RACING AT ORAKEI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 933, 23 January 1908, Page 5

RACING AT ORAKEI.

As a general rule, the meeting held by the Maoris at Orakei takes place on Christmas Day, and as there is nothing much else to do quite a crowd go down to Paul’s settlement. Christmas being wet the races were postponed until Saturday last, when they duly took place. It was very hot down at the picturesque bay, where three or four hundred enthusiasts attended. A meeting conducted by Maoris is always a humorous affair, as rules and regulations appear to be made only to be broken. A happy-go-lucky style of doing things prevails, and one is never quire certain what is going to happen next. There is never any hurry about the Maori, for “ time no object” seems to be a golden rule with him. At Orakei there was a certain picturesqueness about the whole affair. Stout wahines sat round and smoked or else eat watermelons. Round about gamboled many dark-complexioned kiddies gazing at the pakeha visitors with somewhat frightened eyes. Here and there were the stewards, all well-meaning if not too well versed in their duties. The secretary was obliging and bulky, especially the latter. Everyone was there to enjoy himself as far as possible. A few bookmakers attended from Auckland and paid £ 1 for the privilege (?) of betting. The racing was something to smile over. Our photographer has attempted to do justice to it but admits that there were gems of humour which he failed to snap quick enough. One of these was the measuring of the ponies which was the cause of a good deal of laughter. Whether the method adopted would have met with the approval of Mr. O’Connor is, however, doubtful. The racecourse was outside a wire fence running round the settlement, and in each case it was actually true that one couldn’t see the winner’s heels for dust. Of the actual racing little need be said. In most cases there were but three starters, and some of these appeared to want to win and again some of them didn’t. The horsemanship shown was hardly up to the Hewitt standard, in most cases it being a case of “ all legs and arms.” The Orakei Cup was won by Anakoia, with Victory second and Dandy third. In all six events were run, and these were got off in sufficiently good time to allow the Auckland sportsmen to reach town in time for tea. On the passage back it was generally admitted that at “ fixing” an event the Maori has little to learn from some of his pakeha friends.