THE RIVERHEAD RACES. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3352, 14 April 1868, Page 3

THE RIVERHEAD RACES. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

The long-expected races came off at Riverhead yesterday, on the flat, near Mr. Deacon's Hotel, and although a regular turfite might, if so uncharitably disposed, speak somewhat disparagingly of the speed of the horses which ran in the various events, avast deal of amusement was nevertheless afforded to the spectators. And this is something of itself, for, as a sailor remarked on the ground yesterday, whether the horses went at five knots or at ten did not muoh matter, so that there was a race. These races hare not taken place for two or three years, but as long as they can be as well conducted as they were yesterday, a strenuous effort ought to be made by the settlers around not to let such a long interval again occur. The 'Gemini' left the Queen-street Wharf at a few minutes after nine o'clock, with a good number of passengers ; and after a pleasant passage p»st the Watchman— or, for it may be worth while to put the Maori name on record, Motungaingai — into the lake-like expanse of the Upper Waitemata, and then into the narrow creek to Deacon's wharf— reached the destination before eleven o'clock. On the racecourse, Mr. S. Yon Stunner, Mr. Giles, and the other gentlemen who had the management of affairs, were ready to commence, and when all had congregated there were present about 100 Europeans and 200 Maoris. The Europeans were from Auckland, Helensville, and Biverhead and the natives from Ongarahu, Mtiriwai, and Mahurangi. To say that the greatest good feeling existed, is hardly coming up to the fact, for in whatever circumstances Europeans and Maoris may quarrel, it is certainly not at a racecourse. Perhaps, they would never have quarrelled at all, had not a blundering Government set them by the ears. The amount of shouting and talking, in bad English and worse Maori, was yesterday something deafeniDg at times ; but, though there was not a policeman on the ground, nor within many miles, there were no breaches of the peace, and one could look at the races from beginning to end, without having his ears offended by the coarse language unfortunately so frequently heard on other racecourses. There was a large tent on the ground, in which accommodation was given to Mr. Giles and the stewards, and in which Mr. Deacon dispensed refreshments liberally enough. Several of both races got a little " elevated' as the day went on, but there was no drunkenness. The iudge was Mr. S. Yon Stunner ; the stewards, Messrs. A. Porter, 0. Nelson, and C. Thaxter ; the clerk of the course, Mr. Farrall; the starter Mr. E. Vercoe ; and the secretary and treasurei, Mr. ±1. Giles.

Riverhead Stakes. One-mile heats. Value, £10. Entrance fee, £1. Three horses to start, or no race. For this event four horses were entered, but only three ran, viz., Mr. G-. Hendersons Jack, Mr. J. A. Lamb's Harkaway, and Mr. O. McGee's Monitor, A good start was made from the distance-post, and, on coming round, Harkaway was leading ; Jack, a good horse, but obviously out of condition, being second ; and Monitor, which was well ridden by Mr. Haines, biding its time in the rear. Jack was quite out of the race before the horses had gone three-fomths of the distance, but a fine race took place between Monitor and Harkaway, which were so close on passing the judge's chair that a dead heat was delared. Some persons expressed dissatisfaction at the judge's decision, in a loud tone, which is an extremely reprehensible thing to do. Harkaway, which is, we presume, a Maoribred horße, had his shoes taken off to run the race again ; but notwithstanding a game struggle, he was beaten, and Mouitor came in about two lengths ahead. Harkaway was then withdrawn, and Monitor walked over for the other two heats.

Maori Race. Twice round tbe course, for horses the property of boDa fide Maori owners. Value, £4, with a fee of 10s. entrance added. To be ridden by Maoris. Catch weights. Five horses to start, or no race. For this race there were eigbt entries, and a good deal of delay took place in consequence of several natives wanting to ride without paying their entrance fee. Of course, this could not be tolerated on any well-regulated racecourse, and, after a good deal of trouble, Mr. Nelson succeeded in^weeding out the non-payera from the crowd assembled at the startingpost. A pretty good start was made, and, like all races with Maoris " up," it was a burst from start to finish. The horses were "called on" at the very beginning, and were kept at it till the end. A hardy-looking grey horse named Niu Tireni (New Zealand), belonging to Te Hemara, of Mahurangi, showed in front very soon after the start, and though Pakeha, which was splendidly ridden by a youngster named Matine, kept close up, and gave him a close push for the finish, New Zealand landed the stakes safely. Mahurangi may therefore crow over all the settlements about— till the next races at least.

