OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7124, 13 December 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Mklbocbne, December 2.

Tha Victorian Parliament is nearing the end of tha session, which will close in about 10 daya' time. An event of interest laat week was the circulating of the Loan Bill. It provides for the raiting of £4,000,000, of which £3,180,020 will ba required for the purpose of redeeming the debentures falling due in London on October 1, 1885. It is proposed to set apart £40,000 for expenses- connected with the loan, and £280,000 to maet any deficiency caused by fl.atii.g it below par. The balauC3 of the loan (£499,380) will ba applied to waterworks, State school buildirgi, bo. Power is taken to fix the rate at 4 per cent., or any less amount. No portion of tbe new loau will bo available fo- railways, but the Government have nearly £1,000,000 in hand out of the last loan for this purpose. The Factories Bill, introduced by Mr Daiikiu, has produced a storm of opposition from the representatives of employers. A large deputation, representing the Chamber ol Manufactures and a public meeting of shopkeepers, has urgod that ample time should ba giveu to those interested iv the measure to consider ita provisions and state their opinions, The Government intend to allow full opportunity for discussion, and consequently tbo bill will havo to bo postponed till naxt session. Sir W. H. F- Mitchell, the president of the Victorian Legislative Council, who had nearly reached the allotted age of threescore yeara and ten, died rather suddenly at his residence, near Kyneton, last week. He had been failing in health for a long time, though ablo to discharge bis public duties with efficiency, aud his death i 3 understood to have beeu hastened by eating poisonous fish, which brought on syncope of the heart. Sir W. H. F. Mitchell emigrated to Tasmania when a boy, and he removed to Victoria when the goldfields broke oul. He was the first Chief Commissioner of Police in Victoria, aud ha has served in Parliament for a quarter of a century. He was a gentlemanly and capable man, and svas greatly respected. His successor in the offico ot president ia Mr James Macßain, a member who sat for many yeara iv the Assembly, and who has beeu in tbe Upper House for six or seven years. He is a wealthy man, having baen successful in squattiug speculations. He is a pillar of the Presbyterian Church, and he ia a politician iv whom the community has always had confidence, though hu baa never held office. There is no doubt that he wil! fill the office of President with credit to hims-Jf and satisfaction to the Council. As an unwavering supporter of constitutional principles, ho natu rally Becured the votes of the Conservative members of the Council. The dispute in the bootmaking trade still continues, and it haa been further extended by the majority of the manufacturers asking all their machinists and general bauds to take a holiday. It was found impossible to keep them employed whila no ordors could be fully executed^ owing to the finishers aud putters-up being on strike. When all tho factories are entirely clo3ed, about 2000 bands, male and female, will be out of employment, and a stop will have been put to tha circulation of between £5000 and £0000 a week formerly paid for wages in connection with the boot tiada. The various trade societies continue to give material support to tho Union. The Typ- graphical Society gives £50 a week during tho currency of tho 10.-k ■ ut, a levy of 5 ptr cent, having baen made on the grt 81 weekly earning.l of the members. Some weeks ago tho Melbourne Dai y telegraph copied from a Sydn-y newspaper a ccm muuication from T. C. Krfrry, a member of ttie Ago New Guinea exploring expedition, ra which accusations of murder and ill treatment of the nativeß were made against Messrs D. P. Walker aud O. J. Stewart, two other members of that expedition. Mersrs Walker and Stewart have now commenced actions for libel against the Daily Telegraph. A commission has been issued to examine Kerry in Sydney. Another casa which has attracted somo attention in Melbourne has been an action brought by Mr G. R Johuaon, the architect, agaiust Mr James Ailison, theatrical manager, to racover£2266 for commission for tho preparation of plana for a theatre aud other buildings in Sydney, and for other expenses in connection with tho preparation of tho plans. The defence was that Mr Allison was not to be personally responsible for tho payment for tho plana, but that Mr Johnson was to bo paid Dy a company to be iioatod to take over the project, if they adopted hia piano. Tha jury gave a verdict for tbe plaintiff for £2000, Smallpox has broken ou'; iv an alarming form in Sydney again. Last Friday aud Saturday 11 cases we're reported to the medical authorities. The medic.il mca declared nil tba cases to bo true variola; and in connection with this eulbieak o7 iceideuis ba'.e been

quarantined it) their houses, pending tneir romoval to the Government quarantine-ground. A largo majority of tho caaas have occurred at Lnichardt, a suburb four milos from the city aud in the district of tho Surry Hills. Most of tha sufferers aro children who have never been vaccinated. The Crown strae.t public school, which is attended by nearly 1000 children, haa bean cloned until aftor the Christinas

vacation by order of the Minister of Public Cuatruction, iv conaequ n.:a of. ona of the children recantly attacked by smallpox having attended tha school up to within a few days of i';s illnns3. The Government intend to prose-

cute a Dr Donovan for having neglected to giva information to tha tha health authorities of tit? nsenrranea of smallpox among his patieuta. Considerable interest hria brr-n arom.od in

