ANNIVERSARY FETE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 16, 25 January 1845, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY FETE.

On Wednesday last, the fifth anniversary of this settlement was duly celebrated with the sports and amusements which it has been the custom of the settlers to indulge in on this occasion. For some days previous, booths and stands had been erected, and places of refreshment provided, by the publicans and others who take upon themselves to minister to the gratification and convenience of the public, and the flags and streamers attached to the stands gave a gay and animating appearance to the scene. The Grand Stand was a decided improvement on last year, being covered with a tarpauling which kept oft 7 the heat, and rendered it cool and pleasant. The day was very warm, and the sun, " not as in the northern climes obscurely bright," shone with unclouded |brilliancy. The day's sports commenced with a sailing match between the three following boats :—: — Mr. Watt's Happy go Luckly. Mr. Houghton's City of London. Mr. Fo'rster's Happy Jack. There was a moderate breeze which was very favourable to the display of the nautical skill of the several competitors* The match was won by Mr. Watt's boat beating the others bj a considerable distance. Mr. Houghton's City of London came in second. This was considered on excellent match. There was also a whaleboat race between Captain Eyton's boat, manned by a crew of whalers, and the boat of the tusannah Ann, manned by the Custom House crew, which was won by Captain Eyton's boat. HURDLE RACE GENTLEMEN RIPERS. Mr. Hunter's Tempeiance Wade. Mr. Suisted's Currency Lass Petre. Mr. Ludlam's Daylight Donald, Col. Wakefield's Jessica Duppa. Col. Wakefield's Old Beau, Watt. The horses came steadily to the first fence, which was taken by Currency Lass, followed closely by Temperance, the rest refusing ; Old Beau fell with his rider, who was stunned by the fall, the other two afterwards took the leaps. Daylight was the only horse that cleared the brook, the others waded through. Several of the leaps were refused, and Temperance took the lead, whirh she kept to the end of the heat, Currency Lass coming in second. The others were distanced, SECOND HEAT, ' Currency Lass refused the water, so that Temperance had it all her own waj-, aud walked over the course. This is the third year in succession that Temperance has been the winner, earning for herself an honourable name in the early annals of our colonial sports. HACK RACE, Mr. Sutton's Zephpr Boxer. Mr. Wade's y Beagle Wade. Capt. Smith's Dandy Wintringham. Mr. G. Taylor's Bagpipes Taylor. Mr. Bannister's Sulky . Bannister. Dr. Dorset's Phormium Tenax Big Bill. Mr. Rhodes' Peggy Rhodes, This was over the same course as the hurdle race, but avoiding the leaps. The first heat was a very interesting one between Zephyr and Beagle, Dandy coming in third, and Bagpipes saving his distance. The others were distanced. Zephyr towards the winning post took the lead, which owing to the light weight of her rider she kept to the end of the heat. The second heat was contested by Zephyr and Beagle .only. The two horses kept close together the first round, Zephyr in the second round took the lead and won easily.

On the second day there was a hurdle race for the beaten horses. Only two horses started — Old Beau, rode by Mr. Wade, and Jessica, rode by Mr. G. Duppa. On starting, both refused the first leap, but were brought back and afterwards cleared it. In crossing the brook Old Beau took it in gallant style, and kept the lead to the next leap, which he refused ; Jessica took the leap and maintained -her advantage throughout. The second heat was closely contested, but Jessica maintained the lead, and came in in very good style, winning easily. There was also a hack race, between Beagle, Wade, Dandy, Boxer, and Bagpipes, Win--tringham. In the first beat there was some very good running between Beagle an 1 Dandy, but towards its close, Beagle being the strongest horse shot a-head, and won easily. In the second heat, Beagle took the lead, and came in first, leaving his opponent a long way behind. There was also a donkey race, which afforded considerable amusement, Tomasino being the winner. In the morning there was a match between the surveyors' gig manned by the crew of the winning boat of the day preceeding, and the government boat with her crew, which was easily won by the surveyors' boat. Towards r the evening ' there was a riifie

match, in which seven entered ; Mr. Scrogga was the victor. Mr. Jenkins' foot match, from the top of Mount Victoria to' Mr. Jenkins' house, was Won by Bannister, who left his opponents a long way behind. Balls and other amusements terminated both days sports, which we are happy to say passed off without any serious accident, and the settlers appeared determined for two days at least to lay aside their anxieties, and to drive dull care away. The teetotallers and temperance men held their third annual gathering on Wednesday, at Mr. Wilkinson's Tea Gardens, The meeting was numerously and respectably attended, and the teetotallers evtdently appeared to spend the evening after their own fashion to their heart's content.