A RAMBLE AT NORTH SHORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13781, 20 June 1908, Page 7

A RAMBLE AT NORTH SHORE.

With'..' the sun'' shining brightly on Satur- j day last, I journeyed to the. North Shore, and it need hardly be said that shortly after j landing at- the marine suburb ray steps were j directed to the road leading to the Messrs. 1 Duder's establishment, for to go away from Devonport without having made a tali upon | the sunny-hearted brother* is to miss much that comes within the category of the plea- j mitt. Chaperoned by Mr. Robert Duder. j I soon found myself inspecting a brace of j filiy foal* sired by Wairiki. respectively from Queen Arine (by St. Leger) and i Granny (by Cuirassier}. Both youngsters i are of course very much. in the rough, and it would not be altogether fair to sum them j up at present. If there was one thing more j than another that struck me with "Queen j Anne's filly if: was the plain character of j her head. That portion of the anatomy in her dam. it may be remarked, would, form a fitting subject for a painter; and no one will require to be told that bloodlike heads are a characteristic with the Souk- family. so that one is a little surprised to find a plain head a feature with the filly in question. On leaving the foals our steps were directed to the j stables, and on the door of the first- box being thrown open there was an attractive youngster to gaze upon in the shape of a rising two-year-old daughter of Souk and Queen Anne, who is to be known by the appropriate name of Le Richie. When looking over Le Reine some, six months \ hack 1 contracted a great liking for her. [ for in addition to being a, filly of very j sturdy build, she could be described as quality from the tips of her oars to her heels. In the interval Le Koine has furnished splendidly, but I was sorry to find Iter on the invalid list, an injury in the near stifle being the seat of the trouble. it is to be hoped rhat/Le Heine will come round all right, for, apart from the beautiful lines of her breeding, she i* on make and shape entitled to a high-class eertifi- > eate. A six-year-old mare by Cuirassier ] from Queen Anne, who has. just, been taken 1 in hand for the first time, is one of the j low-set, powerful sort, and site looks promts- ! ing. There is another of . Queen Anne's i descendants included in the North Shore ( team, in the shape of a four-year-old son j by Cuirassier, for whom the name of Ngatiringa (the place where he spent his early days) -hat* been chosen. That Tui Cakobnu is not kepi, in lavender evidence was nt once forthcoming, for the bay coat of the i good-looking sou of Cuirassier and Hune } was well bespattered with mud. Devonport, who has only been seen out twice \ during the season, is being kept going: j but lie was away at walking exercise at the I time of my visit. The Messrs. Dueler are I such good sportsmen that in expressing the hope that they may have something of a. j first-class character to carry the black and | gold jacket next season, one can do so with \ ii large degree of confidence that such a i sentiment will meet with a ready acceptance by a very large circle of racegoers.

THE SUGGESTED MEETING AT ELLERSLIE.

It- would seem as though the happy suggestion made by a correspondent- in the HERALD on Monday last re the holding of the proposed race meeting tit Ellerslie during Ihe visit of the American fleet is in a fair way to surmount the difficulty that arises through a conflict with the rules. Tin; proposal to hold the gathering as a special, and governed by stewards drawn from the Auckland Racing Club, Takapuna .Jockey Club, and Avondale Jockey Club, was duly submitted to Sir George Clifford, as president of the Racing Conference, by His Worship the Mayor, and though in his reply Sir George points out that he is not empowered by the rules to give or withhold consent, he advises that, should the committee still consider the meeting advisable, they proceed with their preparations, and the matter could be brought before the Racing Conference, which opens at, Wellington on the 23rd of' July. A meeting of the presidents of the three clubs is to be held on Monday, and on the result of their deliberations on the troublesome, point at issue will depend whether or not _ raco meeting at Ellerslie will form a portion of the programme in connection with the fleet week celebration. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. As matters have gone, it would have been well had tho Auckland jockey Hector Gray accepted the local finding in his case, and not sought a trial in the Appeal Court. An impression prevailed in some quarters that because the stewards of the Auckland Trotting Club allowed the case to extend over a somewhat protracted period it strained the interpretation of question of. fact (on which ground it was clearly stated the matter was treated) and that the jockey had a fair case. The sworn declarations, together with tho evidence taken at the inquiry, however, apparently quite satisfied the appeal judges, and the disqualification existing against. Gray will therefore stand. It is to be hoped that what has overtaken Gray will be accepted as an object, lesson by the jockey profession. Having shown talent in the saddle, everything seemed favourable for Gray to hold a leading placein the .season's statistics; but disqualification having come against him at. a most important, juncture of his career the whole situation is altered. ** Considering that Loch Fyne had the stiff burden of 12st allotted to him l in tho Hawke's Bay Steeplechase, it could not bo said that the situation presented a rosy uppearanee for the little son of Loch Ness to achieve distinction; and though he finished the course in safety he figured amongst the also ran division. Bearing in mind "that Mr. Henrys was responsible for placing 12st opposite Loch Fyne's name in the ' Hawke's Bay Steeplechase, and that it will devolve upon him to cast the weights for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, it was good policy to send Loch Fvne 1* Hastings in order that ho might be amo to focus matters properly when the little son of Loch Ness comes before him to be handicapped for the Riceartou race.

