SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8264, 24 May 1890, Page 6

SPORTING.

TO RACING CLUBS. The Auckland Wkekly News has been appointthe Official Calendar for the publication of all programmes in the Provincial District of Auckland, In terms of the new rules of racing. In order to secure advertisements being inserted in the page allotted to " The Sportsman" it is necessary that they be , sent in by Wednesday afternoon. Extract. Rule 17.—The programme of each mooting in which the added money is £100 or upwards, must be advertised in full once at least in the Official Calendar. The advertisement shall show that, the programme lias been approved by the Jockey Club, shall state the days oil which the meeting is to begin and end, and the names of the stewards, judge, starter, clerk of the scales, and handicapper. RACING FIXTURES. Skw Zealand. May 26 I Takapuna Jockey Club. June Auckland Racing Club. June is)—Ha wire's Bay Jockey Club. June '25—Napier Park. Julv I?.—Wellington Racing Club. July 24—Canterbury Jockey Club. Australia. May 24, SlSydney Turf Club. May 24—Victoria Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. Juno 4—English Derby June 6—The Oaks. June 7— Great Northern Steeplechase. June 19—Uawke's Bay Steeplechase. July 24— New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. September —Doncaster St. Leger. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. THE TURF. (i.E., Kketahuna.—The ages of horses iu New Zealand (Late from the Ist August. Taui'iul—With regard to selling nuw, rule 144 reads: "Any horse running in any we 'to be sold.' .shall (if the winner) lie sold by :\ucl ion as soon as possible after the iace, and the surplus over the selling price sliall be divided equally between the owner of the second horse and the race fund of the meeting, unless otherwise provided for in the programme by the special permission of the Jockey Club." T.M., Wanganui.—King Cole was imported to Australia in ls7t*, and ten years later was brought over to Auckland. Nelson, who was got by King Cole from My Idea, was foaled in ISSO, and brought to Auckland when a foal. Nelson and Trenton never met. Wager, Otahuliu.—l. Whakawai (by Leoliuus from l.uro) was sold as a yearling for 3vH> guineas. 2. Lure died some time back at Sylvia Park. S.J.C.—Guy Fawkos never won the Auckland Steeplechase ran at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. He won the Autumn Steeplechase in ISS6. Qukry.—ln the C.J.C. Handicap (two miles) of ISS2, the trio you name mere weighted as follows :— Grip, 9st Sib ; Mats, Pst Sib ; Sir Mod red, 'Jst.

AQUATICS. Rowlock, Thames.—l. W. O'Connor, the American sculling champion, is 27 years of age, and a native of Toronto, Canada. The Aiutra'ian, Peter Kemp, is 37 years of age. 2. The course from Putney to Mortlake is 4} miles in length.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THK SOUTH ADOKJLAND PROTESTS. From a letter appearing in another column, penned by Mr. G. Carter, the lion, secretary of the South Auckland Racing Club, it will Ik? seen that a meeting of the stewards of that club is summoned to be held on Tuesday next for the purpose of considering the protests lodged by Mr. Walters against the stakes being awarded to Mr. Kean's horse St. Michael in the Autumn Handicap, on the ground that he did not carry a 51 b penalty which he had incurred, and also that lodged by the same gentleman against Mr. Booth's Lottery, the winner of the Flying Stakes, ou the ground that when the starter lowered the flag in that race the horses were in front of the post. From Mr. Carter's remarks it will be observed that he lays the blame of the delay in disposing of these long-standing protests at the hands of Mr. Walters on account of that gentleman not sending his evidence in the Lottery case earlier ; but I think most people like myself will consider that the club are also contributors, for they certainly should not have allowed anyone such an amount of latitude as four weeks to dilly-dally with a matter that might easily have Ix'eii closed up in as many days. [Since the aliove was written it lias been stated that Mr. Walters has written to the Club withdrawing the protest against St. Michael in the Autumn Handicap, and it is understood that the owners intend dividing the stakes. The stewards may, however, have something to say on the " arrangement," and they will be jKirfectly justified in declining to allow the protest to be withdrawn.] T I". DI'NKDIN II AMU CAPPING KMBROGLIO. The correspondence bearing on the request for an inquiry into the action of certain horseowners who, in November last, signed a " round robin,'' demanding the dismissal of Mr. (icerge Dowse as handicapper, and upon their request being ignored, ithdrew their horses from the Dunedin Cup and Publicans' Handicap, is published in last week's issue of the Otago \\ itness. The following is the letter sent by Mr. Dowse to Mr. Sydney James, the secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club: —