.-jydiiny by a libel action brought by Sir Henry Parkei sg.iinst William Webb, publisher of hs C^mobolltown Herald. Am< n-.; the alleged

...b-iilous stntamanta complained of were tha ■'.•_ln-.viu2 : " After evading his creditors for 13 months, Sir Henry P.trk.B has returned to ;..io Colony. Fanoy the in in who tried to put up tho North Shore bridge swindle baing nahamnd of tha country which fed him, and v/inkad at erim-'s for which another man would

bo imprisoned." Again, referring to Sir Henry Parkes, the papjr remarked : " Only think of the mau who took little Dr Renwick into the Ministry for tho moderato consideration of +:500." The defendant pleaded that the stateneiits wer«> correct, and written for the public good. Sir Hanry Parkes was examined, aad he denied that there was any truth in tho assertions complained of. A laig3 number of witnesses was examined nn both sides, and a great deal of political feeling was imported into the case. Thu oud of it was that the jury were bo '.owikiered that they were unable to arrivo at .1 decision, and thoy were ultimately discharged without having given a verdict. Verdicts of -.vilful murder havo been returned in two cases against Thos. M. Sheridan, chemist, and a Kreuchmau named Bac, for causing death while vi tempting to procure abortion. In Queensland tha people are hopefully Linking for the end of ihn drought, but it has ..nt. yet come. The greater part of the Colony io. in a very depressed state, The western dis fcricts are described aa beitg tor tho greater Dart a desert, while the sun is constantly gaining power. During tha past fortaight there liivo br-err showers, which have extended over Uia Darling Downs and along tho coast as far an R'.c'.champton, and thore ara anticipations Mist tho summer raios are nut far off. The Land Bill has been disposed of by the Assembly, aod is now under the consideration of the Upper House, Under the measure, as it stands, free selection before survey is abolished r-ivo yeara after tbe Act comes into force. Township aud suburban lands ara to be sold by .-Miction. The leasing principle applies to agricultural lands, but tho obtaining of freeholds has been made easier. A selector may taka up .:na or moro coterminous blocks, not exceeding in tho aggregate 960 acres, and residence by himself or representative will bo held to be fulfilment of that condition. A purchase price and rent, which cannot be altered for 10 years, is placed on each block before being offored for selection. It is considered that tho inducements for pastoral occupation offered by the bill to young men with a capital of £2000 or G3OCO are very promising. Notwithstanding the effects of tho drought and tho depressed condition of tho sugar industry in tho North, tho trading classos aa a wholo aro prosperous, r.nd tho enditi-rn of the Colony i« regarded as sound. Should there be an early break-up of the drought a considerable influx of population will ba looked for, and an impetus will bo i'iven to commercial operations in overy direcorisbane juries Beem to ba determined to do away with the impi'Cßsinn which has got bread that tbero i« no justice to bo had in Queensland for ill-used Kmnkcis. Thoy.have first, convicted a man named M'Neil for tho murder of an Wander on the high seas, and Bernard Williams has also baen found guilty of killing a Polynesian on tho high seas. Both prisoners, who were employed in Ihe labour trado, havo been sentenced to death. The terms of the New Guinea protectorate ire anything but satisfactory to Sir Thomas .VMlwraith. Discu^ii.g the matter in the Que.nsl.ind Legislature last week, ho said that Mr Romilly's proclamation would satisfy the pnoplo of Australia, and was identical with what was wished hy the Sydney Convention. But Commodore Erskins's waa not so, and .-.nly included a live drawn from the 141 st degree of longitude east, :A line could c-n close nothing, and the protectorate was an absurdity. Ue wished to point out how Commodore Esskine had ignored the real reason put foi ward by tbe Colonies for the aninxalion cf New Guinea. It >va* nut, as stated in the proclamation, for the protection uf the native*, but entirely for tbe protection of these Colonies. New Guinea wai rwht in tho main track from Queensland-to Earopo, and it was necessary to render this maiu road a sale road. But any portion of the islands which might be taken possession of by a foreign power would be a serious source uf danger to tho Colonies. It was solely on the consideration tbat N.iw Guinea was to be annexed that tho Premier had induced Parliament to pass the bill gran'-iog a subridy. The establishment of foreign coaling stations was evidence of the intention of France and Germany to acquire land in the neighbourhood of Australia. Phis could yet be prevented if England would lake prompt menfurt-s He wished Australians to understand how little had been done, that no actual annexation of territory bad taken place, nnd that tin protectorate as proclaimed by Commodore Erskine was a m«e sham. There is a gre.it deal nf ditficulty in Adelaide with tbe criminal clasa ju-t now. Not only have thera teen a number of incendiary fires, but outrages on women are alarmingly on the increase, A werk after Mies Riso was knocked down and assaulted, a respectable man aud hia wile, after leaving church ou Sunday eveniug, aßked a young man to direct them across a vacant pioca of ground to the street tbey were in search of. Tho young man followed them to a lonely place, aud thou called on a companion in hia roar to •'conne r.n with the pistol." This so terrifiod the craven-hearted husband that ho ran off to tho police station, leaving hi 3 unfortunate wifa at the mercy of the scoundrels, both of whom criminally assaulted her. There is talk of organising vigilano9 committees, and putting down such acta by prompt execution of "Lynch law." It one of these miscreants wero shot while attempting the offence, un more would bo heard of these capital assaults.

