REMINISCES AND RACEHORSES.

ROUND ABOUT RiGCARTON WITH MR J. E. HANSON. A CHAT WITH “BOB” DERRETT. THE SPORTSMEN OF THE OLDEN DAYS. (Specially written for the “Star.”)

In the last instalment there was recorded tit-bits of a conversation which took place between Mr John Edward Hanson and Air “Bob” Derrett during a call at the latter’s place near the Riccarton Racecourse. The two veterans had beeu indulging in gossip of old-time sportsmen and racehorses. SIR JAMES CARROLL SUMS UP. “ I remember on one occasion,” remarked Air Derrett, “I was sitting on a seal at a Steeplechase meeting along with Harry Goodman, when Sir James Carrol) came up to ns. The talk centred upon the racing celebrities of tbo old days and the introduction of the thoroughbred. 1, commented on the fact that Ridcllesworth had been imported into New Zealand in 1843 by the Hon Henry Petre. I asked Sir James whatever could have induced anyone to bring such a fine thoroughbred out to New Zealand at that date. 1 will never forgot the manner in which Sir James summed up the subject. ‘Der-rett,’-he said, ‘The thoroughbred and the Englishman are inseparable; where ever you find an Englishman you will find a thoroughbred.’ ” At this point Air Derrett again dipped into an old publication to give the “Star” man further information on the matter, and from the worthy little book the following extract is taken:— A LITTLE HISTORY.

the Riccarton racecourse, which took place at the metropolitan meeting on November 10, 1875. “My attention was attracted to tho official gathering on tho occasion,” said Mr Derrett, “ by the many ‘ hoorays ’ which I could hear. Mr F. H. Digby came to the fence and invited mo to join the glad throng, and when I would not do so he brought out a bumper of wine. Among those present at the function were Mr Michael Studholmc, Mr Lancelot Walker, Dr Brins, Mr Tom Millet, clerk of the course, and Mr Edward Griffith. It was Mr Griffith who imported Idalia, tho dam of Sir Modred and Betrayer.” AT THE SCALES. “I suppose you will remember tho time, Bob, when you boys used to get weighed on my scales?” was a*-query that came from Mr Hanson. “ Yes, I most assuredly do,” was tho reply; “ and a good many sovereigns would have been given sometimes if they had only weighed a couple of pounds lighter. You would recollect old Sam Haynes, who would probably weigh well over 12st in winter, and would go to scale at a summer meeting at Bst 41b.” “I do indeed.,” replied Mr Hanson, “and the drastic measures ho took to reduce weight, too.” TIME’S CHANGES. "Tho circumstances of racing and training,” continued Mr Derrett, “ have totally altered of latter years. There is now no late-hour feeding. 'What good did it ever do ? It only tended to disturb the horses whereas now, with earlier stables, thev are given a good period of rest and peace.” “ Yes,” chimed in Air Hanson, “ and what a. pother a lad would get into in the old days, l if there was a spot of mud on a horse’s hoof.”

The pioneer sire, imported to New Zealand from Australia was Figaro, bred by Mr lecly, Cooma, New South Wales. He was by Operator (imp) from a mare by Theorem (imp) whoso dam was by Camerton (imp). Operator, by Emilias, was bred in 1832, rind was imported to Now South Wales in. 1837. In 1841 Mr Thompson brought with him from England to Wellington a thoroughbred mare, also by Emilias, from whom came II Barbierc, foaled in Nelson. The first thoroughbred stallions imported from England came to Wellington. These were Aether and Iliddlesworth, imported in 1843 by the Hon Henry Petre. In 1851 the thoroughbred mare, Althaea, dam of Dainty Ariel and others, was imported from tho stud of Messrs Macarthur, of New South Wales, expressly to breed from Iliddlesworth. In 1844, Gipsy, a maro by Emigrant, was imported to Nelson from Sydney, and it may be noted that Gipsy Queen, by 11 Barbiere, ont of Gipsy, was the dam of Gitnna, the dam of Calumny and Backbiter. _ Glendon, by Cap-a-pie—Griselda, was imported in 1847 from Now South Wales by Messrs Clifford and Weld. In 1851 Mr Duppa imported from Tasmania Miss Miller, the dam of Miss Rowe and grand-dam of Peeress. At the same time he imported Vesta, tho dam of Ultima. That enthusiastic sportsman, Mr Henry Redwood in 1852 imported Sir Hercules from Sydney, together with his daughters Flora and Zoe, in addition to Woodstock, by Theorem. In 1857 Sir Hercules was sold and shipped back to Sydney. In the year 1851, however, Mr Redwood had imported Spray, the dam of Wctsail, Storm-bird, Belle of the Isle, and others, whilst Mr Strafford imported Symphony, also from Sydney, in the same year. Flora McIvor, with Chloe (a foal at foot) by IVos, was brought to Nelson by Mr Redwood in 1853 from New South Wales, and ho bred lo and Waimea from her in 1855 and 1857 respectively. At the same time ho purchased Finesse (dam of Revoke) and Moth (dam of

