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Legends of the Maori

A Maori Race Meeting

page 197

A Maori Race Meeting

THIS was the official preliminary announcement of a race meeting held by the Maori many years ago at Okoroire, among the fern hills of the Upper Waihou, and attended by King Tawhiao and a concourse of sport-loving tribesfolk:—

COME! COME! COME!

NOTICE TO ALL.

This notice is to all friends in the East, in the West, in the North, in the South.

O FRIENDS, LISTEN!

Horse Races will be held at

OKOROIRE.

These races will be run under the patronage of the King of the Maori People.

STEWARDS OF THE RACES:

  • Chairman—Te Wheoro and his friends.
  • Judge—Te Tahuna and his friends.
  • Starter—Te Harihari and his friends.
  • Clerk of Scales—Te Kamanomano.
  • Handicapper—Tom Pepa and his wife.
  • Treasurer—Mrs. Harihari.

RULES OF THESE RACES:

1.

Men owning horses and wishing to enter them must deposit money in the hands of the secretary.

2.

Don’t bring any drink to these races.

3.

Men who have taken much drink will not be allowed on this course. If any man disobey this rule he will bring the whip of the Club down upon him.

4.

No girls will be allowed to ride as jockeys in these races.

page 198
5.

Jockeys must wear trousers in all events.

6.

No jockey must knock any other jockey off his horse, or touch the reins of any other jockey, or strike any other jockey with his whip during a race, or strike any other horse other than his own, or swear at 01 threaten any other jockey.

7.

Any jockey breaking these rules will be driven from the course if he does not pay 20s. to the treasurer.

8.

You must not change the name of the horse. You must not suppress the fact of a win at any other race meeting. You can be expelled, or fined not more than 50s. if you break this rule.

9.

Persons allowed to see these races must not say rude words to the stewards or swear at jockeys who do not win, or otherwise behave improperly.

(Signed) PARITE TE RERA TUKU.

February 20, in the 20th. year of the King. Greetings!