SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9494, 25 April 1894, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE ACTION AGAINST THE AUSTRALASIAN. In reference to the action brought by the jockey, James Hayes, against the Australasian to recover £5000 for alleged libel, and in which we were informed by cable last I week the jury were unable to agree on a verdict, the following further details are to hand by the s.s. Waihora, which arrived last night• The jury after being locked up for exactly three hours, returned into court and asked whether it was possible to accept a verdict to the effect that the jury did not consider the facts proved, but were agreed on the plea of fair comment. This the Chief Justice intimated would be in effect a verdict for the defendants, and he would accept it supposing the jury were agreed that the incidents occurred, although Hayes was not wilfully and intentionally guilty of them, as the writer held he was. On this the jury again retired, and the sound of excited voices in their room betokened an animated debate. At five minutes to nine p.m. the jury again returned and intimated that there seemed no possibility of their agreeing, and at half-past ten they were locked up for the night. Next morning as they were not able to agree to a verdict the jury were finally discharged. GARRETT BENEFIT RACE MEETING. The following weights have been declaredby Mr. Evett, for the various events of the above meeting, which takes place on Saturday next, at Ellerslie:— Benefit Handicap of 60<ovs. One mile.— Quadrant 9.3, Ben Godfrey 8.7, First Nelson 8.0, Tulloch 7.11, Polly 7.8, Kve7.fi, Acacia 7.0, Clarion 7.0, Gay Deceiver 6.12, Warrior 6.7. Shorts Handicap of 40jovs. Six furlongs.— Quadrant 9.8, The Dancer 9.4, St. Kilda 9.2, Ben Godfrey 8.9, First Nelson 8.6, Tingaraß.3, Retaliation 7.7, Grenadier 7.6, Forme 7.5, Dorothy 7.3, Clarion 7.2, St. Mary 7.0, Ivy 7.0, Brown Mantle 6.12, Her Ladyship 6.9, Carmen 6.7, Swiftsure 6.7. Hurdle Race of 50sovs. One mile and threequarters.—Fright 11.4, Belmont 10.7, Tattler 10.3, Marechal Neil 10.0, Pansy 9.10, Fishmonger 9.10, Skittles 9.8, Try Fluke 9.5, Adventurer 9.0, Viceroy 9.0, Killaloe 9.0. Steeplechase of GOsovs. About two miles and a-quarter.—Flutcem 12.4, Shillelagh 11.6, Chester 11.5,* Crazy Kate 11.6, Potentate 10.9, Yum Yum 10.S, Fishmonger 10.5, Nero 10.5, Adventurer 9.7. Maiden Handicap of 30sovs. Seven furlongs.— Grenadier 8.10, Kdna 8.0, St. Mary 7.11, Swiftsure 7.6, Decoy 7.5, Derry 7.3, Storyteller 7.2, Adventurer 0.10. Pony Handicap of SOsovs. Six furlongs.—Cupid, 9.2, Nannieß.7, Storyteller 8.3, Silkworm 8.3, Brown Mantle 8.2, Little Tom 8.0. Reil 7.5, Topay 7.7, Carbuncle 7.6, Queen of Sheba 7.4, Fauntleroy 7.4, Nelly 7.8, Mac 7.3, Virgin 7.0. PONY Hurdles of 30sovs. One mile and aquarter.—Little Tom 11.10, Romeo 11.3, Red Rose 10.8, Topsy 9.11, Fauntleroy 9.10. Acceptances are due to-night. WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB'S WINTER MEETING. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wanqandi, Tuesday. The following weights were declared tonight, for the Wanganui Jockey Club's Steeplechase Meeting:— Wanganui Handicap Steeplechase. fit lb st lb Waterbury.. ..1110 Strephoo .. ..10 4 Gondolier .. .. 11 10 Purmu .. .. 911 Whalebone .. 11 3 Lonely .. ..9 10 Victrix .. ..10 11 Raven .. .. 910 Kapua .. .. 10 10 Pill 9 9 Shillelagh .. .. 10 8 Rambler .. ..9 8 Kaimanawa .. 10 7 Entry .. ..'9 7 Booties .. .. 10 6 Nanakia .. ..9 7 Trial Steeplechase.—Kapua 11.10, Kaimanawa 11.7, Morag 10.7, Pill 10.5, Lonely 10.5, Rambler 10.3, Nanakia 10.2, Worth 10.2, Unity 10.0, Llsitta 9.7. Winter Oats.—Dreamland 8.11, Pinrose 8.7, Johnny Faa 8.5, Monte Carlo 8.3, Lebel 7.11, Prioress 7.9, Sunbeam 7.6, King John 7.6, Banker 7.5, Rai Iwi Lady 7.4, Eve 7.3, Stranger 7.3, Free Lance 7.2, Goodwood 7.0, Cordelia 6.12. Cyrus 6.11, Hark 6.10, Guncotton 6.7. . ' • • ' Flying Handicap.—Pinrose 8.11, Johnny Faa 8.8, Lebel 8.0, Prioress 7.12, King John 7.10, Sunbeam 7.10, Banner 7.9, Kve 7.7, Kai Iwi Lady 7.6, Stranger 7.6, Free Lance 7.6, Cyrus 7.4, Goodwood 7.3, Hark 6.12, Guncotton 6.10. In answer to "Racegoer's" remarks in Monday's issue questioning the amount of the dividend paid on Peggy in the Huia Trot Handicap, the totaUsator authorities state that a certain sum was returned to investors on scratched horses.