THE HELENSVILLE RACES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5770, 25 March 1876, Page 3

THE HELENSVILLE RACES.

[Kl.OM OUn -Sl'KOIAIi UEl'OaTKR. | .Si-k\vari>s - A. Dilwortli, Esq., anil Messrs. D. Fallow, D. StuwniK, It. Vcnoo, awl Thus. O. Koil. JuooK— Mi. T. Deacon. HANDiCAPi'Ra and Starti.ii— Andiow Bouar, E<m|. SucuitTAitt— Mr. James Hand. Your special left Auckland by the premier ship of Captain Casey's magnificent steam fleet, the 'Gemini,' at 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, and arrived at the railway terminus, Itiverhead, after a most exciting and eventful voyage of two hours. The companions tie voyage consisted of a buxom settler's wife who rivalled Blondin in the intrepidity with which she descended a ladder from the wharf, placed at an angle of ten degrees ; an old gentleman who had not quite recovered from the cxhilirations. of St. Patrick's Day, aud who was enabled to descend the aforesaid ladder by means of a good deal of engineering ; another lady, and two children; and a settler bound for one of the intermediate ports. Shortly after leaving the wharf somo of the passengers became a prey to the horrors of sea sickness, and, to make matters worse, a steady downpour of rain compelled a retreat to the saloons provided for the accommodation of passengers on board this steam packet. Your special found the steerage cabin completely occupied by women and children, and upon descending into the cabin set apart for the exclusive use of the "ladiea," found it occupied by two masculine creatures of the biped species known as • ' man. " In the midst of this dreadful situation, the heart of your special remained unmoved. He had such profound confidence in the well-known river-going capabilities of the twin screw steamer 'Gemini,' and the skill of her captain and crow, that neither tho howling of the storm, nor the pattering of the rain upon tho companion way could shako his nerves. Upon arrival at Riverhead I found that tho train was not in waiting, it having made a special trip to Helensvillo to convey almost the entiro population of this charming township to the races. I was, therefore, obliged to remain quiescent until 3 o'clock, with a fair prospect of arriving at Helcuaville in time to find that the races were over. In the interim I took a stroll through the rising city of Riverhead, and admired the various public edifices, consisting of Mr. Deacon's Railway Hotel, a new telegraphstation, and last, but by no means least, a raupo mansion inhabited by the railway workmen and others employed about the wharf. The erection of the hotel was commenced about four months ago, and when completely finished it will afford excellent accommodation. It is a two-storeyed building, of considerable prop >rtions, and is being elegantly fittea up and furnished throughout. The new telegraph -station is built on the model adopted by tho department for all tho country offices throughout the colony, and embraces a life insurance, postal, and telegraph office under the same roof. The opening of this station was personally superintended by Mr. Sheath, and I believe it will be a great convenience) to the residents and visitors, and aid to future settlement. Matters on the wharf looked lively, and I was informed that tho traffic on this line is rapidly increasing. Riverhead haB many wants. It wants grass, it wants settlers, and it is at present suffering from a scarcity of copper coin. The train arrived at about half-past two o'clock, and left again for Helensville at abont three, running through to Helenavtfle in less than an hour and a half, making two short stop- ( pages on the way at Waimauku and Woodhill. It is only fair to say that the officials on this lino arc remarkable for their courtesy and their efficiency and zeal. I may add that this is in marked contrast to some other lines I could mention. On reaching Helensville, I hastened to the nearest hotel to inquire the way to the scene of attraction. I found that the whole population of this thriving township and future city had gone en masse to the race-course, which I was informed was about half-a-mile away. The rain was descending in torrents, and the road led up a nasty clay hill, on the top of which I got a prospect of a wild waste of swamp and fern, with what looked like a booth in the remote distance. Being without a guide I was unfortunate enough to select a short cnt across country, following au old track which lsd' me into sloughs knee-deep, and places cut up with holes left by the gumdiggers. Those holes were now converted by the rain into puddles, which served to bury the monotony at puddling through swamps. 1 discovered that in this part of the country half a mile in a bee line must be interpreted as nearly a mile and a half, and allowing for dodging the mud-holes, a trillo under two miles. After unheard of exertions and an amount of fortitude which under the circumstances was perfectly heroic, I reached the race-courso, whero I found about fifty persons, all told, including a goodly sprinkling of the faiv sox, who. in their ardour for the Bports of the field had braved the storm, and sacrificed' the pristine beauty of their splendid feathers and miscellaneous adornments. The course is one well calculated to take ib out of the best country hack. It is a trifle under three-quarters of a mile in length, and only about a fourth of that is what may be fairly termed flat. This is through a paddock. The rest lies over a trying pinch, with a Bharp descent on tho other side. There are several awkward turns, and the ground being softened by the raiu was a good deal cut up, so that good foot and staying powers alone had any chance of shining. Not having arrived in time to see the earlier part of the races, I am indebted to the kind offices of a friend for some of tho particulars hereto appended. It may bo remarked, however, that the rain did not damp tho ardour of tho plucky "sports," who were determined on this occasion to uphold the honour of Helensvillo. At a booth on the ground erected by Mr. Hand, the spirited proprietor of the Helensville Hotel, and the Secretary to tho Race j Committee, refreshments were dispensed to the "wetter'uns," and enabled them to fortify against cold without, by making matters warm within. So far as the attendance went, it was considered satisfactory, though it was to be regretted that some leading acttiers, wei^ , absent, and, doubtless, had the weather beeur fin6;.,there would have been a much larger muster. However, many had come a considerable distance. Turf matters in Helensvillo'' have been under a cloud for three years, and it was only the desire to keep pace with Henderson's Mill that galvanized the Helensvilliaus into life. The affair, with all its drawbacks, must be pronounced a success. , The stewards were Messrs. A. Dilworth, D. Fallon, D. Stewart, and T. 0. Kell. Mr.' Deacon officiated as judge in a thoroughly impartial and satisfactory manner. Mr. James Hand discharged the duties of secretary ; and, owing to tho absence of Mr. Bouar, the handicapping was efficiently done by another gentleman. Tho first race of tho day wob tho MAIDEN ITiATE of £,7 10s.; ioeond horse to wive his blako. Twico round cou no. For all hono* novor having won an advortisod rnco. Welxht for age. Mr. Scott's 1) g Napinapi, 4yrs. (Hodgson) . . . . 1 Air. Ln.nib'8 b m La Hollo, 8yri. (Linton) . . . . 2 Mr. II md's 1) jj Supplejack, aged 3 A capital Btart "was effected, La Belle jumping o(T wish tho lead, and showed tho way round. Coming up to the post, and winning hard held, she went in search of fresh fields and pastures new, giving a chance to Napinapi who was in close attendance, and wout up gamely, winning easily. IIGLENSV1LLU 1/ ANDICAP of £14 ; second horao to auvo hln itoHo. Throe Minos* round tho uouno. Mr. McGeo'a b.w Porfumo, 6jw,, 8st. 71b.(Hodgioiri 1 Mr. MoGeo'i bgll»bin»onCrunop,aifcd, 8st. (Tivylor) 2 Mr. Ltnnb'a b m La Belle, 3yro., 7st. (Linton) .. 3 Perfume cut out the running for his stable companion and lod during the first lap, until passing the judge's sjtand. Half-way round .the, course, at .the crossing near the fence, La Belle again gave way to her unfortunate weakness and bolted t off the course, coming to grief in a ditch. This loft the raco to Mr. McGee's pair, who went in for a spurt to luniiso the spectators, Perl nuio coming in a winner by thrqp, lengths,

