OUR ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 647, 8 December 1865, Page 4

OUR ANNUAL RACE MEETING.

Judging from the largo number of nominations that have been forwarded for tlie Free Handicap to take place on tho second day of the approaching race meeting; our chief equestrian carnival this year gives goocl promise of being one of the best, if iiot tho very best, meeting that has hitherto taken place in this Province. Such being the case must necessarily be a matter of sincere congratulation to the promoters of the sport, as also to tho public generally. The programme, as at present advertised, contains several stakes wortli. competing for, and if rumour speaks correctly, the public appear to be anything but backward, notwithstanding the present depression in monetary circles, in reciprocating liberally to tho request made for some further pecuniary aid towards tho proposed sport. Of competition, there are likely to be a goodly number, whilst the latest bulletin from tho various stables are of tho most encouraging description. °

Tho Free Handicap lias been closed with ninef teen nominations—l think the largest number r that we have as yet had. The conditions of this , event are well regulated, and should tho handicapping only prove judicious and acceptable to ' owners there is little doubt that there will be a L good field of acceptors. Among the candidates ■ in training, besides the old favvourites, there are • several new aspirants for distinction on our ; Auckland turf, which, if form and shape are to L be reliod on, will prove themselves daring the ( course of tho meeting, quite as dangerous to established favourites as could possibly be desired. Of Maidens tliero are a goodly number, and shall be somewhat disappointed if 1 they do not prove themselves to bo the best batch, that has been collected hero for some i time. There is no doubt that our local turf is making rapid strides in the right direction, thanks to that prince of sportmen, Mr. Henry Redwood, who put us on our metal when he visited us some three years ago, with his little 1 champion maro Lady Bird. Since that time our undeniably crack Dainty Ariel, having fully furnished has brought himself well to the fore, and maintained the successful reputation of our Province, invariably against all comers. Considerable interest will bo centered in tho performance of tho Ariel on this occasion, and in my opinion ho will havo to look well to his laurels in order to retain them. Golden Cloud, , an undoubtedly good horse, although so easily defeated at the September meeting, is bound to put in an appearance, and if his understandings only remain as sound and his health as good as it is at the present moment, depend upon it, the horse that beats him over a two mile course at the next meeting, will bo in the full acceptation of the term a race horse. For that distance I cannot say that I should bo inclined to place much reliance upon the Cloud's performance, although I am well aware that both his trainer and owner, who should be in a position to know something about tho matter, have almost equal faith in his prowess, for still another mile. My own opiuion I arrive at, from previous performances, which are I consider tho very best criterion. That Dainty Ariel is a goDd threemile horse wo have every reason to know, while, on the other hand, Golden Cloud never won a three-milo rucc in his life ; his forte appears to be two miles and under; and anything that can give him the go-by up to that distance is a flyer. I am not making any assertion without a veritable foundation, tho tvue proof of which is the splendid victories of Golden Cloud over Lady Bird and other celebrities, which the unbelieving can assure themselves of by referring to past Canterbury performances. 1 could not help being somewhat amused, Mr. Editor, at an article which appeared in ono of your local contemporaries subsequent to the September meeting, the author of which, after lavishing upon the Ariel, though unquestionably deserved, a full measure of praise, both on aecountofhis splendid form and performances, immediately fell into the great absurdity of making comparisons, which, as Mrs. P. siys, arc " odorous," although such a term would be certainly questionable as applied to horses—by which he at once showed liis perfect ignorance of horse-flesh, and an exceeding animus which might lead to the impression that lie had backed the " Bob-tailed nag," aud some one the " Grey," or virc versa. lam sure I quite forget tho clerical application with which tho writer in question concluded his lucubration, but of one thing I feel perfectly certain that if classical knowledge was in any way equalled byhis equine knowledge, his original appellation was dunce, whatever scholastic establishment might have boasted of him as a pupil. Wow thcrcaltruth of tho matter is that tho Cloud is perhaps as handsome a horse as you will see in a long day's ride, and, moreover, ho is a right good ono too. fully equal to his form, as many will find out to their cost should they havo his name on tho wrong side of their books in January next. In September last, Golden Cloud, as is well known to all those who know anything at all about the matter, was not in sporting phraseology fit to run for a " hungry man's dinner," he being so stiff and lame, as to render it almost a pity that he was ever brought on to the course, and as a natural consequence, his condition was all wrong. This time, however, as I before said, barring accident, he will show in somewhat difleront form. In the same stable there is a filly, of which I expect to hear mucli—l mean Una. Her blood is superb, and her dam, when in her prime, was acknowledged to be the best weight carrier in tho colony. Besides Una, there arc two other mares, Moss l{oso, also a novice, who is spoken well of, and Virginia; the latter was never in such condition as she is at present, and will go a docker for a mile and a quarter, which seems to be about the end of her tether. Of other intending competitors I might write much, but perhaps would only weary j-our readers by so doiug at present. Outsidee.