A remarkable cvse of sheep-stealing is repotted from- Robe, South Australia. Mr Robert Foster, a sheep farmer at Lake St. Clair, found on the selection of Stephen Jeffrey, ot Reedy Creek flats, 50 of his sheep, shorn, killed, aud placed ma heap ready fer burning, in the scrub. A trooper reached Jeffrey's house about 5 o'cltck iv theaftornoon, and found the stolen wool on the premises. When arrested Jeffrey brcamo very abusive, and subsequently went into a fit, in which he remained for over two hours, despite all efforts to restore him. When he became sensible he was placed on a mattress in a dray to ba taken to a doctor, but he died in 10 minutes. He was 05 yeara old. Tbe s.b. Hero, which left Melbourne on the 15'h November for her usual round trip to Fiji, via Newcastle, had an adventurous voyage. Attar leaving Newcastle, and after she bad got about 80 miles from that port, her maiu shaft broke, and she lay like a helpless log upon the waters. A boat with four men, in charge of the first mate, Mr M'Donald. was despatched to Sugarloaf Head, distant 47 miles, with instructions to telegraph to Newcastle for a tug-boat to bs sent to the assistance of the disabled vessel. After tho boat left, the Hero drifted in 24 houra 83 miles in a S.W. direction, the sea being smooth. Next day the vessel hud drifted 09 miles, and to within 60 miles off Syduoy Heads The sea now rose considerably, aud sho laboured very heavily. Repeated unsuccessful attempts were mado to get her head round by hoisting sail. Ou the third morning the wind changed and freshened. Then sail was got up, and a course steered for Jervis Bny. Towards evening tbo wind failed, and tho Hero was in an uninanr'.geablo condition on a lee shore. Rockets wore eentup, blue lights wero burned, and at last, to the great joy of tho ship's company, the Ridondo observed tbe signals and bore down upon her. The Rodondo li;y by the Hero until daylight, and then towed her into Sydney Harbour, 60 miles distant. The passengers "by the Hero were greatly pleased with tha behaviour of Captain M'lntosh, of that steamor, to whom they have presented a complimentary address.

SPORTING,

Fix cur's.

December 16 —Pl.imoton'Park Summor. Docemtxir 1(1.—! Imam Raciiii: C:nb Annual. Dec-jmlier lA. 19.—liivercarui.l Summer. Dix ruber 19. - AinberJey Annual. D. ceui'jor 'i. — Omhunija i'muil. Dec«m!ior 2'.. —Makikihi Aii'.uil. December ■!%.— Met-l'von Annual. Deceni'mr 21.—Kakanui Annual. December 'f,6.— ka'tgiiati A irual. D-cemlur 23. — Kiib ura Annual Deceinbar 20.—Wairau Annual. I) comber 23 —Hawke's Bay Summor. Derrembor 2.3.~Ta!<a!;n Annual. December -__0. ■ M.i.nftia Annual. December 26.—Wacrenffa a-hika Rummer. December 26. — Ma-'ri kaik Annual. Deci'inbc- 5_6.-l_.nwor Valley Annuil. D cember 20.—Albu.y Annual. Dcccmb-r 20 — Q'.-re Annual. Doomiia. -.6—Mari-iwai-.ii XC. Annual. Dacemboi" ri«, 27.- Crcmwt.ll Summer. D combo' CO 27 —Reetr.o". Annual.

iec mber 26, '-'7. Heathcote Summer. Decern;!, r 26, 27.— Haste'ton-Opa:,! Aunual, December 26, 27—Thame* Annua'. December 26 ffl —Hokitika Summer. Drcercb.r 27 - Chrha Annua' D-o-'mbe.r 29.—A-liburcon r.r^rict. December r.O. LumaJen Annual. J»Tu?n ci 31} " Oroymouth Summer. 22.}-- A-W-dSum--

