Makaraka Notes.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 485, 26 July 1890, Page 2

Makaraka Notes.

[FBOM OUB OWN 00BBBSP0NDENT.] The late downpour of rain has been something phenomenal. The Big River on Tuesday morning was bank high, and nervous people dreaded the approach of another big flood, but fortunately the rain has ceased for a spell, and the river has gone down considerably. Several of the country roads are almost impassable, while the paddocks are, in (places, covered with surface water. A great deal of satisfaction has been expressed here on tbe decision of the premier racing club to hold their races at Makaraka. The position ofthe “convincing ground" should be convenient co town and country residents. But it must appear toall thoughtful persons that there is far too much racing in this part of the colony. One good club could provide all the amuiemtnt in this direction, and yet there are no fewer than three principal clubs, besides others of a lesser magnitude. The same old crocks perform at the several meetings held under the auspices of each club. Our Australian upcountry cousins, in order to supply the scarcity of horses at their local race meetings, provide additional items of sport (P) in the shape of bullock races. Fancy “Strawberry” or "Spot,” ridden by their respective owners, doi»g a preliminary on our Makaraka course. At any rate our bovine friends would be " ridden out ” j With all this racing, and the prodigal waste of thousands spsnt on it, is the New Zealand bred horse of to day, at all to be compared to the weight carriers of a decade ago? Ask the judges of the Agricultural Shows for information on this point, and they will tell you that thanks to the racing of two year olds, short distance handicaps, and the few weight for age races, what now one finds is weedy undersized horses, fit for nothing but sprinters. One notes, vide Parliamentary reports, that this session's Diogenes, Mr Hutchinson, member for Waitotara, ie asking for a return of moneys sent out of the colony for consultation purposes. This return will prove interesting reading. Still more interesting would it be to know an approximation of the amount spent on racing annually in onr little country, the population of which does not exceed 600,000. Consider for one moment what this large expenditure must mean—the distraction it causes from tbe serious business of life—the divergence of capital from its legitimate channels—the thousands of able bodied men it takes away from more useful employment—and all this to provide—What P Amusement to the many, and profit to the few. The whole question is so important, as its effects will retard the progress of onr country, and should therefore demand thoughtful consideration from all.