A TRIP TO TOLOGA BAY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 276, 21 March 1889, Page 3

A TRIP TO TOLOGA BAY.

[By Balltali ikillioan.] *• The sen is fresh, the sea is fair. And the sky calm overhead.” Taking advantage of an enforced holiday, I indulged in a trip up the coast as far as Tologa Bay. I had for travelling companions, a portly Boniface, and a horsebreaker, who Mr Boniface declared was the possessor of a fabulous sum in the three per cents, and hated to be reminded of the fact. We were all well mounted, but there did not seem to exist that unity of feeling between B. and his nag as was the case with the " consolidated stock ” man and myself. In fact it did not matter what the subject of conversation happened to be at the time, it was sure to be interrupted in the most Irreverent manner by an amusing scene between B, and hie war charger. And here I may state that although B, is as kindhearted and honest a man as you will meet with, he is not a whit particular as to the language he uses, and is at times very profane. So that Sultan (his charger’s Christian name) came in for a considerable amount of abuse in the shape of epithets which can only be indicated here. However as Sultan took all his cuffs and abuse in good part, nothing serious eventuated. Having thus briefly described our party we will now make a start from Ormond. About 9 a.m., everything being ready, we alowly took our way to Gisborne, via Paritnanihi (excuse the orthography of this and other Maori words I may have occasion to use). On this road everything seems to be flourishing, and maize, rewais, kumaras, pumpkins, and other vegetables are in abundance. “ Steamers ” are hard at work threshing the oats and grass seed, and the Whole appearance of the district gives the idea of prosperity. Having reached Gisborne we pass over the bridge to the Haiti, where the only object— Harbor works excepted—worthy of notice is Dickson's very pretty little villa. Seeing <. this, forces one to the conviction that it is nothing short of a calamity that the titles to the Motions on this offshoot of Gisborne are not

all that they should be, Passing on we soon reached the beach, where we had the fortune to meet with a “ good tide," and it was here that those comical disagreements between Sultan and his rider became conspicuous. Of course there had been some mild differences between them before reaching the beach, but these were not t patch on what took place on this—and other parts of a like nature—of our journey, Sultan had a strong aversion to the Surf, and took every precaution, in spite of Curb or rein, to keep as far away from it as possible ; and notwithstanding that B. held In his hand an article something the size and shape of an axe handle, which be uses aa a persuader. Sultan would not be persuaded, but kept well away from the surf and the rest of the company. Here, what with the noise of the surf, and the good smart canter at which we were travelling, conversation with B. was carried on with difficulties which made themselves apparent every now and then by B. yelling, “ Sultan I ya get up I — ■■—— ” accompanied invariably by a flourish of the axe handle, and Sultan would come a little closer only to fall away again immediately after. My friend nf the “ stocks " would then mildly expostulate with B, for hie profanity, although in my opinion it was a clear case of the pot upbraiding the kettle ; but B. had only to hint that we were not all so fortunate as to have funds in the three per cents, and he conquered at once. To those living inland and unaccustomed to be near the sea, there is nothing I know of so bracing and inspiriting as a smart canter on a good horse, in fine weather, on a bard sandy beach, I confess it made my spirits light and buoyant, and I felt as if new life was being infused into me ; and not only so but I am certain my horse felt in a like manner, because he became full of going and like • playful boy just out for a holiday, would not take time to walk, but seemed happiest when I permitted him to travel at about half pace," as they say in racing parlance. A smart journey of about two and a-half hours brought us to Pakarae, where we obtained much needed refreshment for ourselves and horses. This hostelry is indeed a god. sand to travellers, and its present landlord, besides keeping an excellent table and good liquors, seems as if he oould not do enough for his patron®, Indeed hie very great obseauiousness caused us by common oonsant to ub him “ Yes Sir,” and during the remaining part of the journey we had quite an entertainment varied by amusing scenes between Sultan and 8., and facetious allusions to " Yes Sir," Leaving Pakarae about half-past three we reached Tologa about six, and immediately repaired to Mac’s to seek for accommodation. But here we met with a difficulty, as the Land Court was sitting, and the races were to come off next day, and of course the accommodation at Mac's disposal was very meagre. However he guaranteed to stow us away somewhere, and we dismounted, tended our horses, and afterwards eat down to an excellent dinner of roast goose, etc .reminding one of Michi almas-tide in the Old Country. Having done ample justice to mine host's viands, we had a cruise round the township and I may say at once we were not favorably impressed with its appearance. The place is one bed of loose sand, and the majority of the buildings have a neglected and tumble down look about them. I am giving the honest sentiments of my companions and myself when I say that we would make very great sacrifice rather than be compelled to live at Tologa. Then again at Tologa there are fleas, J don't mean to infer by this that fleas exist nowflere else, but I mean to assert that the fleas at Tologa are a distinct species, and nothing short of what my friend Murphy terms regular “ bull dog ” fleas. In fact when you catch one at hie little piocadilloes he is sure either to leave his mandible behind or bring the piece along. They are likewise numerous—very numerous—and one has very little time left for anything else if he attends well to them. They also take kindly to strangers, and we had not been very long in the place when we felt the nsual sensations which never left us until our arrival at our homes offered facilities for a complete change of raiment. Having " done ” the township we strolled back to the hotel and spent the remainder of the evening singing songs and playing on the piano. Bed time having arrived, a quiet young man and myself were told off to sleep in the wash house, the only place available. It had . been fitted np to accommodate three, —we two and our wealthy young friend of the stocks, but.be having an engagement elsewhere, did not *' turn in,” and the quiet young man complacently attacked his bed clothing. Now, thia was just what I contemplated doing ‘ myself, but I was not smart enough, and I even failed to bring about a division of the spoil. I had my revenge, however, shortly afterwdrds, for just as the young man wo 9 totting'comfortably warm, I suggested that Be should strike a match and search under the beds for secreted spielers. He pretended to poobpooh the matter, but I knew I had made him uneasy, and it was not long before be followed my suggestion and made the search, not neglecting to look behind the mangle which formed part of our furniture. The search, as I anticipated, was a fruitless One, and he blew the match and made the best of his way into bed again, Neither of PI slept, however, our little acrobatic friends being responsible for our wakefulness. In the morning we did justice to a good breakfast, after which we saddled up and rode Slowly to the racecourse, which is situated on Mr Beeves' property, about three miles from Tologa, Here there Is an extensive flat of