Sir,— hear that tlx* club has received a letter from Mr. Duncan ItutherforJ asking for an inquiry into the circumstance.-* under which certain Northern owners of horses scratched their horses for the I>unedin Cup and Publicans' Handicap, and as my name been brought prominently before the public in connection with the same subject, I beg to state that, as handicapper to the club, I not only cheerfully acquiesce in what is asked by Mr. Rutherford, but I now formally demand an inquiry into all the circumstances of the case. I think that the club will consider it will only be fair to me to have a thorough investigation into the whole matter.—l am, etc., (Jkorue Dowse.

The committee of the club have posted circulars to all the horseowners who appended 'their signatures to the famous round robin," informing them that a meeting of the committee is to be held on Monday next for the purpose of hearing any evidence that may be forthcoming as to the reasons which induced them to withdraw their horses from the races in question. It will be interesting to note what the outcome of this affair will be, and whether Messrs. Stead, Clifford, and others attend on Monday to see the matter through. SYDNEY TURF CLUE S MEETING. The Sydney Turf Club's Meeting opens at Randwick to-day, when the Royal Stakes (six furlongs) will lie brought up for decision. At last advices 50 horses remained in for this event, amongst which are the Auckland owned Antelope (Sst) and Teksum (7st 81b). On the Saturday following, the Birthday Cup (one mile and three furlongs) is set down for decision, for which race, according to latest advices, the Auckland representative, Hilda (Sst 1 lib), still maintained her position as favourite, the best price obtained about her being 0 to 1. I can find no mention of the character of the work accomplished by the daughter of Musket since her transportation to Randwick, but I am told that she is going on satisfactorily. Commenting on the Cup in the Sydney Mail of last week, "Nemo" says : —"The New Zealand candidate, Hilda, has quite an army of admirers, and judged by her performances, she must be a really good mare, and she will need to be to concede weight to such a performer as the Queen (Sst 91b). Everything will be strange to her, and 1 opine that she lias arrived too late on the scene to make an effective debut. Site will hardly have lost her sea legs, and, moreover, the change of climate may tell against her, so that with so many disadvantages to contend against she must pass for me, though she improves on acquaintance. With everything given in the winner may be concealed among The Queen, Muriel, Bonnie Spec, Golden Crown, Jack, Hilda, Highborn, and Yellowstone, and had I to select three, they would be The Queen, Golden Crown, and Jack." AMERICANS IN TIIE FIELD. In my notes last week I referred to the purchases made in Australia by the American expert Mr. Tom Merry. Some four years ago the attention of American breeders of thoroughbred stock was attracted to Australia by the good deeds of colonial-bred horses, and since then some fashionably-bred stallions, as well as a number of colts and fillies of aristocratic parentage, have been expatriated from these colonies to the United States. The introduction of such horses as Darebin, by The —Lurline, and the two full brothers Sir Modred and Cheviot, who were both got by Traducer from Idalia, to the American studs has proved very successful, and, under the circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that the demand for Australian thoroughbreds has largely increased, and promises to develop into an important business. The Hon. L. J. Rose, who owns a breeding establishment near Los Angeles, California, recently determined to secure a number of Australian thoroughbred mares for breeding purposes, and he entrusted the selection of them to Mr. Merry who came to Australia several months back with that object in view. The first consignment of eight were shipped by the mail steamer Alameda which passed through Auckland on Monday last, and consisted of ch m Elsie, by Grand Flaneur from Daughter of the Regiment; ch m Hester, by Derby from Millicent; b m Phoebe Marks, by Kingsborough from Lady Audley; b m Lady Alice (full sister to Mitrailleuse), by Musket from Erycina; b f Heiress (full sister to Sheet Anchor); by St. Albans from Queen Mary; b f Amba, by The Drummer (imp.) from Mary Queen. A second consignment will be forwarded by the steamship Mariposa next montili, consisting of b c by YVaxlight, from Judith (full sister to the Melbourne Cup winner, Calamia); br f Princess Royal, by Goldsbrough, from Queen's Head (dam of the speedy Prince Imperial) ; b m Harmony, by The Drummer (imp.), from Maritana; Spinach, by Atlantic from Sea Witch; bm Judith, by Maribyrnong from Luna ; and b f by Jove frotii Heron. A third batch, consisting of b f Ricochet, by Musket from Erycina (to be mated, with Roodee); b i» Catherine Wheel, by Wellington from Phiz-

