TIMARU RACES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1620, 23 February 1866, Page 3

TIMARU RACES.

TO THE EDITOR OF TUB I/TTTELTON TIMES. Sik,—Fermit me to make a few observations in reply to your correspondent's remarks concerning the Timaru races. To commence, I would mention that the programme was not a succession of £50 Plates and Silver Cups, as any one might perceive ■who took the trouble to look at it. The police did their duty well and effectively, and did not, while on duty, indulge in the fragrant weed. The Clerk of the Course did his duty firmly, but the T. J. Club being short of funds could not dress him in a scarlet coat. Jot the Maiden Plate the horses came to the post at one o'clock. With respect to the rider of Candidate, in the Ladies' Purse, I , may remark he was never intended as a gentleman riler, the horse being ( started to save his stake, subject, of course, to the approval of the stewards. The rider ] of Mustang, for the Hurdle, had no choice but to ride as he did, as the colours entered were locked up, and the owner of the horse , away, so the colours could not be got in time, and he started subject to the usual penalties. , I cannot imagine how your correspondent , can call the owner of Alice Lee a resident in , the Timaru district, as, at that rate, every absentee who owns a quarter-acre section, and who had merely seen Timaru, would lie entitled to the same consideration. Your correspondent also refers to penalties in the Queen's Plate; I cannot see much in that, considering only half the amount came from the Government. Yours, &c, J. EDWARD DUFF, Secretary Timaru Jockey Club. Timaru, Feb.. 18, 1866.