WHAKATAKI RACES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 747, 20 April 1881, Page 2

WHAKATAKI RACES.

(By Our Special)

Stewards.—J. C. Vallance, J. Drummoud, W, G. Murray, E, Sheath, and E, Meredith, jun.

Someone has said, in fact one often meets with it in print, "That wherever Englishmen do congregate, there, also \yill be found the games and pastimes for which the old country is famous,'' and to provo that this is as true in New Zealand as in other parts of the British Empire we have enly to read the papers, when we find reports of cricket matches played in such out of the way places, which makes any casual visitor wonder where the opposing teams come from; but still they do play, and the lively interest displayed by the partisans pf the opposing teams is evidenced by the cheers that greet a good hit or a wicket sent flying by a trimming ball. What is true of cricket is equally so with the national sport. That we must have '■ our races," oven though we race our hacks, bucli meetings as Whakataki amply proves. It would be moat likely to compass what most people argue is the end and aim of racing, viz,, the improvement of our horses, if such places as Tenui and Whakataki combined to make one good day's racing, giving stakes worth while preparing a horse for, and spending a few pounds to reduce the ohances of acpidents, and to ensure the comfort of their patrons, From some cause, the Whakataki people do not find it practicable to unite with Tehui, the result being the meeting now under notice, To arrive at Whakataki, for most of the,spectators, meant a journey of some miles, and by the time the first eyejnt started there was a fair muster, the hill overlooking the course being a favorite spot. The race-track itself is perhaps the most unlikely place for testipg the speed of a horse that could be met with jn a long,day's march, but it only proves that when a few energetic spirits determine upon having a day's raping, natural disadvantages.are made .to play second fiddk to their heart's desire. In one or two places it was; necessary to overcome the obstacle of a terrace or bank, this was done by making a cutting and using the Bpare earth for filling in. Then on crossing the road, which the racers did in two places—the course being on each side mf it-aavßral ln-h "*-<"■"' -»« «nmW

other places the track was very rough, yet although the majority of the events were run at a good pace not a single accident occurred, either in the jumping or flat races,

The first event on the card (but there were "no cards"—it would nave been better if there had been) was started about 12.30, and, Ohonga being absent, left only Doncaster and Kohai to try conclusions, Mr J. Dorset, who had been Bent for, steered the latter, whilst Doncaster had the services of T. Power, who is certainly equal, if not superior to any man in this country over fenceß. Bis riding is a real treat, and in a colony like Victoria, where the jumping business is so popular, he would soon take high rank. Such a horseman is simply buried at Whakataki.

Tho race needs little description. Although Kohai was far and away the " fancy," and his opponent carried 2 1 71bs over the handicap weight, yet in Power's hands Doucaster scored comfortably at tho finish, neifher horse making a single baulk or mistake. The Hack Hurdles was, as usual, a really good race. Six of them started, and over such ground at the pace they' went, how they all got through without a fall was amazing. Lass o' Gowrie, a filly by Duke of Ebinburgh, led the field for over a mile and a quarter, when Power on Fishhook headed her. It was thought to be all over, when Barry's —aptly named—Tricopherous camo out from the ruck, and, disposing of the favorite in a few yards, won by two lengths. Tho winner is by Terenga, and has certainly inherited the pace with which his sire whb credited. .

The Maiden Plate was an easy thing for Sultan, who waited on Little Vagabond till the straight, and left him without much effort.

Doncaster'B victory in tho District looked a certainty, bar accidents, and bo it proved, his opponents not being able to extend him during any part of tho journey. An old acquaintance, Mischiof, by Kakapo, ran well for three parts of the journey, but such ground was altogether against an animal of his action.

