ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 91, 19 March 1877, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

The number of visitors who arrived in Reefton up to noon on Saturday was quite up to any preceding occasion. The weather was threatening from an early hour in the morning, but fortunately the ruin kept off until,late in the afternoon. kt about 9 a.m. the members of the Hibernian Society mustered at Williams Hotel, and shortly afterwards marched in procession to the Catholic Chapel, where the Rev Father Carew preached a most able and instructive sermon appropriate to the occasion. The members, headed by the band, then returned to their lodge room, where they separatfld. The sports in Smith's paddock commenced at midday, there being between five and seven hundred persons on the ground. The Ist event was the 100 yards of the Grand Handicap, for which fourteen entered. The following started for the first heat :— Webber, 4 yds 1 Twohill, 5 yds 2 Murphy, 2 yds 0 Vaughan, 8 yds 0 Deianey, 3 yds 0 T. Williams, 3 yds 0 Thorburn, 9 yds 0 Twohill made the running to within a few yards of the tape, when Webber shot past him and came in as above. For the second heat the following ran :— T. Cocbrane, 8 yds ... ... 1 King, 6 yds 2 D. Cochraue, 6 yds 0 W. Williams, 11yds 0 Craig, 9 yds ° Green, 11 yds 0 T. Cochrane got well away at the start, and kept his distance to the finish, winning easily. The deciding heat was thus left with Webber, D. Towhill,- Kin*, and T. t Cocbrane. The race was a decidedly good one throughout, Webber winning nar. nowly. Webber 1 D. Twohill 2 T. Cochrane 3 King 4 The next event was the Reeftoc Champion Race, £20 ; open to all comers. Distances, 150, 250, and 400 yards ; points, 5,3, aud 1. First prize, £13; second, £5 ; third, £2; entrance, ss. 150 YABDS HEAT. T.Williams 1 Webber 2 P. Twohill 3 Deianey ... 0 Murphy 0 D. Morrison 0 W. Morrison ... ..." ... O This was an excellent race, Williams winning by about a yard. Standing Flat Jump. First prize, £2; second, £1. Dornan 1 Ifeaphey 2 Doyle aud King also contested. 600 yards Grand Handicap. T. Cochrane, 50 yds 1 D. lVohilt, 23 yds 2 Doyle, scratch 3 Vaughan, 13 yds 4 Murphy, T. Williams, Deianey, King, Thorburn, Craig, Green, and Williams also ran. T. Cochrane, with the long start he had, managed to keep ahead to the finish, and won by about six yards. Boys Race, handicap, for boys under 14 years of age. First prize, £1; second 10s; third, ss. About fourteen entered for this race, which was well contested, 6. Williams coming in firstHandicap Hurdle Eace, 300 yards.—lst prize, £5; 2nd, £2; 3rd, £1. The following is the handicap :— King, 12 yards 1 Fletcher, 15yds 2 Doyle, scratch ... 3 D. Cochrane, 5 yds 0 D. Williams, 5 yds 0 Murphy, 8 yds 0 T. Brown, 14 yds 0 A good start was effected and all the men cleared the first hurdle, but at the second hurdle Murphy kissed the ground, and was virtually ouji of the race. Coming towards the last jump Doyle had got into the front rank, but unfortunately for him in clearing the hurdle he was thrown down, and thus lost several yards. He was, however, up and off again in an in* stant, and managed to creep into third place at the finish , Had Doyle not been thrown the race would have been a gift to him. Half-Mile Race. First prize, £6; second, £3; third, £1, Doyle, scratch 1 Vaughan, 8 yds ... 2 King, 30 yds 3 Deianey, 8 yds 4 The rain which had been hanging about all the day now commenced to fall in earnest, and in a very few minutes the ground was deserted, and the last two events on the programme had to be postponed. The provision made for dancing appeared to give graat satisfaction, and contributed in a very great degree to the enjoyment and amusement of those present. The booths appeared to be well patro* nised, and it is worthy of remark that not a single case of drunkenness or rowdyism occurred.