HAMILTON : ANNUAL RACES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4180, 6 January 1871, Page 5

HAMILTON : ANNUAL RACES.

As I have already informed you oy telegraph of the result of our Waikato race meeting, 1 now proceed to give the particulars of one of the most successful events it has been my lot to chronicle in the Waikato. The days appointed for the meeting were the 28th and 29th of December. The Turf Committee had been working strenuously for some time previously to have the course in order, in which they were eminently successful. A grand stand had also been erected, capable of accommodating 150 people. The lower portion of the edifice comprised steward's room, dining room, and bar running 40 feet. Therefreshmentdepartmentbeinginthehands of our enterprising townsman. Mr. Thomas Farrell, whose name is a sufficient guarantee tiat tll(i \vanis of ike inner man -would bo well provided for. On the evening of tlie 27th our quiet township was completely filled with brother settlers from adjacent settlements. Auckland also contributed its quota. The morning of the 29th looked watery, with heavy clouds around, but despite the unfavourable appearance of the day crowds began to wend their way to the course. At 12 o'clock the bell rang for saddling ; at half-past 12 the first event — The Eowen Stakes, value 25 soys., entrance 2 soys., 1^ miles, weight for age. came off. There were four entered, who came in as follows :— Mr. Kirkwoods Count, aged, 1 ; Mr. Walker's Marquis, 5 years, 2 ; Mr. Driller's Sir Charles, 2 years, 3 ; Mr. Bruces Honest Miller, 5 years, distanced. HonestMiller threw his rider after the start. Hamilton Stakes of 25 soys., entrance 2 soys., If mile, weight for age, for three-year-olds and upward; three entries : Mrs. Turner's "Billy Barlow, aged, I ; Mr. Walker's Marquis, 5 years, 2 ; Mr. Higgmson's Bob, aged, 2. Cambridge Stakes of 20 soys., entrance 2 soys,, 2 miles, weight for age, for three-year-olds and upwards ; 3 entries : Mr. O. McGee's Haikaway, aged, 1 ; Mr. Turner's Billy Barlow, aged, 2; Mr. Kirkwoods Maunikin, aged, 3. Waikato Steam Navigation Company's Hate, value £10 10s., U miles, confined to horses the bonft fide property of Waikato settlers ; 3 entries : Mr. Kirkwoods Count, aged, 1 ; Mr. Turner's Pretender, aged, 2 ; Mr. Walker's Marquis, 5 years, 3. . Alexandra Stakes of 15 soys., 14 miles, entrance 2 soys., weight for age, 3 entries : Mr. O. McGee's Hark away, aged, 1 ; Mr. Higginson's Bob, aged, 2; Mr. Woolly's Don, aged, 3. December 30. The second day was more favourable than the first, and in consequence a large number of the fair sex graced the course with their presence. The first race on the card was the Grand Stand Stakes of 25 soys., entrance 2 soys., 1£ miles, weight for age, 3 entries : Mr. Kirkwoods Count, aged, 1 ; Mr. Higginson's Bob, aged, 2 ; Mr. Walker's Marquis, 5 years, 4. This race the Count had all his own way, winning in a canter. Hurdle Race of 15 soys., entrance 2 soys,, 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles, tobenm for by horses the property of Waikato residents, 3 entries : Mr. Woolleys Unknown, aged, 1 ; Mr. Walker's No Name, aged, 2 ; Mr. Turner's Billy Barlow, distanced. Unknown was splendidly ridden bv Mr Black more, taking the hurdles in splendid styX Billy Barlow, the favourite, baulked at each hurdle. Bob a good second. Royal Mail Plate, value 14 soys., the gift of C. G. Quick, Esq., entrance 2 soys., the same conditions as the Waikato Steam Navigation Company's Plate, 4 entries : Mr. Turner's Pretender, aged, 1 : Mr. Knkwood's Count, aged, 2 ; Mr. Woolly's Don, aged, and Me. Walker's Marquis, 5 years, {scratched, Contrary to all expectation, Mr. Turner's Pretender i>atl it ail his O\m 'way, the Count Tunning off the course. Pony Race of 10 soys., entrance 1 soy., weight for inches, 14 hands and under, top weight Ost. 71b., U miles, 7 entries .