KAIPARA. RACE MEETING AT OPANGO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3893, 12 February 1870, Page 3

KAIPARA. RACE MEETING AT OPANGO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

February 11. Judge : Mr. Wm. A. Marriner, tStarter : Mr. Topp, sen. A very interesting race-meeting was held at the native settlement of Opango on the 24th nit. The settlement of Opango I may state, for the information of those of your readers who do not know its whereabouts, is on the western side of the Wairoa There wero nearly 200 Europeans and natives present. Befoie the sj^orl commenced Mr. W. A. Marrmer sated that the races had been got up by two natives, Te Hake and Tipene, for the purpose of affording a day's amusement to the settlers and natives of the district;. He was sorry, however, that all the arrangements were not as he should have liked them to be. He did not know until the latter part part of the previous week that the affair would come to anything. Had he anticipated the interest that was manifested, the prizea for the winning hoises might have been much larger. Still, they must be satisfied. It was a commencement ; and he hoped the Opango Races v, ould he held annually. If he (Mr. Marriner) were in the district lie would do all m his power to support them. As the seasons of the year rolled \ - ound they ookeil for their holid iya and amusements, and lie hoj;cd that all would try and keep up their races. Mi\ Marriner then addressed the natives in similar terms. His remarks were received with applause, and some of the influential chiefs and settlers promised to do all in their power towards making it au annual holiday, The following was the day s programme :—: — First Hace— One Mile ; This was run in two heats, half a mile, coming in the second time as the first. For this lace five horses were entered. The prizes were, first, £5 \ second, £2; third, S\. Mr, George Clarks horse again proved an easy victor. Genara also made a good show, Gibbon, Mr. G> Clark, 1 ; Genara, Eapihai, 2 ; Taima, Winiata, 2; Te Rora, Mqhi Burn, 4j Fuikana, Tipene, 5, Second Raee — One mile and a-half : Pour native horses were entered, and Butterfly took the lead The first prize was £2 sa. ; second, 15s. ; third, os. Butterfly, Rapiha, 1 ; Hika Hika, Wetere, 2 ; Tahae, R>pana, 3 ;Te Riki, Winiata ; 4. Third Raee — Distance same as the former one : Five horses were entered. First prize, £1 155.; second, las.; third, ss. Kauri* kamu, Winiata, 1 ; Bob, W. Clark, 2 ; Poni, Te Hira, 3 ; Papi, Hake, 4 j Aratapu, Winiata, 5, Fourth Raee — Same as preceding : Five norses entered, First prize, £1 55. : second, 10s.; third, ss, Te Kauinaono, Wi, 1 ; ! Aratapu, Winiata, 2 ; Genara, Tipene, 3 j ! Bob, W. Clark, 4 : Pukuhipi, Rapiha (Pukuhipi fell), 0. j Fifth Eace — Same distance ; Four entries. First prize, 17». 6d. : second, 7a. 6d. There were two spills in this affair. We believe the z'iders were not seriously injured. Pod ! (Kaikanga), IKapana, 1 ; Poni, Te Hira, 2 ; Te Riki, Winiata (horse fell), 0; Poni Tamati (lider thrown), 0. j Sixth Raee — Same distance; six horses entered ; first, £1 55. ; second horse, 15s. ; third, ss. Hikahika, Tipene, 1 ; Aratapu, Mr. Stuart, 2 ; Tokoro, Honi, 3 ; Poni, Te Hira, 4 ; Wall Eye, Mr. G. Clark, 5 ; Bob, Mr. W. Clark, 6. Foot Raee — Three entries ; first prize, 7s. 6d. ; second prize, ss. Tere, 1; Hami, 2 ; Mohi, 3. On the termination of the sports, Mr, Topp, senior, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. W. A. Marriner for the interest he had displayed, and for the satisfactory manner to which he had managed the races. Speaking on behalf of the Europeans, he said one and all were well satisfied, and had enjoyed themselves. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Marriner, who acknowledged the compliment, and requested that a similar one might be paid to Mr. Topp, for the satisfac-f tory manner in which he had performed the the post allotted to him. Thus ended one o the most pleasant days that had been spent on the banks of tho noble Wairoa. Tha weather was all that could be desired, and we must not forget to add — there is a plea, sure in doing so — not a single instance ©£ drunkenness took place, although therewas plenty of intoxicants on the ground.