ELLERSLIE RACE COURSE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1285, 6 January 1860, Page 2

ELLERSLIE RACE COURSE.

It hits become customary among us to express regret that the national sport of all Englishmen — horseracing — has fallen into disrepute in Auckland, and that "there is no one who 'takes any interest in it." We are inclined to take exception to theie oft-repeated lamentations, and think that if a few individuals, possessing a, little wealth and a great deal of influence, would take up the matter, and determine — yes, manfully determine — to overcome all the difficulties which undoubtedly beset the path to success, ere this time next year Auckland would possess, not only a Jockey dub established on a satisfactory and permanent basin, but also a public Eace Course, with a suitable staff for its proper oonduct ; and then, we feel assured, Horse Racing would receive that general support which is essential to the. carrying out of its legitimate functions, viz,/ the improvement of the breed of horses, — a matter ot great moment to the colony, and one which, we believe, enterprise and spirit might make remunerative. That a great amount of interest is Jjjjftby the community generally in the sport was evidenced by the animated appearance which the road to Ellerslie presented on Tuesday morning. There is no mistake about it, the people of Auckland are a race-loving people, and are prepared to give their countenance and money to establish that which they believe will ■■ prove worthy of both, and at the same time become a credit to the city. When the dust — which blown by the wind in dense clouds as if determined to be perfectly orthodox — settled down, and thus allowed objects to be discerned, there might have been «een numerous lady and gentlemen equestrians, mounted on every conceivable variety of hone-flesh. , Some were trig and smart from the city, others were rather clumsy ones, from the country ; some were bony, half-starved, grass-fed quadrupeds, who frantically indulged in the faintest posiible reminiscence of a canter, others seemed to have been reiuicitated at some equine resurrection., and were stridden by riders who exhibited human credulity in its most aggravated form — believing that those animals were capable of carrying them to and from the coune : then again there were pretty "little bits o' blood," who went all within themselves, and looked the veritable " Stilton" ; butchers' horse» too, who though not "good uns to look at," nevertheless possessed th,e, other virtue, and, albeit they had already done a day's work, yet went as if they were bran _new hones out for a holiday : the tradesman's well appointed light cart was there also, anything but lightly filled ; 'and the lighter gig contained its owner, and his own particular « chum," somewhat exclusive, perhaps, but very plea« ■ant, and decidedly more "aristocratic" than riding in the heavy three-horse vans, which were sadly overcrowded with "nobody knows who ;"— all wer« to have been found wending their way, in spite of heat and dust, to Ellerslie Race Course, the then centre of attraction. On our arrival we found numerous visiton congregated round Kauri Gum and "the mare — who were taking gentle exercise. There "were parties whom a glance sufficed to assure you /'.knew a thing or two," and had been " up to many amove," and whose opinion ■ therefore was entitled to respect ,ji, other* looked as if they had been " put on to a good thing" once too often, and hid not "come off'- with flying, colours; other* gratuitously gave 'their opinions as though they- had been veterinary surgeons all .their livu. . " Blesi yer," says one, "she's' too finely drawn for thii climate."

