CHRISTCHURCH STEEPLECHASES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1695, 23 May 1866, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH STEEPLECHASES.

Most of our readers are aware that on Thursday, 24th. May, the first really good cross-country events we have ever had in Canterbury will be run, to those who did not know.this interesting fact we say come and see them. The course is within one mile of 'Cathedral spare, and every facility will be accorded to those who wish to see the races, While the charge for admission is the nominal sum of one 'shilling. .'' Another most important element of success ;in the races, viz., the number of starters will we venture to say satisfy anyone. The mere fact of H out of the 15 horses originally entered accepting for the great race is almost unprecedented, and we only hope that there may be no runaway race, but that the hitherto successful labours of the able handicappers may be rewarded by a good finish. The fences.are fair hunting ones as far as we can see, and though rather too close, together (which combined with a twisting course will favour slow clever old horses) are nothing more than can easily begot over by:.'a good cross-country performer. The' grand stand is placed on an elevation from which the public can see every jump; and the course is one of the best for spectators we ever saw. Arid now as to the real question of the day, " Who is to win ?"—not the Superintendeney, the contest-for which is all over but shouting, and which, interesting as it may be to politicians, we regard as quite a minor affair compared to the steeplechase—but the great event, the Christchurch Provincial Handicap, worth some £250 for the winner. Our original choice, St, Michael, ought, as he is entered for the Selling Stakes, to give way to his stable companion Weka, who accepted with the top weight, much to our surprise, Supposing only one of them to come to the post, the representative of the Auckland stable is bound to be dangerous, both from the amount of cross-country practice each horse has had, and from the fact of their being in charge of so able a man in his profession as George Cults. The four nags in Webb's stable will run on their merits, and we shall still take Camel to be the best of the lot, though over this course Jessie is nut to be despised lx)ttcry must run well, even with the welter weight o£ 12st 41b up. We learned yesterday that there is every possibility of his being steered by a jockey we never heard of before, but if It. Iteay is content to stand down, we must lake it for granted that his substitute's ability as a rider is undeniable. Buccaneer is, we are given to understand, a good fencer, and the fact of his haying won two steeplechases confirms us in this belief; but he is very old, and not the soundest horse in the world, and we hardly expect tosee him hailed the winner of the forthcoming race. Musician still holds the same place in our esteem as when we last wrote; but the course will not unit him so well as a more flying one, and if not first, we imagine he will not show up prominently at the finish. Banshee isno favourite of ours,even though steered by so accomplished a rider as Mr. Hope. Sinking Fund, (late Mildew) we have heardis going well, and if so, being so leniently treated as regards weight, is by no means out of the race, provided always that he is well ridden. All the three year olds would be backed, if lone odds conltl be obtained, but there is too much jumping for anything but an extremely goo:l youngster to get over, and none of' the three in this nice can be selected as anything wonderful. As a last attempt at picking a winner we shall takcTiOttery, Camel, and the best of the two Auckland nags (Weka and St. Michael) to represent us, and if they are beaten by an outsider, it will be by either Musician or Jessie. One morr word to the public and we have done. Ample accommodation at a very low charge will be provided, at Mr. Stace's faim,

for horses and carriages. And no horsemeu will be allowed on the course. Any dogs found on the ground will be summarily destroyed, as they aro a most dangerous nuisance, and even if they did not endanger the lives of the horsemen engaged in the various races, the sheep on the farms over which the events are run must not be subjected to the chance of being worried. MA&ISTIUTE'S COURT. —s—Monday, Mat 21. (Bcforo C. C. Bowen, Esq., 8.M., T. W. Maude, Esq,, J.P.) Dennis Buckley charged with being drank and incapable was fined 6a. W. H. Noon was charged with stealing a watch andclminvaluo£9. Constablo Smith said that he had arrosted the prisoner that morning. After being cautioned, prisoner suid that ho had bought the watch pro'duced tor £5, but could not say from whom ho bought it. George Saxon said that ho had come from Nelson, and was stopping at the Royal. At a quarter to seven this morning he saw his watch and chain produced on the table in his bedroom, and between that timo and 9 o'clock when he lett his room he missed it, Tbo door was not locked. Henry Thompson said ho was a watohmakor living in Colombo street. This morning he had information from Constable Feast and last witness given him that a watch had been stolen, and about ten minutes after prisoner came iu and offered the wateh produced, wanting £lO advanced on it. Witness informed the police, and prisoner was taken in charge, Albert Cuff, the proprietor of the Royal, said that prisoner was in the bar of the hotel on Friday and came into the hotel to ask for a pin. Prisoner said that he purchased the watch this morrfing at the City Hotel, and gave £5 for Jt to a man who was known to him by sight only. Prisoner was committed for trial, Tuesday, May 22. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., E.M.) A. Huron, charged with, being drunk and incapable, was fined ss. Mary Holmes, charged with being drunk and using obscene language, was fined <tOa. John Eoaca, charged with being drunk and .disorderly, was fined 10s. CIVIL CASKS. Tr/BNBULL ahd Deamer v. Gbaham.—This was a claim for £l6 6s, for medical attendance and medicine. £8 13s. was paidinto Court. The defence was that the medicine supplied had been charged for at a higher rate than that obtained from chemists aud druggists. His Worship gavejudgmentforthefullamount, HopkinßoN v. Inole ahd Waihs.—Claim for wages as labourer during harvest. Plaintiff in person; Mr. W. Williams for defendants. Plaintiff said that he had been stopping at defendants', occasionally doing work, but receiving no pay; but previously to 23rd January, when harvest commenced, defendants made a verbal agreement to pay him during hardest like any other man. The defence was that there was no agreement and that plaintiff was stopping with defendant as a friend till he could get something to do. He occasionally did some work and had received a suit of clothes from defendants besides an occasional shilling or two. His Worship gave judgment for the defendants. Luck ajd Ciaek v. Weight— This was a claim for £lO for services as Commisison Agent under a written authority, which from plaintiffs statement had not been revoked. Mr. Clark for plaintiffs, Mr. W. Williams for defendant. The defence was that the authority had beon verbally revoked, as the first attempt to sell the property entrusted to plaintiffs for sale had been unsuccessful, His Worship said, that there was no proof of revocation; be would adjourn the case for a week, to have the items of the account proved. : LYTTELTON. Tuesday, May 22. (Before W. Donald. Esq., E.M., and P. D. Gibson, Esq,, J.P.) Haeobeaveb and Co. v. Woodfobd.—Claim for £IOO, for goods supplied to the order of defendant. Judgment by default for full amount, and costs 16s. J, Meesoh. t. POSBFOED.—CIaim of £lO, for damages for breach of contract, Plaintiff in his evidence sbted that, defendant engaged,him to "carry a quantity of live pigs in drays to Christchurch, at a cost of £2 per dray. This was denied by defendant; he only agreed to pay the same rate that other carters would charge; he offered plaintiff £1 per dray, and he refused to take the pigs. A witness was called to prove that £1 per dray was offered to plaintiff. The Bench considered a breach of contract was proved, and gave judgment for £5, with 16s. costs.