EASIER MOMDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5729, 29 March 1880, Page 5

EASIER MOMDAY.

To-day, being Easter M-mdny, will bo generally observed as a heli'i-iy. All public olfices and the principal places of business will be closed. There will be a great variety of amusements provides for those who desire some diversion. Some of these wiil be in the immediate neighbourhood of the city, aud others at some distance. The following, if the weather prove favourable, will be the chief sources of enjoyment for the pleasure seekers :— THE HENDERSON'S MILL RACES. The club this year wisely selected one of our most popular public holdidays as the day on which their annual race meeting should take place, and there are mauy extraneous circumstances which will assist in making the meeting a more successful one than any that has yet taken place. Chief amongst those is the fact that the first section of the Ivai para railway from Newmarket to Waikomiti (within about two miles of the racecourse) will be opened to day for traffic. This will afford unusual facilities for citizens and others to be present, and we observe that the railway authorities have fixed the fares at the minimum—namely, 2s 9d for first-class, and Is lOd for secondclass. The train will leave Auckland at 10.40 a.m., returning from Waikomiti at G p.m. The club also has been successful in making several alterations which will be greatly appreciated. There was a sharp turn in the course which greatly impeded the races. Thi3 has been removed, and a good sweep, on which horses can maintain their speed, has been substituted. The grand stand has also been altered in a way which will suit the public convenience. The bar entrance which used to face the course has been closed. The offic;r3 hitherto have been greatly impeded in their duties by th= crowds that congregate round the bar on the course, but such interruptions are obviated by the present arrangements. The race meeting itaelf gives greater promise of Buccess than any former programme presented—the entries being more numerous. The class of horses entered are better, and the general interest more manifest. We have already published the list of entries, acceptances, and handicaps, and as visitors ti: the course will be able to find full particulars in their " true and correct cards," we do not thiak it necessary to repeat them. PONBONBY REGATTA. The second annual regatta will take placc to day off rfhelly Beach, where the s.s. lona, acting as flagship, will anchor, in order that the patrons of the Club will be afforded ample opportunity of witnessing each event. The programme i 3 a most liberal one, and is a great improvement upon its predece'sor; and we feel confident that those who favour the committee with their presence on board the flagship will enjoy themselves thoroughly. There 13 every promise of a breeze to-day, and as the principal items are sailing matches, with numerous entries for each event, there ia likely to be exciting times, as ; mauy of the crack boats will again meet to measure their strength once more. The I committee have made arrangements with the i Perry Company to run steamers from theii ! wharf to the flagship every hour, and those ! resident in the city or eaatern suburbs can r obtain tickets at the ferry Company's office. The programme of each event will bo fouud in our advertising columns. Those desirous 1 of following the yachts around the course - will have the opportunity of doing so, as ' the steamer Enterprise will cruise about 1 the harbour. t DOMAIN CRICKET GROUND SPORTS. 3 There will be an additional attraction fm . persons to visit the sports which are to bt 1 held on the cricket ground to-day—viz , the match for the sprint championship ol „ Auckland between Mr. J. R. Hutton, ol r Auckland, and Mr. J. V. Frier, of Gisborne, for the sum of £50 a side. Both men have been in training for the past fortnight, and 3 are reported to be in fine condition. There 1 is no doubt it will be a very close and ex--5 citing r.ice. Frier's backers appear to be confident that their man will be able tc defeat Button, while the latcer's backers assert that he can win it 41 hands down." Besides the three races for the championship there will also be 150 yards and 440 yards handicaps, of which the following are the entries and handicaps : — One Hundred and Fifty Yards Handicap.—J. R. Hutton, scratch ; J. rf. Flier, scratch ; J. Morley, syds.; J. Taylor, 7yda.; E. Underwood, Spds.; C. Lodge, 84yda.; J. Coleman, 9yds.; W. Sayers, 9iyds.; J. Baker, 11yds.; W. Roth, 13yds.; Ti Holley, 14yd3.; J. Mumford, 15yds.; H. Fodgan, 15yds.; H. Hill, 17yds. Four Hundred and Forty Yards Handicap.—J. R. Hutton, scratch; J. H. Frier, scratch; J. Taylor, Isyds.; E. Underwood, 20yds.; W. Roth, 30yds.; Jamee Hendrv, 35yds.; J. Hill, 40yda.; J. Coleman, 40yds.; J. Patterson, 45yd0.; H. Hill, GOyds.; B. Stoale, 60yds.; J. Morrison, 70yds.; P. O'Conner, 75yds. The public are requested to keep off tu< enclosure, so as to allow the Eoen plenty ol e room. . ~ g The firßfc race for the championship will bs e run at 2 o'clock sharp.

ELLBRBLTE GARDENS. An attractive programme of athletic sports has also been arranged to take place in the BUerslie Gardens to-day, where, as already stated, the course has been enlarged and improved, thus affording increased facilities for the competitors and greater accommoda-

tion for the public. Substantial prizes are offered, and there should be good competition. The great event will, no donbt, be the 100, 200, and 300 yards handicap, in which the scoring is to be by points. Included in the programme are a mile handicap for all comers, a mile handicap for boy*, a 150-yarda hoys' race, a one and a-balf mile walking match, and a potato rac a . SEA EXCURSION". The p.s. Anne Milbank will make an excursion to the Hot Springs to day, leaving the wharf at 10 a.m. Return fares, 10s. THEATRE ROYaL. This theatre will be re-opened to-night, when Messrs. Baktr Brothers will introduce an entertainment, musical and historical, which has been spolc~n of in tho highest terms of praise. Xfc is entitled tl An Evening with Tom Moore." A memoir of the bard will bo introduced, and iuterspersed with some of the richest gems of the poet's fertile mnae. The programme is an attractive and interesting one. LORNE-STRKET HALL. Dean's Minstrel Troupe offer a varied and attractive prolamine for its annual recognition benefit to-night. The troupe is deservedly popular, not only because of its excellent composition, and the reaUy creditable performance which it furnishes, but because of the readiness and willingness with which its services have been ever given to aid the cause of charity. We trust the recognition to-night will be a substantial and encouraging one.