TIMARU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1364, 23 February 1865, Page 3

TIMARU.

We have received the Herald of the 18th February. The following are the chief items of interest

The Races.—The races, which take place next week, we may say forms the one event which each year thoroughly arouses Timaru from its usual state of somnolency, and gives to the town, for a short period, an air of bustle and excitement, to which it is almost a stranger during the remainder of the year. This excitement is produced by the races themselves, and by the number of visitors who annually arrive to witness them ; so that when this cause is withdrawn, Timaru relapses into its usual state of quietude, and what may be called its ordinary condition (as far as amusements are concerned) of waiting patiently for " next year's races." During the ensuing week the merits of the different horses engaged will be determined, so that, having a due regard to the welfare of the public, our patrons, we offer our services to assist them in choosing the horses which are most worthy of receiving their support. We have therefore prepared the following list of the probable entries and winners, only prefacing it by remarking that, as the entries do not close until to-night, we have had double duty to perform, inasmuch as we have not only to name the winners, but are also compelled to guess the entries for the different races. It is quite possible that our choice of entries may be incorrect, but even should this be the case, we hope that our estimate of the horses' powers will prove tolerably correct. The first race is the Maiden Plate, of 100 sovs., and for this we expect the following six will start.—Ellesmere, Stormbird, Victor Lee, Gypsey Queen filly, and Caller Ou. Of this lot we think the first to catch the judge's eye will be Stormbird (although the distance is hardly far enough), with Ellesmere second, the Gypsey Queen filly close up. Next in order comes the Innkeepers' Purse, of 50 sovs., a race for which it is very difficult to determine the entries, but we should say that Regnum, Blink Bonny, Tom Sayers, Antonelli, and Kettledrum will start for it. From the previous running of both horses, we should imagine that it would be a close race between Blink Bonny and Tom Sayers for first, with a slight preference for Blink Bonny, Kettledrum third. The Ladies' Purse, of 65 som, will then be contested, and for this we shall expect to see a good race, if our nominees start, viz., Viscount, Merrylegs, Ellesmere, Egremont and. Victor Lee. This, Viscount ought to win, with Merrylegs (if he runs like he did two years ago) a good second, and as Ellesmere will have had enough of itin the Maiden,Egremont for third. The Hurdle Race, of 50 sovs., will bring together a field of seven, consisting of Camel, Tim Whiffler, Jessie, Red Rover, Fivey, Chance and Fury; and if these start we shall expect to see Camel first, with a good race between Tim Whiffler and Jessie for second, closely waited on by Fivey. The second day opens with the Derby, of 100 sovs.; and, although the field will be small, the race is sure to be a good one, as the runners will be Stormbird, Egremont and the Gypsey Queen filly. For this we shall place Stormbird first, Egremont next in order. The next 100 sovs. (Queen's Plate) will bring out a field of four, composed of Viscount, Merrylegs, Tom Sayers and Ellesmere; and out of these we shall choose Viscount for first and Ellesmere for second. The rest of the races are a Forced Handicap, Hack Race, Selling Stakes, Consolation Stakes and a Handicap Sweepstake, about all of which we are of course unable to say anything. The meeting is to be brought to a close on Thursday by a Steeplechase; and for which,in consequence of the time fixed for the entries to be made having been mistaken, there are only four horses entered, These are—Mr. 0. W. Oakes'Jessie, Mr. Morrison's Tim Whiffler, Mr. Ladbrooke's Red Rover, and Mr. A. R. B. Thompson's Camel. This race will be a good one, although there are so few entries, and at the finish we shall expect to see Camel first, with Jessie not far behind.

The Water Supply.-—During the past week Dr. Haast has been engaged in the geological survey of this town and neighbourhood, which, it appears, he has been prevented from performing before through the preparation of his plans, &c., for the Dunedin Exhibition having taken longer than it was at first anticipated. Dr, Haast has not yet made any report upon the subject; but when applying to the Road Board for the services of Mr. Williamson to assist him by taking some levels, he stated that in his opinion there would be no difficulty in obtaining a plentiful supply of water. We may therefore hope, if proper diligence is used in obtaining the boring apparatus, it will not be very long before the town will be as plentifully supplied with water as its necessities require. The Race Balls.—Next week, those who feel inclined to " trip the light fantastic toe" will have ample opportunity afforded them of so doing, for there are in contemplation no less than four balls. The annual race ball is to take place on Thursday evening, when no doubt many will avail themselves .of the occasion thus afforded " to chase the glowing hours with flying feet." This and the succeeding one are under the management of Mr. Green, of the Royal Hotel; the other two will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, by Mr. Butterworth, of the Queen's Hotel.