rich land, which seems to only require cultivation to make it all that oould be desired for agricultural purposes. There is every facility for drainage, as the river winds prettily through the fiat. Indeed, the scenery in places is very interesting. On reaching the course we found the usual adjuncts present, viz., booths, totalisator, and spielers, and the familiar *• A shilling a ticket, who'll have the last one 7 Five bob the winner," was the first sound that reached us. The course itself is somewhat rough and io inch that only half the racing can be witnessed, no matter from what point you view it. The energetic secretary, Mr McMillan, was here, there, and everywhere, and to his zeal may be attributed much of the success of the meeting. You have already published the results of the different events, so that it is not pHeesary for ma to give them hen. There ware,however, two protests lodged during the

Davy, against Darnley, in the Handicap Hurdles, and the second that lodged by the owners of Darnley against Forest Queen, in the Uawa Stakes. Regarding the former, I may say that there was so little in it that the stewards would have been justified in dis missing it at once. They were half an hour, however, discussing and taking evidence on the matter before coming to a decision, and I strongly suspect that the owners of Darnley had to thank the very strong independent evidence given in their favor, that the protest was not sustained.

With regard to the latter, the owners of Darnley—the second horse—protested on the ground that the mare ran inside a post. I have not the slightest doubt in my own mind that such was the case, and that the mare did run inside a post. Moreover, there were very ugly rumors afloat concerning the jockeys who rode in the race. At any rate, the stewards decided in favor of the mare without examining the ground where she was supposed to have run off, although invited to do so by Darnley’s owner. At future meetings, if the stewards wish support from outside owners they will require to treat those owners a little more considerately. At the close of the races, we mounted our horses and rode to Tologa where we had tea, after which we made a start for home—not forgetting to call, by the way, on “ Yes, sir ” —and reached there in the small hours of the morning, somewhat tired, but having thoroughly enjoyed our trip.