Though The White Knight last year owed his position amongst winners of the Ascot Gold Gun to a successful objection lodged by his owner against the French horse Eider, oil the grounds of interference, he was accepted as the best Cup. horse in England. A cablegram, to hand shows that the son of Desmond was again on hand to contest the Ascot Gold. Cup -when the event came to bo decided on Thursday last, when he came home in front of his field. The name of the runner-up to The White Knight is given in the cablegram as Ardium, a search to traoo whose identity proved fruitless. I fancy, however, it will be found that he hails from France, as Monsieur Cailiaut lodged two j sealed nominations for the Ascot race. j As I stood looking at tho two filly foals sired by Wairiki at North Shore last/ Saturday, Mr. Robert Duder had an interesting story to relate regarding a jumping performance on the part of the youngster claiming the Cuirassier marc Granny as her dam. The youngster in question a few days previous to my visit was. I learned, seized with a desire to get, on to the road, and mustering up a dasji of pace, she flew over the paling fence" (which is well on to sft), and got over without damage. I had a look at the exact spot where the Granny filly took riff, and bearing in mind that the land on that side is nearly two feet, lower than on the landing side, it was something to look at and wonder however she escaped serious injury. The. jumping feat executed by Granny's youngster does not, however, stand j by "itself amongst the records at the Devonport establishment, and Mr. . Duder had to relate another, for which Granny herself was responsible, and which she accomplished at, & like age to that of her youngster related above. Granny was enclosed in a paddock bounded on one side by a solidly-built stone wall, over 4ft high, and one day she was observed to make a determined run for liberty. As Granny charged at the wall it seemed certain that she would dash herself to pieces, and Mr. Duder relates that it was with a feeling somewhat akin- to fear j and trembling thai, he hurriedly made his way to the spot. To his amazement Granny was on the other side of the fence | in safety, and scampering away to two I equine companions whom she had espied on the top of a hill adjacent to tie- homestead, and who had no doubt- played a part in causing her to revolt. On being examined later.' Granny was found to have got through her stiff jumping exploit without tho "loss of even a hair. Truly the jumping feats executed at times by riderless | youngsters are wonderful! . j

Mr. W. Lyons returns to Sydney on Monday by the .-.*. Mo.mii. The popular peneillcr was on the look out for a jumper to take across the water, but ho was unsuccessful in his quest. Mr. Lyons still claims the ownership of Waipuna. and should the brown son of Soult. credit, bis -owner with a big race next season it need hardly be said that such would lead to much rejoicing' at, Auckland's sporting rendezvous.

"" Lord Vndtey, the newly.appointed, (Juvernor&etierftl of the A>i*t-r«lta.n. Common- | wealth, raewl horses" in Kngtsind some jcat»'j back, but his colours haw. riot teen «n- j furled for tome time. It is, however, j««H potable, that Lord Dudley may register hi* | colours in Australia. It would (say* | ".Javelin. ' of the. Melboornci Leader) he ft j splendid thing for the . Auste'aliftn turf, ■: on ! which vice-r*gal colours hat* hot been _«ea j since Val**riti*. Fitz-Ynttendon. and Kings* borough earned the honoured Zetland'spots j of that model; sportsman, Sir Merculft* f Robinson. Lord Bra«H»y f though not quito j a Bill Martin a* a cyclist, jtftve a big tillip to yachting: ami Lord IlopeUwn, of revered j memory, always kept ,a few stood hunter*, j and. like the 'Counttw*, was an ardent follower of the hound.*. |