NOTES BY BEACON,

Mr Sydney James is circulating a neat card containing tho official handicaps for tho Dunedin Cup and other races, for which the weights appeared on Saturday last. This plan, which I think originated with Mr Luckie, secretary to the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, meetn general approval, for ono cau roly ou the figures given, which is more than can be said wnan they are published in newspapers only. A considerable amount of betting took plaoa on tho appearance of tha weights, and from the transactions it was evident that tbe public fancied the best treated horses were July, Vanguard, Lady Emma. Sou' wester, Fusilier, Oudeis, and Welcome Jack, Quotations are as follows: —

A Tokomairiro correspondent writes: — '■The district of Tokumairiru having for th? Jait eight or nin9 yoara ue-.r!y sunk into oblivion with the racing world, is now coming to the front once more. At present we havo ne le*B than four training stables. First carries our well-known sir-irtaman, Mr Thomas Ketlr-, Witb Sir Audley, Lii.d L-.ir.rii r. Mu-ro Stuart, and Spotted Maiden ; Mr Jo;n VVato.s, with Bi'ucn and Duke o: Cleveland, conina next ; and then Mr Gaorge Ooombee, with Toko aud Watson, We muse tak* credit to ouvsalvcs for having bred soma of the best trotters in Naw Zaaland, the woll known horse Native Cat having been bred in the Tokomairiro district. Tbe trottiDg match for £100 between two of our district horees, Mr D. Corsan'a D r.vso and Mr J. A. Duthie's Emma, cornea off on Sa turday; tho distance being from thß Milton Post-office to the Dunedin Post office, 35 miles, in harness. Yesterday I saw Dowse come in after doing 10 miles, going very smooth, and without a turned hair on him. O.i Sunday I put myself about a little to see Emma tako her seven milas, driven by Mr Duthie. Srifseems to labour very much, with very high koee action ; her head very high aud tail up over her back—very much iike a turkey cock when he i 3 out of temper. Sho is a very showy mare, and no doubt will go well for a feu miles. The betting is in favour of Dowse. At some future date I will furnish you with mom df our sporting news. 1 shall hei o giveyt-u the tip of the winner, unless something f.hculd happen on tho way-.Dowse, 1; Emma, 2." Tho programme for the Maniototo Jockey Club racae, ou January IG, shows a total ol £135 added money, divided aiming seven events, but tho J.C. Handicap, of SOsovs, if tho only raco open to all horses. Nominations for this and alao for ttio Hurdle Rico, of 20 soys, and District Handicap, ot 30 aovs, close' on tho 23rd inst.

Clinton races will, as usual, be held on New Year's D,iy, and close on £100 will be given in various stakes. They include the Clinton Handicap, of 20 eovs, District Htridicip, oi 15 soya, and Hurdle Handicap, uf 12 soya. No Urinations for these events closo on tho 18th met. ; tha remaiuder closo at. tho post. Mr Howell haa baen app- iutod bandieappar, and Messra Mason and Roberta will have thoir totalisator cv the gronud. . Our sporting readers (saya ihe Cicinwell Argus) will learn with regret of the death of Mr O. M'Kinna'u promising D.-rby colt, Rnnga. The cause of death waa disease of the lungs. Tho colt waa much fancied for the Derby, aud judging from his appoarance a few weeks back his chance was by no means small.

The St. Bathans bill of faro amounts to £GO, and tha lauding event ia the St. Bithans Handicap, of £20. Hamilton and Sowburn annual races are fixed for Boxk-g Day, aud there aru seven racas sat doivn ou tha card.

A case which is likely to provo of very considerable interest to sporting mon (says the O.unaru Mail) will coma beforo the Kasident Magistrate on Thursday next. It is one in which a well known citizen seeks to recover from a publican a good round sum of mouny, being the totalisator dividend on a cc-rtain racn attholastChristchuicb meeting, money having been handed by the plaintiff to defendant for investment upon a particular horse in the race. I understand that the plaintiff's version of tbe affair is that he gave the publican £3 to put on The Lad in the Spring Hurdle Race, with instructions that if that horse won he was to put the whole of the receipts from the totali tor upon Black Rose for tho Darby. Tho Lad won, and tha publican, if he executed the first part of the commission, drew £6 6s. He was then to put £6 on Black Rose for the D,;rby, and if he did so, be would draw £01 13s". I bear, however, that on being asKed by plaintiff for this amount ho said that ho had only time to gat one ticket ou Black Rr-so, "Martini" relates an incident wliich occurred at the recent Wellington races, and is forcibly indicative cf the slips between cup aud lip. A Wellington gentleman went to tho totalisator to put a pound on Potaka in the. Hack Rich. Potaka's number was 7 aud DauO'C»;imli's S, and tho indignation of tha investor when ho found that a number 8 instead of a uumber 7 ticket had baen given him was only equalled by his delight when Dan O'Connell won the race. Of his feelings when tho Irishman was disqualified and a big dividend paid on Potaka, tbis deponent sayetb not. Tho recent purchaser of Sir Badovere and Speculation (late Hippodami:) turns out to be tbe metalliciiin Mr Fiank Hill.

