SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6533, 3 February 1882, Page 5

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON BAOES. PPbb Pebss Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. The first day of the Wellington Summer Meeting was a great success, the weather and racing being all that could be wished. The attendance when the Cup was run was about 2500. The rails were all well lined with carriages, but the stand was only half full, very few ladies being present. The Governor, Lady Gordon, and suite arrived a few minutes before the first race, and were received with the usual salute by the Guards' Band, which performed selections on the lawn during the afternoon. The course was in excellent eon' dition, the rain over night having made the goiDg first-class, though rather too soft on the far side for fast time. No sweeps were allowed openly, but several were indulged in on the sly, and the police did not seem to be very anxious to interfere. Hill and Poole both had totalisators, that in the paddock being Hayes' patent, a capital machine. £lBlB was put through the two during the afternoon, the best dividend being that paid over Hilda for the Gap. The proceedings commenced inauspioiously with a walk over for the Maiden, Salvage being reserved for the big money. In the Hurdle Bace none of the light weights were in itwhehitoame to galloping, and Olareoce got all the best of The Agent in the run home. The Cup was a very open race right up to the finish. Fleur-de-Lys and Grand Duohesß, having both met with acoidents, were soratohed, and Louis d'Or being absent the field was reduced to seven starters. Salvage, who maintained hie position as favourite up to the fall of the flag, is a neat, business-like, though small chestnut, showing good quality, but nothing like the grand proportions of Foul Play and Natator. The doubt about Messrs Bobinson and Lance's disqualification on account of Bay, made most of the bookmakers stipulate that all bets should bo first past the post. Piscatorious looked well, and attracted many backers, but he ran as if not thoroughly wound up. Sir George was supported by many generally " in the know," but failed to justify their confidence. Lady Emma's coat shone like satin, and the bookmakers were not anxious to lay against her. The Auckland Oup winner King Quail had plenty of supporters, who still maintain that but for his jockey being thrown he would have won. Mr Bat'es pair were not taken muoh notice of in the paddock. The Poet putting up overweight caused his admirers to fight shy, and Hilda being under suspicion after her acoident at Auckland, very'few thought muoh of her chance. The result was a complete surprise, and proved that either of the despised pair could have won. Mr Bate took 400 to 40 about Hilda over night, and as he had other wagers, he must have been in for a fair stake. The closeness of the finish made many believe it was a dead heat j others even maintained that the powerful southern confederacy had just managed to secure a third swv cessive victory. The opinion, however, of thfl majority in the best position, was that the