The defeat of the King** colt Pernor in the Two Thousand tiiiijieas wan evidently ; very keenly felt. One writer opened his account thui:--'— "Oh. what a fall was'there. my countrymen. There, run and I and all of j us foil down, and August Belmont triumph- I ■ ■el over vis. This is' not pure Shnke.-ipere, f bit in its. mutilated statu the quotation ad- ' mirfibly expresses the feeling* of the. King"*! i lieges when Perrier came such an awful crop- i per, and Norman 111., the properly of the j president of the New York .Ten-key Club, I gained such an astounding triumph in tho j Two Thousand Guinea*." I

To _ get behind the scenes in racing mat- I tew is to obtain .101110 interesting informa- , tiou. With regard to one of the winners I at the recent (-treat Northern ranting. I [ ant informed that the trainer considered the I prospects so hopeless thru lie deemed it | advisable to ring up the owner by telephone ' prior to the. hour of acceptance, giving him j las opinion to the effect that the animal j engaged had no chance, and that tin* &e- i ceptanee money might n* well be raved. On. the strength of tin' Kller»lie gathering being the last race meet of the season in [ Auckland the owner decided on paying up, i i>ji<l starting, with tin- result that' he saw his colours come Home in the van. lit the face of such « doleful summing-up on the pari of the trainer, the hor»e ira? allowed to go our quite unbacked, which meant j more To I lie owner than might at first seem, for he had un obligation with quite a num- i her of ladies that they should have 11 certain j sum 011 each time the animal started. That obligation had. of course, to bo discharged, even though the owner himself was. as the j saying rocs, frozen out. Such are the fortune* of racing.

11l Contesting the Hauko's Hay Steeplechase the Auckland-owned Pierre disgraced himself by turning hi.« head tit tho double; but on the second day ho negotiated all iiifeme.* in proper style ami won the Juno Steepler by a neck after a good fight with Faro.- The latter was conceding hi* rival 121b. Faro and Pierre arc engaged in- the Napier Steeplechase, to be run next "Wodno.-dav, in which Faro will concede the Auckland 'horse 81b.

