SPORTING.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11014, 11 July 1901, Page 6

SPORTING.

THE V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received July 10th, 10.5 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 10. ! Betting is fairly active on the National ' Steeplechase, to be decfiled on Saturday next. Freedom, Laceby, Pirate, arlS Dispute divide favouritism at 7to 1. The African was backed for several thousands at 100 to 7, closing at 100 to a GISBORNE RACING CLUB. (press association telegram.) GISBORNE, July 10. The following are the aocept&ncea for the second day of the Gisborne Racing Club's Steeplechase Meeting: — TE HAPARA jAANDICAP, of 30 soys; .six furlongs—Gipsy Queen list 81b, Admiral Hawke llet 51 b, Vafchek 9st 10lb, Unique 9st 41b, Pupatu 9st 21b, Don 9st 21b. SECOND HURDLE HANDICAP, of 45 soys; one mile and three-quarters—Scallywag 12st, Straybird lust 131b, Yoitigeur H. lOst 101b, Sylvanus 9at 101b, The Gryphon 9st Blb, Merry Boy 9st GISBORNE PARK STEEPLECHASE, of 80 soys; about three miles—Scallywag 12st 71b, Straybiru. list 7ib, The Gryphon lOst 2lb, Kowhai lOst, Sylvanus lOst, Tarragon 9st 7lb, Cronje 9st 71b. HUNTERS' FLAT Ha DICAP, of 15 soys; one mile and a half—Malcolm 13at 101b, Jdippogrilt 12st, Ballinger list 121b. Snaphence list 101b, Knight Templar list 7lb, Peter Osbeck list 41b, Albion list, Mangatahi list. HACK HANDICAP, of 20 soys; seven furlongs—A.B.N. lOst 101b, Chancellor If. lOst 71b, Slapjack lOst 21b, Haatipuru 9st 7lb, Addie 9st. TALLY-HO STEEPLECHASE, of 20 soys; two miles and a half—Ballinger 12st 121b, Kaitoa 12st, Peter Osbeck list 21b, Sailor list, Knight Templar list, Snaphence lOst 71b, Mangatahi 10at 7lb, Fencer lOst 7lb. FINAL HANDICAP, of 30 soys; one mileGipsy Queen list 71b, Admiral Hawke list 71b, Vathek i)st 81b, Unique 9st 4lb, Papatu 9st 21b, Don 9st, Merry Boy 9st, Malcolm 9sL The following are suggested as winners: — Te Hapara Handioap, Gipsy Queen; Second Hurdles, Straybird or Scallywag; Gisbome Park Steeplechase, Straybird or Scallywag; Hunters' Flat. Hippogritt; Hack Handicap, Chancellor II.; Final Handicap, Gipsy Queen or Vatlhek. WELLINGTON RACING CLUB'S WINTER MEETING. (P*«SS AiSOCIATION TMJEGKAIt.) WELLINGTON, July 10. The following acceptances have been received : — WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE, of 350 soys; about three miles—The Guard 12st 31b, Waitio list. Straybird lOst 51b, Evening Wonder lOst 31b, Opaku lOst, Right Metal lOst, Hinau 9st lllb, Claymore 9st 11 lb, Cairo 9st 101b, Nipapu 9st 9lb, Gobo flat cib. STEWARDS' HANDICAP, of 100 soys; seven furlon-**—Jabber list 31b, Ostiak lOst 12lb, Sundial lust 12!b, Ruamahunga lOst lllb, Sylvia Park lOsi, 71b. Aide-do-Camp lOst 51b, Tiikapa lOst 2lb, Lady's Link lOst 21b, Indian Shot lOst, Rebel 9st lllb, Stopina 9st 101b, Jewel Gun 9st 7lb, Maro 9st 61b, Regret 9st sid, -ags 9st 31b, Osborne Qat 31b, Lauristina 9st 3ib, Smithy 9st 31b. WINTER HURDLE HANDICAP, of 300 soys: two miles—Haydn list slb, Right Metal lOst 71b, Hotu lOst 71b, Evening Wonder lOst | 61b, Hair Trigger lOst 51b Grey Ribbon lOst 2l'b, Hinau lOst 21b, Stockade lOst, Derringcotte 9st 121b, Rodara 9st Gib, Dormant 9st 3lb.

