LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1501, 2 December 1874, Page 3

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

THE WELLINGTON RACES,

THE MAYORAL CONTEST,

CARD-SHARPING THE EMPIRE

CITY.

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day,

Great preparations are being made for the races. The Jockey Club has expended a large sum of money in increasing tbe appointments of the grand stand building, and improving the course and ground to secure the comfort and safety of spectators, and offer every facility for good racing. JJExtra trains will be run earlier and later than usual. Three or four steamers will also convey passengers.

The Mayoralty contest is waxing warm. Mr Moorhouse has thrown himself into tbe turmoil enthusiastically. He addressed the citizens last night at the Oddfellows' Hall, and will stump different wards of the city. The Post is feeding fat its ancient grudge against the ex-Mayor, Mr Dransfield, and fighting tooth and nail for Mr Moorbouse. The Times is neutral, and says not yea nor nay for either. The atmosphere of Wellington does not agree with the talent. The police are too attentive altogether. A case of the biter bit came into Court yesterday. Solomon Collins, Alfred Drake, and Nathan Simpson were charged with card-sbarping by Henry C. Williams at poker. They rung in what is called cold deck upon him, and took his bottom dollar. Tbe prosecutor was more Wok than pigeon. He says to one of the trio—" Collins, be has a heap of sugar ; let have him to-night at poker. Sharp No. 2 ■greed, but Collins being his friend, be put 11101 %, and went back upon tbe other. The. case was put into the hands of Mr Travers ; but as the respectability of the sharps was prejudiced, they squared it with the prosecutor, and finding the police had gotten hold of the affair, they spirited the prosecutor away. It is supposed he is not to joe found, and the peelers have tbeir eyes skinned in all directions. The-fancy-consider Bttch publicity rather stupid and uncalled for. They have only been a few days here, and »re known of all men. The Burford cum-Stephenson Company are dF agging out a miserable existence with poor pieces, but good playing, to poor houses. The tunnel through the Rimutaka Hill on the Wellington and Masterton line bids fair jo reserve completion "for doomsday. They Jave struck trap-rock contrary to specifica«on, and j 3 disagreeing much with tbe stomach of contractors. The want of more JpUing stock is much felt upon the Hutt &ft That is the chief reauon why steamers *?!laid on to take people to the races. The general impression is that the salvors H the Strathnaver will lose their case and £10,000 they want. ' . t « has been glorious weather for the past Week.