SPORTING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5309, 15 March 1884, Page 2

SPORTING.

KAI IWI JOCKKY CLUB RACE MEETING. President : Re : hana Teretuku. Stewards : Pnramena Teuri, Aropeta Tamumu, Paramena Maka, Kahukaka Te Kupenqa, Ngaone ['eina, Tiweka Te Kupenga. Clerk of tjie Scales : Tame Piha. Starter : Waaka TTakaraia. Clkric of the Course : JEToani Nahona. Handicappkr : Tare Purua. Jddgfs : Reihana

and lVhunga. Horse racing has found particular favor amongst the Maoris — in fact, it is about the only pastime introduced by Europeans which has in any degree met -with their approval. They have,' as a rule, liberally patronised the local meetings of the pakeh;is, and it is somewhat strange, therefore, considering their strong desire to imitate the whites, added to their natural love of the sport, that they have not before formed racing clubs on their own account. The Kai Iwi natives, however, are the iirst in the field to organise a clnb, and their meeting, which was held yesterday, proved a great success, the Maoris from all the surrounding districts being present in great force. The novelty of the affair also attracted a lai'ge number of white people, the greater part of whom, however, were there more out of curiosity than a desire to see any really good pport. To the honor of the club, it must be owned, that a very good day's racing was provided, the proceedings throughout being very orderly. There was no drink sold on the ground, which may be taken as demonstrating the fact that large numbers of people, including Maoris, can congregate for amusement and enjoy themselves in the absence of intoxicating liquors. The officers of the Club performed the duties appertaining to their several offices satisfactorily. The clerk of the course, in the customary rod coat, which on this occasion was in its full glory of'newness, kept the courpe well, and the judge got through his duties which were the reverse of onerous, very satisfactorily. The other officers of the club with the exception of the starter did not take an active part in carrying out the programme, but were relieved of thf ir duties by Messr3 W. H. Chitham, of Wanganui, and F. W. Fisher, of Waitotara. Mr Chitham took charge of the whole affair, and Mr Fisher looked after the scales. It was fortunate that the Maoris bad the service of these two gentleman, or, had the whole work devolved upon themselves, *' confusion would have reigned supreme." So well did Mr Chithim perform his part of the work that by the last race he had gained an hour on time, and was consequently able to organise a hack race, which proved the best event of the day, nine horses facing the post. There was one matter in connection with the second race which deserves mention. The event referred to, which does not figure on the programme, was a hack hurdle race. After the handicap hurdles it was decided, in view of the largo number of white people present, to have a hack hurdle race, open to both races. The entrance was 10s, and £5 was given by the club, the whole sum including entrances to go the winner. The event was won by the Maori horse Grey Douglas. By this the club are evidently in funds, as such liberality is not exercised by any other club on the coast. In- the maiden, Onepu, the winner, ran second to Mount at the Turakina meeting. The time was 2min 50sec, which, if correct, means that the time yesterday was 10 seconds under the time the 1 Wanganui Maiden was done in. In concluding this notice mention should be made of the handicapper, who was evidently well acquainted with the capabilities of the horses running. The handicaps, as a rule, appeared to give satisfaction, and some very close finishes were obtained. The course, which could be made into a capital one, had been ploughed and harrowed, and though rather rouffh it was very good going ground. _ With one or two notable exceptions the jockeys were not up to the mark, their riding, though provocative of much amusement, being very indifferent. Appended are the results of the day's racing. Handicap Hurdlks, of 15 soys ; nomination, £1 ; acceptance, £1 ; two miles ; over eight flight of hurdles, about 3ft 9in in height. Aropeta Tamamu's Onepu, lOsb 1 Hoari Nahona's Grey Douglas, lOst ... 2 Four started. Lemonade, which declared one stone lllbs over, refused the first hurdle and never got round the course. Waipuna fell at the second hurdle. Onepu won easily by twenty lengths. Time, 4min 30seC3. Maiden Plate, of 15 soys; weight for age ; entrance, £1 103 (thirty shillings) ; distance, 1£ miles ; for horses that have ne\ r ! r won an advertised race, value £25, prior to date of entry. Kahukaka's Kohai ... ... 1 Reremoaua's Wairangi 2 Takarua's Moraagi 3 Three others started. The race was a very good one between the first three horses, which kept well together. Coming into the straight, however, Kohai went ahead and won rather easily. Kai Iwi Handicap, of 20 soys ; nomin- • ation, £1 ; acceptance, £2 ; second horse saves his stakes ; distance, 2 miles. Tiema Kwana's Tuawera 9st 1 Tarau A. R. Utikus Parawanui 7st ... 2 These were the only two horses that started, two others having b^en scratched. Parawanui kept the lead the whole way until coming into the straight when he was overhauled by Tauwera who won by half a [ length. ! Flying Rack, of 10 soya ; distance, 1 i " mile ; entrance, I soy f weigh* nofc less than 8 stone. B. McCaul's Logic, Bst 71b ... .- ... 1 Reremoana's Wairangi, Bat 31b 2 Takarua's Morangi, 9st 3 Huriuui's Sunrise, and Teta Whero's Pururipini also ran. A very fair start was effected, and Logic was soon in the lead, which he held'to the finish . There was a good lase between the second and third horse for the second place, which was won by Wairangi after a hard struggle. District Handicap, of 15 soys; nomination, £1 ; acceptance, £1 ; distance, 1£ miles; for horses owned by natives belonging to the Kai Iwi and Waitotara Districts.

Aropeta Tamumu's Onepu, lOst 1 Teaturoa Whin's Te Whetu, 7st 2 These were the only horses that came to the post. Both got off well together, but Onepu soon shot ahead, and maintained the lead for the first half-mile, when he was overhauled by Te Whetu. He could not, however, hold the lead, and coming into the straight he was passed at the post, being half a length behind. The winner was well ridden by Hemi Retter. There were two entries for the Consolation Race, of £5. Parawanui won in a canter, Lemonade, the other horse, being nowhere. The day's proceedings wound up with a Hack Race, 9 horses coming to the post. After a hard race, Touch-and-Go came in first, Golden Grape being second.