WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 816, 8 January 1867, Page 2

WAIROA.

(from our own correspondent.) Clyde, January 4, 1867. There is never a rule without an exception, and the rule made and provided with reference to pic-nics, races, and all other out of door merry meetings is that it must rain, but we had the exception on this occasion, for a more lovely day could scarcely be wished for — a clear sky and just enough of a gentle breeze from the southward to keep the air cool. Our little settlement presented a very gay appearance, every available boat, canoe, or horse being in requisition to transport the inhabitants to the race-course, which is situated at Tureroa, about four miles from the township, and which presented a wonderfully gay appearance on the occasion. Refreshmentbooths were erected on the ground by Messrs. Taylor and Planner, and, although beer and liquor were good and plentiful, yet it was not altogether a "two days' drunk ;" in fact, taking all things into consideration, it has seldom been my lot to witness such a well conducted meeting. I did not hear of a single disturbance on the course the whole day which, to say the least, was very extraordinary. lam sorry to say that two horses were, unfortunately, killed but in both instances the riders were unhurt. One aspiring youth (a Maori) got an ugly purl in the second race, but, with the exception of a black eye, cut head, and a few other slight abrasions, he is as lively as ever. 1 have given you below but a slight sketch of the races, as a more able hand than mine has already sent down a full account of the whole proceedings. • Hurdle Eacb. — 2 miles — one event — over six flights. Prize s&lO with entrance of 10s. Cooper's " Rattlesnake." Harraer's "Jack." fan Blanche's " Vivandiero." McNnmee's "Weka." Karauvia's " Rcrevangi." The horses started well, each, apparently, wishing the other to take the first jump. The Maori horse (Rererangi) singled out and made for the first hurdle and refused it, causing Jack, who closely followed him, to' take his jump sideways, thereby landing his rider cjxiietly on the ground but holding on by the bridle for about 15 yards when he again mounted, none the worse for the purl. Rattlesnake and Vivandiere then went off, taking their jumps almost together until the second time round when Vivandiere came to grief at the second hurdle, leaving Rattlesnake the race entirely his own ; but, coming up to the last hurdle, instead of taking him quietly over (what he should have done, the race being entirely in his own hands) he rushed him at it with a loose rein, when both horse and rider came to the ground, the former never to rise again, the poor beast having broken his neck on the spot. It is not as yet decided by the stewards who is the winner of this race, objections having been raised as to the fair running of some of the claimants for the prize. From

severnl causes the hurdle race was a failure. I Q the first place two miles was too much for untrained horses ; the hurdles again were to* low, and being built of strong timber and only a single rail, looked to all appearances very weak but ffere in reality quite the contrary. But wi must not complain as everything was got up very suddenly and the stewards all acted for the best, whatever errors in judgment there may have been. Too great praise cannot be given to W. Richardson, Esq., Treasurer and Secretary, for his indefatigable exertions from the very commencement of the races to the end ; he was here, there, and everywhere, maintaining order and conducting things as they should be. Taking the meeting all together every body must be bound to acknowledge that it was a " decided success." Second Race. Tbial Stakes.— \\ mile— one event. Prize £10 with entrance of £1. Seven horses started. Kerei's Witimoa," 1 Karaitiftua's " Rangipoui'i," 2 Ferguson's " Zillab?' Preece's "Jerry." Stopford's ".General." Black's "Bob ßoy." Powdrell's Marohioness." A good race for the first half mile between Witimoa and Rangipouri, when Witimoa went away and won, easily distancing the rest. Third Eaoe. Waxroa Stakes.— 2 miles. Prize £15 with entrance of £1. .T. E. W.s " Ranpatira" - - 1 Goldsmith's " King of Trumps," - 2 Pan Blanche's Vivandiere." Paora's "Ikapula." Karauria's " Rererangi." Rererangi making a false start bolted, threw his rider, and was not brought back iv time ; the rest started without him. Ikaputa's rider lost his stirrup leather at the distance post and was thrown. A capital race then ensued between Rangatira and the. King of Trumps, but the former's pace being too good for the King, he had to succumb, letting Rangatira win easily by ten.lengths. Vivandiere distanced. Fourth Kacc. Scurry Stakes.