CHRISTMAS SPORTS, BIG BUSH.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 151, 2 January 1869, Page 3

CHRISTMAS SPORTS, BIG BUSH.

The usual spoi’ts were held at Mr. Shepherd’s Grove Hotel, Big Bush, on Saturday last, of which the following were the principal : TROTTING MATCH for .£3 a side, between P. Rush’s Mrs. Lucy, and J. Kennedy’s Punchnelln. from'ilie Grove Hotel, to the Opawa bridge and back. This race was won by Punchinello by six or seven lengths; both horses ridden by their owners. STERPLE ; CHASE.—one mile more orb-ss. Ist prize, .£3, 2nd prize, £2. Entrance 10s. Three hurdles in a paddock. Four times round. There were five entries, well won by Martin Hurt, on Tommy; a Maori lad following at a short distance ; Miss Coward 3 ; Panic 4; The Buck knocked under, nowhere. TILTING in the Ring.—lst Prize, £3,‘2nd ditto, £l. Entrance, ss. Eleven entries, won by .Tames Robinson, with .8 rings ; and a tie for the second place between Rori (native) and W. Staples, Won by Rori, with 5 rings, HALF-MII.R RACE, between Mr.Shepperd’smare Miss Coward, and Mr. Murray’s colt Sam. This match excited some attention, and was won easily by Miss Coward. Sam bolted from the start. FOOT- ACE, 100 yards. Eight entries; won by T. Murphy; W. Staples second. VAULTING With the Pole, Five entries. This was a hardly contested match, ending in a tie between T. Murphy and T. Gledhill, who divided the prize. HALF-MILE RACE, between Phillip Rush’s Mies Coward and Win. Patrick’s mure Dolly, 20s. a side. Won easily by Dolly. A wheelbarrow race followed, for which there were three entries, and won by W. Staples;- • - A Sack Race, with 4 entries, was won by T. Murphy. A variety of other lesser events succeeded, which were brouget to a close, as usual, by one known as “ Catching a pig with a greasy tail.” >No sooner had the pig started than it was caught by Rush, but some of the native fraternity, determined to have some further sport, endeavored to take . the pig from’ its captor; and one actually separated (Jhe tail, and thereby sought to establish a claim to the pig. A general melee ensued, and blows were freely exchanged by both Pakeha.and Maori, and, had the police not interferred, it is impossible even to conjee-, tore what might have taken place. .As'it was, the pig came off worst, being nearly torn to pieces, and its bowels protudedfnom a wound. It would be well if, in : any future sports, this part of the programme were omitted.-