The other horses which started were Pai Marire (Tare), Kauri Gum (Tahana), Topi (Ratu), Black (Wharepouri), Aera (Horamia), and India.

Hurdle Race. Over three flights of hurdles, 3ft. 6in. Twice round the course. Value, £6. Entrance fee, 10a. Three horses to start, or no race. Four horses started— Mr, G. Baillie's Maori, Mr. O. McGee's B*wley, Mr. H. W. Hendersons Dick TurpiD, and Mr. Foster's Kumeu— and a very good race was made. The following was the finish :—

Pony Kaob, for Horses ' 14 hands and under, once round the course. Value, £6. Entrance fee, 10s. Three to start or no race. There wese seven entries for this race, which was spiritedly contested. At the firat rouud Mr. Giles's Black Dandy led, followed closely by Roderick Dhu, ridden by a native named Haukore. But Black Dandy's chance was, we consider, spoiled by the uDskilfulnoss of his rider, and Roderick had not strength enough to bear up against the weight on his back. It was pretty soon evident that the race was amongst Mr. Lamb's Mountaia, Mr. G-. Bailey's Maori, and Mr. Nelson's Pakeha. The following was the result :—

The other horses running were— Mr. P. McLeod s Hiko, Mr. Giles's Black Dandy, Horis Kapere, and Haukore's Roderick Dhu. There was still another race on the programme—* hack race ; and the Maoris were anxious to have a foot race for all comers, Europeans and Maoris, and in which, in the now popular phrase, there was to be but one law for both races. These would have been very interesting, especially the latter, lor there were a good many Bupple fellow 3 present, botn amongst the natives and settlers. But evening was drawing on, with an ebbing tide,and Captain Casey, inexorable as the sea itself, declared that if a much longer stay was made the world-famous 'Gemini' m»v be stuck in the creek ; and so the Auckland party had to go to the steamer, nassine on their way the fires of the native ovens, round which would soon be discussed the events of the day. And we may repeat, in conclusion, that if if all races were as well conducted, and attended by as orderly a class as was at Riverhead yesterday, many of the strongest objections to these meetings would be obviated. Of course, we know that it can hardly be expected that in the vicinity of towns like Auckland, where the races are attended by large numbers of the lowest class, a very pleasant state of things can ever be attained. But for those who do not so much care for running of a high quality as for a day's fresh air and amusement, and a little excitement, the Biverhead Races should be much more entertaining than those at Epsom or Ellerslie. So next year we expect to see a much larger mußter of visitors from Auckland at Riverhead than was present yesterday.

Dbeams and thrir Impohts. — To dream of a policeman is a sure sign of the '« blues." To dream you are a monkey is— to say the least— suggestive. To dream your head is being punohed, and on waking to discover that such is not the case, is lucky— for you. To dream you have eloped with a wicked female ghost, is a sure sign you have taken bad spirits (over night). If a "gentleman of the preis" dreams of donkeys, it is called a " neddytonal" vision. To dream of suet, ihows a fat-uous mind (don't do it again). If alover finds a pleasant note from his sweetheart stuck into his keyhole, is a key-note to his heart,

ionntain Maid iaori fckeha ... (Humes) ... (Thorpe) ... (a Maori) 1 2 3

Uori ... awley ... >ick Turpin Lumeu ... ... (Ihorpe) (0. McGee) ... (Coyle) ... (Poster) 1 2 S 4

ew Zealand (Te Hemara) ... (Matiae) 1 2

[onitor, 9st. 31b. 'arkaway, 95t.... »ck, 9at. (Haioea) (M. Kelly) (W. Kelly) 1 2 3