gig (imp.) (to be mated with Nordenfeldt) ; and ch m Bessie, by John Bull from Avalanche, will, it is understood, be despatched to New Zealand, thence to be transhipped to California, after the last-named pair visit Nordenfeldt. In the course of a letter to Mr. T. Morrin Mr. Merry pays a high compliment to that gentleman's recent purchase, Castor; and it is his intention to put one of the best mares to the son of Zealot and Lady Yardley. As the ages of American horses date from the Ist of January the mares will, of course, have to be served to foal to American time. DISPERSAL* OF A FAMOUS STUD. The Hobartville Stud, formerly the property of the late Mr. Andrew Town, is to be submitted to auction on Thursday next, at Sydney. The lots to be offered consist of some of the most fashionably-bred stallions and mares to be found in Australia or elsewhere. The sires are : —Trenton, by Musket —Frailty; Monmouth (full brother to Chester), by Yattendon—Lady Chester; Cheviot (imported), by Adventurer —Grey Stocking; Segohoe (full brother to Richmond), by Mnribyrnong—The Fawn; Sardonyx (halfbrother to Nordenfeldt), by Fireworks Onyx, and Gloucester all brother to Goldsbro'ugh), by Fireworks — An Australian friend, who is one of the best judges of thoroughbreds in the land, writing me some months back, pronounced Trenton one of the finest-looking horses he had ever clapped eyes on, and in his opinion New Zealanaers had allowed the Australians to secure the horse I most likely to perpetuate the name of his great sire. That the son of Musket and Frailty will realise a big price is, I think, certain, and if Mr. W. R. Wilson and Mr Frank Reynolds enter the ring, the bidding will be very merry for his possession. Until yesterday looking over the catalogue of the sale, the fact had escaped my notice that Grand Flaneur is not included in the list of stallions that go up for sale. When the unbeaten son of \ attendon and First Lady wound up his victorious career in 1881, and took up stud duties at Hobartville, it was understood that the late Mr. Town purchased him from the Hon. Mr. Long for 5000 guineas, but from the fact of his nat being submitted for sale with the other stallions it would appear as if he had remained tthe property of Mr. Long all through. lA'NX-B&'ED STEWARDS. A good ins fen co of the lynx-eyed manner in which New laud era arc followed in Victoria was affonted in the contest for the Steeplechase run a t the Melbourne Hunt Club's meeting recently, in which nice J. 1 lac's representatives Guy Fawkes and Titokowaru, ran first and second respectively. From "Caspian's" notes In the Weekly Times I clip the fallowing concerning the matter —" The two New Zealand horses — Guy Fawkes and Tfefcokowaru — are nearly equal favourites ; the'punters are quite mystified as to which they will back. The fact is both horses are gping on their merits. Titokowaru is ridden by his owner (Rae), and Guy Fawkes by lii. _ Batty. The latter wins after a most exciting finish, and the public testify their appreciation of a good race by loudly applauding Batty, who had not won a race for some' tiino. Here comes the remarkable parttlx l , stewards order an investigation into the running of Titokowaru, because he did not win. 'This inquiry lasted but a few moments, and. was dismissed in favour of Rae. Not one in a thousand of the spectators thought R»e was guilty of any malpractice; in fact, the cheering of the public was a tribute to the honesty of the riders." New Zealand may at various times have furnished some very un desirable persons to the Australian turf, but the good character borne by Rae during '.the whole of his career should have protected, him from being hauled before the stewards un a charge that appears so groundless. The action of the stewards of the Melbourne Hunt Club in this matter only tends to show Ikmv suspiciously New Zealanders are viewed. THE TOTALISATOK IN KRIVNCK. A little while ago we in New "Zealand heard a great deal of bilk about the too free use of the totalisator and the evils thalt were flowing therefrom, but Maori land never saw and never will see such a state of affairs as that described by " Pendragon," in (the London Referee. The French, he says, don't seem to be lucky in the laws which they pnss for the suppression of evils. Some tinns ago the authorities swooped down upon tt'ie betting man and made ready-money betting illegal. This edict was inspired by jealously of the foreigner, the bookinaking being principally in the hands of Englishmen. The pari-mutuel was established oil a legal basis, in order to supply the vacuum. To-day the parti-mutuol has converted Paris into one huge betting shop. Almost every cafe and every troqsiuef. display an announcement that commissonss for the pari-mutuel are "received here.'' Hhe parimutuel has become as great a curs e to IParis as the lottery is to Naples. Every little employee, every servant girl, has a franc or a couple of francs ou the races of the day, depositing the coin at one of the numerous commission agents. The result of every race is- telegraphed to these cafes and wine shop.%, and the proprietors deduct a commission from the winnings. The law against betting has closed half-a-dozen offices aud opened a thousand. So grave has the evil becvjine, and so madly have the Parisians plunged into horse backing, that the authorities mow think of making the pari-mutuel ageocies illegal, and re-establishing ready-money betting, with the proviso that bookmakers will only be licensed to do business on the racecourse. At night from end to end of'the boulevards the newspaper men cry "\Z/e Result at complete- «/es Course.*," whiclt is French for " All the winners," and new sporting papers, with champion tipsters, are coming out at a rate of one a day. Frenchwomen gamble tremendously on the turf, as well as at the Bourse, and the drollest sight 1 ever saw in mv life was half-a-dozen respectable old ladies sitting in a cafe and reading out the names of the probable starters at Manchester, and arguing as to which they should entrust with their fivefranc pieces. The betting in Paris on all the English races is enormous. ASSUMED NAMES. Commenting on Lord Durham's article on Turf Reform, the Australasian says:—"We are quite with Lord Durham in his opposition to assumed names. They ought to be abolished, and every man compelled to run his horses in his own name. It is no uncommon thing in Australia to see men holding i>ositions as stewards owning horses in various stables, and those horses running in the names j of their trainers or somebody else. _ Some of them are not over-scrupulous, and it is only natural that any little shortcomings on their part should be overlooked by the owners, who may be airing themselves in the stewards' enclosure, and conveniently failing to notice what occurred below the distance.'' MI.AKOITS ITEMS. The Duke of Portland has made an excellent commencement to again this season head the list as a winning owner. At the Newmarket meeting, held in the early part of the month, he furnished the first and second in the One Thousand Guineas with Semolina and Memoir, and we now learn that the last-named secured the valuable Newmarket Stakes of 650050v5., run on Wednesday last. Memoir is a daughter of St. Simon and the Toxopholite mare Quiver. She was bred by Her Majesty, and was purchased as a yearling by the Duke of Portland for 1500 guineas.

