilton, when it is to be hoped Jupiter Pluvius will bo in his best mood, and refrain from showering his walery attentions on the new club, which is starting under such favourable auspices. From the fact of such good entries having been received,it is only natural to expect a good day’s racing, and if the initial meeting turns out as successful as the pluck of its promoters deserves, we may hope to see many more pleasant days on Claudeland’s racecourse. A Curious Occurrence.— A strange thing occurred on a farm here a few months ago. A foal was taken from its dam in order to wean it. In the paddock where the mare was left was a calf; soon after the foal was taken away it was noticed that the mare’s mane and tail looked as if someone had been pulling or cutting them in a very inartistic manner. One day the owner saw the culprit, which turned out to he the aforesaid calf, who had developed a morbid taste for horse hair, for he saw it grazing, with every appearance of placid enjoyment, off the mare’s mane and tail, the latter appearing to enjoy the operation also, The roost curious part has yet to come, for after dining in the manner stated it installed itself in the weaned foal’s place, and sucked the mare to the apparent satisfaction of both. This calf appeared to possess some extraordinary attractions, for on being removed to another paddock, and tethered to prevent it getting back again to the mare, it attracted two of the farmer’s cows, which had never seen the calf before ; hut notwithstanding that fact they fought to see which should foster the innocent orphan. The farmer first discovered It at milking time, whop ho found both cows were drained of their milk. Notwithstanding its diet of horse hair the calf is thriving well, and gives promise of growing into a big cow. A Heavy Ox.—Mr IV. Taylor recently sold to an Auckland butcher one of the biggest four-yoar-old bullocks ever sent away from this district. It was bought by the butcher for Christmas beef, and weighed, when dressed, 11201bs. It was bred by Mr Taylor, and was the progeny of a fine shorthorn hull he purchased a few years ago. It was of course fattened on grass. This shows what is to bo gained by breeding from pure-bred stock. The price obtained was satisfactory, as prices go at present. It was a great deal more per looihs than beef has brought for some tiipe ip t|ie iparkets.