The B-eoatta.—As will be seen by our report a meeting of persons interested iu getting up a regatta for 18CG met yesterday evening nt the Waitcmata Hotel, wlien an acting committee was formed, consisting of 15 gentlemen. There

is one suggestion, in reference to .the Begatta Committee which we wJtild make, and that is, that while the different classes of boats to run on the occasion have each a representative, a large majority of the committee should consist of gentlemen who are entirely disinterested in the several raccs, who are not, in fact, owners of boats intended to be entered in the contest. There are mauy of our merchants and others who would readily undertake the duty of acting on such committee. Such men as Messrs. A. L. Thomson, GilfiUan, Nathan,

jnn., Woolley, Bucholz, Lewis Brothers, D. Graham, Holierlon, Cruickshank, Smart, G. Webster, and many others. Wc understand

that as yet no provision has been made for a canoe race. We trust this omission will be supplied, as this race usually afforded the chief amusement of the day. Tiie Separation Qurstton will, wo understand, be brought on for discussion during the first portion of the session, to commence on the 12th inst. Solid Rock Batii Compact.—A meeting of this company will bo held at the CJanricnrdc Hotel, Wyndham-strcet, on Monday next, the lltli inst., to receive a dividend, and to consider what steps might be most advisable to take with respect to members who have not paid up the fourth call, also to receive the manager's resignation, who wishes to leave when his successor is appointed. This Council of the Northern Association is to meet to-day at 4 -o'clock. Special business of importance is to be considered in connexion with the annual meeting of the Association. L. W. Eaton will sell to-day six bags of onions, six bags of new potatoes and sundry other articles of merchandise.

Musses. Eidinqs and Trill sell today) a large quantity atd a varied assortment of perfumery, toys, looking-glassos, brushes, pier glasses, and glassware. Me. Samuel Cocheane will sell to-day, at his rooms, Fort-street, a quantity of furniture, the property of Cupt. Tighe, 70th Eegt, comprising double portable bedsteads, with damask hangings, single do., portable washstands, military drawers and cases, tea and coffee services, curtains, polas, portable armchairs and cushions, silver cornet, double-barrel gun, revolver and case, dressing-case, paint box, and mathematical instruments; also, a quantity of standing running gear, ex Hope. Estate of H. Adams. — Claims against this estate to be sent to Mr. H. Isaacs and Mr. Henry Lewis, trustees, on or before the 14th, or they will not be recognised. Captain Spain, Resident Transport Officer, invites tenders, receivable until Monday, the 22nd of January, 1860, for conveying to England of the 68th and 43rd Regiments—Sixtyeighth : 35 officers, 700 men, 50 women, 75 children. Forty-third : 32 officers, 530 men, 50 women, 75 children. Ships: Lloyd's, A. Red, or not less than two-thirds Liber Veritas. Forms of tender, and every information, to bo had of the Transport Officer, as above. Seiuous Accident. —An accident of a very serious nature occurred yesterday to a private in tho Military Train, named Charles Smith. Jt appears that he was 011 fatigue duty, filling the barrels in the water-cart at the water trough in the Domain, and the horses suddenly bolted away. Smith endeavoured to stop them, and in doing so got entangled with the shaft, was thrown to the ground, and the wheel passed over his stomach. He was at once taken to the Military Hospital, and attended to, but upon our enquiring last evening, we learnt that no hopes are entertained for his recovery.