Some few months back it will be remembered that Sir Thomas Elder imported from England a son of the celebrated Hermit to adorn his establishment at Morphetville, Adelaide. This is what " Augur" has to say of the horse:—"l was agreeably surprised with Nautilus, for I had heard from an English friend who had seen him run in the old country that he was three-cornered, but whatever he may have been in training, he is the reverse of a three-cornered horse now, for he possesses plenty of length, especially upon the top of the quarter, good shoulders, capital middle piece, and though his legs show signs of the wear and tear he underwent upon the racecourse, they must have been made of the soundest material, for he won between twenty or thirty races in England. I like Nautilus, too, for his masculine character. Two of the most masculine horses I ever saw were Chester and Musket. Their abnormally muscular necks were indicative of strong constitutions, and judging from Nautilus' appearance, I don't think I shall be far wrong in prophesying a successful career for Sir Thomas Elder's recent introduction." Nautilus is from Hermit, from Barchetina, by Pelion from Cymba, by Melbourne, from Skiff, by Sheet Anchor. In a letter appearing in another column it will be observed that an inquiry is made regarding the erection of a headstone over the resting place of the unfortunate jockey H. Edgecombe, who, it will be remembered, died last year from injuries sustained by Hawthorn falling with him while contesting in a steeplechase at Takapuna. The writer states that a sum of £25 was collected for the work to be done, and an explanation should at once be made by those in whose hands the funds were placed for this object. Mr. Sydney James notifies by advertisement in another column that nominations for the Champagne Stakes, a Sweepstake of lOsovs each, with 250sovs added, to be run at the Dunedin Jockey Club's Meeting in 1891, close on Tuesday next, at ten p.m. Notwithstanding the fact of Mr. Stead's colt Medallion being engaged in the V.R.C. Derby, and a caution thrown out by the Canterbury Times that the son of Nordenfeldt and Locket may be sent over to contest the " blue riband" at Flemington, Southern punters are still taking 10's to 1 about his chance in the New Zealand Cup. The Wanganui Jockey Club has received a capital entry of 53 for their Derby, to be run in 1892, and. for their Two-year-old Stakes, to be run at their Autumn Meeting next year 39 youngsters appear in the nomination list,

