CHRISTMAS SPORTS AND RACES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 422, 7 December 1868, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SPORTS AND RACES.

It is nowbeyond all doubt or dispute that the Westport Christmas Sports and Races will be decided successes, and are likely to far exceed the calculations and expectations of the most sanguine. The Sports Committee are deserving of credit for the manner in which they have gone about their work from the commencement, and for haviug laid before the public such an extensive and varied programme. The fruits of this are now being gained by a very handsome addition to the funds as the result of the sale of the booths. At the last meeting of the Committee, one or two of the members wisely advocated retrenchment, fearing that such an elaborate programme might show at its conclusion a balance on the wrong side of the ledger. At that time the amount calculated upon .as likely to be derived from the sale of the booths was £IOO, at which figure there .is little doubt the Committee would either have had to curtail their list of sports andraces,or be called upon to do what would have been a most unpleasant part of their duty, to make up any deficiency from an error in calculation. Now there is no -longer on that point, as the amount d from the booths has exceeded,

by twice the amount, the estimate of the most careful calculators. The auctioneer did not overstep the truth in his introductory remarks when offering the various booths for sale, when he said he was confideut of realising two or three hundred pounds. Neither can be disputed his remark that Westport at the present time is in a more flourishing condition than it ever has been since it first bore its name. There was a large muster of people at the auction-sale on Saturday, including nearly every hotel-keeper in town, and many from the neighbouring diggings. The Grand Stand, with its certain privileges, was the first lot offered, and it was started at £4O, when a smart competition was kept up until it reached the handsome sum of £69, falling to the bid of Mr T. Sheahan. There was spirited competition shown in the bidding for all the other booths, and the following is the total amount realised:—

Grand Stand, Mr Sheahan, £69; JS T o 1, south, Mr Bonguelimi, £3B ; 1 north, Mrs Mills, £37 ; 2 south, Mr Morey, £29; 2 north, Messrs Tonks and Hughes, £27; 3 south, Mr Emanuel, £29 ; 3 north, Mr M'Farlane, £27; fruit stall north, Mr Dutton, £5; fruit stall south, Mr Dutton, £5 10s; making a grand total of £266 10s.

There is little doubt now that the Committee will have a treasury of £SOO before Christmas-day, exclusive of entries, a circumstance which, speaks volumes of itself as to the prosperity of the district.

AVe purpose giving in to-morrow's issue a condensed extract of rules which may be of service to guide the various Officers and Stewards of the Eaces, and a few remarks on horseracing in general, as to nominations, stakes, forfeits, weighing, starting, jostling, &c, with s-ome hints on heats and disqualifications, and a few rules of trotting and pacing, as taken from the Victorian and New Zealand laws of racing.