MOERAKI DOWNS SPORTS.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2705, 1 January 1872, Page 3

MOERAKI DOWNS SPORTS.

These sports took plate on the 29th ult. in a paddock kindly placed at the disposal of the sports committee by Mr Messent, They were fixed to come ofi at 11.30, but as is usual with such like gatherings they were all behind till about one o'clock. The attendance was rather thin at first, but as the sports progressed and dinner hour passed, people began to come in fast, and at three o'clock there could notjhave been less than 300 or 400 persona piesent, which will be considered very credi_ble for the Downs. Many had to come fronj a good distance if they wished to see the Sports. The ground presented a very lively appearance through the day, there being a very fair sprinkling of the fair sex. A band wis on the ground in the shape of a fiddle an. tambourine,iwhich discoursed some first rate dance music, and which was responded to by many who preferred a dance on the grass to seeinga race run. Doodlem Bucks; was there, but could trade with but few. The people could not exactly see the fun of paying a shilling to throw three or four rings with almost a dead certainljrto lose it. Taken altogether, the sports were a great success, and too much praise cannot be given the committee for the efforts put out to? bring everything to a successful issue. It mast be remembered that two -fears have elapsed since the first sports catae off. The first event on the list was :— >■ Race for Boys under sixteen. Six eatries. E. Cooper, Ist; Green, 2nd. Girls under fourteen. Eight entries. S. Talbot, Ist; E. Carter, 2nd; A. Canning, 3rd. Men's Race, 150 yards. Six entries. R. Flutz, 1; F. Maurice, 2. This was a capitally contested race. Six came to the post and started. Flutz, Maurice, and Murphy came to the front, withJßlutz leading, which he kept to the finish, with Maurice a good second ; the rest nowhefe.

Throwing Cricket Bfil. Six entries. W. Prowse, 89yds, 1 ; E. MjjGowan, 87yds, 2. Running High Jniijp. Three entries. Murphy and Collier tiedjst ift lOin. -Manrice, 4ft 6in. This showed] some very pretty jumping. A good manji thought it would be a gift to Murphy. Majrice went but at 4ft 6in, and Collier, pullfig himself together, followed Murphy to when both had to give in, Prize divided. Putting Stone, 161bf. Five entries. W. Prowse, Ist, 38ft $in| W. Barnird, 2nd, 27ft 9in ■ • -

Hack Race. Six jentries. Ojie mile. McGowan's Polly, Ist | Burgan's Jik, 2nd ; Lee's Jess, 3rd. Jack jumped, away With the lead, closely followedfby the lot.; It was evident from the first jhat Burgan'l was the fastest, if he could 6ta|r. In comiife round opposite the entrance janel, Burganflost all control over his horse which, in spiti of him, ran into the fence, and Jess being outside, ran him into the fencb as well. H>lly here took a strong lead, and won it as sle liked ; Jack a bad second.

Men's Hurdle Eafce. 300 yaTdi Four entries. B. Flutz, Ist ; M'Dowall 2ad ; Murphy, 3rd; Mauricfe, 4th. This wj« a fast race and showed somfe good jumping hurdles being 3ft, and five Rights. Flutz look the lead and kept it throughout. Jl'Jtowall a good second, the rest: nowhere. ? Vaulting with Poli. Foar entries. Collier, Ist; Tipping, 2nd; M'Gowan, 3rd; Prowse, 4th. This was almest a gift for Collier at Bft 4in, which -was rery good cotjidering the nature of the ground, which vas very hard, besides having to spring oft of a hollow. Tipping second at 7ft Bia. * Throwing the Hammer. Six gentries. Morrison, Ist, 72ft ; Milne, 2nd, lift. It was thought from the beginning tiat Morrison would come first, so that it was no gurprise when he beat the others. | Standing High Jump. Two entriqu Mur? phy, let; 3ft. Sin-; Collier, 2nd, JB£k Bin: Murphy won th; 6 with ease, sad io doubt

could have gone three or four inches higher, if required. ..-.--,- Wrestling—Cumberland Style. Six entries. H. Little, Ist; R. Flutz, 2nd; W. Barnard, 3rd. Mile Race. Five entries. Nott, Ist; McDowall, 2nd; Maurice, 3rd. Nott ran away with the lead. McDowall close after him. When half round Nott led by ten yards, and came in a winner easy, McDowall bad second : Maurice having ran in every race besides jumping, had to give up as he was completely baked. Three-Legged Race, 150 yards. Five entries ■ Nott and McGowan, Ist ; Collier and Free, 2nd. Consolation Race; half-a-raile. Five entries. B. Tipping, Ist; W. Prowse, 2nd. Tipping took the lead and was never caught, Piowse coming in second, on account of the man in front falling down. Had the distance been much further it would be hard to say which would have been first. Trotting Race ; two miles. Seven entries. R. Flu tz's Maori Girl, Ist; Pirn's Jack, 2nd. This was the most exciting race of the day, and the best contested. The race lay between Maori Girl, Toss, and Jack, at the first: but after two rounds had been gone, Jack fell back, and first place lay between the two former horses. They ran very closely and passed and repassed each other several times. When within a short distance of home Toss broke, which allowed Jack to come up and take second place, Maori Girl first.