The Takapuna Jockey Club hold an afternoon's racing 011 Monday next, and should the weather prove fine, there seems every prospect of the gathering being as successful as any of its predecessors. The acceptances and entries for the various events will be found in another column.

The Wanganui Jockey Club's Winter Meeting takes place on Monday next. The principal event is the Steeplechase, but it does not promise to draw a very strong field, as the list has dwindled down to seven. Oddfellow and Orient stand out as the most dangerous, and in a true-run race they will, I think, finish first and second respectively.

Lochiel, who is now being trained at Caulfield by C. Rudings, and who is said to be almost solely the property of a well-known metallician, has been put to the jumping business, and it is said he flies his hurdles as if he had been at the illegitimate game all his life. Sold as a stallion, he may, like Malua, come out and win a Grand National Hurdle Race, after having, according to rumour, left the post for the paddock.

Commenting on the death of Mr. Andrew Chirnside which took place recently in Victoria, the correspondent of the Canterbury Times says: — "In IS7O was made the famous iNewminster, the best two-year-old of his season, a red-hot favourite for the V.R.C. Derby, and some section _of the meUllicians, who had taken liberties with him, offered £20,000 for him, but they met with a refusal. Not to be beaten, however, the colt was poisoned, and though the son of Spa did not die, he was sufficiently ' dosed' to prevent him annexing the Blue Riband. A stable lad was supposed to have administered the bolus, aud a now prominent penciller, who is at present doing the English trip, was credited with being an accomplice." Orestes (the rising two-year-old son of Nordenfeldt and Clytemnestra), who was purchased at the last sale at Sylvia Park by Mr. J. B. Williamson for 150 guineas, is going on very nicely with his education, and should he progress as satisfactorily as I anticipate, he should hand back his purchase money early in the forthcoming season. It was stated some time back that the colt was intended for Australia, but I have heard nothing of the matter of late.

The Canterbury Times says : — Mr. Duncan Rutherford informs us that Securus has so consistently run below the estimate placed upon his capabilities by the haudicappers, that he has decided to relegate the disappointing sou of Maeksiccar to the shafts of a buggy. Mr. Rutherford, by the way, was very anxious to present the gelding to the handicapper at the North Canterbury meeting. but Mr. Gresson protested his disinclination to accept an animal of this description as the nucleus of a racing establishment."

King William, the two-year-old son of Nordenfeldt and Pulchra, who is trained by J. Chaafe, has been nominated for several events to be run at the Queensland Turf Club's meeting. King William was, I may remark, the first youngster sired by Nordenfeldt.

