GREYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10237, 4 January 1894, Page 2

GREYMOUTH.

[FROM OTJB OWN CORRESPONDENT,! Greymouth, Jan.~l. EXHIBITION NOTES.

For the past week the town has been enfete. The gay decorations of the shops, the strange faces of the numerous visitors, the flags continually flying, and the bands as constantly playing, all betoken that something more than usual is going on. The regular train service has resulted in a steady flow of visitors from Eeefton, Hokitika, Grey Valley, Kumam and intervening places ; and the town, as a natural sequence, has an air of activity not seen for some time past. Chief amongst the attractions is the exhibition, whose doors have opened daily to a constant stream of people from all parts of the colony, and now that all the exhibits have been placed in position, the sight is one well worth seeing. The attendance haa more than come up to the anticipations of the promoters, and success is, therefore, now an assured fact. The grounds are comfortably filled with people every evening, and the various attractions have all in turn boea well patronised, the switchback railway in particular receiving much attention. The art gallery is a charming resort. The committee, however, neglected to issue an official catalogue until today, bo that hitherto it haa been impossible to distinguish or criticise the works; butthe pride Of place must undoubtedly be given to the Dunedin pictures, which are admired over and over again by enthusiasts. In the exhibition itself is a capital little theatre, with proscenium, stage, scenery and appointments complete; and here Mr E. W. Seager, from your city, has been busy catering for the public amusement throughout the past week. He haa given no less than sis entertainments (two of which were to children) and that these have been but moderately attended is due not to any fault of his, but to the fact of the weather keeping so extraordinarily fine during the holidays; for the evenings are now so cool; the moonlight so inviting, that people prefer rather to meander round the grounds than to crowd into a hot room. But if Mr Seager’o audiences were not so numerous as one could wish, they were certainly enthusiastic and ardent in their commendations of his skill as a conjurer, and of the beauty of his charming views, shown with exquisite limelight effect. It seems, after all, we are to have the august presence of his Excellency the Governor, together with his suite, and elaborate preparations are to be made next week at the exhibition for his reception. Concerts, balls and banquets are the chief items of an interesting programme. With the arrival of the Vice-Regal party, a second influx of distinguished visitors is expected. THE RACES. The racecourse at the inland mining town of Eeefton presented a very pretty appearance on Boxing Day, the races being held under the most favourable auspices. The entries for the various events were large, and the course was in splendid condition. Upwards of a thousand people journeyed from Qreymouth and intervening stations to Eeefton and had a capital day’s outing, although the local sportsmen were consistent winners. The moot popular wins on Tuesday were thoee of Mr Walker’s pair, Eegalia and Geraint, in the Hurdles and the laangahua Gup respectively, the fine jumping of the one and the game running of the other being the theme of admiration. A word of praise must be given to Geraint’s jockey, who rode throughout the big contest with cool judgment. Mr Kennedy with Ahaura was also successful, this well-known racer winning both the President’s Handicap and the West Coast Produce Race. The second day’s rsess were held under the same favourable circumstances, the attendance of the public being larger than on the first day. The Miners’Handicap was won by Ahaura, the Hurdles by Ee g alia, the Handicap Hack Race by Freeborn, and the Midsummer Handicap by Daisy Clipper, with r. couple of lengths to spare from Geraint, Von Tampsky a good third. The Boatmen’s Handicap fell to Geraint, During the two days over £6OOO passed through the totalisator. The three owners who won the most money at the meeting areM. Walker, .£250 ; T. O’Neill, £167 10s 5 and J. Kennedy, £BS. Saturday was a red-letter day with the Grey mouth Jockey Club, for never before bad its racscourse at Oaaotumotu looted so pretty or bean so wall patronised. Thanks to the charming weather, the exhibition and other attractions here daring these holidays, the course was thronged withpeopie, and presented an animated appearance. Amongst the visitors were the Hon E. J. Seddon, Mrs Seadon and Miss M. Seddon, The races were exciting and the finishes close, the most interesting contest, perhaps, being tho Midsummer Handicap, in which Von Tempsky and Geraint ran neck and neck down the straight. The race was considered a “moral” for the late Christchurch horse, but the knowing ones i were once more doomed to disappointment, for with the prettiest bit of riding of the day the jockey on Von Tempsky succeeded, when about one hundred yards from the post, in getting his horse in front of tho favour ltd and winning by a nose. A capital day’s racing passed off without a single hitch. The appointments at tho course were good and the officials worked zealously, although a little more attention to punctuality in getting the races run would be commendable. During the afternoon, at the stewards’ luncheon, the healths of the Premier and Mrs Seddon were duly honoured, and the Hon Mr Seddon, in returning thanks, extended a similar compliment to the stewards of the club. AMUSEMENTS. The second annual gathering of the Grey Caledonian Society was held in Victoria Park on Dec. 29, in the presence© f a large number of people. With a lovely day and excellent contests, the sports were most successful. The Sheffield Handicap (140ydo) was won by Pankhurst, but only after he had been pushed to the utmost by Bioxage, who ran gamely throughout tho day, and finished up by running two

dead bents with the ultimata winner. Pankhurst being the stronger runner was able to last better than bis opponent, and on the third trial for the final succeeded in claiming first honours. The handicapping was good, and the result was that close finishes were frequent. In the evening the Lynch Family of Bellringers opened in the Public Hall to a moderate house, and the Kennedy Dramatic Company plsyd My Partner in the Volunteer Hall to a first-class audience. The piece went well, the genial J. J. Kennedy, as usual, scoring heavily with the “ gods.” On New Year’s Eve the town was illuminated with coloured lights, and almost every house was decorated with Chinese lanterns, Tainui Street particularly looking brilliant with the long rows of lighted lanterns hung on tho verandahs. A capital display of fireworks by the members of the local Fire Brigade was given to usher in the New Year. Finer weather for the holidays has not been known on the Coast for ten years or more.