HOLIDAY SPORTS AT THE THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4408, 30 December 1875, Page 3

HOLIDAY SPORTS AT THE THAMES.

The great demonstration by the Friendly Societies in aid of the Thames Hospital failed to come off on Monday at the Parawai Gardens, owing to the very wet weather. The event is, however, to take place on Saturday. On Monday evening the Foresters met, and marched with, banners, escorted by bands of music, to St. George's Hall, where a soiree and ball took place, and was a great success so far as the attendance was concerned. On Tuesday, the first day for sports and races at Tararn, the day broke faiv, and betokened a fine day. All sorts of vehicles were in requisition, as well as the tramway carriages, and a large number footed it out; the sun beaming forth its rays to the gratification of all, strongly in contrast with the previous day. The public while regretting the opportunity ef assisting the hospital, made up their minds to enjoy themselves, and during the day not less than 2500 made their way to Tararu, -where refreshments were provided, on the flat, and strawberries and cream inside the gardens, which were patronised by upwards of 1400 people, and formed one of the prettiest sights to be afforded in the province, the hill being covered from top to bottom with men, women, and children in all their varied garments, relieved by the shrubbery and flowers adorning this choice spot. The sports themselves were not up to expectations, being confined to horse racing. Mr. Wardell as clerk of the course, in the orthodox rig, and Mr. Henry Kawdon as clerk of the scales. The first event proved a walk over for Mr. Bobbett's Titiko, value £10, Mr. Mcßoberts' Belle being withdrawn at the last hour. This caused a deal of grumbling, which was not lessened after a long interval by the Belle, Titiko, and Mr. Walters's Medea starting for the Tararu Plate, value £50. A good start was effected, but Titiko came to grief in a soft part of the course, and threw himself and rider in the mud. Medea made a mistake in pulling up, believing he had gone the wrong side of one of the posts, Belle -went round the course leisurely. A protest was entered by Mr. Walters that the Belle had not kept the course. The judges declared it no race. Great dissatisfaction. The race to be run again. But the Belle was taken off the list, and matched for any further event by Mr. Woolfield, on account of the owner. The two horses then went away, and Medea lauded apparently a winner, but it turned out that the brute had again mistaken the right side of a post, and Bobbett's Titiko was awarded the prize. This heaped chagrin upon the disappointment. However, the; next event improved the public temper a, trifle. A very clever hurdle race ensued, in which Power's Minnie Athol, Grace's Native, Bobbett's Arrow, and Ehrenfiied's Bismarck competed for £20. The two first horses took the hurdles splendidly, and the race of 2 miles was one of interest, terminating in Minnie Athol, closely followed by JNativc, landing a winner, but thoroughly broken down, scarcely able to hobble to the weigh-ing-yard, where it was found that her fore foot was slipped out of joint, and for the last half-mile had run on three legs, amid the cheers of the spectators.—The ladies' Purse, for £20, was next run for by Casey's Potentate and the Arrow, which proved an easy victory for the first-named, the Arrow being drawn from the Hurdle Bace.—The next race caused some interest. Five entries for the Pony Race, £10; and was carried off by McGuire's Mailboy, beating a pony expressly brought from Auckland. —The last event, Hack Race, £10, was well started with six horses ; three made capital running, and the prize fell to Eenata's Tauraki, after which everybody made tracks to Grahamstown.— [Thames Correspondent.]