• Mr. Bocket's Lanty, 1 ; Mr. 'I timer's Chieftain, 2 ; Mr. Walker's Beauty, 0 j Mr. Kirkwoods Beeswing, 0 ; Mr. Bruces Gameboy, 0 ; Mr. Carrigan's Jack, 0 j Mr. Woolly's Dundock, scratched. Consolation Stakes, post entry, 5 entries : Won by Mr. Walker's Beauty, with Mr. Higginson's Bob second. Hack Race, stakes £4 10s., entrance, 8 entries : Won by Mr. Woolly's Dundock. After the above race, Ralph Simpson, Esq., with the stewards and other gentlemen, adjourned to the dining-room, when Mr. Simpson presented E. Kirkwood, Esq., of Cambridge, the owner of Count, the winner of the Waikato Steam Navigation Company's Plate, with a handsome silver goblet. Mr. Kirkwood returned thanks, and congratulated the stewards on the success attending the present meeting.— W. N. Searancke, Esq., proposed the health of the winner, which was drunk from the goblet in sparkling champagne. — Mr. Kirkwood iesponded, and concluded by pruposing the health of the stewards.— Responded to by Bavph Svmpstm aT>& \V\l\-\anv Steel, Gsqs , and Colonel Lyon.— The next toast, that of Thomas Jolly, Esq., was heartily responded to ; and three cheers were given for his esteemed lady and the young .lollys. — Before separating the glasses were again charged with the sparkling liquid, and success and prosperity were drunk to their worthy secielary and treasurer, for his energetic conduct ; and also as host. Mr. Farrell in an appropriate speech returned, thanks. — The second clay the stewards gave a sumptuous champagne lunch to their friends, a fresh cloth being laid for (the ladies. Thus ended one of the most successful events of the season, and one that the promoters of the Waikoto Jockey Club may well be proud of. — In the evening, Ralph Simpson, Esq., again took the chair in the commercial-room of the Hamilton Hotel, for ttie purpose of presenting Mr. Turner, the winner of the Royal Mail Plate, with a handtome flagon presented by Mi". Quick. Among those present I noticed W. Steele, Esq., J.P., O. B. Beere, Esq., — Caipenter, Esq., W. Mori is, Esq., Messrs. Reynolds, Knox, &c. Robert Kirkwood, Esq., of Cambridge, The flagon having been filled with champagne, the Chairman rose, and said it gave I him much pleasure to present this piece of plate to Mr. Reynolds on behalf of Mr. Turner, a half-caste, through a pakeha, and he hoped that the ill-feeling that existed yesterday, in consequence of his protest n»t being sustained, would be forgotten. — Mr. Reynolds returned thanks on behalf of Mr. Turner. — E. Kirkwood, Esq., proposed the health of the stewards. Responded to by Captain G. B. Beere.— The health of the clerk of the course was drunk in bumpers, and with "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. James Woolly returned thanks.— The clerk of the scales, Mr. Knox, and their treasurer, Mr. Farrell, were next toasted, and the Chairman concluded by proposing the "Press." — A vote of thanks to the Chairman wound up the proceedings.

MASON7C. The members of Lodge Beta, 450, 1.0., met at liigh noon on St. John's Day, for the installation of their officers. The lodge unanimously voted a P.M. jewel to Brother W. M. Cumming. In the evening, the Brethren sat down to a splendid repast, got up by their host in a creditable manner. The usual Masonic and loyal toasts were drunk and responded to, and at "the wee Bma' hours" the Brethren separated, after spending a pleasant evening. — [Own Correspondent.]