From the fact of notluug of late being cabled regarding the English Derby, it seems safe to assume that Mr. Merry's colt Surefoot (the hero of the Two Thousand Guineas) still continues to hold the pride of place in the betting oil the blue riband. It is stated that Mr. E. Cutts, the owner of Dudu, was recently asked by Mr. Wilson,* the purchaser of Pygmalion, to put a price on the daughter of Somnus. £1000 was the price required, but no deal has yet been effected. The Victorian turfite, Mr. J. O. Inglis, complains of being harshly treated by the hanaicappers, and he has in consequence decided to dispose of G'Naroo, Ulysses, Partner, and the rest of his horses in training. The horses go up for sale on Thursday next. Chainshot is said to lie now galloping quite sound, and there would appear tone a good prospect of the son of Musket and Rocket standing a preparation. J. Rae returned from Australia by the s.s. Waihora on Wednesday last. He left Titokowaru and Guy Fawkes in E. Kelly's hands, but he intends returning himself in the course of a few weeks, with a view to the Grand National Meeting, to be held at Flemington in July. Orlando lias been doing good work at Ellerslie during the present week, and should have something to say in both the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase to be run at Takapuna oil Monday. Mr. R. Wynyard notifies in another column that steamers for the conveyance of horses to North Shore will leave the ferry tee on Monday morning from half-past eight to ten o'clock. After that hour horses will be charged for by the Kerry Company. The team under the charge of W. Hickenbotham at Flemington now consists of Carbine, Titan, Prince Consort, Tormentor, Tantallon, Moonga, Fishwife, and Urandaline. The blistering that Titan is said to have undergone must have been of a very mild character, as the high-priced son of Chester has already made his appearance again at Flemington. " Let me like a soldier fall" is most applicable to military steeplechases. There were 21 spills amongst the 26 competitors at the 14th Hussars' Sleeting at Plumpton on Monday, 24th March. The erstwhile Auckland jumper Recruit figures amongst the entrants for the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase to be run at the Queensland Turf Club's Meeting, which commences to-day. The New Zealand hurdleracer Secretary, is said to have been purchased or leased by the Messrs. Miller. The horse started in the Hurdle Race at Flemington recently, but came to grief at the last obstacle. The stallion Bras de Fer (by Voltigeur from the Stockwell mare Sweetbriar), who was imported from England to Australia in 1870, died recently in Victoria. He was 'JO years old. Mr. J. E. Saville, who is nothing if not controversial, has written to the English papers, pointing out what really amounts in plain English to this —that Mr. Matthew Dawson doesn't know how to train horses to stay! Escutcheon, who was recently taken over to Sydney, was 1 notice amongst the starters f< >r the May Handicap, run at Canterbury Park on the loth instant, but with 7st 121b hi 1 could only get second to Grandson (6st 81b). .At an important sale of greyhounds held in Melbourne on the 18th instant, Faugh-a-Badlagh, the winner of the big Moonee Valley staj'ic last year, was submitted, but though 400 guineas were bid, his owner declined to let .him go. 'Hie New Zealand-bred Escapade (by Puriri —Escane) was purchased at auction recently oy Mr. E. Weeks at 500 guineas, and it is understood that he is to be taken to Indi;\, when he will carry the colours of Lord William Deresford.

The erst Aucklander The Squire is still in the winning vein. At the Melbourne Hunt Club's meeting he won the .Selling Race (for which race he started favourite) in a canter. He was entered to be sold for £25, but his owner b ad to give £120 to get him back. Huxley, who served his apprenticeship under Ti >ni Payten, and rode many winners in the pa pular blue and white banner of the Squire a t Kirkham, has been retained by Mr. E. (1 . Brodribb, at a salary of £.'SOO ayear. Huxley will, however, still reside in Sydney. The on ner of Precedence evidently sets some store upon her. At the Mentone races, held 011 All ril '2(5, the daughter of Musket and Maid of Honour ran in the Selling Race, and finished third. She was claimed, and her owner had v;o part £260 to retain possession of the mare.

The Victorian Racing Calendar for this month has ion its first page, in black letter, so that he w ho runs may read, the following important liule : —" Entries must state the name of the owner or owners of the horse, as, unless tiii s be done, the entry is informal, and the hora e not qualified to stare in the race."

A farmer lit some bush races (says the Sydney Referee) won a maiden plate with his hack, and . received the prize. Two days after the coi nmittee were astonished at getting a letter from the winner, stating that he had no intention to defraud, but he had found out that his mare was not a maiden, having had a foal some time before. Women play an important part in Paris gambling, especially in the racing portion of it (says the Saturday Review). This, however, applies chiefly to the lower classes. About one-third of the crowd on a suburban racecourse is con lposed of the fair sex. And what women they are! culled from all the baa fond* of tins pleasure-loving city, the sort of women wtho could lead a revolution, defend a barricade, and with cheerful lightheadedness set fh - e to a street of houses.

The Pakurangci hounds meet to-day, at noon, at the Monument, Otahuhu. The Cheque lias been scratched for all engagements at the Wanganui Jockey Club's meeting 011 Queen's Birthday. Mr. George a well-known Melbourne boniface, has i, it is stated, purchased the Epsom racecourse for £50, The Earl of Portsmouth has decided to give up the mastership of the Ejjgesford Hunt, which he has held for nearly forty years. One of the best-known faces on the English turf is Sam Cash more, the blind bookmaker, who travels about arm-in-arm with a deaf and dumb man. During a race the deaf and dumb man holds Sam's hand, and tells him what is goim; on, and so rapid is the signalling between them that Sam will often shout at the last t urn that he will lay So-and-so, which horse the dumb man has communicated to him is already beaten. Cashmoreis also a good solo whist player. The cards are marked by himself on the face with a pin, and so accurate is his sense of touch that he plays as 1 fast as any of the others, and a much betteij game too.