An in the career of Loch I'yne thai tin* been overlooked is that two year* ago In' was to have figured in a match with Major over tin- Taknpnna Steeplechase course, the conditions being horse against horse—that is to say, the losing horse would become the property of the other owner. The owner of Loch Fyne, who was the challenger, however, deemed it, inadvisable to go on with ilie mutch, which did not. therefore eventuate.- Loch Fyne is a very different horse now to what he was when his owner offered to pit him against .Major: but the owner of the latter considered he had the worst, of it when the owner of Loch 'Fyne refused to go on with the match in tlie winter of 1906. The number of jumping horses that have met their death either in schooling work or contesting races in Victoria during the past couple of years must run out to a large figure. A couple of weeks back Divham, who last year won the V.K.C. Grand National Steeplechase, blundered and fell while, schooling at Flemiiigton, and as a result had to be destroyed. A Melbourne cablegram to hand states that. Comic and Penguin fell while contesting the Caulfield Steeplechase on Saturday last, and their injuries were smell that it was deemed merciful to destroy them. An Australian racing man on his travels has furnished "Terlinga," of the Australasian, with some of his experiences in France, lie says:—The steeplechase course could be safely negotiated on a bicycle. The conditions .of the Military Steeplechase are voluminous. Every contingency is provided fori The starting is conducted by three officials, one with a red flag, another with a white tape, which in on a spring. When released this flies across the front of (lie horses. The third man has rf stockwhip, which he cracks behind the horses when the flag falls. The. horses appear first-class hurdlers, but would not have a chance of getting over Australian courses, and most of them appear to dwell, their jumps. Seddoii, the four-yea full brother to Wairiki, who was eased up in the autumn,' has resumed work at Flemington, and judging from the references made to Soult's son ho may ho expected to render a good account of himself tit four years old. Seddou is engaged in both the CauHield and Melbourne. Cups. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS., The rising two-year-old full-sister to Loongana (SoultCttracoa)' has had the name of Wild Girl selected for her. . - - The pony Huglite (by Soult), shipped recently from Auckland to Sydney, is, it is stated, destined for India. North-East, who let! the field home in the (Jrand Prix do Paris, was defeated in the Prix clu Jockey Club, run a few weeks previously. . Nactador, who filled the role of runnerup in the Haivke's Bay Steeplechase on Wednesday last, won that event in the two preceding years. Nightfall was among the starters for the City and Suburban Handicap in April, but though she only had 7st 61b to carry, she finished second last. Neither North-East or Saugo Fourpce, who finished first and second respectively in the Grand Prix de Paris, arc engaged in the English St. Leger. 'jute Handsome .Jack gelding Lull is evidently himself again. In the decision of the Hawko's Bay Hurdle Race on Wednesday he scored a decisive win. Jlawhiri. the full-brother to Wniukii, has not yet bidden farewell to the turf. The, St. Leger gelding is being qualified for jumpers' races in Canterbury. Prospector had the misfortune to fall while contesting the Hawke's Bay Hurdle Kace: but he got off scatheless, and on the following day he won the Turanioe Hurdle Race. The "Victorian writers still keep hammering away in favour of the lotalisatqr; but no big move has yet set in to give the agitation what could be termed a good winning chance. Paritutu is receiving a special preparation for the Grand National Hurdle Race. He is reported to be none the. worse for his mishap in the Great Northern Hurdle Raceat Ellerslie. The three-year-old Tangaroa (by Grafton —Waihine), purchased recently in .Melbourne for llOOgns. for exportation to India, is making his visit to the En.'t in company with the New Zealand-bred mare Marguerite. D. J. Price has -sold the jumper Aiaar.ua to Mr. E. Manifold, but the horse will remain in Price's stable for' the winter meetings. Mr. Manifold, it will be remembered, purchased another of Price's charges last, year in Subterranean. It is a rare thine; in these days to find a meeting in the Hawkins Ray district, go through without a win being credited to the Hon. J. 1). Ormond's colours, but, si'-h was the record entered up at Hastings on Wednesday and Thursday last. A few weeks back I made mention of the falling away on the question of nomenclature ol>servable in the Old Country. Tim Royal Hunt Cup decided at "Royal Ascot" on Thursday was won by a horse known by the absurd title of Billy the Verger. The Melbourne Cup winner Apologue has landed safely in India, but no one seems to think lie will stand training. The general opinion is that it is a waste of time and money sending "doubtful" horses to that country, where the courses are as hard as brickbats.. ' - An English cablegram to hand brings the result- of. the Manchester Cup, which event was won fay the four-year.-old Polar Star. This horse is owned by .Sir. W. Hall Walker, and as L. H. Hewitt is attached to that gentleman's stable. Polar Star may have scored at Manchester in the hands of the' ex-New Zealand jockey.

A DISQUALIFIED JOCKEY. [BY nxixnu-jr.—phkss association.] Nai'ikr, Friday. The appeal lodged by the. jockey Hector Gray, in connection with the disqualification imposed upon him by the Auckland Trotting Club, and further increased by the Auckland Racing Club, came before the appeal judges to-day, and was dismissed, >

ZTTTTZ.,—— ZSZSSZ ; ;„■■ ;,, BgSSSSJS3B«Sii# " fi'nri) XOTBS,. fir- ru^KTiojf. Jet, the (Ism of Frf thriVi., was «■ bsd'j l, wotindod recently-. ill a boat with a "^?'■»;{ , pig that it wwidfewartd advisable, to tb'tttay her. Jet, who ws»s a d*ugitt*'t of lltj»p»** aimpvin, was owncrt by Mr, K. M>slliFt.*, ©£'■'. .'■ Gle>'«!on.. li»si, «•>&!('>« sins «** mated with' ■ S*3to.t'i Dolavad, }.■» proved L,-*rrci>. ' ''' Wh«tt IcOiretei, the dan* of 3o|, was sT>fc up to auction last year, she had a colt Mil at . foot by Beaton lM&ra.L ' As l«£or»» stated, Lortdfi only survived ft lev? days ..■:;?■/■; from.the time Mr, Nolan knocked : !irr flowtryfU 1 st I'apakors to jfr. E. W. Alimk at ,■»«»*. ''"'■.■.'" The roTt left by the Indian* mare ha*. .»:&; however, I leant, thrivpir at. Tftksip«n»,'-'. ..:;'', and though, like hi*: doH.jj'bty h!»ll'bfot.h*r, ; ' ■;■;■ ho i* ,'ta.tivi in lw> on-tin' saiftfi title, hfl i-t '■/;.- credited with 'boifcg of . solid build. .Sol'* ',- half-brothiM • i»' rising two year;*' old. ■ ■'".*'■/■■: '':3 A remit visitor to Shifltfy Park, -whet** the AueklandWwl Gla«Wm«"is now located, ;■.'-■■ «tat€*» that iho bom tic (laughter of Kk**t<m '' Dt'laval and Miitf (iladv.s could, ww , f-eorndy l*> wogiiisnl as tiio (ilttiKUtt" of. racing celebrity. (Uft'daeiao .ha..* filled out and lot clown into one of the* most haitdwriio _■ brood mart'* that mild bo •■ found iti'Vie*' toria. . That- njftMjmo wtW in the v«y fir»t■; rank up to a mile nod a-rpiarter \» a point, on which then? is a perfect agreement'f* and much interest •nil! l*' centred on the; result of her union with E*o«it«'n6v/ •'•.:.:'

