Northern Wairoa Races.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2774, 17 March 1879, Page 2

Northern Wairoa Races.

THE CHAMPAGNE SPHEAD.

Tilt: promoters of the Northern Wairoa Baces finished up in brilliant style by convening a meeting of racing men about two hours after the lust event, ami paying away ail the stakes won by successful competitors. The following is the list of winnings:— Perkins,.CSS ; McGee, £45; JSnowden, £l>s ; Cochrane, £35 ; Dargaville, £10 ; Hull, £5 ; Haki, £5; Ivukai, .€5. Host Bay nos was instructed to bring forward glasses, etc., and the evening was devoted to toasts and speeches Mr J. M. Dargaville being voted to the chair. As the kingdom of Dargaville is at so remote a corner of her Briltauic Majesty's possessions, there will be sonic excuse for the omission of the " Boyal Family " from the toasts. The Chairman's speech opened the proceedings. Mr Dargaville said that in winding up their race meeting it was pleasing to hear ot no protests, nor complaints of any kind. All seemed gratified with the day's sport. He had attended innumerable race meetings, but had never witnessed a better day's racing, nor better contested events. Horses had ruu ou their merits, aud tho public had good value for their money. Things haU been admirably managed by tho committee. "Tho Winners," from the chair, was the first toast.

Mr Owen McGee briefly responded as the representative of his brother's stable. Mr Cochrane, of Wangaroa, said he was only a novice at the sort of game called speechifying. He had travelled a loin; distance for a day's sport, aud felt well repaid. (Cheers.) _o wished the authorities would construct better roads to Wan. aroa.

Mr David Munn responded ou behalf of Mr Suowdcu (owner of the Worm.)

Mr Sineaton (Deceiver's owner) bad come to Dargaville disgusted to iind his horse iv such bad condition. (Mr McGee : I'll give you £60 for hiiu). Mr fcinieaton proposed " The Stewards," who had undertaken the responsibility and anxiety of money matters, and had so satisfactorily performed their duties. The "toast was drunk, coupled with the name of Mr Mitehelson.

Mr Mitehelson, in responding, said it was pleasing to know that the eftorts of the stewards had given so much satisfaction. Next year the events would come off iv the order advertised, and the Hurdle Bace would be near the close of the meeting. Ho thanked them for tho kindly expression of feeling toward himself.

Mr Baker (hoi:, sec.) was highly pleased with the expressions which their actions had eiictted from visitors. lie had to thank Mr McGee and others for assistance rendered. He would remark that the accuracy of his weighing had not bco.i challenged by any one. He thanked the

company for the way in which they drank the Ftcwaid- health.

Mr Archer responded in a brief speech, giving Mr Mitehelson chief credit for tbe extraordinary success of their race meeting.

MrE. Hull proposed "The Judge (Dr. Norton). He did not think that 20 years more experience as judge could bring a closer lini _i to decide, than between The Worm and Taipo. Dr Norton returned thanks. Ho was pleased to be of service, and glad they wero satisfied with his decisions. By acting as judge he was precluded from speculating, and so enjoyed the sport without the possibility of loss. Mr Dargaville said that two of the oiilcors were absent from unavoidable causes—Mr Bouar, the starter, and Mr Pcrcivul, the haiidicapper. The latter had been left a fortune, and therefore could not come, while the starter (Mr Bouar) held an influential position under the Land Tax, aud the government had got into such a mess over the Tax they had to telegraph for Mr Bonar to go to Wellington, in order that they might confer with him as to the most statesinanlikccounsc which could be adoptctl. (Cheers.) Dr JNorton proposed "The Visitors," coupled with the name of Mr McGee, who responded in a fervid aud poetic speech which was continually applauded. Mr McGee had beard of their magnificent rivers ami their colossal kauri forests. Ho had admired their unsurpassed river scenery as he passed up. Thoy had a line racecourse, aud splendid stakes for a country meeting, which was a great inducement, as Mr Swanson says, " If you do not see,anything sticking out yon don't care to go ior it." (Laughter.) He thought that the hutidicuppcrs of tho 19th century wero vicing with each other who could stick the hcavier.t impost on lilsa.

Mr Muling also responded, complimenting the officers on the excellent raco meeting. Dr Norton proposed " The Bushmen," — (Mr DargaVillo: and the "little Bui-h-

men-) wiio were the bone and sinew of _ country. """-wot tho Mr Quirk responded, Bushmen „i went where there was sport, and _£_?__" y? well towards tho same. Their K.-^*"4 ■ on the course, with pockets full of __. "* and liquor flowing about, showed tL. __& a respectable class of men. (Cheers) Mr McGee was glad to see bnshm_ well conducted. He was told if TO dangerous to show his colours __. _. latter would arouse the slumbering__.!. the inhabitants of the forest, b-thVfnLj them a gentle lot of fellows (Ch. . Mr McGec spoke apologetically for "'' exciting demonstrations by bushmen I,_ said : After a long isolation, amid 11. silence of the bush, they conic to races __ their blood boils to exuberance, the. 1 . come excited hy the exciting events arui the slightest affront is calculated to provo. their slumbering pugilistic proclivities W he thought that civilization and edueatii. were advancing with such rapid stride, that even the bush-wackors would soon h all philosophers. (Cheers.) After "a lonoration from Mr MeOee, * Mr Howe rose ami said, that the lab. Hon. Mac beau came from a buslnnari Mr Jackson also spoke in high terms oi the bushmen. ,

Mr -.oicatou said no ono could feci the feelings of a loser of a race, he proposed "The Losers." l a Mr Hull responded, agreeing with Mr"' Sineaton, but adding that "Mo one could fed the less of the loser as well as the ln_. who had lost." (Lau-htcr). imt

Mr White and McMurdo also responded Dr Norton proposed The Press, especially complimenting tho Auckland E.KNINfI STAK.

Mr Withcford, in responding, boro test!. monytothc hanuoiiy which characterised the meeting, and to the respectable conduct of the large number of buslniien who attended ; also complimenting the stewards on the great success which had attended their elforts, favourably comparing thtir races with other country meetings. Three cheers were afterwards given for the Star, "The Chairman" was the nest toast Through his energy and pluck the district had grown aud flourished iv a way which excited the admiration of the province, Mr Dargaville, in responding, said he had tho reputation of being able to speak on any subject; but on that of J J_ U he was unable to speak.

The next toast from the chair was "Br Norton," to whose skill and attention the whole community were so deeply indebted This toast was accompanied with numerous flattering remarks, anil was very warmly received.

"The Host aud Hostess" (and the little Rainbow) was the last toast, accompanied by many complimentary allusions to Hos linyiics, who had always dove his share towards promoting sport.

'lho toast was lesponded to by Host Kayncs in a neat speech. He hoped next year to sec as many visitors from Auckland including Mr McGee

Mr McGee hoped when next he came he would see the little Bayne-bow. Amid general good humour the company dispersed.