PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5191, 10 November 1877, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES’ BIRTHDAY.

Yesterday being the anniversary of the Prince of Wales’ birthday was observed as a general holiday. The public offices, the banks, and almost all places of business were closed, and the weather being fine the majority of the inhabitants of the city turned out to enjoy a holiday. Towards noon the town was almost deserted, hut the number of flags flying from the housetops and from the masts of the shipping in harbor proclaimed that the absence of the citizens from their customary haunts was due to the fact of tha day being a general holiday. The sports at the Basin Reserve, attracted a very large number of visitors, there certainly being not less than between three and four thousand persons assembled on the ground in the afternoon. At about three o’ clock his Excellency the Governor and suite arrived at the grand stand, and remained there until after four o’clock. The sports, of which a detailed account will be found below, were numerous aud well contested, and the only complaint we heard was that the ground was not so well kept as on some former occasions; but despite this drawback the several events came off on the whole satisfactorily. Towards the afternoon a strong wind sprung up, and there was rather more dust blowing about the_ ground than was agreeable, but no rain fell, and the large concourse of spectators on the ground appeared to enjoy themselves heartily. In the matter of refreshments the public were well catered for by Mr. Swain, of the Union,Hotel, who had two booths, where liquors were dispensed, and an excellent and substantial luncheon set out, to which ample justice was done. Mr. Phillips also at another booth supplied tea and coffee aud light refreshments. Although so many people were gathered together on a festive occasion, very few cases of drunkenness were observable, and the utmost good order prevailed from the commencement of the day’s sports until the close. Music was not wanting to lend its attraction to the scene, a band playing at intervals throughout the day. Lyell Bay, where some really capital races were extemporised for the occasion, which afforded much amusement, drew its fair share of holiday makers, and the marine excursion by the Manawatu and the sports at the Upper Hurt had also their patrons. To see so many well-dressed aud happy looking people—men, women, and children—out for a holiday, is one of tho many indisputable signs of the general prosperity of the community, and is a sight very pleasing to witness. THE RACES AT LYELL BAY. With every one bent on a holiday, and brilliant weather to hoot, it can easily be imagined that the prospect of a day’s “ outing” in the direction of Lyell Bay was sufficient to induce a very fair attendance amongst the sporting genus, who were represented at the races yesterday in considerable force. There being only one coach running to the course—and which by the way was pretty well filled—the majority of the visitors present appeared on horseback, so that throughout the day, irrespective altogether of the various events arranged for the occasion, there was a continual succession of “ events.” A gallop along the beach, with its contingent results in the shape of a spill or two, kept up the sport, which, although it flagged somewhat at first, became afterwards tolerably exciting. The races were got up on the ground, catch weights everything in the shape of ceremony being dispensed with ; and as regarded the betting it was apparently confined to a' few “sweeps” which were extemporised on the ground. Enjoymentappeaied to be the order of the day, aud under the general management of Mr. George .Kirnvm, together with Mr. Walter Pell, who officiated as starter, the various events passed off most successfully. The first race was for

This race was a gift to Fangh-a-Eallagh, who fully bore out his name aud reputation by showing the way to the others, winning easily, and as may be said in a canter. Pony Race, tor ponies under fourteen hands. Prize, six guinea saddle. Mr. Firman’s Pat 1 Mr. Curtis's Dinah 2 Mr. Perry’s Mabel 3 This was a very well contested race, aud resulted in Pat coming in the winner. Handicap Tuotting Race, for an eight guinea saddle. Three miles. Mr, Crosbie’s blk h Dick .. .. .. 1 Mr, 'Whltehouße's b m Polly .. .. 2 This was a perfect gift to Dick, who, taking the lead, kept it safely, and came in an easy winner, over a dozen lengths ahead.

This was really a capital race, aud it introduced a considerable amount of sport. Three of tho nags “ came down”,with a vengeance in bowling along amengat the surf on the beach, their riders getting a thorough “ souser” in the briny. The beach, however, being very soft and “ cheesy,” no bones were broken, and “up and off again” was the order. Camille, however, having gradually stretched out, and also being well handled, came in an easy winner. The Consolation Stakes finished the day’s meeting, the stakes being a whip and spurs, for which there was a general entry, a really amusing race being the result. SPORTS AT THE BASIN RESERVE. The first race on the programme, one of 220yds. for hoys, was won rather easily by Kitchen, with McGuire second, and F. Young third. The first of five events for the £2O Birthday Handicap—the 300yds.—produced a field of five, viz., Donovan (scratch), Webber (scratch), F. Woods (syds.), 0. Major (10yds.), and D. Wylie (10yds.) Wylie and Major led for about 50yds., when they were passed by Woods, who had got away with a fine start. About 80yds. from home, however, Major came again, and a fine race ensued between him aud Woods, the latter just managing to win by a bare half-yard in 37sec. —very good time, when the high wind and heavy state of the ground are taken into consideration., Webber finished third, about 3yds. behind Major, Donovan fourth, close up. The Hop, Step, and Jump was won by J. Avery, the distance covered being 41ft. liu.— an excellent performance. Tho 440yds. Handicap Hurdle Race for the Theatre Royal Cup proved a very easy thing for Webber, who, running aud jumping in fine style, won by 12yds. in 65sec. Hearn was second. The Two-mile Bycicle Handicap was contested for by J. South and B. Williams, the former, who had 20yds. start, winning easily by some 80yds. in llmin. 31Jsec. The 100-Yards (2nd distance Birthday Handicap) produced a fine set-to between Woods, Major, and Donovan, who finished in the order named within half-a-yard of each other. Major had all the worst of tho start, hut running with great determination brought hie men hack to him in a surprising manner. Time, lOJsec. For the Butchers’ Race (220yds.) five knights of the cleaver faced the starter, and a splendid start was effected, the men getting away in a perfect line. The winner turned up in J. Greenfel), who ran in very good style, Greeks being second, and Follia third. ThoTwo-milo Walking Handicap brought to the post J. and W. Hodge (scratch), J. Knight (30yds.), T. Grainger (40yds.), and J. Moran (50yds.), Fraser and MoFlat did not start.