*• Al* ! jßfießJajjgSk «tt|y th* {jßrtfeo^yml'tt rtfe," ut&i a •eoond.l wfille ot&M» "confidently, wserted that, she was as she ought to Tx>, W would " \nn in * trot," the ikottotaing ¥,too flelhy,!' and in* want of inbre work j iMd!k,ihtoiiremurt«»yweagre6d. - " <~ thoTWttk of ladcUing and mounting was but that of *> moment, «nd the two animali Wen at the post, and "eager for the fray.", '' 'Match *os £200.— Metropolitan Cotfne. JTwo mile*. Single event. ' Mr. Hargreaves b.m.'Deception, by Plover, . * 4.yea»i old, .", '. . . Pollok 1 Farmer 1 * c.h. Kauri Gum, aged. Farmer 2 i:' ftetting, at »tarting> was 2 to 1 .on Deception, but wo ' "' did not hear of much .speculation on the ground. An admirable start was effected, the hone ruining in advance, followed at a respectful distance by the mare, hard held by her rider. Thi» order of things con- ■ tinuing until the second time round, when, they nearod the haystacks, Deception gradually drew up to the hone, challenged him just before the turn into the ■taught run, passed him, and won easily by four lengths. The race was run in i mm. 64 nee., being slow throughout, and, we consider, was never in doubt. The lad " Pollok, who rode the mare, certainly deserves , praue for the care and judgment he displayed ; he might, however, have made a race of it, if he had chosen, for •he won as she pleased. The great event decided, Entries were made on the course for the Silver ChallmM}* Cut. — For horses of all ages :—: — Distance 1 mile — Heats. Mrvßobert Graham's — Lizzie . McGuire I—l1 — 1 " McGhee's— Auckland 3—2 " Shnpkins'— Prince 2—3 " P. Grace's— Tommy. " P. Coyle's— Barney. " Fare's — The General. " Day's — Phantom. " Henry's— Maid of the Mill. " Absolom's'— Johnny come lately. " P. Grace's— Faugh-a-ballah. " Badley's— Badley. First Hiat. — Barney started off with the lead, closely followed by Phantom, Prince and Badley, the others with few exceptions well up— no change of moment occurred ; till nearing the hut, when Lizzie singled herself out, and won easily by two lengths— a neck between second and third. Sicond Heat. — Auckland jumped off first, but was Boon headed by Tommy, Barney, and Maid of the Mill ; the General, Lizzie, and Prince lying next, the mare waiting till just before the last turn, when she came away, and won by four lengths ; Auckland beating Prince by, a neck. We are at a loss to understand why McGuire should have punished the winner so much when ha had the race in hand. After the first heat protests were made against Auckland and others on the ground of their taking the wrong aide of the posts, but they were overruled — a similar charge was brought against Lizzie in the second heat, but Judge "Wayte who is remarkably elemental in his views, overlooked all conventional modes and forms, and with a singular firm faith in the vox populorum, appealed to them and acted upon their decision, thus "at one fell swoop, shirking responsibility and negativing himself— his judicial procedure causing considerable merriment. Match for £10.— Once round.— Single Event .— Mr. P. Coyle's— Barney 1 " P. Grace's— Faugh-a-ballah 2 The rider of Faugh-a-ballah w*s thrown, but happily not hurt. Barney passed the chair in a canter. Silver Snuff Box. — Once round and a distance. Single event : — • Mr. Robert Graham's— Princess Royal, McGuire 1 " King's — Tommy 2 " Walter's— Trooper 3 " Robert Graham's — Wnit-a-while. Princess Royal lay about third till rounding the turn into the straight, when she gradually drew to the front, passed Trooper who had the lead, and won as she liked, hard held. She is a very promising chesnut filly whom we shall doubtleis hear more about some day. The Hurbt Scobbt Stakes. — Once round and » distance. Single event; was won by Mr. Roger's Boko 1 Won by a length. Six others ran. As the horses neared the Judge's box, one that had gone as far as was agreeable, swerved and made for an opening in the fence, unfortunately at the same time knocking down a person of the name of Colley who was completely stunned, and bled profusely from a wound in the nose. Medical aid was instantly afforded, and we were happy to learn that he had sustained no further injury than the breaking of the small bone of the nose. The weather, we need hardly say was as fine as could be mthed, and the racing sufficiently interesting to sustain the curiosity of the spectators, who could not have numbered less than four hundred. <-t |

H.M.S. Niger. —From our Nelson papers we learn that our late visitors, the officers and crew of this fine corvette have been trying their strength at cricket •gainst the Nelsonians. On "Wednesday, 7th Dec , eight played a single game against eight of the Nelson Mechanic's "Clvb —but the score, Niger's 31; Mechanic's 101, shews that it was » very one-sided affair. On Thursday, Bth, eleven officers and men of the Niger played eleven of the Nelson Club, when they were again defeated, and in one innings. Ihe score being as follows: —Niger, Ist innings 75, second 48, total 123. Nelson, Ist innings 132. Not discouraged however, they had challenged the Nelson Club to play another game on the 12th ult., the following Monday. Captain Cracroft, with his usual hospitality, had invited the College boys on board, who were highly delighted with the treat afforded them.

Cricket.—We are informed that the next match between the Married and Single, will probably take place on Friday next, the 12th inst., it cannot fail to prove interesting, and if punctuality be observed, it may possibly be played out. En pastant—lt is seriously in contemplation, we are told, to challenge eleven gentlemen of Wellington to a friendly match to be played here during the ensuing month. Now that we are furnished with regular Steam Communication with that , province, we cannot see anything to prevent its coming off; an honorable rivalry would be created, which would diffuse general excitement.

