MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV, 12 June 1897, Page 767

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

The members of the Auckland Rowing Club spent a very jolly evening at the Metropolitan Hotel on Friday last, the occasion being a smokeconcert. The following gentlemen contributed items towards the evening’s fun : —Messrs Maxwell, Buttery, Rowe, Wynyard-Joss, Baker, Palethorpe, Pollock, Henderson, Cashel, Barron, and O’Meara. Opportunity was taken to present the medals won by members during the season as follows Ngaruawahia Regatta—Hardy, Turner, Negus, Woods, Carnahan (cox); President’s Fours—Hardy, Turner, Buttery, Cockroft, Thomas (cox); Club Fours—Patterson, Woods, Pollock. Finch, Carnahan (cox); Sculls (Club Handicap), Dean Ist, Baker 2nd; Pair Oar—Turner and Woods. This report is necessarily brief, owing to the fact that the A.R.C. secretary omitted to forward to this office even an intimation that the concert was to be held. It entails no trouble, and is a graceful act to inform the press of these interesting gatherings. A large crowd assembled at Hastings on Wednesday, June 2nd, to see the sports held in aid of the Flood Relief Fund. The event of the day was the Bracelet Handicap for horses which were not trained, and had never been started ; but as there were so many competitors, the race was run in heats. First heat : Miss K. Jackson's Whakapora 1, Mrs Archibald’s Daniel Deronda 2, A. Bruce’s Lady Dewart 3. Second heat; Miss M. Watt’s Matipo 1, Mrs Taylor’s Nemo 2, Miss Sutherland’s Vanity Fair 3. One of the most exciting events was a tug-of-war between Maoris and Europeans ; but it was ratherspoilt by the over crowding of the spectators. The first heat was won by the Europeans, the second by the Maoris, and as the latter, imagining they had won, refused to try again, the event was given to the Europeans by default While the more important events were going on, children’s races, etc., were progressing in other parts of the ground. A good musical programme was given by the Hastings Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr Barret. The whole proceedings reflect great credit on the management, as well as on the secretary, Mr George, who spared no pains to make the meeting a success.