Tho difference between Messrs J. O. Evett and P. F. Tancred, has, it ia said, been made up, and Mr Evet.t has accordingly withdrawn his resignation of the post of handicapper to the Wairarapa Joclt6y Club. The following are from " Hippona's " notes : —There has boon a rumour current hero during the week that Riy intends taking up his residence in Auckland, and carrying on the business of horse owner and trainer,—ln a conversation I had with Mr Marshall he tells me that Necklace did not twiat her fetlock when being taken on tho ('.hiist.cr.urcb courso, as was reported hero. One of her legs became swollen and heated tho day before the race, and although not showing any Bigns of lameness, it was deemed advißabio Lo scratch her rather thnn risk tha chances of a breakdown. It was certainly a bit of bad luck, for liar owner greatly esteemed her chance, aud it is to ba hopud that such a straight-going sportsman will fare a bit better nt, our Summer meeting.— Durir.g f.be week a looal bookmaker wagered a levdl £100 that tbe winner of the Auckland Cup crime from om of the following five horses : — S.\lvage, Tim Whifflir, Welcome J.ick, Vanguard, and Renames,

Quite a chapter of accidents (says the Auck laud Heralii) oe^ui-rad at tha Takapuna races on the 27th ult., one of which nearly resulted in the death of Mr Whitiug, the owner and rider of Azim, and another in tho death of the steeplechase horse Angler, the pieparty"i.f a gentleman who races in the name of " MiThompson" ; besides which there were several minor accidents, and singularly enough' all occurred at one hurdle, which on previous occasions has brought misfortune to half-a-dozeu other horses, and death to one. The hurdle in question is erected at the back of the racecourse, ami close to the slaughterhouses, and various theories have been propounded to account for repeated accidonts that hrkve occurred. The hurdlo itself is in no respect (iangerou3, at least not more sn than any other on tho course, but at all events theie appears to ba some fatality about it, and tho sooner the Club have the jump removed to some other part of tho course, tho bettor. One theory is, that tbe jump is so close to the wail of the slaughterhousa that the latter rising in front of tha horse, eithor Ecares bim or causes bim to riso too sooo, thus making him start for the hurdle. Another is, that tho tido coming up through tha drain saturates tbe soil at this placo, so that the' horses sinking into it, and the suifaca affording no springiness, cauaea tho accidents. Bui whatever tho cause may ba, tho effic's have been very disastrous, and point to the absolute necessity for removing thia jump. Prior to Saturday tha following accidents havo occurred there at intervals :—Chiquita, owned by Mr Shakespeare, was killed ; nud at various times Evening Star, Chandler, King, Shotover, and Julia Ann have fallen there, greatly to their

own danger and that of thoir riders—many of the latter sustaining vory severe shakes. On Saturday there were three falls there. Azim's fail nearly killed the rider aud owner, besides shaking tha horse. Angler's fall resulted in the death of the horse, and J. Wattie (hi-i rider) got a severe shaking. Niggar alau fell, but fortunately neither horse nor rider was much hurt.

An esteemed Auckland correspondent wiitcs to us as folio>va : —" Without one bit of blow, I don't think a better colt has ever been bred in New Zealand than Mr Rabartaon's, by Musket out of Slander, who ran at our Spring meeting. All who have looked over the youngstar are in love with him, and I think it ia a pity to see such a promisine one in this Colony, for with the totalisator it ia impossible to win a big stake."

AUSTRALIAN,

10 to 1 asai Ju y (tk) li o- iv 1,-dv Kmms (elf ; 100 to 10 tk; li 0 — S Va Vuard (tk) Kl-i .. 7 Oude's(<:ffi 100 - 7 Kirs', icr (tk) 103- 7 Sru'-A-es'ir tit) 100- 7 Were mo Jack (oil) 103 . 6 'I'a'iuan (11-l inn — o Tumnoi-p (IT) If 0 — 0 Jnh.liv t-'auiltnor (oil) 100 0 --- C;ipt:-.in v,'i:l,stir (tk) l:.0_ 5 Nel en -elf) 100 — 5 Ike .til) 100 - 6 flon enfC (tl() K0 6 Trenton (till 100 — n I.iveip-o: (tk) JOO — 6 Tim Whiffler (off) HO- 5 Wapiti (off) ICO — 1 Tsiarca. Ilk)

100 - 4 ijauk Hose (ill) 10J — i — MC :ia-...'(1k: ltO - 4 Mara lalla icffj 10U — i L,)dv E---e'y.. (ofi) 10J —3 M-.1(.-i:Htk) )00 — 3 Sir 11. d«« (oil) 100 -8 Mi..er.n("lTi 100 — 3 Adamant (ult) 100 — 2 t.i 1 tht rest

Mr Harry Haines, of Victoria, h-.a Bristrl added to his string of horßes, the prico p-.ud not having transpired. He is a very difficult animal to train, and cost Mr Mondy a n;co sum during his career.

