Untitled

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 221, 13 November 1888, Page 3

At a meeting of the S.C.J.C. the question of handicapping came up on the motion to appoint the handicapper for the October Meetng. Like others in the colony, this committee is pulling double for retrenchmentd It was suggested that a sub-committee should do the work—decidedly opposed. ‘Well, ’ said one member, ‘ can’t we get a local man ; I suggest Mr for the job ’ (mentioning the name of a well-known sport who handi caps for clubs up Mount Cook way). At this there was a hearty laugh, for hie qualifications were so well known to all. I give but one incident, quoted by a member present. Mr attended one of the upcountry meetings he had acted as handicapper for. Race after race was won in the most hollow fashion, and th* poor handicapper was roundly abused by an excited crowd each time the numbers were hoisted. At last came the Consolation, and the handicapper flattered himself that be had brought the five horses in it far batter than ever could Evett, Dowse, or the committee of the C.J.C. The race was won by a neck, half a length only separating the second and third horses; the other pair, however, were a quarter of a mile away. The handicapper was beside himself with joy at producing such a good finish, and rushing round among the crush he excitedly said : ' What d'ye think of my handicapping now {’ • Very little,' said a stable follower, 1 the winner carried Sat over, and the second hose 161 b over !' Collapse of the man of figures, who was so utterly crushed that he had a nip of whisky solus, a thing he was never known to do in his life before. This yarn apparently so | made the S.C.J.C. committee distrust th* , local article that they unanimously reap- ’ pointed Geordie Gowse their handicapper at ( a fee of twenty guineas a meeting.