THE PROTESTS AT THE SOUTH AUCKLAND MEETING. to THE PORTING EDITOR. Sir,— you allow me to correct some remarks of Phaeton's in last Saturday's issue re the " St. Michael" protest. He and some other correspondents take it for granted, or seem to do so, that the stewards of the South Auckland Racing Club are unable to arrive at any conclusion in regard to that matter, and he considers it would be the best thing for them to send the case up to the Metropolitan for their ruling, lie also considers it most unfair to koep the matter longer in suspense, especially so to Sir. Walters. I will now put him right on this matter. The stewards of the S.A.R.O. have not yet been asked to settle the matter, and are, therefore, not troubling themselves in the least about it. The reason is this, it is, as you know, no easy matter to get stewards together in the country, where they are scattered may miles apart, and where the expense to them many be considerable; it was therefore, arranged that as soon as Mr. Walters forwarded his evidence to support the protest he entered against the Flying Stakes being awarded to Lottery, the stewards should be called together to settle both matters at the one meeting. Had Mr. Walters forwarded his evidence up at once the whole matters would have been settled long ago ; but his evidence only came to hand hist Friday, 10th instant, when I immediately arranged for a meeting of the stewards to take place on Tuesday (27th), that being the earliest date it was possible to gut them together.—l am, &c., G. 11. Carter, Hon. Sec. South Auckland Racing Club.

P.S,—Will you kindly give your readers your opinion upon rule 31. According to rule 25, five stewards form a quorum. In case of only three being able to meet for any purpose, does rule 31 cover the difficulty by allowing two absent ones to appoint deputies to attend such meeting.—Ci.'J'.C., Hamilton, May 9, 1890.

[Though our correspondent does not make the point very clear, we presume what he wishes to know is whether at a convened meeting of stewards, and only three being in attendance, these can appoint two deputies to comply with the provision made in rule 26. If that is the true interpretation of bis question we think any number of stewards less than the stated quorum are unable to transact any business at all; and rule 25, read in connection with rule 31, appears to us to imply that the quorum of stewards would be required to approve of deputies to act in ease of emergency. Rule 31 evidently implies that no one steward can of his own volition, appoint a deputy to act for him, as rule 31 shows that the stewards (not a steward) have to appoint deputies.—Sp. En.]

AN EXPLANATION REQUIRED. TO THE SPORTING EDITOR. Sill, —The friends of poor Harry Edgecombe, who was killed at the North shore races in January, 1889, would like to know where the £25 which was collected for a headstone to be placed over bis grave has gone to. It is nearly time it was forthcoming. I think the sporting people who subscribed towards it should take the matter in hand and see that the work is at once done.— am, &c., W. M. Hatfield. Raudwick, Sydney, May 10, IS9O.

THE DUNEDIN HANDICAPPING QUESTION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ditnedin, Friday. The secretary of the D.J.C. has replied to the last communication from Mr. Stead re the difference between the club and Northern owners, which concludes as follows : —

You express a desire to assist my committee in removing the friction which to some extent seems still to exist, and which is fairly borne out by the tenor of your letter under reply, except that portion referring to the causes which induced the irregular handicapping complained of from your point of view. This is repetition of former insinuations, that the liandicappers and certain respectable horse owners were combined to commit fraud, and ray committee hope tliat upon reflection yon must admit that mere insinuations of improper motives on the part of a person in an important official position is not only unjust, but as damaging to accuser as accused. My commit therefore respectfully desire that you should either withdraw all such insinuations, or formulate charges in specific terms. In conclusion, I am requested to assure you and those acting with you, that the inquiry to be held on the 2(jtli instant will be as thorough and complete as possible, and that no owners of horses entered for the Exhibition Meeting or handicapper will part in it, and to express hope that your reply hereto, or if more convenient your rim voce evidence will further assist in bringing this long ami unpleasant correspondence to a satisfactory ending. ____