— l mile heat*. Prize £10 with entrance of £1. Wi Tiki's "Turepona," - - 1 Goldsmith's " King of Trumps," - ii Heta's " Te Kau Maona." Kerei's " Kerei" Dejghton's " Bob." Powdrell's ." Marchioness." First heat won by Kerei with great diculty, pressed hard by Turepona and the King. Second heat. — Whilst going round a horse ridden by one of the Military Settlers bolted with him across the course at the same moment that Kerei, the winner of the first heat, • was coming in ; struck severely ; Kerei staggered a few yards and dropped dead ; Turepona winning this heat but pressed hard by the King. Third heat. — Won with great difficulty by Turepona, the King close upon his heels. Fifth Eace. Forced Handicap.— l mile. Prize £5 with entrance of £1. Five horses started. G. B. W.s" Rangatira," - - I Kerei's " Witimoa" '£ Karauria's " Rererangi." Stopl'ord's'," General." Preece's " Jerry." The best contested race of the meeting, all the'horses keeping well together to the end and won with difficulty by Rangatira by half a length. A cricket match was played the day before yesterday (Tuesday) between eleven of the Hawke's Bay Military Settlers and eleven' of PI. M. 12th Regt., stationed in this place, the military settlers proving victorious by 42 runs. . I have neither time or space to give you the particulars of the game by this post. The ketch ' Taraipene,' J. Carrol, owner, came in here on Sunday last and crossed the bar nearly at low water without any difficulty. (raOiM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.) Wairoa, New Year's Day. Either in deference to the day or out of consideration to the ladies, the Clerk of the Weather, who for the last week or more, has done nothing but smother us with dust, and parch our existence by a constant succession of westerly winds, ordered the "hand at the bellows," for this occasion only, to treat the public to " gentle airs." Whatever the inducement, we, the public aforesaid, were duly grateful for the old gentleman's courtesy ; and the ladies, as in duty bound, attended the meet, their fair persons decked in their finest feathers. A marquee had been placed at their disposal (by the direction of the officer in command of the Military Settlers), in view of the winning post, so that they were enabled to see the events of the clay in comfort. The whole of the arrangements were well conducted, and the day a decided success. The course was well marked, cleared, and in tolerable condition ; and the cattle, although little better than grass fed, and untrained, put in a respectable appearance. " Aunt Sally " was present, but met with few admirers. Mr. Taylor, of the Clyde Hotel, and Mr. Harnier, of the Ravenswood Arms, both had booths on the ground, an accommodation of whicL the majority of those present liberally availed themselves. The first race on the card was the Hurdre Race, two miles, over seven flights of hurdles, 3 feot M. Painblanc's Vivandiere l Mr. O. Manner's Jack "2 Mr. \V. Couper's Rattlesnake, killed ... (I Mr. J. McNamee's Weka 0 Kurauria's Rercrangi, bolted o " Opinion" was in favor of Rere rangi, who certainly was by far the finest looking animal on the course, and displayed the greatest appearance of training ; good looks, however, availed him nothing, as he carried his rider off on a distant expedition before a start could be effected. Couper's horse whs winning easily, being nearly a quarter of a mile ahead as he neared the last hurdle, at which his rider rashly urged him above his speed ; the race was in his grasp when he toed the rail, pitched on his head, broke his nock, and died as Vivandiere galloped through the gap — sic transit. Trial Stakes, ono and a half miles. Kerei's Te Witimoa 1 lvaraitiana's Nga rangi pourj 2 Mr. Stopfovrt's General 0 Mr. Prcoce's Jcrrv 0 Mr. Black's Rob Roy 0 Mr. Eerpusson's Zillah 0 Mr. Powdrell's Marchioness 0 This race all through lay between the first and second horses. Mr. Preece's pony was evidently sick, otherwise the race might have hud a different termination. Waieoa Stakes, two miles.' M>v Worgan names Rangatira L Mr. Goldsmith's Kin}? of Trumps ... lvamurja'B Rorerangi, bolted 0 Karauria's Turiuono, drawn 0 Paora kai nui's Ekaputa, rider thrown at starting • 0 At. Painblnnc's Vivandiere ...• ... 0 Rere rangi was again the favourite,- but

