Race Day On Norfolk

Island.

“Going to the races?”

The words conjure up the same feel ing of expectation and excitement on Norfolk Island as they do on your way to Epsom Downs.

You have the same opportunity of showing off your judgment in picking a winner from among the lesser breed, as from finest blood stock. You get the same thrill watching your choice striv ing his utmost to make your speculation —be it a “bob” or your last shirt —pay you a “divvy,” and the rest of the field doing their best to make it pay someone else’s “divvy.”

“Going to the races?”

“Yes.”

“Right-ho, hop up!” We pick up a friend on the way in our horse and trap and remnants of harness.

We meet a lorry with trembling mud guards and a silencer which has lost its silence. The horse makes objections and bang goes one of the remaining straps!

A bit of string or wire from the nearest house and we are off again. It will last until we get home!

We arrive early. Some kind friends ask us to help them to eat their lunch, so we lend them our assistance. By the time our lending powers are exhausted, the place is getting filled up and they are thinking about starting the first race. So we stroll over to the “Tote.” which, this year, is the new Golf Club House converted for the occasion.

We inspect the imposing array of of ficials within and, having satisfied our selves that their knowledge of mathe matics is sufficient to warrant us plac

ing 1/- in their care, we study the blackboard with the necessary informa tion on it and, although there are only three entries for this race, after due consideration we carefully back the “also ran.”

We enquire why jockeys keep hopping in at one window and out at another, like a harlequin parade, and find that they being “weighed out” and the usual entrance is not available. One of them, finding he is a pound or two over weight, kicks off his boots and rides in socks.

The jockeys carry the owner’s colours in true orthodox style, but from the col ours downwards their costumes are varied. One favours white flannel trousers, with the legs tucked inside a pair of stockings, and tennis shoes. An other prefers riding boots instead of the shoes. But this does not affect their en thusiasm and efficiency.

Half a dozen tents of various construc tion are dotted about, providing refresh ments. Tables are placed under the pine trees, making it very pleasant —al though dead pine needles, pieces of bark and festive birds provide some disad vantages.

After many greetings, during which we express our opinions on politics in general and the banana quota in par ticular, we pull out early to get ahead of the mechanical vehicles —for if another strap goes we may have to camp out!

E. Dudley Dorman.

At the Levuka Municipal Council elec tion held on November 10, Mr. F. G.

Brewis, with 106 votes, and Mr. H. H.

Adcock, with 93 votes, were elected. The other candidate, Mr. H. O. E. Palmer, obtained 89 votes.