Lass o' Gowrie avenged her defeat in the Hack Hurdles by winning the Hack Race, beating three others, The" big event" came next, and when the acceptsncss closed, only three of them cried content. Papawai, tho lop weight had broken down, and Duke of Edinburgh's owner refused to race him nn such a course. The withdrawal of Papawai caused the weights to be raised 41bs all round. Dnticaßter being top weight with 9at, Little Vagabond, 7st 41b; and Sultan, Gat lllbs, It is quite evident from the exhibition Doncaster had made of his opponents in the two races he had already won that to attempt a wailing raco with such a speedy customer would ensure certain defeat"; there, fore Little Vagabond's owner wisely determined to make the pace from start to finish, Master Tom Winteringhatn was quite at home with such orders. Taking up the running at the fall of the flag, he gave' his elder brother no peace, but kept Doncaster moving all the way, the result being that the weak point in Com' pensation's son was exposed, and the "pony from the coast" returned the winner. Aftov this the rain fell in sheets, and for once there was not a' whisper that it. would spoil the sport; on the contrary, everybody seemed quite willing to take'a soaking if the much wanted downpour, would only continue. The Consolation Stakes was run in the rain, Kohai and Fishhook saddled up for it, being handicapped at fot 81bs each. The former put up his neat weight; the latter party, being so certain of success, 'carried about a stone over and got beaten. Strange to say in this out-of-the-way place there were several games of " under aud over," a canary sweop, in which the bitds draw tho numbers, and other "little arrangements" presided ovor by individuals who promised all sorts of good luck to investors. They did very well considering how well-known such games ought to be, and many of tho uninitiated returned homo with confused notions of "how it was done." The Stewards were most attentive, and as Olork of the Scalos and Secretary, Messrs Perry and McHutchoti

caused one to rogret that the natural disadvantages were not less, so that they might receive full benefit for their arduous duties. Full particulars are appended.

'{andicap Hurdle /?<>«.—£ls IJ miles, Over G hurdles, 3ft Gin. Open. Nomination £l. Acceptance 10s. I'lrE. Clifton's bgDoucaster, aged, by

Southern Chief -Compensation, 10st carried list 131b (T. Power) W. R. Holes' c li Koliai, aged 10st 71b, carried lOst 131b (J. Dorset) ! Doucaster was first away and clearei the first jump with Koliai on his Quarter Going down the bank Koliai strode up I his opponent, tho next hurdle beinj cleared together; from this to the thin was a long (jap, and the pair racing up t it rose together taking it splendidly, th pijce being good, Crossing the road thi third time Kohai was being ridden, anc Power, who'was leading, had not much in hand. IJ.o led brer the fourth, and it was evident, bar accidents, the Castle Point horse must win, for Kohai was already in distress, and so he did, despite his big weight, by some lengths, his admirers being very jubilant at the success of their choice.

Hack Hurdle Mt.—£lo 1J miles. Same course. Weight tor age. Entrance £l. District Horses only, W. J. Barry's Tricoplierous, aged, byTerenga, Bst 131b,' carried list 21b." •'- ' "' (H. Holmes) 1 Mr Sheath's Fishhook, aged list 131b, ' carried list 13lb. ' (T.'Edwer) 2

Lass O'Gowrie, Elkins, nnd Creamy also ran, Lass O'Gowrie led the field till within two hundred yards from home, whon Fishhook supplanted her, Holmes then brought Tricopherous up and headin" Fishhook won by two lengths. Maiden Pto(e.-£lO 1 mile. Weight for age Entrance £l. Open. Mr Speedy'e g g Sultan, aged Bst 121b carried 10st 81b. (Green) 1 Mr Holes' r g Little Vagabond, a"ed - Bat' 121b, carried Oat gib. » ,! 2 Sultan was first away but sqqn gave place to the roan, whoni he indulged with the lead, the- grey headed him when wanted and won easily,

District Slaka -£ISIJ miles. Weight for age. Entrance £?. District Horses Mr G. Cliftou's b g Doncaster, aged (0. Winteringham) 1 Mr Sheath's b g Fishhook, aged. 2 Mischief also ran,

Doncaster waited upon his opponents, and won hard held, the others being completely outpaced at the end of a niile. Hack Race.-M 10s. 1 mile; Weight notless than 9 stone, Entrance ids. ' District horses only, Mr Holes'Lasß O'Gowrie 1

Mr J, Barry's Tricopherous ~'. ... 2 Malice' ..." „'... 1 ... .... .', m 3 Maud ai'so ran. • ' Lass O'Gowrie won this all put by a length after a hard race!'" '''

