The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1867. THE WAKAPUAKA STEEPLECHASE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 96, 26 April 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1867. THE WAKAPUAKA STEEPLECHASE.

This eveut, which for some time past has created no little excitement in sporting circles in this community, came off yesterday on the Flats at Wakapuaka. The weather was all that could be desired for the occasion, and doubtless operated powei'fully in attracting so large a concourse of visitors to the scene of action. All the surrounding eminences which commanded a view of the sport, were thickly peopled with spectators, whilst a large number of equestrians thronged the course, -where we were also gratified to observe a large representation of the belles of Nelson, both on horseback and in carriages : The fairest of the land were there, To watch the struggle of the year ; And blushing cheek and kindling eye Lent brightness to the sun on high. In fact, the scene reminded us forcibly of a country meeting conveued for the celebration of similar sports in the old couutry. The course, which was oblong in figure and three miles long, was very moist — to use a mild term, — and consisted of two or three made fences, followed by a double ditch and bank, then by several fences of an ordinary description, and, on the return home, opposite the Black Horse, by a most formidable flight of rails surmounting a bank, which was evidently intended to try the utmost capabilities of the horses ; then came a double ditch and bank, and then a wide but shallow water-jump, the color of which was hardly to be distinguished from that of the surrounding ground. We may observe that the accommodation on the course was most meagre ; and from the crowd of thirsty souls we saw thronging the solitary refreshment booth, we are probably not alone in expressing our hope that this de-

fieiency may be remedied on a future occasion. We are happy to state tbat no accidents occurred of any consequence, though the Coroner was on the course, doubtless prepared to execute bis functions impromptu had they been called into requisition.

A good deal of delay occurred in Ibe starting for tbe first steeplechase, and it was not until balf an hour after the advertised time — 1 o'clock, that tbe signal vas given in truly primitive fa°hion, we suppose "after the manner of the ancients," by a man beating a hammer inside a tin pail- Only three horses showed at the starting post, the grey gelding Harkaway. ridden by Captain Harvey Spiller, wbo started wi'h the orisons of all belles of Nelson enlisted iu bis behalf, Mr. Warren's Ilau-hau, ridden by Mr. M'Solvin, and Mr. Trimble's Gipsy, piloted by Mr. G. Stephenson. A fair start was effected, Harkaway faking tbe lead, but tbe pace was so slow at first, that we could not but surmise tbat ali thiee bad tacitly determined to make ita "waiting" race. Gipsy came to grief at the fourth fence, and after that was practically out of tbe race, the heavy ground and the weight on her back evideutly telling upon the game little mare. Harkaway kept the lead gallantly, taking his fences iu a style that elicited the warmest praise from the connoisseurs present, until, unfortunately, he mistook the course, and had to retrace his way by a long distance which he never quite recovered. On coming in, however, it was found that the rider of Hau -hau was deficient in weight, and the race was consequently given to Harkaway.

The spectators were then gratified by a sight of the well-known colors of the Hednesford and Auuesbrook stables, in a race, distance two miles, between Mr. Henry Redwood's Golden Cloud, carrying 9st. 61bs., and ridden by Sam Powell, and Mr. H. H. Stafford's Omen, carrying Bst., and ridden by Bright. This was one of the best races we have ever witnessed ; Golden Cloud went away with the lead, which he increased the first time round by two lengths. On going rouud the second time, Omen came up, and at the distance took the lead by half a length, which sbe kept until within 20 yards of the post, when Golden Cloud made a rush and won cleverly by a head. Indeed so close was the contest, that the general impression was that Omen had won, and the backers of Golden Cloud were evidently very agreeably surprised when the result was announced by the Judge. This was followed by a galloway match between Mr. A. S. Collins's chesnut pony Sam and Mr. Helps's black pony Minna, which was one of the most amusing incidents in the day's proceedings. The chesnut led off at a tremendous pace, heading his adversary by at least a quarter of a mile, and the race to ali appearances was a fait accompli, when the black pony, ridden by M'Glashen, gradually gained ground, and at the distauce placed herself at the quarters of the chesnut, making it a neck-and-neck race, until the pair were close to the post, when she won very pluckily by about a length. The second steeplechase brought the same three horses again to the posr, Harkaway carrying lst, lOlbs. extra, and differed materially from its predecessor inasmuch as, instead of being a " waiting" race, the rider of the Hauhau seemed determined to try his horse's powers to the utmost at tbe commencement of the contest. His steed however, persistently refused to jump the first few fences, unless led, aud Gipsy, after the third fence, took a good lead, but very soon baulked and threw her rider, and, as in the first race, never showed again. Hauhau now led, the overweighted Harkaway beiug judiciously held until at the second fence from home, when, being called upon by his rider, he rapidly caught up his adversary. Unfortunately, however, as they both took the water-jump together, they cannoned, and in spite of the efforts of the gallant Captain, Harkaway fell, and of course lost tbe race, when quite close to the post. A Hack Race, won by Mr. Bradley's Sprightly, (ridden by P. Martin), beating six others, which was the source of great amusement to the general public, concluded the day's programme, and the mud flats of Wakapuaka are now left to their primeval solitude. The sport during the day was, unquestionably, of such a character as to encourage the projectors of this meeting in organizing a similar one on some future occasion, when we cannot doubt that a more liberal response, on the part of the