Infanticide.—lt would appear that this crime is becoming prevalent here as well as at home. Yesterday morning a lad who was picking grass near the Supreme Court House, in Parliamentstreet, when he discovered a kit with sometliing in it wrapped in a cloth. He at once communicated the fact to Constable MeGlone, who was near at hand, and the latter person, upon going to the spot, found that the kit contained the body of a male child, in an advanced state of decomposition. Dr. Kenderdine was called to examine it, but he stated that decomposition was too far gone to tell whether the child was born alive or not. The body was then taken to the dead-house, and an inquest will be held at one o'clock, at the liailway Terminus Hotel,

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a Police Gazette for December. "We notice the introduction of a new crime in Auckland, that of child desertion. On the night of the 7th jNfovember, a female infant about 6 weeks old was, it seems, found by a Mrs. Monk, of Hob-son-stivet, on her verandah. The body of another infant, this time dead, has, it appears, been discovered within the last day or two. It would also appear that three cases of highway robbery in Auckland, occurred during the month of .November, accounts of which did not appear in the local journals.

Mechanics' Institute.—Last evening Mr. G. P. Myers delivered a lecture upon "Literary Associations, their Intellectual and Social Influences upou Society." The lecturer devoted himself entirely to the proof that such institutions are useful, and in an essay written in good style, treated his audience to a variety of illustrations of the advance in knowledge attainable by their means. Lord Bacon, we think it is who says, that reading makes a. " full man," and spe iking a " ready man," and writing a " correct man," and this aphorism implies a practical aspect of the question. It would be very curiouii to group the chiefs of" Literary Associations" to note their contrasts and their individual differences. Ihere is something to fear the ready man in a promiscuous company or class obtains an advantage which experience teaches is often fatal to the career for usefulness of these societies. At the same time it would be unfair to say that they have not done some good, although they have not been wholly without their complement of evil. Pope's famous apologue " Drink deep or touch not," &c., is applicable here, for it often happens that the " readiness " of one speaker most effectually extinguishes the "fullness " of another, and a constantly recurring episode takes place that the conscious talent is first abashed and then disgusted. Assuming tlio influence of literary associations, they are the most sensitive of all institutions, and everything depends upon tact in their management. "We hope, in common with the lecturer, that a taste may be disseminated for ready speaking. It contributes to improved manner, but the greatest care is needful that they do not degenerate into shallow talking. We also believe that the Mechanics' Institute might most profitably be occupied by the existing talent in Auckland. Somehow we liave not heard of any active measures of a practical kind which have been taken to make it available. Supreme Court. — The Criminal Sessions were resumed yesterday, before his Honor the Chief Justice. Thomas Chanley, convicted and found guilty the previous day for stealing a quantity of china, the property of Miss liose Anne Hidley, was sentenced to bo imprisoned for eighteen months, with hard labour. Theodore Kcele, late Deputy-Postmaster at Cambridge, was further indicted for wilfully and unlawfully detaining three post letters, contrary to the form of the statute. Lewis Briggs was found guilty of stealing a quautity of wearing apparel from William Heath, cook on board the ltose Anne, schooner. The theft was committed on board tho schooner on tho oth of November. There are remaining three cases for trial, of which only one possesses features of public importance—namely, the case of Henry Harris, $n insolvent debtor, charged with mortgaging a portion of his estate with intent to defraud his creditors.