Publican's Purse.—£ls ijmile3. Handicap, Nomination £l. - Acceptance £l. Open. Mr B, Holes' r g Little yas?abond by " . Duke of Edinburgh, fat . lib ' (T. Winteringham) i Mr E. Clifton's b g Doncaster, aged '9st, -.',".. (0. Winteringham) 2 Sultan. 6st Ulb, also ran. Danebury was nominated for this event, and the ■T>:.t-::t:::W^.i;n--.pi-.-.'J--'.'.-i-''y'--.■' ■-■'■ ■-. ■■■■■

turned. A walk over for this event would not have surprised a good many, for although Mr Clifton's horse had to give away bo much weight, and'had a couple of races in, yet his ability to win was not questioned, and he saddled up quite the favorite, When they left the starter, Vagabond's small jockey commenced to try and cut, his •= ■ brother »M down for pace, and the three of them f| / crossed the road and went through:the first cutting at a dipping pace, Doncaster pulling hard following tho other two. In this order the first round was completed, Doncaster being close-on Vagabond's heels as they again went down the cutting, Sultan having dropped back third. Once on the lower gruundthe boy .on Vagabond was determined to keep the pace good, and sent him along; when they xame into view again he had the Castlepoint horse in difficulties, and though Doncaster was ridden right out he could not catch I the pony, who won by three lengths', nobody being more surprised than his owner. .

. Consolation Handicap.- 610. lmile. Mr R! Holes' ch g Kohai, aged, 7st 81b - (T. Winterihghara) 1 ,1 Mr Sheath's Fishhook, 7st 81b 2 'rKohai was never headed and won by a length, Fishhook carried 9st. , ; . : ,

MASTERTON HIGHWAY BOABD. A meeting of the above Board waa held on Saturday last. Present—Meisi'9 Bennett (chairman), Buchanan, Chamberlain, and Donald. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed,

The following correspondence was likewise read. A letter was received from, Messrs Chapman and Fitzgerald, solicitors, re Mr Bellairs claim against the Board. One fromsettleri in the Waipoua block, calling the Board's attention to the necessity of laying off a line of road, and falling the bush leading to their properties. One from Mr Tuck, wishing to know how he waa to get the timber for the erection of gates, conveyed to the line of road recently- laid off through his property.

One from settlers residing at Tir&umea, stating that it was their intention to complete the Tiraumea and Alfredton road, during the ensuing winter and spring, and requeuing that the Board would send their engineer to lay off the road in the required direction. One from Mr 0. F. Gawith, forwarding an account on behalf of Mr E. Meredith Jun., against the Board, and asking pay-

ment. One from section holders, settlers, and residents, at Mauricerillo, requesting that a portion of the' Mauricevillo road from Mr Gunderson's store south, to the junction with the main road, should be improved before the winter sets in. One from Mr 0. A, Vallance requesting that the deviation on the line of road near his homestead at Kaumingi might be completed.-

From Olork West County forwarding copy of resolution re wagons and cattle passing along the Forty Mile Bush road with narrow tiers and heavy loads, and,to tho advisability of raising a County rate, also one with copy of resolution stating that the County Council had voted tho sum LIVO 4s for the maintenance of the main road from the Waingawa river to the Camp for the six months ending the 30th September, Mr Bellaris waited on the Board requesting them to pay him an additional / sum for plans furnished, \ The Engineer's report was given in and, \ read, \ r

Messrs Donovon and McKay waited on the Board with reference to ljne of road leading to Messrs McLachlah & Donovan's.

Mr S, E, Chamberlain waited on the Board to ascertain what resolution the Board had come to relative to the gates erected by Mr Hunt on the line of road atMikimiki,

Messrs J. E. Thompson and R, Allen also attended, and stated that a short time ago Mr Andrew Cockburn set Dro to a piece of bush, which had done a great deal of damage to the road leading to their properties, and it was with considerable, difficulty they could get access to them ;' they therefore requested that Mr Cockburn should be compelled to repair the damage he had done. The Engineer reported that since last meeting of the Board, the following works had boen let at the prices set opposite each respectively : Cutting 3, &q. i at Livingstone's, No. 2 Ward Mi 14s 4d ; Opaki road metalling £137 10s; Waipoua diversion at Piaru £3O.

