RACES IN SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 15

RACES IN SAMOA

PROMISE BY MINISTER

(Special to Press Association.)

APIA, July 13. A race meeting in honour of the annual visit of the Monowai with tourists from Australia and New Zealand was held by the Apia Turf Club this I afternoon. Among the guests were the leader of the New Zealand goodwill mission, the Hon. F. Langstone, and Mrs. Langstone, Mr. J. O'Brien and Mrs. O'Brien, and Mr. Arthur Mulligan, secretary to the delegation, and Mrs. Mulligan. The weather was showery, the club bemg unfortunate, as up till today no rain had fallen for several weeks. Nevertheless the attendance, which was about 1500, was considered excellent, i The racecourse is situated in delight-! ful surroundings, the whole area occupying 40 acres and resembling the fairway of a well-kept golf course. There were eight events on the programme and all were keenly contested, with a short head separating first and second on several occasions. • In some races 1 there were as many as 18 horses. The I animals were ridden bareback by enthusiastic young Samoans, who used the whip vigorously from start to finish with no let-up at any stage. The principal race, the Monowai Handicap, of one mile or a little over, once i round the course, was won in 2min ', 2sec. The winner received £ 10, the | second horse £5, and the third £2.1 The totalisator, at which two-shilling! tickets only were purchasable, handled £410. Successful punters received a modest return. There were no sensational dividends.

The president of the club, the Hon. A.- G. Smyth, M.L.C., was warmly congratulated by Messrs. Langstone and O'Brien upon the manner in which the meeting was conducted. Mr. Langstone promised officials that he would use his best endeavours to acquire a stud horse in New Zealand on behalf of the club. ■ ■ ■