TE KARAKA SPORTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 304, 3 January 1902, Page 3

TE KARAKA SPORTS.

A RECORD GATHERING

Upwards of 800 people attended the Karaka Sports on New Year’s Day, and the gathering was a most successful one. The weather was perfect, and a great crowd of townspeople took advantage of the opportunity afforded them to spend a day in the country. The sports were held on a portion of the Lome Estate, a horse-shoe flat skirted by the Waipaoa river, and particularly attractive on account of the excellent shelter provided by the groves of cabbage trees and willows which abound there. It was an ideal picnic ground, and the distance from town was just sufficient to prevent the drive being in the slightest degree wearying. There must have been o/.;r one hundred vehicles on the ground, whilst the mobs of horses teihered ,011 the ground were in themselves an interesting sight. Many perse <;» drove to the Karaka and walked to the ground, a distance of a little i o/er half a mile. The scene on t' ’

flit during the day was a most ani-r.-atec one. Scores of pEnic parties tterj to he seen camped under the vioows, and all present seemed to have made up their minds to en oy tlieir selves. The arrangements ma in hy the committee for the sports were most complete, and the members are to le congratulated upon the full rueasu;t: of the success which attended Ihe'r. efforts. The following gentlemen foimed the committee —Messrs Ja.. l.uwn, W. Bright, J. Kelly, Robert B. A. Devery, H. Ruru, C. Dams G. How Chow, 11, Pomere, W. Zethel, Poata, and J. Graham. Mr Barrington made an excellent President, and did all in his power to promote’ the comfort of visitors. In all sports gatherings most of the work falls upon the secretary, but Mr J. C. Neagle proved himself more than equal to the occasion. He was most assiduous in the discharge of ln_s duties and untiring in his efforts to forward the success of the meeting. Messrs H. Mason, E. Thompson, and A. McLean were the judges, and their decisions met with general favor ; Messrs A. Lewis aad E. Thompson were the handicappers, and Messrs A. McKenzie and J. Crimmons were responsible for the starting during the day. Mr A. Devery as. clerk of the course was the righe man in the right place, and he was assisted by Mr Sonny Sydney, who, in addition to clearing the course coi’dd clear every obstacle en route. The Gisborne Rifle Band were in attendance during the hay and played a [ number of choice selections, whici Wiic much appreciated. With regard to the racing it was full of interest, although at times it was not altogether free from danger. The g?<hmd was fairly rough lor the horse-rJg£ng events, and with a field of over twen-ty-onc competitors on zi track haxuly as wide as the street, and through a crowd of people at that, there was coi siuerable risk of £-n accident occurrir.T. several well-known sports suggested that on such occasions it was w-.se to climb a tree to witness me event; for it was hard to predict what might not happen. But although Ihe.e were many spills during the day, m one was hurt, not the slightest h - t:n of any kind occurring to mar the pleasure of the gathering. There was great excitement when the scurry races were on, and it was certaimy.a no-el sight to most persons to witness such large fields. All the competitors meant business, and from the start the whips were going, and kept at work throughout the race. As the great field swept along the fiat it looked more like a charge of cava-cy than anything else, and had any oae horse come down there would have undoubtedly been a great mixing up ol horses, saddles, and bridles. 'lhe ground was very soft, and made the lumping very dillicult. In the uin after Dick Turpin, several of those following on horseback came down, fear at the hurdle, but no one was hurt. 'J liis event was 1 perhaps the most attractive of the day. 'lhe character, ol

Dick Turpin was' taken by Mr A. JJevery, that of his right hand man,' Tom King, being taken by Mr H. Ogden. Mr N. Devery made an excellent commander of police, and the mounted men were Messrs J. King, Brown (2), Devery (3), J. Kelly, and T. Tait. Mr Barrington was the toll-gate keeper. The item had been previously rehearsed, so those engaged were well up to their work. The opening incident was the robbing of the bank, followed by the raising of the alarm and call for police assistance. By the time Dick Turpin was well under weigh, and the mounted men and general following in pursuit, there must have been over a hundred horsemen in the

field. Arriving at the toll-gate Dick Turpin found a friend in the keeper, who was so slow in letting the police through that the robber was able • to increase his lead. In the next round