The following resolutions were then passed;—

That the Engineer/be instructed to ?et a culvert erected on the line of road at Wangaehu.

That Mr Buchanan be requested to ask Mr Moore, one of the members of the West County Council, to allow the County Engineer, when in the district, to lay off the road applied for by settlers FffldJQS atTjraumea. ' "". '""' ' : " That tlie Olerk write to Mr Andrew Oockburu, and request him to remove tho atones laid down and fencing ereoted by him on the Manaia line of road, and also repair the damage done to said road, caused by his setting fire to bush adjacent there-to, and at the same time inform him that if he fails to do so within a reasonable time, the Board will undertake the work, and charge the expense against him, and that his attention, be called .to Clause 74 Highways Act, and- 9£ Public. Works Act.

That the'Olerk be instructed'to ascertain if the Crown Grants of Messrs McKay and Foster's' properties jiave matured.

That Mr Tuck be again requested to erect the gates on the line of. road recently laid off through' his property, and at the same time inform him 'that the Board do not consider it to be a part of their duty to instruct him how he is to get the gates conveyed, to the place where they are to be erected.

That Mr Bremner obtain a copy of the correspondence between the Chief Surveyor and himself as to the plan to be furnished by Mr Bellaira, and to give the Board's rfiajon for declining to pay him an additional sum on aopqunt of the plantj. That Mr Ohamberjaih inspeo't 'ajib; ty. port to next meeting on the line of toa<j / applied for by settlers in the Waipoitf, || Block, and that he likewise try to arrange -~ with Mr to the line of road leading to Mr S. B, Chamberlain's pro. perty, and also as to the gates to be erected thereon. ' ; '

That the Clerk write to Messrs Donovan and McLachl'an,"and inform tli'em that as'the sums of £35 and £4O are "the amounts, demanded by Mr McKay 'for road oompenption, the Board is not in a position to give the rights'of road/appiied!

That the clerk write to Mr GawitJi.and/ inform him that the'tetter and account forwarded" will be laid before the next meeting of the Board, "7 ' Thatthelclearing of theTeWhiti ljne of ro»4'be left to M.r' Buchanan and the Engineer."'" ,-SJ': W

That'thepetitionioHhe Mauricevplq settlers be held over for a time, and in the meantime the Olark.inform r tbem tj}at '^- .they are'laboring sipnin stating that ; ri'6] money' had been "':'■■ spent on theMauriceville rbada. ;•'.'' f. ; -. ;; That Mr Buphanan.be requested to, sea Mr;Yallance relative to/-thV deviation of Mline of road;at Eautninsi. -..

County Council, in reply to his communi- . cation re County rates, That in view of tho sum of £IVO 4s voted to the Board by the County Council for maintenance of main road from the Waingawa bridge to the Camp, and the more than probability of provision bciu» made by Parliament in lieu of subsidies, \the Board is of opinion that the question of maintaining main roads should for the present be allowed to stand over, That the clerk write to tho clerk of the West County, aud explain meaning of resolution passed at last meeting of the Board, re wagons and carts travelling alone the main road with narrow tiers, That the clerk give notice that it is the intention of tho Board to strike a rate of Is in the £ on all property within the district, at a meeting to bo held on Saturday, May 14, That a vote of thanks be tendered to Mr Bennett for the impartial aud efficient manner in which he has carried out his duties during his term of office as .Chair] man,

