HUTT RACES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1413, 16 March 1860, Page 3

HUTT RACES.

Op OUR many national English pasthnes not one is so popular as Horse Racing, and questionable as the assertion may seem, we think it highly commendable as tending greatly to improve the toreed, and consequently increasing the value of this noble animal, and in this land of our adoption English prejudices and English pastimes are as keenly fostered and as eagerly indulged in as if we trod the very earth of England. For the last two years we have missed our annual > holiday to attend the races, for up to that period, Buraliam Water used to be the battle ground upon which decided the pretensions of our '.. various equine favourites, but since the return of Mr. Crawford, we have been obliged in legal phraseology to change the.ve.nue as that gentleman immediately, and at great cost, commenced vrrious improvements in' that neighbourhood. And though our sister provinces have held out many a flattering invitation and friendly challenge to compete with them in this national amuse : ment, still with two or three exceptions we' have not gone, beyond our own boundaries and therefore it was with no small- delight that we heard the announcement .that our holiday was to be again restored, arid that at the Hutt;.' suitable ground had been secured. The Committee and Stewards elected by the public worked. cop amoreand with great success to give unusual eclat to this year's ..proceedings, and in unison with, the energy and~ activity they displayed and in answer to their appeal, the public liberally responded, and by- their generous subscriptions enable the prizes,, to be pf some,."^significance and value,! . Wednesday last,, th<3 14th instant, was tW first; day and • Was observed almost v as ; a" cjose' bblhla/ iti towtiC -'The weather was"^lightful, not* a breath of wind ■' tor' 'either '" tli lt' very disagreeable attendant on a Wooded road najaely. dust, or to,.niffle,the ifidbsY. beautiful and carefully aflrrangedstresses;* At at .anc-fearly hour in the-inornaig-equcstrians^ppdestrians, vehicles o? all uescrf^ti&nswere seen wending- their way to tlxe'^ene. of engagement .-^theVe was the aristocratic carriage ?*4*,pajir; the sporting dog cart, the family ''ehaisej

the vans, the more plebian cart, and even a donkey cart, all freighted with pleasure seekers old and youhg~ rich and poor, i seemed fully determined to make a day of it. On arriving at:the course,, where the large number of people, the accommodations provided for their . reception ; the variety, of costumes, here and there rendered more pleasing by theinterspersiou of a Jockey's brilliant colours and the thorough efficient arrangements made with regard to the course, the weighing &c, Messrs. Jillett, Homer and Cudby using every exertion to prove worthy of the trust reposed in them, and they highly deserve every commendation. But htr'c a bell rings and away they scamper as fast as their legs will carry them to secure a. good position and thanks to the courtesy of the Judge, (Win.. Hickso:i, Eaq.) our reporter was accommodated with a seat in the waggon provided for him in his official capacity. In an instant the course was cleared and after the usual preliminaries, a few minutes after eleven Mr. Donald,,got his horses together and started them .for the first race.