Povebtt Bat. —The visits of the S.S. "White Swan" to this fine district we hod hoped were likely to have resulted in bringing it into more prominent notice. It has always been regarded as the garden of the East Coast, but somehow or other has never been a favourite locality for settlement. The natives generally, have always had the character of being the most turbulent and blustering on that coast; and now, if we are informed correctly, they have proved themselves equally disingenuous and truthless, in repudiating their land •ales to old settlers. We are engaged in making further enquiry.

Diphtheria.—We regret having to record several fatal caaes in town of this very virulent disease—children being the sufferers. Hitherto we have not heard of a case in the country. Too much exposure to the ■udden changes of heat and cold is an active source of its origin during the present dry and hot season, and thould be carefully guarded against. Proximity to decaying animal and vegetable matter is also a prolific cause of diptheria. It is consequently of vital importance to each member of the community, and of the province, to see that in every household due precaution is taken to keep at a respectful distance all cesspools, ash-piU, &c, &c, and indeed everything accumulating bffensiv* debris. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and looking at' the state of some of our bye streets and houses, and at many of those of higher pretensions, the wonder is that death has not been still more busy. The season is a very trying one, and should be provided against accordingly, before it is too late. Each individual can, and ought to do bis or her share. It is exceedingly hard for a family to suffer the loss of a much lored child, perhaps, from a neighbour's carelessness. W«.make these remarks in ordwr to draw general attention to the great importance of the subject, and because we believe in the maxim that "prevention is better than euro."

> ,Lnsur. Housoir, R.N.—lt will be gratifying to •very New Zealand Colonist to learn that this meritorious officer, who was second in command of Captain McClintock's last and most successful expedition for ascertaining the fate of Sir John Franklin and his brave companions in the "Erebus" and "Terror," is the son'of Captain Hobion, R.N., the first Governor - of New Zealand, whole memory is still held in to much respect' by, many an early settler, and whose remains lie deposited in our Auckland. Ceinetry. Captain McCljnteck, in'his despatches, bears ample -testimony ,~ tojtlietil^ HobsonV services/ in the performance' of -. Which he alnlost fell a martyr; being, on his return to * 41i?'/ts;Cfc^y*% to staid. Beside* bejngable . ,to,endurt nio*t r severe bodily suffering/, tieut. Hob:/'»C^ witeWedj the", better faculty, of a, "quick and ■ no doubt, may beat- ' S'ixibuted^pjaidy ofrhi« 'discoveries; "Two;^ftree inci'^M^^m^MrP^ 1 &#<** &sm°" have kmmi&f o%\kno%eagr %hkh laMfso-fcreatable |%^tW^xplpr«r|; tKat.l ■$* ,canhot forbear" "mentionll^^^&T|e^diWwr^of ihe"bo»i'^ttinirig two ffpUletonVii due.toXieutenant Hobson... This Officer iS^^Wliin^trWr^iiig^ the fro^'nsbowSliAfc »p-

Struck, with thoir lirigukrityin tiiii btownwgionjliew induoedto oxwnirio,t£6m more closely, Mid waif richlt'ntf. warded Ky finding.that these' mM^rgTkwf&t) awning stanchions of a boat buried in", the 1 mow, and on cleariag;around it tho ghastly spsotacl* o! two dead men presented itself ._ These poor fellows had •vjdently' died from sheer exhaustion, induced molt probably, ■by lourvy, as they had provisions in the boat, and fuel was close at hand." From tho lame authority We learn' "that Lieutenant Hotwon not having completed his two yean tea term ai a Lieutenant, by a few day* or 1 weeks, has been appointed to the "victory," in order to finish it, where his Commanders Commission await* him. This "Novaba."— The Austrian Correspondent of "The Times" writes the following, which we extract for the information, of our readers : — " As a cry has boon got up against the " Novara expedition," it may be well to say a few words on the subject. The voyage round the world, — which was accomplished in 28 months, cost £60,000 j but it will eventually be seen that the money has not been spent in vain. Many promising young officers have learnt to navigate foreign seas, a large collection of objects of the highest interest for scientific men hw been made, and markets have been found for certain manufactures which are peculiar to Austria. In the month of May, 1860, a detailed account of the voyage will be published, and sold at a very low price, although the. work will contain many engravings. Baron Wiillerstorf, the commander of the expedition, performed his duties remarkably well, but it is difficult to conceive why a writer in the Wiener Zeitttng should speak of him as a " renowned navigator."