The Great Race .... of 1935

Thirty-six years ago a massive crowd gathered at the Roseland Hotel, Makaraka, to witness the first wheelbarrow derby to be held in the district.

Each entry consisted of a pusher and a jockey and the course, of 3½ miles, started at the Roseland, went up the north road to Bushmere Road, down to White's corner, and back along the south road to the Roseland. The race was sponsored by Mr Harry Airey, Roseland licensee, and the prizes were presented by the then M.P., Mr D. W. Coleman.

Readers will be interested to know, naturally, that it rained for most of the event!

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The winners Were Mr Bill Dunstan (pusher), now of 11 Bloomfield Road and from whom these pictures were obtained, and his brother, the late Mr Frederick Dunstan.

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The Roseland in 1935.

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The crowd waits for the start of the event — and the rain.