Di;k Turpin’s horse fell dead, but with the assistance of his friend Tom

King a fresh steed was available,’and tie highwayman was again able to gee away, only in the end to be arrested and receive the sentence of death. 'The horse ridden by Mr Devery

was the well-known “ Bobs,” ‘the pro-

perty of Mr Leslie Oates, and _ the arimal was exceedingly well trained, lying down quietly at the word of command. The Pony Race was won by Dinah, which was splendidly ridden ty Master Pritchard, whilst Master W. Devery rode with excellent judgment in the race won by Mr Hurangi’s '1 upara, the victory, against such a laige field, being chiefly due to the hoy's efforts, and his quickness in getting off the mark. The refreshment stall on the ground was in charge of Mr How Chow, and the attendants were kept busy during the day. It •was also a busy day at the Karaka Hotel, where an excellent luncheon was provided. In the evening a dance was held at the Karaka, and was

lavgely attended. The following were the results : . Maiden Race, 150 yards : A. Curtis 1, YV. Bougen 2, J. Hennessy 3. Seven started. A very good race, Curtis winning by one yard. boys’ Handicap, under 14 years, 10j ysids : V. Oman 2yds 1, W. Roe sci 2, j. Lucas 3. Four others started. 100 yards Handicap : VV. Bougen V yds 1, M. Oman 10 yds 2, 11. Atkins scr 3. Thirteen started. Bougen ran in good style, and won with a Pit Pony Race, half-mile : A. Pritchard's Dinah 1, O’Grady’s Miss Kruger 2. Fiiteen started, and a grand race resulted, Dinah getting home first by half a length. I Hop, Step, and Jump : J. Jones, 37 yds 9 in., .1; Charlie Ho conga i. J, Hennessy 3. The ground wasveiy rough and the jumping under the adveisr, circumstances u as very good. Jump tor Horses: J. M. Gi.uidsmith’s Fencer (ridden Mr B. Lennett) 1 ; Me Sherman’s Rangaiid (ridden by Mr B. Westmoreland,

2. This was a- most interesting event, and brought out a fieid ol thirteen. Rangariri and Fencer were the first to jro, the former getting over the first, and the latter over at the last time of ashing. They were followed by Mr Parsons’ bay Belle, which was ridden by Mr Sydney Newman, who, aiter a couple of unsuccessful efforts, got his mount over. Mr Newman’s Jack Rag was the fourth to go, and refused the jump on each occasion. Mr Watene s Margatu River showed plenty of pace and good style, but struck the hurdle slightly. He was ridden by a native. Mr But lop’s Sailor, ridden, by Mr 0. Evans, took the first jump without fault, Mr Mackenzie’s old favorite, Macaroni, struck the hurdle each time, and went out in the first round. Mr W. Hutchinson’s Baldie, which was ridden by Mr B. McKenzie, also carried away the bar. and went out. Mr J. Kelly’s Boer was as erratic as old Kruger himself. It knocked the bar | down the first time, and shot around the posts on the second and third attempts. Sunrise was ridden by a native, and kept the crowd at a distance by its behavior. Mr M. Mullooly s Snider got over in good style and was aoplcuded. The last competitor nr the fust round was Nicodenrus, who was ridden by a native. The horse shaped very badly, and the crowd ungraciously recommended the rider to take it home, which he did. >re competitors left in the second round were Rangariri, Fencer, Bay Belle, Swlwf and Snider., la the third

•round Bay Belie, Snider, and Siibt weut out, For the final, the horses Jumped from thy opposite direction and had the disadvantage of having to face the sun. Rangiriri refused the bar :he three times, and Fencer also at the iy, fust attempt. In the second attempt ss- Ferce- made a splendid jump, clearing ud the bar withoout touching, amidst id- great applause, the rider, Mr B. Boned net! being congratulated on his suey- ccss. of Fenny Half - Mile : Mr Ilnrangi’s at Tupara (ridden by Master W. Devery) r- i, Mr Cresswell’s Camelia (ridden by lie Master Johnson) 2. Twenty-two be started. Tupara was quickest off the vs mark, and securing the inside running, ad held the lead to the post, winning by m a bare length. it Te Karaka Handicap : H. Sexton, e- Herat/h, 1; B. Siddells, 8 yds, 2; /.. in Morris 3. - Eleven started. Sexton got ic away splendidly, and was in front is tv. only yards from home, winning ty i- two yards. * Leaping Competition : Mr W. Hutd chinson’s Baldie (ridden by D. Me e Kenzie) 1, W. Habgood’s Tea Rose : (ridden by W. Devery) 2. There were - over twenty competitors for this - event, and the jumping was very good t throughout. Baldie, Rangiriri, Busb- > whacker, Sailor, Fencer, and Tea Rose ' were the half dozen selected for the 'third round, and the final run was bei tween Baldie and Tea Rose, the latter i spelling her chance on account of touching one of the hurdles. Tilting at the Ring :A. McKenzie 1 j Girls’ Race (under 12) : Miss A. Goldsmith 1, Miss T. O’Connell 2, Miss S Goldsmith 3. j Boys’ Race (special) : A. Mclntosh : 1, E. Bell 2. |