Young Moran, waiting in splendidly fair style, made the pace extremely warm, and held a strong lead until half-a-mile from hoine._ J. Hodge who had been walking well within himself, at this point made a strong spurt, and although the youngster struggled gamely won a fast race by some six yards. Time, 16min. ISsec. The rest were beaten. The 500-Yards (3rd distance Birthday Handicap) brought out Webber (scratch), Woods (6yds.), Major (14yds.), and Wylie (16yds.) ’ For the first 200 yards Major led. He was then challenged by Woods, and a slashing tussle for the next' 200 yards ensued between them. Major however proved the stronger, and shaking off Woods at the last turn to the astonishment of all won by five yards in the very fine time of 66scc, Webber, who had come at the last with a rush, beating Woods for second place by two yards. The Man o’ War Race lapsed owing to the absence of competitors. <■ ■ ■■ For the Pole Vaulting three contested, but the prize fell to E. Webber, who jumped magnificently, clearing the bar at 10ft. Sin. Had the wind been less boisterous it is almost certain he would have equalled'his famous Nelson jump of 10ft. 6in. . The Stone and Basket Race resulted m a tie between D. Judd and Bennett. Three others started, but were much behind at the finish. .. The great event of the day, the Seven-mile Walking Match, between Edwards, of Wellington, and Bowley, of Chrischurch, came off next. With great difficulty a clear course had been obtained, aud at the time of starting the large arena presented a striking appearance, being lined some dozen deep all round. Mr. Henry Anderson was appointed referee and judge of the walking, but his office was quite a sinecure, as the walking of both men was the perfection of fairness. The toss for inside place having been won by Edwards, and the preliminary hand-shaking indulged in, a splendid start was effected. Both men started at a terrific pace, the first quarter occupying only Imin. 35see. On settling down into their strides Bowley took a lead of four or five yards, which he maintained till the last lap of the first mile, when Edwards went up_ to him, and after a grand spurt up the straight, entered the fifth lap a leader by syds. From this to the end of, the sixth mile various changes ot position occurred, both men walking finely, and each evidently doing his level best to beat the other. Some of the spurts were beautiful in the extreme, and drew shouts of admiration from the onlookmg multitude. Entering on the seventh mile Bowley led by a few yards, but it was evident that Edwards was not quite disposed of yet. _ Walking with a grand and determined stride, he stuck to his game opponent, and in a manner reminding one of the palmy days *** Lillie Bridge spurted past the Christchurch champion. All was not yet over however, for in the last lap of all Bowley, whose strength and .staying power seemed to have been rather under-rated, made a Herculean effort, ’ and though Edwards tried all he knew, made such a dole finish of it that the ’judge, amid tremendous excitement, pronounced the result a dead heat, though, with all deference to the judge, it seemed to us that Edwards was the very slightest distance in advance. So ended one of the finest and gamest pedestrian struggles that has ever been witnessed m the colony, and we shall not be gainsaid in asserting that two more plucky fairer walkers never wei e seen south of the Line, Subjoined is a statement of the time for the various miles. The high wind and the heavy state of the ground militated greatly against a speedy record :

The two last distances for the Birthday Handicap (the 400 yards and 200 yards), were walked over for by C. Major, Woods being too much exhausted by his 500 yards spin to care to strip again, and none of the others having any chance for either first or second prize. Major takes first prize, £ls, in the Handicap with 21 points ; Woods second, £3, with 12 points ; and Webber third, £2, with 8 points. The Two-mile Handicap brought to the post Moran and Webber (scratch), D. Judd (50yds.), and J. Smith (100yds). Smith led for the first mile, but on being passed by Judd dropped out. Moran, the favorite, who appeared rather out of form, also dropped out soon after a mile had been covered. Webber, who seemed rather knocked up by his previous exertions, ran a very game race, but couid never get on even terms with Judd, who won rather easily in llmin. 7sec. Owing to the lateness of the hour at the conclusion of the last race, the Consolation was postponed to some future date. In conclusion, a few words of praise may justly ■be accorded to two gentlemen— Messrs. Harrison and Bishop—-for the efficient manner in which they carried out their respective and mutually arduous duties of starter and judge.

An eight guinea saddle; for grass-fed horses, trance, 20s. EnMr. G. Firman's Fnugh-a'Ballagh .. 1 Mr. Mumgh’s Olymenis Mr. Higgins' .Sky .Rocket 3 Mr. Tinnev’s Tommy Dodd 0 Mr. Deckel's Schneider 0

Handicap Rack for ten guinea saddle. all comers. Open to Mr. Brown’s Camille ..1 Mr. Boyes* Mabel Gray Mr. Kirk's Dinah .. 3 Mr. Park’s Dodger Mr, Finnan’s Skyrocket .. 0 Mr. Donald’s lluby -. 0 Mr. Tinney’s Tommy Dodd .. .. 0 Mr. Jackson's Kaiwarra .. 0

1 mile 8 min. 20 sec. 2 „ 17 „ 7 ,, 3 ,, 25 „ 55 ,, Half distance. 31- miles, 30 min. 20 sec. 4 miles “ 34 min. 47 sec. 5 „ 44 ,, 7 „ c „ 53 ,, 0 „ 7 .. 62 ,, 2 ,,