Sports and Races at Alexandra.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2416, 5 January 1888, Page 2

Sports and Races at Alexandra.

Our twenty-fourth annual Boxing Day Sports came off in the Town reserve paddock on Monday last, and was as usual numerously attended by holiday seekers from here and the surrounding districts. Slight showers fell in the morning, which caused little inconvenience while the footsports were carried on, but shortly after 2 o'clock, when the horse racing commenced, rain began to fall steadily, and continued increasing until the conclusion of the evonts, so that few, but the most enthusiastic sports, or those personally interested waited to see the programme carried out. Mr G. T. Wilkinson acted as judge, both at the footsports and racing, in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. Mr Gribb as starter also performed his arduous duties. Messrs Ogilvie Miles, Bayliss, C. J. Johnstone, W. Smith, and otlier members of the committe were all indefatigable in their efforts in carrying out the details of the days amusement, which but for tho weather would have left nothing to be desired. Boys Rack (handicap) under 12 years, 100 yards, Ist prize, 5s ; 2nd 2s Gd, five compeditors. C. Millar, (Cambridge), Ist; W. Bond, (Kihikihi) 2nd. Nativk Boy's Hack, under 12 years, 100 yards. First prize, as; 2nd, 3s (id. There were five entries. Won by Tamihana. i Wirihana second. European and Native Boys' Race, (handicap) under I<>. Distance 150 yards Entrance, Is. First prize, 10s; 2nd, 2s (id. Won. by Hughes. Maiden* Race, 100 yards. Entrance Is. Kirst prize, ,£l. There were seven entries for this event, which, after an exciting contest, was won by a half-easto (Warena), with Cowley second. Hon, Step and Entrance la. Prizes, 15s and f«. Won by .J. Hughes; W. Collin and Norrish tics for second. Hukiii.B Rack, 200 yards. Over oiffhfc flights of hurdles. First, £1; second, 10s. Wirihana, 1; Hone, 2. Alexandra Handicap, 200 yards. Ist prize, ill; second, 7 s (id* l'ive started for this race, which was won by Floyd; Cosley second. Running High Jump. First lus, second Sa. Four entries. Won by Norrish; Ilannon, 2. Haw-mile Rack. First, £110s; second, 10s. Four entries. Won oy J. Hughes ; Hira, 2. This concluded tho foot sports.

41ACIM. The fjfst cycnt wua tiio Handicai' Hunnr.K Hack, four times round, over eight flights of hurdle*. First prize, £5; second horse, £1. Three horses o|)ly entered for this race, which was won easily. M l ' Coffin s ifarKaway, 1; Mr Pone's Jonathan, & Mr Coll s Dainty also ran, but falling over one '■■{ ihu hurdles was out of the race. All the horses took their jumps capitally ; the going was difficult, the ground being very greasy, . Maidkn Vut Race, twice round the course, tliero were eight entries. First prize £310s ; second, 15s. Three horses fell in this' race. Won by Mr Coo's Lonely ; Bide-a-Wee second. Hack Hack. Only three horses started. First prize ; 2nd, 10s, Won by Mr tjarper's Jennie ; Cassidy's Jacko. 2nd. \USXANI)ItA Cup (Handicap). Four times round the course. First horse, £7 j 2nd, £1 IQs. Cassidy's Little LJorritt, |ost, 1; Coffin's ' Ilarkaway, list 31bs, 2; Wireinu's Hinena, lOst 01b, 3. For tho I'ony Race, twice round, prize, £2, there were seven entries. It was won easily by i\fr Hannon's Fhthsyic; Mr O'Brien's Barmaid, 2. Jt'or the Native Lady's Kaco l|tere \ycw

110 entries, tin) rain falling; so heavily that all h:\cl left. The Ciinsolation 1! >ee. of £•;; 10». was | won by Mr Coil's J)ainl-y; Air Moon s Glenny, L'his concluded the sports, tin; latterraees,, having heen tuit in p■ >iuiii_f rilii, and tiiu course was goon cleared by the lew that remained for shelter. Tlio Alexandra BiasBand played on the ground all tho turn noon, and was a gicat attraction, to tin" natives especially, as large mio>bers of them crowded round them, quite oblivious to tlio spurts goin~ on. EN'TKIU'AINMENT. Tlio minstrel performance in the Public Hall in tho evening "■a" hugely patronised, and a most enjoyable, evening's entertainment took place. I'lio souks of Messrs Gribblo and R-dfern —visitors from Otu-oliaus i—w.'rc a tiv.it i:i themselves, not to mention our old friend, Mr C. J. Johnson, who also e-ooe down and crave his fwsistinee Tii.chorusses were also very good, us practices had been frequent under the management of Mr J. Ogilvie and Mis- Vinch. who kindly played all accompanim- nts Toe corner men, Messrs Miles and Baylies in their magnificent get up of calico and shirt collars, were quite up to the. b'isine-s, while Mr J. Ogilvie was an extremely dignified Mr Johnson. Tiie programm ' was a-> fol lows Opening .cliorus, " Hnvei li elnm,' bv the company ; S.mrf, " Da &.is.>y S»wg».r Blue," Tambo (Bayliss; encored,) Song, " Only to see Th»exVft.lin," J. Garmonsway Janr. ; sonp, "There's Something Makes me Grin" (encored,) Bones; (G. Miles) Song, "The Yellow Rose of Texas," J. Sage; chorus, "Kingdom CJoniinsr Company," song, * ( Keep (.hie Little Ki*s for me," C. J. Johnstone; sons;, "A Raspberry Tart With a Littl-< Poke Bonnet." Mr Aitken ; song, '• Down by the Deep Sad Sea," Mr Giibble. Vociferously applauded and encored. Sons;. Emancipation Day,' Mr Johnson ; (encored) dui>t, " Army and Navy" by Messrs' Gribhleand Redfern was splendidly rendered and ( reolAif»nded A stump speech by Mr Aitken caused roars of laughter, After an interval the screaming farce " Grandmother's Ghost," was produced with the following ca-'o;— " Harry," Mr J. G. Ogilvi" ; "Sum," Mr Bayliss; "Jim," Mr G. Miles; Ami Ohloe, Mr J. Garmonsway. AH took their parts most humourously, and no hitch occurred, and loud applause rewarded the performers for their endeavours itr producing so good an evening's amusement. The usual dance to the strains of tile Alexandra band, which was kept up with spirit till morning, concluded the festivities, and sent all home cheerful in spite of Jupiter Pluvius, and so ended our 24th annual gather-