In referring to the defunct St, Simon, artEnglish writer "-ays:--it "»s .Jour. -..iw<» decided that- when St. ■■■Simon dim. hi* skeleton should be s«»C up 'in the , barf he had so long occupied. > The bone* of Touch-*! are- in ft /.similar way "pro-./ served «' Eaton,' whore the late poke of' Westminster built a mUMguin specially for their reception. The frame, of ■ St. Simon will, however, have the more appropriate setting, and for generations "yet unborn' it, will serve «* it reminder of one of -the'to<W ; remarkable ltnrs('» the world tut* ■ soon ■''.o.iv:'is likely to see. Hi» fame will' live '.©.tt; through the ago?. Centuries henrc posterity will speak and think of him ».< <«' speak ami think of'Kelipao. ' •/.■'«, Trenton's great daughter Wakeful i* this season to lie mated with Matador (by BUI of Port-In ml). THK TURF IX ENGLAND. RESULT OF THE ASCOT GOLD CUP* By Telegraph-;- Press Association. --Copyright London - , Juan 18.-;. At the Ascot meeting to-day the follow. ing was the result of the principal event:—. ■ THK GOLD Clip, value SOOsovs, with 350u*ovs in specie in addition, out. of which the owner of the second horse shall receive TOQmovs, and the owner of the third 300sov*, : added to a sweepstakes . of 30sov* each. For entire colts-and tidies. Special weights. Two mile* and R-htilf. . Mr. W. R. Wymlhnm's b b The White, Knight, Syte,' by Desmond— 9*t'\ 4lb ' ..." ..." , ..: .-_ ... "•"-,;1: Ardiitm ... ... ... ... ..- ... 2 Mr. W. M. (',. Singer's hi It Toi-point, Svr*. by Trenton Doncastor Beauty, 5 ' . 9*t 4ih* ... ... ... -..' 3 THK ROYAL HUNT CUP of 2000.«oV». .Seven furlongs and 196 yds. Mr. K. 11. Doboll's eh h Billy the Verger, 4>*rs, by Avington—Gold Flake ... 1 Mr. S. Joel'* br-c Poor Hoy, Syr*, by Perth—Philoo . ... ... ... ... 2: Mr. P. D. Browning** b h Forerunner ' 11., 4yr's, by Pioneer—Koudal Belle ... 3 GISBORNE RACING CLUB'S r * WINTER MEETING. ' ; ■;:" [IIT TELEUUAI'fI I*llßßß ASSOCIATION.J -V. - ..XArtsn, Friday. - Mr. 'J. Chmlwlek litis declared the follow luff weights (or the (JUbdme ' Hiving Club* Whiter Meeting, to bo belli on July 9 and 19:— HANDICAP HURDLE RACK, one mile anil three-martew Omstl 11.6, Asteroid 11.2, Whatakura .1.0.11. Pretty Mali! 10.10, llwrvolr 10.S» Xoteoi-iul 10.!), Till 10.4, Oic-.i* 9.13. Franklin .9.13, Cinque 9.6. Banker 0.0, BoSdicefc 9.0, ;,.':? . FLYING HANDiCAJ.', eix • M'alkarifeif' 11.5, Poncho 10.13, Mwaiiffiu 10.9, tolyautliu* 10.8, I.ailv Uolilna "JOT, luuetltama. 10 6,. Ws\ptinchu 106. Smilln 10.5, ProMeda 9.13,- Krln 9.12.' Stylish 9.7, Cjwttitu 9.4, Pluck '9.0,. Lady Crispin 9.0, The «tripj»er 9.0. ; ; :. (MsiiouNi; PARK ,s'i:i:ra'LiiCiUf?i:. ai'outthree mile* — booh Fvno 11.1,!. I'W-ro 10.9, I'uimtu 10.6, Kapa)<apa 10.5,.- Creunft 10.3. Ilikiroii 10.3, Oin«|ue 9.13, Uullworth 9.13, Aloha 9,lo,'lleiy* 9.7. ■ . :,.■■-■ •>,-"•■• ..;.:-.-..' i^y^ TRIAL STEEPL&CfiASK. about, two 'Hills*;*« o«}ih 10.1.3, linlhvorUi.'lO.fl, Aroha 10.7," W(iSii(jkau 9.15, tieirv 111, ittilt.i'c 9.16, .Motitkohu 9.9, Kuiaimi 9.7, I'.oadloca 9.7, MorinliKlit. 