The V.R.C. cleared £3000 more over tha late meeting than they did over the previous year's spring gathering. Patronel, who won the Queensland Darby, was'purchased by Mr Jost for tha small sum of 45 guineas. Mr Andrew Town, therefore, has the honour cf having bred two Darby winners thia season —B.irgo aud Petronel, —and the pair cost less than 200 guineas; while Newstead, who won the Maribyrnong Plate, cost only 70 guineas, and Rufus. tha winner of tho Darby, was sold to Mr Jacobs for 50 guineas. The hundred and odd hovse.i in Tattersalls Cup ara bended by Sir Modred with tho suggestive little impost of 10.t 4'b, and the handicapper is to bo highly complimented (says tho Sydney Mail) upon tha correct, estimate ho has made of the merits of this sensational gentleman. Impulse, the winder of the Wapga G >ld Cut), is a bay filly by G-.ildshrough—lllumina-tion, and has a record of 10 winnirig brackets out of a possible 15. Tho following paragraph is from tho Bendico Independent. It refers to tha finish for the Second Hurdlo Race, and is vory funny :—" A number of persons questioned the correctness of the judge's decision, and argued that Footman -won the raca by a nosa; but the L rviafchau bookmaker, Joe Thompson, supported the judue. and the question was settled ut once." The Melbourne Sportsman says it is extremely gratified to ba ablo to announce that the life disqualification of George Goodio, tha jockey has baen removed by the Committee of tha V.R.C. Fred Hill, the ricier of Tantaliser in tbe second hurdle race at Bendigo, got biuisolf into trouble through the^ alleged suspicious manner in which he handled hia mount. On being called bi fore tha Btewards for au oxplanr.tion, Hill stated that his instructions were to ride a waiting raco, aud then come up, but that tho borsa was unable to do it. Tha (.towards not having sulli?i«nt evidenco to sheet homo a charge of deliberately " pulling " the liorpo, severely cautioned Hill, and told him that if ha ovor rode in too eauia manner again on the Bc-iidigo course thoy would disqualify him for life. It appears that, one or two members of the ring offered B's ar.d 10's to 1 against tbe horse at the start, although his opening prico ivas 2 to 1. Mr Samuel Bowler, tho well-known sports- ■ man and bresdor of racehorses, who formerly

owned the game old Snowdr.n, died at hi: resident, near Albury, on tha '23rd Nov. nibs: (writes tho Pastoral Time--), at the advanced age of 7,i years. The deeaaied wai a brother to Mr H. J, Bowlor of the Mitta Mitca, ani o.vuor of Minerva (>'*.*■" Hr-.wkesbury).

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN,

Archer has agaiti b.rntsn u.ll records, hii winning mounts up to Ojtobor Jl numbering uo less than 229, while time was thon iirjarly another mi.uLh'a racing "iiniore him. WoodY f.otal at the same date v»' r-ti'v 142. S. Lvaios ComeS third with upwards of 70 Two boy,'-, while blAckherrying in October Inst in a fit-Id acijtceut to whore the H-nigliton le-Spring races wero held, strollrd under tiie grandstand, where they found a tiu containiiit; 10 charges of dynamite. Tha charges were properly wrapped in copper wire, and had a fine attached, the fuse having evidently b"on lighted. ■ Mr S. Smith, of the White Lion Hotel, who was near at the time, took possession of tho dynamite, and afterwards had it exploded in a field. Much excitement pre vai's in the district. It is supposed that the intention may have been to blow up the grand, stand.

