NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6782, 14 February 1884, Page 3

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

secretary, at the Criterion Hotel, on Tuesday evening next : — Napier Handicap (5 soys), Railway Stakes Handicap (2 soys), and Handicap Hurdle Race (2 soys). The weights for the principal events to be run for at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Autumn meeting next month made their appearance on Friday last", and on the whole, I think, Mr J. O. Evett must be adjudged to have acquitted himself well. The adjustment of the various weiohts are to my mind an improvement on the Wanganui scale, albeit there is a large acceptance list for the latter. In the Napier Handicap Mischief was placed at the top with 9st 61b, but she has since been scratched. Vanguard (9at) and Salvage (9st), and whichever is selected, will nut be far off when the judge' 3 verdict is given. Lady Emma (Bst 101 b) has, I fancy, got more than the can conveniently carry just now. Leonora (Bst 101 b) will probably not start. Tim Whiffler (Bst 71b) is, I fancy, he'd safe by Salvage. Leonato (89b 41b) will find the distance too short for him to show up prominently. Emir Bey (7at 61b) is rather an in-and-out customer, and I would not advise any to trust him. July (7st 8lb) is well bred enough for anything, and will reward his supporters by winning a big handicap some day I am certain, perhaps it will be this one. Hippodamia (7st 71b) is apparently off color. Should she, however, be in the humor she will make it warm for the best of them. The Poet (7st 61b) should run well forward. Maori (7st 51b) is a rogue, and would be best in a paddock. The Laird (7st 51b) has a fair show. Minerva (7st 31b) will not get the distance. Sou'wester (7st 31b) will make things pretty lively if he comes. Nelson (7at 2lb) and Wapiti (7at 21b) are in the same stable, and the selected one should go very near winning. Escopeta (7st lib) is still suffering from the effects of her leg, so I shall leave her alone. The Jilt (7st lib) is a very speedy young lady, and should she start I shall look for her to give a good account of herself. • Ringleader (7st) I do not care for. Lord of the Isles (7st) I know nothing of, but if he is as good as his breeding, he should win it. Yankee (6st 131 b) is not game, and I do not think he will trouble the winner. Envious (6st) Ido not like. Armourer (6st 121 b) will probably be a non-starter. Buzzard (6st 121 b) is not class enough. Radames (Gst 101 b) has a moderately good chance. Administrator (Gat 81b) is one of the picks of the handicap. Of those from Wairuareka (6at 71b) to Larrikin (Oat), Briar (6st 2lb) is the only horse that looks at all like winning. To finish, I like best the chances of Salvage, July, The Laird, Wapiti, The Jilt, Radames, and Administrator. Ido not intend to go through the whole of the weights for the Hurdle and Railway Handicaps this week, but from a casual glance I think Loch Lomond, Orient, Diomedes, and Barbary are the best treated for the illegitimate sport ; while I shall select Mischief, Salvage, Hippodamia, Wapiti, The Jilt, Yankee, and Administrator to furnish the winner of the Railway Stakes. The members of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club deserve the thanks of the whole of the racing commHnity of New Zealand for the care with which they select gentlemen of broad and liberal principles to fill the position of cominitteemen. To the constitution of the committee must be traced most, if not all, of the successes gained year by year by our club, knowing well tbat to obtain the end sought by the establishment of racing institutions— to maintain a high standard of excellence in our horseflesh — liberal prizes must be offered as an inducement to breeders to obtain prices thas will repay them, they have added largely each meeting to their stakes. Each addition brings its own reward, the class of animals entered are of a better quality, while the entrance and acceptance moneys and the attendance of the public amply repay the increases offered in stakes. For several meetings past this policy has been pursued, and in every instance has the balance at their banker's been added to, until they stand at the present time in a better condition than any club of the kind in New Zealand. While payiug every attention to the popular branch of the sport, they have not forgotten to promote the illegitimate game, and this year they have drawn up a programme # for their Steeplechase meeting which might well be copied by the Grand National committee and other clubs who intend giving the jumpers a day to themselves. At their last cross-country meeting, owing to the valuable stakes offered and to the excellent handicapping of Mr J. (). Evett, they had the largest and best field of horaes that have evor started for a Steeplechase in the colony. The total amount to be given in stakes this year is 710 soys, of which 400 eovs i 3 for the big 1 event. This is the largest amount ever offered in New Zealand for a one day's meeting, and the principal handicap parries with it the largest stake ever given in this colony. Mr Allan M'Lean has engaged the services of Mr Barlow, an EDglish trainer and jockey, for the coming season. The TauraDga races, held on January 29 and 30, were a great success, and the weather waa all that could be desired. The horses from Opotiki had it nearly all their own way, winning all the principal events, and appropriating no less than £155 out of £210 given in prizes. The Maiden Plate resulted in an easy win for Mr Moody's Nanny, and the same geutleman also won the Tauranga J.O. Handicap of 56 soys, and the Publicans' Purse of 30 soys, both with Revenge. Highland Fling secured the Handicap Hurdles of 30 soys, and Naughty Boy the District Hurdleß.

E.W. —The Laird only started in tbe Spring Handicap, in which he got third, Leonato and Leonora being in front of him in the order named. Acceptances and general entries for the Wairarapa Autumn meeting clobo with the secretary to-morrow evening. Owners of racehorses are reminded that acceptances for the following events at our' Antumn meeting are due with the