Mkssbs. Mackie Beothees' Coach Manitfactoiiv.— Advance Auckland ! —Yesterday we had the pleasure of paying a visit to Messrs. Mackie Brothers' extensive Coach F factory in Wellcsley-street, and could not help remarking the creditable manner in which the business of

this establishment was carried on. Owing to the vast increase of their business, the Messrs. Mackie deemed it advisable to remove the business of their establishment from Queen-street, and therefore at great expense erected a large and commodious factory in Wellcsley-strcet, in which the several branches can be carried on in all their completeness — forging compartment, also compartments for wheelwrights, coach painters, cushion makers, trimmers, Ac. We noticed one carriage particularly, which has been built to the order of Mr. T. Johnson, I'arnell, and does the establishment infinite credit. I We may safely say we have never seen anything yet imported to this colony equal to it. It is a /very handsome waggonette, capable of accommodating ton persons, it is tastefully decorated with red, white, and blue. The body of the vehicle, is a wood-cut imitation of basketwork. The whole workmanship is entirely colonial, fitted with Collins's patent axles and eccentric wheel-plate, placed in such a manner as to prevent the locking of the wheels. It will bo on view in Queen-street this day, and we recommend those who have not seen this handsome carriage to avail themselves of the opportunity of inspecting it this morning at the factoiy. The Messrs. Mackie have in course of construction another vehicle, being a combination of the English and American " buggie," with shifting seat, and capable of accommodating eight persons. We congratulate Mackie Brothers on their enterprising spirit and the handsome progress which they have achieved, from which it may be inferred that carriages can be built in Auckland by this energetic company at a lower cost than they can bo imported ] of the some quality and build from England, i

PEICES CtTBBENT OF COLONIAL Woor, Tcr Lave beforo us tlie trade H t> Hughes and of liasinSklf street, London. We perceive that their tliirf series of sales for the prerent year is nwrln , J , 140,337 bales obtained from the colonies in tl°' following proportions-.—From New ZeiW 35,052 ; from Sydney and Queensland, 3.1 from Cape of Good Hope, 25,302. from PnV Phi11ip,22,320; from Tasmania, 10,980 ; from Ad " laide, 9,729; and from Swan River, 506 bah The circular contains the following remarkscon cermng tlie wool received from this colony i " New Zealand was in large quantity; witLsonT exceptions, it is not considered so long in stanl° as the former clip, neither is it in such* liM v t C( V condition. We regret to notice so mucli u ner „" packing, long and short staples "beine often mixed together, and many bales part greasy. Tn insure a good market price, these great draw, backs should have growers' attention." pj, " scoured wool from JN r ew Zealand realised wn see from 2s. to 2s. 3d. per lb.; from Port Phi];,, from 2s 3d. to3s.perlb. ; from Sydney and Jlor ton Bay, from 2s. to 2s. 5d.; from Tasm an i," from 2s. Id. to 2s. 3d. '

Child Mukdeb, says the Home jS'ews. is increasing at a fearful rate in England. We do not attempt to report the cases that we find j n the newspapers. They are too numerous, and the monotonous repetition of nearly the same details is sickening. In seme cases the infant betrays evidence of a violent death, and in others of having been born dead. Sometimes an attempt is made to conceal the body, but that is not very easily accomplished ; desertion is more frequent. A case of this latter kind has occurred in the Yale of Health, Hampstead where a male child was found in a hat-bos, tho name and address on which were partially obliterated. The medical evidence showed that the child, though it died soon after birth, would have lived had proper attention been paid to it. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Stillborn." The mother, a servant-girl, has sinco been discovered, through inquiries made at the shop from whence the hat-box had been sent. A correspondent of the Advertiser offers tho following suggestion as a check on infanticide: —" I proposo that all men proved guilty of seduction should be gazetted ; name, title, or avocation, and address in full; age, and brief notice of the crime, giving no more than the initials of the victim ; and that this gazette should appear every year, the name, &c., not to be withdrawn until proof of death has been duly registered. This gazette would be handy and useful to fathers having daughters to marry; and the shame of it would be a far greater deterrent to men than the penalties now infliefced by law."

Another Seizure of ajs t Illicit Stiix.— The police authorities effected the seizure of another illicit still last evening. The facts are very few, and it may be stated that this capture was very complete. It appears that Mr. Commissioner Naughton, accompanied by SergeantMajor Molloy, acting upon information they had received, and armed with the necessary powers, proceeded to the Caledonian Hotel, Grey-street, belonging to Mr. Jacknian. They at ouce instituted a search on the premises, and in a stable at the rear they lound a still, soldering irons, wrench, several measures, ono being a lialf-gill measure. They next went upstairs, and on opening two boot trunks, they packed in them, in parts, a worm. They of course seized the whole of this property, and had it conveycd in an express to the lock-up. There were two rifles also seized and conveycd to the station.

We extract tlic following from one of our English papers:—" The late Captain Henry | Mercer.—Major Mercer, late of tlie 89th regiment, has printed an account of the death of his brother, of the Koyal Artillery, ' who was killed by undue and useless exposure at the battle of Bangiriri, IS"ew Zealand, November, 1863,' with an inquiry into the cause of his death." Tho Major gives liis reasons for the pamphlet which he has issued. In tlie absence of tlio pamphlet itself we are unable to ascertain h.w far the terms " undue and uselet-s exposure" aro justifiable—the reports that were generally current at the timo of his lamented death are, however, fresh in our remembrance, but we do not recollect to lu.vc heard even a rumour to tho effect that he, either in obedience to commands, or voluntarily, exposed himself unnecessarily. The assassination of officers by their men is becoming a frequent offence. Currie lies under sentence of death for the murder of Major Do Vere, and now another ruffian has attempted the perpetration of a similar deed on a regimental sergeant. The 2Sth Regiment suffers the scandal in this case. We take the following from the United Service Gazette-. —" 2Sth—Devonport. On Thursday se'niglit, Private "Michael Foy was brought up on remand, charged with attempting to murder Sergeant Sherlock, of the same company. Mr. Beer, who prosecuted, briefly stated the facts of the case, and said that though Sergeant Sherlock was seriously wounded through the prisoner firing at him with a rille on the morning of the Ist September, he was now considered to be sufficiently out of danger to attend and give evidence. lie then called Sergeant Sherlock, who said —I am sergeant in No. 1 company of Her Majesty's 2Sth Hegiment of Foot. On Friday morning, tho Ist instant. I was in a room at Raglan Barracks. I was standing by the window at tho furthest end of the room. While there I heard a report of a rifle, and at the same moment I felt a shock as though something had struck me in the breast. I was in the act of turning round when I felt the blow. 1 turned round, and when the smoke had cleared away T saw Private Foy with the rifle at the ' present.' I asired him what he shot me for, and he made no reply, but put the rifle into the armoury, and walked out of the room. I have been in the hospital ever since. I had not spoken to the prisoner that morning. Some two or three days before he had made a breach of discipline, and I sent his name to the officer, who ordered him to be confined in barracks. I never bad a guard with him. He has been in my company about five months. It is not usual for the rifle to remain loaded in the rack. Charles Callow said—l am a private in the 2Sth of Foot, stationed at the Paglan. I lodge in No. 1 room, which is also the same room in which the prisoner lodged. About li o'clock on the morning of the Ist September [ went to my room to get a towel. On my entering the room, I observed that tho prisoner was standing by his bed on my rifjht as I entered. Sergeant Sherlock was also in the room, and I noticed him going towards the window. Whilst taking a towel from the bed I heard a report of a gun, and at the same time Sergeant Sherlock cried out, ' Oh, Foy, what did you do that for ?' After the report saw the prisoner in the corner with the gun in his hand, and he subsequently placed it in the arm rack. I then went up to tiie prisoner, who said to me, ' Take me to the guard-room.' I did so. Sergeant Sherlock was only partially dressed at the time. Immediately after the gun was fired Sergeant Sherlock caught Frivete He "Vine round the waist. I then left with the prisoner. Dr. Williams stated that he attended Sergeant Sherlock, and found him suffering from the effects of a bullet wound. The ball had entered tho back, grazed the left lung, and come out just below the nipple. Sherlock had had therefore a narrow escape. The prisoner was committed for trial. The regiment is held in readiness to proceed to Cork, there to be st ationed.