OHOKA SPORTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 173, 28 December 1874, Page 3

OHOKA SPORTS.

These annual sports were held for the third time in succession, on Boxing day, and were even better attended than hitherto. A large concourse of visitors hieing thither from every portion of the district within a radius of eight miles. The weather was exceedingly hot, but otherwise favorable for an out-door gathering. As previously, the sports were under the management of a local committee, of which Mr Batchelor was chairman, and Mr Garnet, secretary, who all carried out their duties so as to give every satisfaction, Mr G. Clist’s paddocks were again the rendezvous; the rural sports being held in one, and the course for the horse races was around two of them. The wants of the public were catered for by Mr Lewton, who who had the publican’s booth, and Mr Bachelor, who had a booth for sale of pastry, A tent had been erected for shade from the sun, and was extemporised as a dancing saloon, the music being furnished _ by a local professor of the concertina. The wants of the children were duly cared for. In reference to the athletic sports, they were fairly competed. The horse races excited considerable interest, Mr Collins’ Prince winning the principal prizes, though not so successful later in the day in a private match with Mr Osborne’s poney Foretop, which latter was an easy winner. In the Hurdle race, a horse ridden by Mr T. Weston cleared the flights in good style, but proved wanting in the running. Prince, an old favorite, was too much for his company in this as in the flat race. The Trotting match was well contested, but the third horse had a bad start. Betsy kept up to Major in gallant style. A private match between a horse owned by a disciple of Esculapius and Mr Collins’s Prince, although the latter had done his hard work previously, was won by Prince with several lengths to spare. Mr Brocklesby acted as judge, and his decisions were in no instance disputed, Mr Inspector Barsham and a mounted constable were on the ground rendering service in clearing the course, and prepared to quell d'sturbances had any arisen. The prizes were liberal, as the committee had received an ‘increased amount of support. The following were the events; — Men’s Hurdle race, half-mile, over four flights—lst, 255, W, Bayliss; 2nd, ss, H. Wood. Six competitors. Men’s Flat race, half-mile—lst, 20s, J. Power; 2nd, 6s, W. Bayliss. Four competitois. Old Men’s race (over forty years), 200 yards—lst, five galls beer, Josh. Osborne; 2nd, ss, J. Ward. Four competitors. All Comers’ Flat race, one mile—lst, 255, T. Murfit; 2nd, J. Doody. Six competitors, Running High Jump—lst, 12s 6d, J. Goosetree, sft lin; 2nd, W. Goosetree. Five competitors. Youths’ Flat race, half mile—lst, writing desk, H. Ashen; 2nd, pair boots, J. Osborne. Six competitors. Men’s Three legged race—lst, 10s, W, Bayliss and Gudsell; 2nd, J. and J. Bayliss. Three pairs competed. Flat race, 100 yards—lst, a football, J. Gudsell, Two competitors. In addition to the foregoing, the programme also included several children's races, Single Woman’s race, Tilting Match, Wheelbarrow race, Married Woman’s race, and Sack race; but the tilting was not carried out, the apparatus being defective in its construction. District Horse race, three-quarter-mile heats. Prize, £2 10a; second save stake. Mr Murton’s b h Maori 1 Mr Dailey’s w h Snowball 2

Hurdle race (open); two miles, eight flights; prize £7, second save stake, Mr E. Collins’ c g Prince 1 Mr E. Murfit’s c m Kitty 2 Six started. Flat race (open); two miles; prize £7, second save stake. Mr E. Collins’ c g Prince 1 Mr Lunn’s gra Phantom ... ... ... 2 Six started. Trotting match; two and a half miles; prize £4. entrances added. Mr I. Wilson’s bh Major ... ... ... 1 Mr Kirkwood’s b m Betsy 2 Three started. Cart-horse race (open); half a mile; prize £3 (winner to draw one ton over course). Mr Barker’s Kitty 1 Mr Denton’s Prince ... ... ... 2 Three started. Hurry Scurry (open); oncmile; prizecntrances and a bridle. Mr Osborne’s Foretop 1 Mr Weston’s Satan 2 Flat race (scratch); one mile, Mr W. Bramley’s Polly 1 Mr E. Murfit’s Kate 2 Consolation race (open); one and a half miles; prize £2, second save stake. Mr E. Murfit’s Kitty ... ... ... 1 Mr T. Weston’s Satan 2 Several private races also took place, causing much amusement, and the proceedings of the day were brought to a close about 7 p.m.