E S T. An request yeas ield at Mr T, Eay's Tamtam' Hotel on Monday last to enquire into the cause of death- of David Dalgetty. A jury was'duly and, having elected Mr Thonias Gibson their foreman, proceeded to inspect the remains of tho deceased. On tfieir return to the jury room, the following evidence was deposed to on oath, Patrick Slicerm—l am a fanner, residing on the Tftitftohi.' I was with deceased at the time tn'e accident happened on Saturday uight, Mh instant, as near as I can judge about f0.30. Wo had como together from.the. Marquis of Normanby Hotel and had'called in at Kay's, where we had one', drink. We had been together since five o'clock in tho afternoon. He had had something to drink. Ho was quite sober when I met him. Ho was a ■little the worse" for liquor when we left Eay's, but was quite able to take care of himself. Ho get; on his horse without any help. No one was near him. Ho got on his horso as well as I got on mine. He mounted as well as any man could mount. We wont up the road cantering. We stopped and spoke to Mr Stanford about a fire down the road. Stanford's house is about 150 yards from Eay's. He walked a short way with us, chatting. "We then went on cantering and had not gone far when ho wanted to race me. I said " No, the road is too hard; I will notrace Im the road." Wo still kept cantering, pt he quickened his pace and I steadied my horse. Ho drew about half a chain Ihetd of me. When he got opposite Eeenken's store his horse swerved or ■tied, I could not tell which, and he fell if. The saddle went round, which, I Slink, threw lu'ni off. He fell on to the Bound and lay there. I called out, asking Km if he was hurt. I got no answer. I ■ot off my horse and picked him up, I Saw blood running from his uoeo, I laid him on his back and went and called Meenken. I then went back and sat him against tho feuco. I told Meenken to bring some' water, which I threw over him. He did not drink any. He was >- breathing very hard. I left Meenken in charge of him while I went for Dr Watts, who came .back with mo. By the foreman—He did not, to my knowledge', speak after the accident. I was not with him when ho died I got to Eay's shortly after. By a juryman-I have no reason to think the saddle was loosened at the girths when v we started. I saw no one about Eay's, except one or two in the bar. The ■ horse ran off after tho accident and I did not seen/again." The foreftiaii stated that about 9.00 deceased hail called at Mr Hooker's for his papers and did'not then seem the worse for liquor, Dr Watts.—l am a medical officer, residing at 'Carterton. About 10.45 on ■ Saturday evonme last I was called by Mr Sheerin to. go to see deceased. I met Meenken*and, others bringing him in a cart towardSlfriy's Hotel, I got into the cart to 6ee him. He was then in- .• sensible. I examined hlra carefully when Jio was laid 0n ! a sbfa in" the hotol. He was still ipsensiblc. The pupils of both eyes were contracted. Ho had been bleeding from'the nose into the mouth. The bleeding "bad been copious. There was effusion pf blood into tho left eye and eyelid. I directed warmth to be applied to his feet, and other remedies, I saw him again about 3 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., when he was still alive. At the latter hour he voniifted blood, smelling of spirits, in my presence. Ho died about n,15 a.m.' Frbm'tho symptoms I believe (he 'lmmediate -oouse of death to have been fracture of tho base of the skull. A fall from a horse might cause the injuries sustained. I think he must have fallen with his head under him, Ido not think the vertebra? were injured, By the foreman-He was peyer conpcious'after Tsaw him, .Stimulants wore administered and efforts made to arouso him, but without effect. The jury at onco returned a verdict of "Accidental death, caused by a fall from a horse," The deceased was about 56 years of age and an old resident in New Zealand, though his travels had extended to Californian and Australian shores. He leaves a wife and five young children.

PAYMENTS. J. O'Connor, repairs 71G 0 'fames McManaway, repairs ... 716 0 Charles Crocker, repairs 710 0 James Whyte „ 716 0 0. Hood „ 716 0 J. Wingate 3 0 0 Payton & Co,, advertising, &o, 413 6 G. Wakelin „ 2 2 0 C.Eoyea, repairs to toll-house 11 0 0 C. Miuchin, presiding at election 1 1 0 Meyrick „ 1 1 0 George Fannin, tracings 1 7 0 ThompBpn's trustees 9 14 3 W. Dipont, refunded 15 0 0 P. Brannlgan 1 1 0 R. 'WilsoQj,- salary, and expenses 55 15 9 J. Dayis, advance contract ... 30 0 0 Thomas Yorke „ 4210 0 0. E. Bremher, salary and wages of survey staff 43 0 3 P. Monk, labor 10 4 0 flext meetinRiMay 14, at 10 a.m.