At a recent race meeting at Langohamps a counlo of English j >ckeys cama in for comt. severe" maltreatment at the hands of a number of Frenchmen. For tho l"rix dcs Fort.lie .- tions three horses started, and a filly named Georgina won, Blonde 11, riddeu by Sli.a-pi', boing second, and Iciidole, ridden by Storr, diitd. The jickr-ys on the beaten horses did not persevere much when tho found lhey had no chanco cl winning, and for tbis the; "■'ere assaulted by a mob ul infuriated Frenchmen. Sharpe waa tho victim ol a most s;tvag<_. attack from thise ruffians, who stiuck him with sticks aud umbrellas, and iiijurtd him ;io severely that he had to ba takeu away in ii cab. One if the aisailants narrowly escaped "lynching,'' for the jockeys pulled him over tho fenco, and after denuding him of most of iris clothes, wero about to give bim the coun de .grace with a ripe, whin Ihe gi-nsdaimo rescued bim Sima of the aggressors were arrested, and weru to be prontcutcd for the assault. Iv future English j lckeys wiil doubtless have a glim satisfaction in ridicg French horses out. to tho bitter end.

It ia understood that Mr John Hammond, tho on'ner of St. Gatren, won 1.40,000 by ihj .-uccoss of his colt in tbe Cesaiovvitch (value £1102. He also wJii an enormous amount of monoy over the double—St. Gat.ien for the Ctsirewitch and Florence.fcr the Cambridgeshite.

A rather smart anecdote haß got about which tends to show tho feaUcg of loyal atiaclimett and patriotism which cxista among the Welsh psople in regard to tho uncrowned King ol" Wales—Sir Watkin Williams Wynn. A horse wearing the coloura ol the master of Wynnstay was running a raca, It was a warm favourite amongst the Welsh people, and apparently held the race, to tho intense delight or the epectitois. Eventually ldo horse gradually fill to Che rear, coming in la-it, when tho admirers of the horse exclaimed, "Hurrah lor Sir Watkin, he drives them all beforo him." This is not a? all bad for " Taffies."

The treble event cf tho St. Lpger, Coaarewitch, .aud Cambridgeshire hns beeu successfully predicted by two gentlemen, between uh m tbe prize of £100, offered by a London publicat'ou, will bo divided in duo course. The otber com petit ion has not. ns-il.edi-uccePß-fuily for the gueisere, for though St. Gation Mid Malton were iv soveral cases picked together, Florence waa not taken aa tho third. .It would appsar as if the Ejiipse S'.akea cf 10,000 soys is likely to prove ao expensive race to the S.>ndown Park Club. No leas than 101 horses have declared forfeit at the fii-t,t opportunity, and as thero aro four mere chances of getting out it dues cot seem probable that there will bo many loft in by the spring .of ISB3, when the race will be run. Captain Macbell has privately purchased both Harvester and Queen Adelaide from Sir John Willi.ughby. Queen Adelaide a3 a yearling cost 3600 guineas, ani Harvtßtor, at Loid Falmouth's sale, was bought by Sir John at StiOO guineas. N.i.ti'.er of t'uetn fetched a reserve of 3000 when offered at auction la&t; week at Newmarket.

St. Simon, who waa regalf'ed as the best huise iii England, has gone aiuias, aud ir. is doubtlul.it he will Btaud training again. Thia will ba a sore disappointment to ail Engliah sportsmen, who were anxious to ?ea the two great Saints, Simon and Catien, opposing each

other. In appaarauco these two horaes are said to be very dissimilar —the former being a t.allish short horse, while St. Gntien __•■« represented as one of the grand, lengthy cr>lts not often seen upon a racecourse. It is a pity thero is little probability of these two giants of the turf meeting in friendly strife.

They do things thoroughly at time 3on American racing tracks, as witness ;he folloiving :—" In tho threo boats of the three-minute race trotted at Cleveland Park on September 23, the judges were satisfied Baby Mino was not driveu to win, aud put another driver (Voluey French) behind her on Wednesday, He drove hor admirably, and won tbo raca in better time than had been made in it on Tuesday, finishiug au easy first in each heat. When tho race waa fiuibhed President .Edward* aunouueed that the mare waa expelled from all tracks in the National Trotting Association, nnd that action woul.i bo taken with reference to all the parties with the mare and implicaied in tho job to sell out;the race and swindle pool buyers who had backed the mare."

NEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES.

(Bx our Special Thru1 Correspondent " VVarkiok.")

Sydney, November 2.

