THE RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4482, 25 March 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE RACES.

: The'iMaoris of this district are passionately fond of horses, and, judging from what I saw on the racecourse, their breed would be hard to beat. The consequence.of this love of .the noble animal is, that it is found desirable sto gratify .their desire ,srith horse' raciqg occasionally, and the excitement attendant thereon, is here, the usual concomitants .of betting .And drinking are noticeable »by their absence. The race-, course was a pattern for others. Not an! angry word-was to be heard,' or a tipsy person to be seen, but, on the contrary, it was a! model of propriety, and the most fastidious: person would,not object to grace the pro-! ceedings withAheir presence. That such a' degree of. order, and propriety could be wit- ! nessed on a .£ could scarcely imagine,.and it\WOuld be unjus»t to avoid expressing a. ,few >words of admiration of the Rev. Mr. Gittos, who by his labours among the --native race Has conduced to bring about such a state of things. The subscriptions from the Maoris and Europeans amounted to £52 2s, which, with the entrance money of £19 10s, made a total sum of £71125, all of which was paid over at the close of the races. It was very amusing to see the xapidity with which the chief Adam Clarke spread out a blanket and un-< loosed a large bundle of notes, and in a very few minutes had cleared off the liabilities of the day. In the evening there was a dance in Adam Clarke's large meeting-house. Again the conduct of the Maorisw/as such as to call forth admiration. There were only two or three Europeans present, the room •being almost exclusively occupied by the Maoris. There was a regular programme, Mr. Hazard, the schoolmaster, acting as master of ceremonies and every dance passed off as* correctly as could be .seen in any ball-room. The dresses of the wahines were really neat, not gaudy, attention having been paid to the blending of .colours, and' there was an absence of those showy dresses, &c., which are usually a portion of the Maori apparel. Every wahine wore white kids, and a wreath of flowers on her rich black flowing hair. One exception, however, this was a visitor, who, for -want of something better, had borrowed a confirmation cap, which created a smile on many a brown countenance. The conduct of .the young rangatiras was good, and the etiqutte each one displayed in engaging or promenading his partner, spoke volumes for the attention they paid to the lessons taught by their instructors, Mr. and Mrs. Hazard. First Race. Two miles. First prize, £12 ; second, £3. Mr Minefield's Rattan .. .. ..1 Mr Turion's Babbit 2 Mr Sarah's Young Performer .. .. 0 Winner hard held. Seco>*i> Race (Maori). Two miles. First prize, £11; second, £3. Mr Clark's Kararua X Mr Philip's Brandy % Mr Turton's Blood Rojal .. .. .. q Splendid race between the winners ; but in the straight run home the winner sheared ahead, and won by li lengths. Third Race. Two miles. 3st prize £3: 2nd, £2. Erlmiha's Rira ■» Turton's Rabbit .. j) ** o Mooiiey's Tommy a Clark's Black Diomond .. " \\ q A good race, -winning by three lengths. Fourth, Pony Race. Four miles. Ist prize £6; 2nd, £2. Philips' Brandy .. .. ## j Remuera's Comet V. 2 Mehaha's Maid of Mist .. .1 ** o . Perana's Mickey Free • .. * q A splendid race between the Wo first, Brandy and Comet ; the judges differing in their decision as to which passed fche goal, the stakes were therefore decided. Fifth, Hurdle Race. Two miles. Ist ; prize, £4; 2nd, £1. Perana's Mickey Free l ■ Natbau's Kaipoai 2 | Pateue's Blood Royal .. .. 0 Blood .Royal was the favourite, but the rider could not get a ran out of him until it was' too late. i President, Mr. A. Clarke; Judge, R. Hill, Esq.; Starter, Capt. Seymour.