“ Things have changed there also,” agreed Mr Derrett. “ and it lias become recognised that the hoof feeds on good soil.” It was now time for Mr Hanson to return home, as his tea hour was approaching, so adieu was said to the jockey-trainer after an interesting talk. During the drive home Mr Hanson indulged in stories of other happenings in the early days.

EARLY DEBATES

THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PLIGHT,

Ladybird) and brought them to New Zealand with Flora Mclvor. In 1859 Mr E. Moorhouso imported The Peer, sire of Peeress, Manuka, etc., and in 1862 Messrs Harris and Innes imports etl Traducor, the well-known stallion and most successful sire of racehorses.

They also imported the mare Mermaid, dam of Lurlme, Castaway, etc., together with several other well-bred mares.

SELLING HIS INTEREST,

Mr Lancelot Walker purchased Traducer from Sir Thomas Leonard, and Mermaid from Baron Rothschild, shipping them to New Zealand by sailer in 1862, in charge of Mr W. O. Webb. Tho ship called at tho Cape of Good Hope, and as the passage appeared likely to he a long one Mr Walker thought of selling his horses there. Mr Lines, of Harris and Innes, was a fellow _ passenger, and after some negotiations he purchased Mr Walker’s interest in these horses, so that although they were imported by Mr Innes they were really selected by Mr L. Walker.

LOST HIS BEARINGS

A BIG WIN,

“I told Sir James,” continued Mr Derrett, ‘ mat i was thamuul icr itio importation oi Riddiesworth, as 1 luter rode a descendant of his, Fisnhook, when ho won tlio Dunedin Cup tor ‘ Dan ’ O’Brien. Fishhook was by 'J raducer. from Laurel by Fetor Flat, cut of Shurkie by liiddlesworth. Ho was bought by Mr D. O’Brien in 1875, at the Wellington summer meeting when he won tho Maiden Plate. Fishhook won tho Dunedin Cup in 1877 with Hippocampus second. Han O’Brien had a lug win over the race, iheie was £10,1)00 won on Fishhook, and emy shilling was paid ly settling nightRiddlesworth was by Cumins, licm Bee-iu-a-Bonnet, by Blaeklock, Aether never left any good hones, but Riddlesworth did.”

MIDDLEWARE.

Tho conversation theu turned on the subject of tho Middlepark Stud Company and both veterans regarded it as a thousand pities that tne company had over been broken up. It was a very suitable estate for horse breeding, and a good number of men were employed at the establishment.

“ Among the horses imported by the company,” said Mr Derreti, “ were I Hammock, Fleurange, Rupee, Eu Avaut, mid Strenua. Chat lie Lewis came out in charge of them. Ling of Clubs and St George were imported from Australia by the company. Ammg notable horses bred .it Midd'opirk were Sir Modred, Vaugutrd. Criviot, Betrayer and Liverpool, but there were dozens of others.” “ Didn’t the company also import Apremont?” asked Mr Hanson. “ No,” was Mr Derrett’s reply, ‘‘ the late Mr G. G. Stead imported Anemont, and we owe much to that gentleman also for the beautiful mares which he also imported.” "GIVE 808 A CHANCE.”A few of the old-time jockeys were mentioned in the course of further gossip, among them Billy Kraft, known ns The Identity, little Dick IPolomls, Davy Jones, Percy Martin and Harry Fuller. “ I won my first race at Riccarton on Mr Delamniii’s Miss Plat, in 1870It was the Railway Plate of half a nile. Mr Delamain said to his trainer that ho wanted ‘ to give Bob a chance,’ and I got it. You w T ould remember being in tho paddock, and hearing Mr Dflaraain say that?” remarked the old-time jockey to Mr Hanson. "I may have been,” replied the other veteran “hut I did not take such an interest in racing affairs as you did, Bob, for it to become fired in my memory.” A CELEBRATION. A big occasion in the local racing affairs was the opening of the railway to

THE COAL TRACK.

