BOXING-DAY AT ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2570, 29 December 1888, Page 2

BOXING-DAY AT ALEXANDRA.

The twenty-fifth Alexandra Boxing Day sports camo off here with great success. The attendance was up to the average but on this occasion for the first time the Europeans in number far exceeded that of our native friends, who hitherto have been in the majority. This is to be accounted for by the fact that two race meetings were held up country on Christmas day amongst themselves, and at which there was a good deal of feasting, where enormous numbers of pigs wore consumed. The weather here was remarkably fine, only at times a little too warm after the unpleasant cold winds we have of late grown accustomed to. The Alexandra Brass Band was on the ground and afforded immense pleasure to all, and of course greatly added to the success of the gathering. The stewards and members of the Committee all worked energetically in their duties, and no unpleasantness took place to mar the universal enjoyment— with the exception of an accident to the rider of Topsy (George Harper), the mare falling and seveiely shaking him. Harper was stunned for a time but fortunately no bones were broken. In the same race a Maori boy who was riding Tokiwai, threw himself off on finding his girth had slipped back, was also hurt. He was carried stunned to the Waipa, and thrown in—be, at a late hour last night I am sorry to say, had not come to himself again. Mr G. T. Wilkinson acted as judge at both horse and foot races in a very efficient manner. The following are the results :— Foot RacesMaiden Race, 100 yards, prize £I.—Six competitors. Won after a capital struggle by J. Corboy, of Kihikihi.

Hop, Step and Jump, first prize, 15s; second, 5s. —Four entries. Horton, 1 ; Rahutu (Maori), 2. Hurdle Race, 200 yards, over eight flights. Prizes, £1 and 10s. J. Corboy, 1; T. Floyd, 2. Alexandra Handicap, 200 yards; prizes. £1 and 7s Gd.—Five entries. Corboy, 1; Hume, 2.

Quarter Mile Race, prizes, £1 and ss. —-This event only brought out a field of three. T. Floyd, the favourite, 1; W. MoKeown, 2. Wrestling Match, prizes, £I.—Three entries. Won by a nativo, Hauraki. Horse Races. Handicap Hurdle Race, over S flights ; distance, 4 times round the course. First horse, £5 ; second, £I.—Five horses started. Mr Cowley's b m Topsy, list. 51b., 1; Mr Whanga's Tarori (native) 2. Topsy won easily.

Maiden Flat Race, three times round, the course ; prizes, £2 10s and 15s.—Four started. Mr Rogers' Black Rose, 1; Mr Kendall's Cat, 2. Alexandra Cup, distance, four times round the course. First horse, £'(!; second horse, £1. —Five entries. Mr W. Searancke's Lonely, 1; Mr W. Searancke's Naenae, 2. Topsy, Dynamite, and Dick Hunt also started for this race. Lonely's was an easy win.

Hack Race, distance, three times round the course; prizes, £2 and 10s. —Four horses started. Topsy and Tokiwai coming to grief, made it an easy win for Naenae ; Pa para, 2.

Consolation Stakes, distance three times round the course; piize, £1 Is.— Three started, Won by Winini's Dynamite. This concluded the out-door sports. The evening's amusement at the hall was largely attended, the house being comfortably filled and the performance itself gave the utmost satisfaction, if one is to judge from the applause and the demand for encores, which could not be allowed, except in the case of Miss Allan's song. Mr G. T. Wilkinson was in charge of the stage, and at an early part of the proceedings at once put an end to a nuisance which often occurs at all amusements, that is the loud shrill whistle and cat calls, which split one's ears. Mr Wilkinson said applause was appreciated by the performers, but not in the whistling style. He was sure it was unnecessary to say the same thing in Maori, as no Maori would be found capable of such ungentlemanly conduct; the rebuke was sufficient. The tableaus to the songs were really capitally done, and appeared new to a great many present. Miss Allan's singing, and also Miss Finch's are too well known to need more from us than to mention they were both in capital voice. The Misses Wills' songs and duets were also deliciously sang, and loudly applauded. Capt. Hearn was also a good enlivener of the evening, his "Widow McCree" and the " WhistlingTbief" being especially well sung. The following was theprograrntne: —Overture, piano and violin, Mrs Helps and Mr T. Goodfellow ; song, " Forget me Not," Mr Bayliss; ballad, " Within a Mile of Edinboro' Town," Miss Allen ; song, " Boatswain's Story," Captain Hearn; tableau and song, " Maggie's Secret," Miss Finch : song, "Violets," Mr C. Johnson ; ballad, " The Miller and the Maid," Miss Finch ; song, " Whistling Thief," Captain Hearn ; ballad, " I Heard a Spirit," Miss K. Wills; tableau, "The Moorish Maiden," reading by Captain Hearn, Moorish maiden, Miss C. Steele ; song, •' Silver Cup," Mr O. Johnson ; song, Miss Miles; song, "Widow McCree," Captain Hearn ; tableau, " Janet's Choice," piano solo, Mrs Helps. The whole concluded with the amusing farce " Wanted, a Young Lady," characters by Messrs | Miles and Chappell and Miss Finch. They were perfect in their parts and the characters were truthfully and amusingly rendered, keeping " the audience in most hearty laughter. Tho ball which followed was kept up nnflnggingly until daylight did appear, when everybody dispersed, perfectly satisfied, and apparently untirod at their long holiday. If the band were not tired they ought to have been.