SETTLERS' RACE of €0 10s.; second horse to sa\o Ilia stake. For all hoibes having been the l)onii flde property of settlois within a riubu<< of ten miles from Helensvillc for three months previous to the day of rare. Weight' for »;jc. Twice round. Mr. McUmxVb blk g Locomotive, aged, Ost. 41b. (Mahun) . \. .. . v .. .1 Mr. Koistcr'u ch u Hotspnr, ajjed (Hodgson) . . 2 Mr. McLood'abg' Major, S.im. .. . . :< Tho race was well-contested the first time round, but an unfortunate accident befcl Hotspur, whose hind legs slipped from under him bringing him into a devotional attitude. Hodgson, however, had tho old horse well in hand and got him up easily, finishing a good second. UURDLE RACE of CO Cs.; second horso to wivo his stake. Twice round over six flights of hurdles lift. din. high. Same conditions as in third race. Handicapped. Mr. McGoo's b g Robinson Crusoe, aged, Ost. 71b. (Hodgson) 1 Mr. MuLeod'a blk g Locomotive, aged, Ost. 71b. (D. McLood) 2 Mr. Tajlor's Templar, aged, lOst. 71b. (owner) . . 0 Locomotivo carried a stone over tho handicapped weight. The raco was tho best of the day, and was pluckily contested throughout. Had tho hurdles not been knocked down Locomotive would probably a finished a wiuner. MAORI RACE of £4 10s.; second homo to lavo his stake Twice round tho course. This was won by Pepeni Reweti's Nupenie, with Kiwhara second. The other competitors were Pakeha, and Capt. James. PONY RACK of £4 10s.; second horse to Kwohis stake. Distance, twice round. Ponies not to eveeed 14 hands. Top weight, 8st. ; 41b. allowed for evcrj inch under 14 hands. Mr. Stott'tt b g Napinapi, 4yrs. (Hodgson) 1 Mr. Forster'i cU g Hotspur, aged (Linton) . . 2 Mr. .Sampson 0 The last horse was only entered to mako the race and only ran once round, and was nowhere. Napinapi took the lead at the start and maintained it throughout, but was kept up to his work by Hotspur who contested the race gamely from start to finish. CONSOLATION STAKES of £4 ; second horse to lave his stake. Distance, fcw ice round. This was a gift to Mr. McLcod's Major, who walked over. An attempt was made to get up a scratch match, but most of the gay and festive turfites had got satiated for one day, and a general movement was made towards Hand's hotel, whereat it was rumoured that from morn till eve sundry cunning artistes de culvne had been engaged in the preparation of many and various viands to tickle the sharpened appetites of the sportsmen. There was a regular scurry over the hills by those who were Dlessed with mounts; butyour Unfortunate special had to make a. long detour on Shank's pony, under tho guidance of a friend and benefactor to his species. At the hotel 1 found some excellent company, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr.' and Mrs. Motion, Miss Motion, Mrs. Reid and other ladies who had como up on a pleasure trip. Despite the weather the ladies wero in excellent spirits, and ,tho coiirteons and kindly disposition of the whole party was a welcome relief after the events of the day. On Friday morning I left Helena ville in a special train, reaching Riverhead after a run of an hour and three quarters, with frequent stoppages. I found the comfortable ' Lalla Rookh ' in waiting at the wharf, and immediately transferred my precious self to the care of her captain, whoso courtesy and skill needs no eulogium at my hands. This smart little steamer made an excellent run down to the Queen-street wharf.