MATAMATA RACES. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3044, 29 April 1867, Page 5

MATAMATA RACES. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

I send you a short account of these races, which were to have come off in January last, but were poatponed in consequence of William Thompson 8 death. Mr. Firth and William Thompson h»d for some months previous to his lastillness arranged all matters connected with the meeting, and this chief s death put a stop to everything for the time. The Tauranea disturbance prevented our using the old race-course at Puketutu, on the bank of the Waibou. and after a great deal of Maori talk they improvised a comse at Nguturape, on the Waitoa, near Matamata, only three-quarters of a mile round, as slow aB a top, and ai rough as you please. They galloped over it on the 22nd. It Had been -raining, but the weather held off, and we had all the day to ourselves. Some £50 were realised to he run for, and the horses earned it if the jocks did not. We began at half-past 12, and finished at half-past four — seven event* in four hours, for £50 — cheap at the money. I give you an account, if you think it worth room. First Back. Waitoa Stakbs— l mile. Tini, blkg (Renata) 1 Potipoti, b q (Paratu) 2 Karo, c q (Hanoira) 3 Renata waited on his horses to the half-mile, bustled the second horse, made him force the running, collared the leading horse half-way up the distance, and landed Tiui a winner by a neck. After this we tried a foot race, but it proved a failure. The ground was too rough, and everybody wanted to draw something. Second Baox. Matamata Plate— l£ miles. flipi (Paratu) 1 Meira (Koroneho) 2 Kaingaehi (Tnhakaraina) 0 Tione (Te Teira) 0 Roma (Penetdto) 0 Moremore... ... ... (Renata) 0 TeMuritai (Neama) 0 We had the two rival stables here — the Waihou crack, Meira, and the big leggy Piako horse Hipi, who, luckily for himself, could go through dirt, and stand all the jostling that he got; but Parata had nothing to do but sit in his saddle and come through, which he did accordingly. Meira was pushed well home by Koroneho, but couldn't help being second. Third Race. Farmebs* Pubse— 1 mile. P»reti (Koroneho) 1 Mere (Tuhakaraina) 2 Korekore (Penetito) 3 Hatana (Karanama) 0 Horopeta (Hehei) 0 Urenui (Paratu) 0 Koroneho, on another Waihou crack, showed them the way with a fair start ; they never saw anything but Pareti's tail all the way round, but Mere and Korekore made a pretty race right home, Mere showing No. 2 with Korekore's nose showing at her girth.

Fourth Race. Ladies 1 Whip : 1 mile. Muritae (Renata) I Tame (Tuwhenua) 2 Takamaumau ... (Tuhakaraina) 3 Patetere (Te Teita) 0 Roma (Penetito) 0 Puhirua (Hehei) 0 Renata took a pull at Muritae's head, and kept it j at a quarter of a mile his horaea began to come back ; he went through, raced with the leading horses, and lifted Muritae in a winner by a good length, Tame comiog a good second, Takamaumau makiog as good a turd a> he could.

Fijth Race. Rtth Cup— li miles. Hamupeke (Tnwbenua) 1 Kaingaehi (Pineuba) 2 Karo (Penetito) 3 Tariaiho (Tuh»k»r*ina) 0 Tiake (Renata) 0

Tuwhenua went away with the lead, and Hamupeke did the rest for him, galloping in front of the ruck and winning right away. The 2nd and 3rd might have been a separate race, bat with Maoris we don't mind these little things. Sixth Rjk.CE.-l mile. Takamaumau (Tahakaraina) 1 TePaa Turawaru ... (Honatana) 2 Jack (Tuwhenna) 3 Tihimaha (Penetito) 0 Pukukori (Paratu) 0 Turikore (Keremnto) 0 Tuhakaraina never showed in front at all, but at the distanoe let to and raced with Honatana, who floggedaU he knew, bnt Takamauman wag_then at_

Seventh Bi.cz. Consolation Stakes. Eleven horses started, and three were consoled. Keremiti landed the winner 1 Tuh»karaina 2 Een»t* 3 And so we finished our second meeting. Seven events, in four hours, for £50 ; and everybody had enough, more especially the horses.