his, proud' stomach disdained, restraint, and :- > off he went a second time, carrying his hump-backed rider to . remote ; pastures. Ekaputa looked well, but the stirrup breaking, his rider was thrown, and we had no opportunity of judging of his metal. King ' of Trumps, a staunch horse, had only arrived the day previously from Turanga ; neither he nor the mare had a chance throughout; . Scurey Stakes, one mile heats. VKarauria's Turipono ... 2 11 : : Kerei's Kerei, killed 10 0 Karauria's Rererangi, not up to tiino 0 0 0 Keta's Te kau maono 0 Q 0 Mr. McNaraee's Weka 0 0 0 - Mr. Deighton'a Bob 0 0 0 Mr. Goldsmith's King of Trumps... 000 Mr, Powdrell's Marchioness ... 0 0 0 The horse Kerei, stood a good chance of winning, when a mare riding across the course, cannoned against him and killed him on the spot. Kere rangi did not appear to time, being otherwise engaged some miles up the country. Bob was too fat, and Tv ripono was under any circumstances too many for the rest of the squad. Forced Handicap, one mile. Mr. Worgan names Rangativa ... ... 1 Keroi's Witimoa 2Karauria's Rererangi 0 Mr. Preece's Jerry ... 0 M. Painblanc's Vivandiere, drawn ... 0 Karauria's Turipono, drawn 0 Mr. Hatmer'a Jack .' 0 Undoubtedly the race of the meeting. This time Mr. John Powdrell mounted Rererangi, and in his strong and experienced hands the horse found his master ; what could be got out of him his rider took, bxit it helped him nothing against the gallant bay. The mile was done under a minute and a half; and Rangitira, who started last, gradually passed his horses and rushed by the post a winner by several lengths, followed by Witimoa and Rererangi ; the rest were somewhere. Hack .Race, one mile. Mr. Mitchell's Blueskin • 1 Captain Wilson's Nainu ... '2 Mr. Carroll's TJralhne 0 Mr. Burbon's Four Pound 0 Rauko's Hau Hau ... 0 Mr. Preece, who had patiently ridden several losers, at last was rewarded by a • victory. The Turanga pony, iNamu, ran him close ; indeed the whole were in a cluster all round the course, Blueskin and Namu only drawing out at the finish. In conclusion, thanks are due to Mr. W. Richardson, for a very excellent day's sport ; upon his shoulders mainly fell all the trouble of preparation, and to him is due the very decided success which marked the day's proceedings. Although there was abundance of liquor, and a very heterogeneous gathering of Maories, soldiers* military settlers, and civilians, there . was scarcely any drunkenness and no quarrelling. The bell rang for the first race at twelve o'clock, and by seven in the evening all was over, and the tired crowd dispersed homewards. Mr. Stopford made an excellent Judge, and Mr. J. Powdrell's ability as a starter needs no comment. "No thanks to him, sure its himself that knows how to. do it." Some few things might have been better, and doubtless will be better another year. Amongst the stewards, for instance, I think Mr. Carroll had an undue share of the work put upon him, but he took it cheerfully, and like a man willing to do aught , to contribute to the public amusement. Much sympathy was expressed for poor Couper's loss and disappointment. Hard fate, to' have the prize snatched from his grasp by an accident in the moment of victory. Mr. S. Deighton, with prompt kindness, is talcing steps to furnish more substantial evidence of sympathy than mere barren expressions of commiseration. Saturday next is settling day, and the amount of money set apart for each raca is not yet known. The total subscriptions reachejd something like £70. However, "Le Sport " was the thing sought for and found, to the contentment of everybody, so let the pecuniary topic "go hang." A cricket match came off on the following day, between the military settlers at the Turiroa Camp, and the men of the 12th regiment stationed at Clyde, resulting in a victory by the military settlers, under the leadership of Ensign Richardson, who again distinguished himself by, bis efforts to make the thing go off well. There was nothing specially noticeable about the play. The fielding of the military settlers was much superior to that of their opponents; the wicket-keeping- of W. Watson was worthy of all praise, nothing seemed " too hot or too heavy" for his ready hands. Mr. Richardson's bowling was instrumental in bringing a majority of his opponents to grief, of which Wakefield made the largest score in both innings. Indeed nearly half the total is clue to his bat. There were no ladies present, so that the inducement to the Clerk of the Weather on ths previous day was made manifest by his puffing, blowing, and dusting the vile male sex in the most persevering and exemplary manner ; in short, lie was evidently out of humour at the non-attendance of the " fair." [The score of the above match will appear in next Saturday's issue.]