" I must tell you about the Debating Society we had,” ho said. “ Among its members were Jim Fisher, of Garrick and Cowlishaw; William Fisher, George Booth and Edwin Barns, of Newton and Bams. Dr Foster was president, and tho Rev W. J. Haliens vice-president. We met in a school belonging to the Independent Methodists in Manchester Street, where we debated all the topics of the day, and Dr Foster was a capital man, giving all the members every encouragement to air their views. We also had a little cricket club and played matches in Fisher’s paddock, in Durham Street South. The Jamesons were especially enthusiastic members of the club.

“ I'll ere is one story I must tell you of a notable old-time resident of Canterbury province. This gentleman was one time Superintendent of Nelson province, and the Provincial Government became involved) in some Court action or other. Judgment went against it, and the Superintendent had, as n were, to ‘stand Sam.’ Ho declined to pay, and was committed to prison, hut by virtue of his high office he had the privilege of naming his prison, and he chose his own house as his castle of incarceration, and there ho served the period. Wihrilo in his prison the Judge who had sentenced him came around on circuit, and naturally it was the Superintendent’s duty to entertain him during his stay, and consequently tho Judge lodged also in the ‘prison.’

“ In tho old days, we had to import the great bulk of our provisions- from Sydney. I recollect when I was at Fisher’s that our lollies even came from there One staple article which wo obtained from the other side was flour, and concerning this I must tell you a comical happening. Captain Armstrong, who commanded ; a'ne ofl the vessels which traded across the Tasman, lived opposite Avonhead, and he could bo generally relied upon by neighbours for a supply of flour. One time Mr Haytou, who lived at Middleton, found that his family was out of flour, so he decided to call at Captain Armstrong’s and got some. It was early evening when ho started, and he set out across the eighty acres, as the church property was called, to Captain Armstrong’s house. On returning home he thought he would take the short out, but darkness had fallen, and he got astray in his hearings. As ho wandered around aimlessly the flour became like unto a ton weight, and he told me afterwards that he would have been glad to have been rid of his burden. However, ho could not dump it down anywhere, because it might have come on to rain during the night and spoil the precious stuff. After a while he saw a light in the distance, and not knowing where ho was lie decided to make for it. In time ho reached the old plank bridge along the road, only to discover that he was hack again at Captain Armstrong’s place. Ton may depend upou.it, tho Captain mado him welcome, as everyone did in those days, but Mr Hayton did not try the short cut across tho eighty acres when he ventured out again.

At the time I am speaking of the West Coast Road, up past tho church was called the Coal Track. This was due to tlio fact that Mr John Jebson had a coal-mine at the Mailveru Hills, and tho coal used to come down by that road. Mr Jebson was a member of the old Provincial Council. Often people would come to me, and bring a load of coal and barter tho coaf for tea and sugar. J THE FIRST ARTESIAN. There have been a lot of arguments as to who put down the first artesian well. John Jebson laid claim to the first, but George Hatha way sank tho fust well in the city, opposite the City Hotel, somewhre about the same timo. *■ CARDBOARD “MONEY.” “The introduction of tokens, so well known in early trading, came about because there was no small sill ver or copper in circulation. Wo used to give change in money made of cardboard LO.U.’s for a penny and threepence. This paper money especially did not appeal to the miners who were on their way to the West Coast fields Mr H. J. Hall brought out the first tokens, and the place later became swamped with them.” (A further instalment will appear on Saturday next.)

AN OLD INN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The reminiscences of Mr J. E. Hanson make very interesting reading W r ith regard to tho old inn at Coach Comes, near the racecourse, it is just possible that it may be identical with the Horse and Jockey, which had a license* I believe, in the ’sixties, and ivas situated somewhere in the neighbourhood. Possibly some one may remember it.—l am, etc., E. M. LOVELL SMITH. A'> , -‘--an, Dyer’s Puss Rond.