Legends of the Maori
A Maori Race Meeting
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!