MASTERTON RAGES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3094, 5 January 1871, Page 3

MASTERTON RAGES.

[Fkom Ottb .Special Repoeteb!] I " More money and more people." Ask ninetynine persons in a hundred what are the chief* wants of New Zealand and they will reply as above; but there could not be many porsons arrive at such a conclusion if they had no better means of forming an opinion than that which the Manaia Racecourse afforded on Monday last. There the absence of money was the exception and not the rule ; and as for the people, the wonder is where they came from. Nearly every available horse and vehiole was in requisition to convey visitors to the course, and the number of the former on and near to it could not have been less than a thousand. The receipts at the gate proved that there were between 800 and 400 horses on the. course, and they represent but little more than a third thai were present on the occasion. If efficient stewards, admirable arrange* ments, well contested races, the .number of spectators, and the liveliest interest taken in the proceedings tend to make a successful race meeting then the one I ara about to report was a successful one, even though high-bred horses and high stakes were conspicuous from their absence. ' THE BOAD TO THE OOTOBB. The nature and appearance of the country through which the Great Eastern Road runs from Featberston to Masterton are not calculated to make a favorable impression on the stranger who has been told of " the fertile valley of the Wairarapa." There is but little to be seen from Feat h erst on to the Tauherenikau but stones and stunted fern ; and though from the latter place to Grey town the . substantial fences you see on both Bides the road testify to the enterprise of, the proprietors, there is but very little land under cultivation, and what grass there is has been chiefly self sown. From Greytown to Cart9rton you pass over a considerable tract of country, flooded by the Waiohine, which has done much damage to the road and to private property, the former being in a worse state than it. was ever before since its formation. The absence of a foot path in Greytown, and the disgraceful state of the road from thence to Oar* tetton are alike iudications of the negligence of the authorities, and of the want of the habit of self-government and self-reliance in the bulk of the people. Crossing the Waiohine lam asked, do I believe the Government are without funds ; while I, pointing to a rioh and extensive wooded country to mj left, dotted here and there with smiling homesteads, ask my' questioner can he « doubt the fact when he bears in mind that" nearly the whole of that district was allowed to be purchased by absentee scrip, though it was almost immediately after purchased by bond fide settlers for cash at the rate of 30s to £3 per acre ! There are two new - stores being erected at Carter ton, and the extensive bush clearings indicate that the inhabitants are industrious and prosperous. We now get to the great Taratahi plain, stretching out on both sides the road as. far almost as the eye can reach, and now dotted with hundreds of prosperous homesteads, within substantial fences, though only a few years ago the land furnished but scant feed to a few herds of semi- wild cattle. But even here but very few crops are visible, and fencing and draining appear to be the principal improvements. The truth is tho land is not of the best quality, and I question much' whether grain crops would pay except in favorable situations. . After crossing the Waingawa the aspect of the country changes, and so civilised and well kept everything looks, that you would almost fancy that you had arrived at Borne beautiful but strange part of England instead of having, as you have done, reached the Mania racecourse. During the whole of this journey olouds of dust have been kicked .up in all directions by hundreds of horsemen and vehicles each apparently eager to be first on the course. IMFBBSSIONB ON ABBIVAIi. The first thing that struck me on arrival at the course was the large number of saddle horses already there, and whioh were fastened outside the gate. Here, I mentally exclaimed, is a means by which our roads are damaged, and by which they might also be repaired. A tax on saddle horses would prove in other respects extremely beneficial. The booths were gaily decorated with flags, and there was here also a grand stand. Each of the posts whioh marked off the course was decorated, and on each a flag was flying. All the stewards were young men, sons of old colonists, and they deserved all the compliments that they received for their thoughtful arrangements. Their names were Hugh M'Masters, J. Nicoll, Rhodeß Donald, and W. Dorset, Esqs. W. H. Donald, Esq., was judge, and Mr W. Jones, the step son of Mr Bannister, officiated as clerk of the course. HTTBDIE BAOE. This was the first event, being a sweepstake of 1 soy. each, with 10 soys. added, and for whioh four horseß were entered, though three only started, viz. : — E. Dorset's Trooper „,- ... ... 1 1 A. Gillies's Post Boy 2 3 A. Gillies's Bad Spec 8 2 The first heat was a splendid race between the old favorite hunter Trooper and a Maori horse named Rad Spec. They kept well together until coming to the last hurdle, when the Maori jockey was thrown, and his horse rolled over, him ; but he was then mounted in sufficient time to save his distance. The second heat was a second edition of the first, except that on this occasion there was no accident, and when the favorite had a difficulty in snatching the prize from bis Maori rival. MAIDEN PtATB. This was a sweepstakes of 1 soy., with 8 soys. added, and for whioh four horseß started, but the raoing was between H. Greatbead's Little Wonder and T. Ray's Nainai, the one tightly held and the other vigorously pushed ; Little Wonder, eventually winning by a neok, T. Hill's Cossaok taking third place. A protest was lodged against the winner, on the .ground that he had before won public money, which was, however, over-ruled. WANAIA STAKES. This was the great event of the day. A sweepstakes of 1 soy. eaoh, with 15 soys. added, and for whioh eeven horses entered. The raoing was between Balrownie, Ooreair, and Rattling Raven, and on passing the winning post the first time round Corsair took the lead, the other two being well at his heels; They maintained this position until near coming in, when Balrpwnie shot ahead, and was followed by Raven, Corsair haying to be satisfied with third place, and Balrownie winning by a neok. hack: baob. This was a very good race, four of the horses being well matched, and keeping consequently well together; a grey horse, owned by a Maori," but ridden by J. Lane, was pronounced tho winner. '"•""■ ' .

■- ■--■"-■;■ •:tA^n^'l^S^^#ftilii ' Much interest yrM^t^ being offered on3al»Qw^e''Snd-:^en^%|^^V l .j;,| splendid race between liitste W#de^d|ttS v dl^ ;K favorite, but the^former succeeded ij^^ruifi^|^| a neck } EavencomingJri a g^^b^di|?l^y^^fc ; ' ' .HACK.BAOM,^'^- 7^ %'-& r j&jS®& o : '■ A number , of, hack^ rac^^fol|o^|^io^^6i| whioh no" less Wan ii^ijt^te^^ the Maoris, of wh\m^herejwew present. . .';••(■■"■'■-■-■: V ; -'*W - i'vV'i^'-"f-''3w- '"■■■ { ■'• ■"•"■ ; These concluded the eyents!pjttnyd^-t!'pin-a:in\ ? the opinion of all there never any.better contested at any previous MasWrton.j-aces. <f , ;, / ,I-