sporting public, will reward their exertions, since there is every reason to believe tbat, had longer notice been given of these races, far more numerous entries would have been the result.

We understand tbat the Governor visited the Nelson Institute on Monday last, where be was engaged for some time, inspecting the library and reading-room, and also the various objects of interest in tbe Museum. His Excellency was pleased to express himself much gratified both with tbe collection itself and with its arrangement, but his attention was especially directed to the Maori arms and •implements which, he suggested, should be grouped together. A rude stone figure, found at Taranaki, and presented to ti'e institution by Mr. Flight, of that place, seemed to possess peculiar interest in his Excellency's eyes. We believe that (be fignre is of high antiquity, and is supposed to belong to a period anterior to the invasion of these islands by its present inhabitants, who, as many of our readers are probably aware, never carve in stone. We are informed that Sir George possesses a similar figure in his collection at Kawau, but tbat he is of opinion tbat tbe specimen in our Museum is of still greater antiquity. The Governor, in reference to this object, expressed a desire that it should be photographed, in order to perpetuate this rude but venerable relic of the earliest inhabitants of the colony. We may add that Dr. Hector has kindly offered to present to the Museum a series of duplicate specimens of the various rocks, &c, which he may meet with in the course of his present mineralogical survey on the West Coast. These will constitute a very valuable acquisition to the Museum, and two double and four single cases are now placed in the Library ready for their reception.

We regret to state that an accident, which, if not of a serious character, must involve very painful consequences, occurred to Mi. Thomas Stanton, the eldest son of our respected townsman, Mr. W. M. Stanton, whilst shooting with Mr. Henry Walmsley, in the Brook-street Valley this morning, about 11 o'clock. It appears that the two lads were crossing a ditch, when Mr. Stanton's carbine caught in the bushes, and discharged its contents under the armpit of his right arm. For some little time he was not sensible that he had been wounded, and his attention was first directed to the fact by the smoke proceeding from the burning sleeve of his coat. He was able, however, to walk dowu to town, and is now under the care of Dr. Cotterell. It is hoped tbat tbe shot has not injured any vital part, though, of course, at present it would be impossible to pronounce any decided opinion upon tbe subject.

We learn that Mr. James Sturt, who, it will be remembered, was lately fiued £50 for a breach of the Licensing Act, committed at the last Nelson races, has received a communication from the Resident Magistrate, informing.him that his Excellency the Governor has-, been pleased to remit a portion ofthe fine;inflicted, namely, £45. The balance, £5, has been paid into court by Mr. Sturt. '„' - ■

The friends and neighbors of Mr. Jacob Batey, of Appleby (who purposes leaving the colony for England by the next mail steamer via Panama), have decided on offering that gentleman a farewell dinner, as a tribute of their high regard for him as a colonist of long standing, and of their regret at his approaching departure. The dinner will take place this evening at the Star and Garter Hotel, Biehmond, and will, doubtless, be numerously attended.

We learn by telegram that the Kaikoura left Wellington for Sydney, at 6 a.m. to-day.