judge's decision was ooneet. The Flying Stakes produoed a splendid finish between Lunaancl Misohief. Mr Bntbrti nwo was the favourite, and having all thj best of the start, was expaoted to walk in, but Misohief, who was turned out very pink, oaught her in the run homo and won a slashing race. The arrangements generally wero good, though the time might nave been better kept. Maidhn Piath. Magnolia, syrs, walked over, Htjbdlh Handicap, 2k miles. Otarenoo. aged, list 101 b jGß'? ol s no ll l TheAgontTagod.iaat (T.Lyfordj 8 Borntinoer, ngod , _i" (*• rosier) 8 General, 9sfc 21bs, and Totara, 9st, also started. Betting: Even on The Agent, 6to 4 Olarenoe, 8 to 1 Totara. The Agent got the best of the start and led the field at a slow paoejor the first halfmile, when General rushed to the front and inoreased the pace. He fell at the seoond hurdle, and although Hamilton, his rider, remounted him very quiokly; was never in the hunt. The Agent after this resumed the lead, and maintained it, with Olarenoe in 1 attendance, until the last turn into the straight. O'Connor here brought up his horse, The Agent being injdiffioulties direotly be was called upon, went on, and keeping Olarenoe well in hand, won easily by a neolc. Time—smin 29iseo. The paddock totalisator showed 273 subscribers, 99 on The Agent, and 89 on Clarence; dividend, £2 16s. Hack Hubdmjb. Totara beat Stag, and Sunday, but a protest was laid against the winner as not being a haok, and it is said the seoond horse will get the stakes. WBEWNGtOH Otn?. Mr Bate's Hilda, by Albany—Hits Flat, lyrs, 6st 41b ... (Thompson; 1 Hon W. Bobipeon's Salvage, by CastawayMist, Byrs, 6afc 61b ... .... ...(Butler) 2 Mr Bate's The Poet, 4yrs, 6st 121 b (inolndlng 51b penalty and Sib over weight) 8 Lady Emma, 4yrs, 7st 71b (Allen); Sir George, 4yrs, Bat 21b (Herd) ; Pisoatorious, Syrs, 7st 121 b (Wattie)} and King Quail, 6yrs, 7st 91b, inoluding 71bs penalty, also started. Betting: 6 to 4 against Salvage, 3 to 1 bar one. After four breaks away, in which Salvage and Hilda were prominent, the flag fell half an hour late to a good start, all.the lot getting away in a cluster except King Quail, who lost about two lengths. _ Directly the horses had settled into their stride, Salvage showed with a slight lead of The Poet, but after a hundred yards had been travelled, the latter went to the front and led to the road, where Salvage resumed oommand. Down the straight, the order was Salvage, The Poet, Hilda, Sir George, Lady Emma, Piscatorious and Sing Quail, the pace being good, and the favourite going welL Under the hUI, Pisoa torious fell baok last, and King Quail, while going up on the inside, came into collision with a post and unseated his jockey. On the far side, The Poet had half a length the worst of the favourite, and both held these positions to the turn for home, Hilda being in close attendance, and Lady Emma looking formidable, Sir George and Pisoatorious about three lengths away. Once in the straight, The Poet gave way to Hilda, who came up fast and challenged Salvage at the distance. From this point a magnificent race ensued, both jockeys riding with great determination. Salvage had the best of the struggle until 20 yards. from home, when Hilda got level and at the post just seoured a head verdict, The Poet nearly two lengths away third, and Lady Emma fourth. Time—3min 45sec. Totalisator—--264 at £2, of which 77 wore on Salvage, 61 on King Quail, 41 on Piscatorious, 28 on Sir George, 26 on Lady Emma, 18 on The Poet, and 13 on Hilda; dividend, £36125. Hack Back.—Mr Bay's Annie beat Taratahi and two others. Fitting Stakes. Mr Martin's Mischief ... (Wattie) 1 Luna (Derrett) 2 Somnns ' ■ ... (Budi&gs) 3 Magnolia ... ... ... ... ... (Herd) 0 Betting even on Luna; 6to 4 Somnus; 3 to 1 Misohief. Luna, as usual; was quiokest on her legs, and soon showed with a lead of three lengths, causing her baokers to shout out that they would " never catch her." Mischief, however, who was seoond, began to go up the road, and, with Somnus also gaining, there seemed a prospect of a good race. Onoe in the straight Wattie called on his mare, and joining Luna a hundred yards from home, in spite of Derrett's splendid riding, landed the daughter of old Malice first past the post by a quarter of a length. Time—lmin 23secs. Totalisator—3o6 subscribers ; 125 on Luna, 92 on Somnus, 69 on Mischief, and 30 on Magnolia.

CONYHRBAZIONB AT MBBIVALI.

A very suooessf ul conversazione was held in Merivale •ohoolroom last evening, on the occasion of the anniversary of the dedication of St Mary's Church. There was a large attendance of -visitors, who #< evidently, thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment proTided for them. Several excellent engravings and paintings in oil were hong round the walls of the room, and among other objects of interest may be notiosd a manuscript copy of the second number of the Melbourne

Adoertiier, dated Jan. 8,1888, and a copy of the now defnnot Lyttelton Chronicle, printed on silk. At tho upper end of the room the frontal intended for the Cathedral altar was exhibited by permission of tho Dean and Chapter. The ground of this beautiful piece of work is of dark crimson velvet, having a central ornamental cross in various shades of silk, enriohed with gold thread work, on either side of whioh are fleurs>de-lys surrounded by coronets, these side pieces being of similar work to tho central one. On- a table direotly under this frontal was plaoed the elegant communion servioe recently presented toMerivaleOhuroh by Mrs Barnard Bhodes, of Wellington. The service is a double one of solid silver, each Eieoe bearing an inscription memorial of the ite Mr B. Bhodes, whoso marriage with the donor was celebrated in Morivale Churoh. Beside the Communion servioe was a pair of handsome brass altar vases and alms plate presented to the church by Mrs Buo. On tables down the centre of the room were ranged a large number of books, containing engravings of several oolebrated pictures, besides numerous other objects of interest. Several models of statuary were also exhibited.

Mr Chaplin displayed a variety of objects of interest to apiarians, inoluding an improved bar-framed beehive of his own design, with sections taken from a similar hive filled with comb, showing the method in whioh the honey is taken by modern bee-keepers. Mr Meares delighted the audience with an exhibition of the powers of the phonograph, and a microphone sent by Mr F. D. Fergusson, was also a souroe of attraction. Professor Biokerton also sent a variety of electrical toys and a galvanio battery, the latter being extensively patronised, more especially by the juvenile portion ef the visitors. Piano solos and vocal selections were given by a number of ladies and gentlemen, and Mr Hall favoured the company with a number of chimes on his hand bells.

The commemorative dedicatory servicesearly oommunion at 8 a.m., and ohoral evensong at 7 p.m.—were both largely attended. At the latter the Bev H. A. Lingard preached an appropriate sermon from Luke ii., 22.

The following woighte were declared at eight o'clook to-night :•— HUTT PAKE STAKES. Sir Medred ... 9 5 Lady Emma ■ 7 0 Somnua ... 8 0 Hinemoa ... . 6 12 Grand Duchesu ... 712 Slander Ally , 6 10 On Bit ... ... 7 12 MaviB , , 610 Luna ... ... 7 7 Magnolia , 6 7 King Quail ... 7 7 HTTBDIE8. The Agent... ... 12 01 Scrutineer. , 8 7 Clarence ... ... 12 0 General , . 8 7 Totara ...8 7 BAOING CLUB'S HANDICAP. SirModred ... 9 7 Lady Emma . 7 2 SomnuB ... ... 8 2 Sir George; , 7 0 OnDit ... 7 11 Hilda , , 6 12 Pisoatorions ... 7 8 Hinemoa . 6 12 King Quail... ... 7 7 The Poet , , 6 12 Louie d'Or... ... 7 4 Slander filly . 6 10 Salvage ... 1 ...7 2 BAIITWAV EDATB. Sir Medred ... 9 4 Grand Duchess .., , 7 5 Somnus .,. ... 8 2 Hilda . 7 4 Luna ... ... 7 12 Maris , 7 4 Misohief ... ... 7 12 Slander Ally . 6 12 Flnnr-de-Lye ... 7 6 Magnolia . 6 4 Lady Emma ... 7 6 Speculation .. . 6 0 The following acceptances were received at 11 p.m. :— HTTTT FABK STAKES. OnDit I Lady Emma Maria 1 Luna Somnus 1 Slander filly HtJBDLES. Agent | Clarence EAOING CITJB HANDICAP. King Quail 1 The Poet Sir George 1 BAIIWAY PIATB. Mischief I Magnolia SirModred | Luna Lady Emma Slander filly Miioaief and Ele»r-de-Lys were aoratehed for the Baoing Club Handicap and the Hntt

Park Stakes. WANGrANUI BA0H8. [PBB PBHSS ASSOCIATION.] WANGrANUI, Fhb. 2. The following acceptances were received this evening for the Wanganui Autumn Meeting:— WANGAWTtt OCT. Mr W. Walters' Libeller Mr W. Walters' Pisoatorioua Messrs Craig and Goodman's Sir Modred Mesne Oral? and Goodman's Somnns Mr J. Chubbin's Wilbeifotco Mr T. Bowe'e Blue Gown Mr Westmaoott's Dauphin Mr P. Martin's Virginia Water WANGANUI STAKBI HANDICAP. Mr W. Waltere' Slander fllly Mr W. Walters* Libeller Mr W. K. KuBBell's Kinoroig Messrs Craig and Goodman's Sir Modred Messrs Craig and Goodman's Somnus Mr J. Chubbin'fl WUberforoe Mr W. H. Chifcham's Dan Mr T. Bowe's Blue Oown Mr Westmaoott's Dauphin Mr P. Martin's Virginia Water WASGASUI JLYIN& HANDICAP. Mr W. Walters' Grand Duohess Mr W. Walters' Slander Ally Messrs Craig and Goodman s oomnus Mr N. G. Morso'e Astronomer Mr W. H. Cbiltham'B Dan WANaAMUI DIBTBIOT HANDICAP. Mr J. Chubbin's WUberforoe Mr C. B. Brewer's Venture Mr K. G. Morse's Odd Triolc Dr Earl's Congor Mr J. W. Harrison's Satanolla Mr N. G. Morse's Astronomer MrW. H. Chitham'sDan Mr T. Bowe's Blue Gown Mr C. A. Pavieu' Taipo.