SPORTING.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 388, 11 August 1849, Page 94

SPORTING.

The long-talked-of match, for £50, between Mr. Schroder's horse Patch, and Mr. Duppa's horse II Barbiere, was to come off this afternoon, on the Nelson course, at three o'clock, but from some cause or other, Mr. Duppa failed to be at the post at that hour, when the owner of Patch insisted on his horse being started, which was done, and the stakes were claimed accordingly by him. Mr. Duppa arrived with bis horse a few minutes after, and. disputed the race, which of course led to considerable discussion, but it was subsequently determined to refer the question to some competent authority, and another match was then made for £100, much to the satisfaction of a very numerous body of spectators, who bad began to fear that no race would take place.

On stripping, both horses showed in excellent condition, and II Barbiere, on taking a preliminary canter, ran nearly half round the course before his rider could check him, although we believe be has recently suffered from rheumatism in the shoulder, and is still a little lame when brought out of the stable. The distance to be ran was two miles ; the toss for place was won by Patch, and both horses went off well together. Patch soon however crept a little ahead, and on the first round had the advantage of about two lengths. On going down on' the opposite side of the course the last time, II Barbiere's bottom began to tell, and his friends to entertain hopes that he might yet prove the winner. On coming to the distance- post, he was close on Patch's quarters, when there ensued as fine a run-in as was ever witnessed, which terminated by II Barbiere winning by a neck. Both horses were excellently ridden ; II Barbiere by his owner, and Patch by Mr. H. Redwood. Time, 4 mm. 7 sec. Patch had been the favou- 1 rite until within a few days of the race, but at starting the betting was even.

A pig, of only twenty months old, was killed last week by Mr. Fby, of this town, which weighed 26 score 41bs. This, fine beast measured 6 feet 7$ inches from the mouth to the top of the tail, was 22 inches wide across the back, and had 11 inches of fat on the shoulder, and 7 on the rump.

The Comet has brought us European news to the 10th of April. Hostilities had been resumed in Italy, between the Sardinians and Austrians. The former had sustained a severe defeat, and Charles Albert had in consequence taken refuge in France, and vacated in favour of his son. The Danes and Germans had also recommenced hostilities. A Danish fleet anchored off Eckernsforde, on the 6th of April, and commenced bombarding the town the next morning. The only defences on the shore were two small batteries. The principal Danish ship, of 84-guns, got stranded, and was taken by the enemy, a 46-gun frigate blew up, and the remaining part of the fleet drew off. The lost in men to the Danes was 260 killed, and 1,023 prisoners.