9.7. ■" WINTER OATH HAND/CAP, one mile ami 240 yds. —Douche■ 11.0, I'olvuutliun .10.9, llitietjbuna 10.6, Tc- Aral 10.2. Wblto Llo 10.7. Sftti .lom : 9.9. Franklin 8.8, Ciieddita D.tf, Cinque a.3. Pluck 9.0, The Stripper 9.0. '':"'"". ' ■ APPOINTMENTS AT ELLifJRSLJJS. \ ... V = ' to"Tilr; Hi'oftri.vj BtfITOKT " ' '" ■\ .. ■ ..-. ' ~.-.«. -.'• ...v-...;>>t. Fir.— notice in your ln«ue of to-tiny:'* letter signed "Sport" re proposed rtUfrtUaf Ellenlio"dtirlmc "Fleet Week." which I moot thoroughly onodrse; and ns tin old,lover tit racing, dating from the time when my name* sake (Don John) won Urn.Doii'.-aatcr Ist, heKcr, having scan that grand , horse Ktockwell canter home hi front of a hiff tlcld aevoriil years later, also having witncsitod the «<snfj.tttonal ut;iicfaen between Volti^eui*' lfi'if> Flying'. Uutchkntiu, : both a.t Bonciister - atflli York, I claim also to liavu haul some experience in India »> well tin in New Zealand, and whilst btdn« u,. devout admirer 'of-' obr lovely course and surrounding* at Kllertlit:; as well m the niaiiasemeiit generally, thera r,rt' one or two matters vshj.ih. in my opinion, require some alteration, and which, with' your pennwiion. I hey: to enumerate:-^ 1. An alteration in the approaches to tins : totnlisutor. At present there are two entrances to the tieket-acllent and only one exit. The scramble to get a ticket it doubly Increased alter on« ha« succeeded in getting it, the crashing during the lat<c meetins being simply dißjrraceful, mora sellers of tickets being required.- I have no hesita-. tion in saying that, hundreds of pounds-Wefts'.' shut out for-want of more and better futilities in this respect, and hence tho tolling off of the tote rcceipta. ■ 2. The " payinx-out" department silro 're-' quires improving. ■ Anyone being lucky (or unlucky?) enough to hold n, win nine ticket. must, under present arrangements, consider himself.- very lucky if he gets payment, in time to see the horses parade, or even ataried, for the next race. ••..;:•

I 3. The arrangement for hoisting (Uc hum' ■ ' ! hers of placed horses »- the moat absurd one* i I ever saw on any course. The number* ; | cannot he seen by holder* of Derby stand I tickets, nor by the hundreds of visitor*'■«&*» j line the course lower down. Arraneenientis■".--■; i should at once be made for these, numbers to | "be shown, in black and whin*, with lipircq at least double the size, and in Mich a position that they may he readily Men by every •'.'•' one who has paid his money lor admission ' -'A to the course. 4. The ornamental frame in which the starting numbers and names of riders arc exhibited should be removed to, say, in a.' lino between the irrandslapd enclosure and that in front of the Derby stand: a hoarded; hack, painted black, and the numbers and names painted white, would enable evervone to bee clearly, -which cannot now be done '" with the sickly red numbers. "More especially is this the case towards sunset. Should the race meeting eventuate, there is sure to be a record attendance, and the alterations I have suggested' will. I ant mire, add much to the pleasure and convenience of everyone.—l am, etc. . DOS JOHN. June 15, 1908.