RAIN AT RICCARTON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 255, 24 July 1936, Page 15

RAIN AT RICCARTON

No Track For Fast Work

Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, July 23. Heavy rain at Riccarton yesterday and last night put a stop to galloping, no track lor last work being available. In consequence, horses to-day were exercised ou the inside tracks or ou the sand, while several were kept to the roads. The Hastings trainer, W. Griffiths, has arrived at Riccarton with the hurdler Journet, who, ridden by Griffiths, was given some strong work ou the sand. Thuriua, ridden by G. Ridgway, was sent over five of the schooling steeplechase fences. There was not much pace on and Thuriua jumped slowly, while be appeared to be saving his doubtful front leg on landing over each obstacle. Nevertheless be walked off without showing any effects of the work. Pahu (Ridgway) and Jolly Beggar (R. Beale) were companions over a round of the hurdles, both giving good displays, Pahu naturally being slower clearing the obstacles than his mate. Some riding engagements made for Saturday’s programme at Washdyke are as follows:—R. Beale Royal Buck and Night Parade; A. E. Ellis, Queen Dorothy. Silver Coat, and Concertpitch; L. J. Ellis, Bay Duke, Silver Sail, and Honour’s Lass; G. Ridgway, Needful; H. Turner, High Speed; C. Humphries, Nocturnus*; 11. Hibberd, Polygraph and Mount Vai; A. Parsons, Cape Gabo; D. O’Connor, Courtyard. Greek Shepherd looks a picture of health just now, and is ready at any time to resume active tasks. He has had a comparatively easy career to date, aud has been given every chance to make one of the Dominion’s best four-year-olds. Brevity negotiated four hurdles yesterday in a smart manner, and looks like developing into-a useful hurdler for A. McAulay.

An effort is being made to raise funds for restoring the east window of St John’s Church, Te Awamutu. The window is declared by authorities to be an example of English medieval stained glass work, the secret of making which has been lost. In the modern pi'oeess the colour is burnt in. The story of the window in St. John’s is that it was a gift from the late Queen Victoria, and was placed in position about the year 1854, some time after the building was erected and consecrated. For some years after that the church was the universal place of worship in Te Awamutu district, all denominations using it. Because of this fact, the present vicar, the Rev. S. E. Wareing, felt that he was entitled to ask for contributions from all denominations to restore the window and its framing.

Pleading guilty to it charge of being found on licensed premises after hours, James Dick was fined £1 and costs by Mr. E. D. Mosley. S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday.