LATER NEWS FROM NAPIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1345, 9 March 1868, Page 3

LATER NEWS FROM NAPIER.

The arrival of the Coquette yesterday morning from Napier, after a ' fine run of four days, has placed us in possession of one day's later news. "We take the following extracts from the Jlawke's Bay Times of the 3rd inst: — A residence for the Bight Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu, is beiDg erected on Bcindo Island, near the dwellings of Mr. Begg and Mr. Kinross. The contract for this work has been taken by au Auckland firm. The Late Floods.—Tt is estimated that a million sterling will not covov the losses, public and private, sustained in the Middle Island by the late floods. The loss is a heavy one, and it will be peculiarly felt at the present time, when so many other adverse circumstances are pressing against the colony. The Carandini Company intended yesterday, upon the Ashley making her appearance, to carry out their original intontion of going to Auckland, and indeed were actually on board. They were induced, however, at the eleventh hour to remain a short time longer, and gave a concert last ovening. Taupo—On Wednesday last, the 26th ultimo, Mosars. Taylor and r>t. George's first drovo of eheep about 2000 in number —crossed the Mohaßa River without loss, on their way to Kaingaroa, Taupo. About the same time Sir. Cox's sheep, numbering in all some five or six thousand, were on their way to the run lately taken by that gentleman in tho same locality. The competitive firing yeeterday, we are happy to say, resulted in Captain Kennedy scoring 53. That gentleman will accordingly represent the district at the Colonial Prize Firing in Wellington.

NAPIER EACES, 1868. The Napier Kaces commenced on the 3rd instant. The weather was fine, and the day was observed as a general holiday. Owing to tho Coquette leaving early in the day we have not been able to learn the result of the first day's

racing. The s.s. Star of the South was to leave Napier on Friday morning, and will, in all probability, make her appearance here during to-day, so that we shall be in a position to give the result of the two days' racing in to-morrow's issue. The Hawke's Bay Herald of the 3rd instant, referring to the races, gives the following, from which it will be seen that the Auckland horses were considered the favorites : —

The race meeting, which commences to-day, haR as large fields uf horses as we have ever seen on the Napier course, though we can scarcely expect all those entered to face tho starter. We shall, therefore, have moro difficulty than usual in spotting tho probable winners.

The Maiden Plate hes representatives from Nelson, Canterbury and Auckland, as well as two provincial bred horses, Karl Grosvenor and Warren Hastings. The lutter is not very trustworthy, having bolted in all previous performances in public; but he has plenty of foot, and may finish better than in former years. Earl Grosvenor, we hear, can beat Ranter, whose running laet year was very respectable. Of tha strangers, Ake Ake muat, from his training and performances, be considered the most dangerous j and, though fir from fit, is, we think, just good enough to meet the horses opposed to him. Discretion also from Nelson, is, we be'ieve, fast, but not likely to live the distance, though her et&ble is confident. Brother to Glengarry has not hitherto dona much in public, having run last in a very moderate field, for tho Auckland Maiden Plate; ho must have improved very much to win in the company he will have to meet. Viotor Lee has run faiily, both in and Timaru, and we shall expect to see him pretty close at the finish though hie lOst lib. is a crusher for him on such heavy ground. Wo expect to see Ake Ake fiVst, with Victor Lee and Warren Hastings for places. The Ladies' Purse has fnr entries, though two, Orlando and Mobs Hose, will probably be reserved for the bigger money in the Cup the fallowing day, and Corsair will have little trouble in disposing of the namesake of the Derby winner.

The Scarry haß attracted more entrances than any raco at the meeting—there are nine on thd card though the Muiden Plate running will probably dispose of the chunues of more than one. Three, Wa - ren Hustings, Victor I ee, and Brother to Glengarry, b-ing engngei in the Maiden Plate, we can scarcely expect them to beat the fresh horses they will have to meet in this raco. Moss lioee will not, we should think, come to the post, and Banter will be likely to follow suit with hie Cup engag«ment the next day, I'he race ought' to lie between our old favourite. Kama and Abbess, whose light weight and Canterbury performance ought to make her first fivourite. Black Boy woul ■ have been more at home in the book races.

The socond day's running, with the ex.' option of the Cup, in which we exvect to 6ee Orlando and More Rose put in a first appearance, will eo much depend on the events of to-day, that we must bet excused hazarding our reputation by venturing a guess as to the winners of the other racea. We therefore confine our remarks to the Cup. Orlando is the favourite, and deservedly ao; ha will ran a,

very different horse to what he did lost year. The ground will juet suit him, and he is at home under hie weight, which is more than we can say of his principal opponent, Mose Kose, who will find 9at> 121b. more than sho can manage, though we hare no doubt ehe is as fit as she can bo made, and will make Orlando go for it. Of the others, both Nourmahal and Marchioness aro notoriously amiss, and will not, we presume, etart, with the certaim> of being distanced. Ranter will find the company too good for him, with the exception of Little Hermit; between the two we may see a good race for the barren honour of third place.