PARLIAMENTARY HANDICAP, ii 150 soys; one mile amd a furlong—Crusoe list 71b, Ostiak lOst 7lb. Aide-de-Camp lOst 51b, Sundial lOst 51b, Rubin lOst 3lb, Daphne lOst, Tukapa 9st 12!b. Tigress 9st 121b, Whitirea 9st 121b, Waterford 93t 71b, Regret 9st 3lb. iiACK HA..t'iCAP. of 80 soys; one mile— Plaidie list, "Woodthorpe lOst 121b, Kidbrook lOst 51b, Cornea lOst sll>, Moturoa 103t slb, Pukana lOst 31b, Greensleeve 9st 131b, Raukura 9st 13!b, First Light 9st lllb. General Wolfe 9st 9lb, Rebounding Lock 9st 91b, rtortou 9st Blb, Mourner 9st 81b, Ocean Ost 7lb. itaema 9st 61b, Gunfeldt 9st 41b, Puawai 9st 31b, Employer 9st 31b, Athol Brose 9st 3lb, Notoriety 9st, The Pearler 9st, Greygown 9st, Bonne Esperamce 9st, Indiana 93t, Woodleigh 9st. HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE, of 80 soys; two miles and a quar-ter--Lockade Hat, Leah lOst 131b, Sultana lOst 9ib, Unravelled lOsrt 61b, Flying Colours 9st lllb, Sam Slick 9st lllb, Snapshot 9st lllb, Mangatera 9st 10lb, Lubra 11. 9st 7lb.

The .following entries have been received for the MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, of 80 soys; about two miles—Gobo, Ngatihuia, Perseverance, Hutana, Kenmore, Mangatera, Nipapu. NEW ZEALAND METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB. A special meeting of tho New Zealand Metropolitan Club was held yesterday afternoon, at the club's rooms, Hereford street. There waa a large attendance, Mr V. Harris, the chairman, presiding. The rule dealing with the election of new members was altered so as to place the election in the hands of the committee instead of a general meeting of the members. The annual meeting of the club was then held. The committee's report stated that under every head the receipts showed a marked improvement over previous years. Last year the assets of the club stood at £1990 16s lOd, and this year they had increased to the substantial sum of £4052. The actual amount expended on buildings, track, and improvements to the grounds totalled £5262 17s 4d, and from that amount £374 had been written off for depreciation. This position the committee considered highly satisfactory. Since the last meeting the Oanterbury Trotting Club had amalgamated with the club, and the funds of that body, amounting to £1798, had been wholly expended in permanent improvements. Tha committee had to report that they had entered into further obligations for considerably improving the accommodation, besides erecting a new tota.lisator house and shifting the present one nearer to the course, and building an up-to-date tea-house. To show the inoreas«l popularity of the sport, sixty new members had been elected during the year. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts had been £7735 8s 3d, the principal items being:—Totalisator £8051 15s lOd, Canterbury Trotting Club £1798 18s Bd, gates £1088 7s 9d, nominations £656 12s 6d, acceptances £456 17s 6d, privileges £390, and cards £210 12s 3d. The total expenditure had been £7970, the largest it-ems being:—Stakes £3627 ss, buildings, etc., £1506 los 9d, Government tax £489 4s 6d, a.nd ground improvements £200 13s 4d. On the profit and loss account the receipts had been £5936 9s 7d. and there was a credit balance of £223 8s Bd.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balanoe-s—eet, congratulated the members on the progress the club had made, pointing out that every item on the balance-sheet showed a distinct improvement on last year's figures. The members of the committee, in order to put the club in. a good financial position, had personally guaranteed the sum of £600, and had recently let contracts for between £1100 and _*l-200.

The motion was seconded by Mr E. Clarkson, and supported by Messrs G. H. MoHaffie and C. P. Hugonin, and carried unanimously. Mr H. Ha.cc was elected a life member of the club.

The following officers were elected unopposed:—Committees Messrs E. Claxkson, V Harris, T. M-arr, G. MoHaffie, G Pa .line G B. Ritchie, TV. Rollitt, J. S. Slade," and' the Hon. C. Louiseon; stewards, Messrs J. S. Berry. V. Harris, W. Hayward, F C. Jaggar H. Maco, G. Payling, G. B. Ritchie, W. Rollitt, J. S. Slade, and the Hon. C. Louisson.

It was decided to issue to each member three ladies' tickets for each day's racing. Votes of thanks to the past year's officerss tho secretary, the handicapper, the Press, and the chairman, closed the meeting.