SPORTS’ QUEEN FUNCTIONS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1335, 25 November 1915, Page 11

SPORTS’ QUEEN FUNCTIONS.

The efforts of the Auckland Sports Committee on behalf of Miss Gorrie, their Queen, led to a unique programme of events being decided at Ellerslie on Thursday last. Members of the Pakuranga Hunt Club turned out to the number of thirty in scarlet coats and black belltoppers, and were whiskered to represent huntsmen of a century ago, and all followed the drag hounds of the Pahiatua Hunt Club round the Ellerslie steeplechase country in hunting style. Eight or nine ladies also took part, and with two exceptions the whole field got through without mishap. Such a spectacle has probably never been seen before in the annals of hunting in New Zealand. A ladies’ race brought out a field of nine, Miss Hankin riding Maui Nina to victory, w’th Pendoon, ridden by Miss E. Gill, second, and Lady Penury tbrd. The

donkey race produced no end of merriment, owing to the bucking propensities of a number of the neddies, who sent their riders to grass frequently before they left the birdcage and while at the post. Claude Brown rode the winner, Colonel Soult. Other prominent horsemen in colours also took part, their mounts being called after leading racehorses. Dandy Breeze managed to get his name on the list as a cross-country winner. This was in the mock steeplechase, the obstacles being made of paper, very little of which was left by the time the cavalcade got through the last one. The trotting and pacing event early in the day brought out twenty-three horses, and the exhibition, the first ever seen at Ellerslie, was a pleasing one. The parade of thoroughbreds, hunters and trotters was another spectacle which met with the approval of the large assemblage, estimated at about 6000

The Mock Court, also held with the object of raising funds for the Sports Queen, realised over £2OOO, of which sum the Auckland Racing Club found £lOOO, the Avondale Club £250, Otahuhu Trotting Club £lOO, Mr. Gorrie £5O, and Mr. M. Buckland £5O.