The Victorian and Sydney public having had their fill of horeeiacing and cricket matches during the last month, they aro now beginning to turn their attention to the riven. The champion oarsman of the world, Mr William Bsaob, returned to Sydney last week, having indefinitely postponed hia proposed visit to fasmania and New Zealand. At tho present timo Beach ia residing with his family at D ipto, ei'jnying a woll-eained rest. He does no f. intend to go into active training for another month, when he will remove to the Panamatta •tiiver. Mr Tom Clifford was in town last oveniog, looking as fresh as a three-year old He informed ma tbat ho wa3 never in batter health, and should ho continue in that state up to the evening of the 7:h February 181-5, the Australian morniug Press of the 9;,h February will most likely have to record the second defeat of Edward Hanlan on Colonial waters. Tbis day week Cliff-mi takes up his quarters at Gascoigne's, P.irramatta River. The Canadian's trip to Victoria, to my mind, has scarcely improved his condition, judging by his looks. When I saw bim a few days ago he had ni'idu such fl.-'sh that I soarcoly believed bim to ba the wonder that vanquished the English and Australian oarsmeu ou tue Thames. Notwithstanding his corpulency, his countentuj.ee wore a haggard appearance. Although champagne may not have such ovil effects attending it as Colonial "swipes" aud Victorian and Sydney " tanglefoot," nevertheless, with late hours, it goes a long way to undermiue the constitution of the strongest I don't say that Mr Edward Hanlan haa baen indulging too freely, b-t, like the mail with a " tomato faco," appearances look "crooked." At any rate, should Hanlan, whon he takes up his quarters - that will bo next week—at Small's hotol, Parra; matta River, follow tho advice of your Maori chiefs (who, a little while back, virited England, and left here for Naw Zealand a couple of months ago), and join tho 1.0 G.T., you may rely upon it Beach and Clifford will have thrir work cut out for them. As it is, Hanla.i is not the Hanlan of Toronto and River Thames notoriety, and I should be misguiding my readers if I wore to say otherwise than, should the Canadian persevere in hia hitherto stereotyped course if training, that on Fab ruary 7 and March 28 be will, iv the last thraequarters of a mile of his race, be found wanting, arid meet at the hands of Beach and Clifford a sevoro thrashing. In all probability E 'ward Hanlan, tha once famous champion of the world, will leave our shores for America a poorer but a much wiser man. Tom Kelly, who so successfully trained Beach in his late match with the ex-champion, haa finally decided to give up training and turn his attention to his cig.ir e-tablishment in King Btreet. No doubt the champion will misa tho services of Tommy, but Bench has iv George Cowau a worthy representative. Perhaps Kelly is more frightened of Clifford lhan Uanlau, and thinks vary properly that he doesn't care about parting with tho " littl" haul" h3 mada ovor the last m-itch. Clifford will be under the chargo of Furor. Laycock, the "Eliasof Shark Island," has undergone many ups and downs in the travels of life. A sailor's life, or a stockman's—and Elias Ins breu both—is not a bed of rosas, nor is it all bear and ski-riles. At any rate, iv a very short spaco of time Laycock made a name for himself in the aquatic woill. Ha rowed and bnat the best men in England, but e_.ff..red defeat at tha hands of Hanlan Sirce then his name has been daily cropping up, but his late match on tha N"pean Riier was tho signal ,'or his downfall. His pub. at Woolloouooloo Bay failed to pay ; he backed Hanlan : went to Mel'iourr.e ami dislocated his th.-ml-.ier on the River Yarra, and now ha lia3 li.-ii 'ly thrown in his lot with the Toronto man. L iyc. ck will attend Hanlun thrmurhout tho whole of his training, aud under such guidance he

should row a better man than other»i'P. Should Hanlan prove victorious in hia matches with Clifford and B^ach, Eii«s_ Laycock will one! mo.'c bo himself; should it prove ot herW ; S8 —well, Elias must either ttikn a pub. or bury himself ou Shark Island for Ilia rest of his days, for his iiue and sweeping style of rowing haa deserted him. " Man, liko race horses, havo I heir r*ay." One of the richv.st prizes that has over been given away for a footrace will be run for on the 14th. 18:b, 2Ut, and 23rd of nest March. Tha first prize ia a gold cup, valued at. 50 guineas, and 200 "ovs added by the promoters ; second prize, 100 soys ; third, 50 soys ; fourth, 25 soys, and 125 soya divided between winners of firat round not receiving ouo of the four prizes. This champion event will tak-i place on tha cinder track at Sir Joseph Banka, Botany. At tha latter and of next month the racing at "Randwick will commouco in val earnest. Tbe Australian Joclc.y Club will hold their Summer meeting on Boxing D.ny ; Tattorsall a Club their annual Cup ou New Year's Day, and the Sydney Turf Club on Auuivorsary D.iy (January 20) Early last week the weights woro declared for tho A J.C. Summer Cup and Tattersali's Cup. Plmgrr (U it 71b) heads tha list for the first named tace, and Sir Modred (lOst -lib) for the l.ittor—neither of whom havo tho ehost of a chow ot carrying off tba rich prizes. (luessv.-ork and Swt o'. William cannot carry Hit -at this treason of the yonr. but Haa tings, with o't IJib, ahould held safely Archie (S.t 121b), Willeroo (Sst 101b), Pavo (Sst 81b), and Battailous (Sat 6!b), but Cunnainulla, ahould he show- any of hia old form, with S3i 1 61b. will uo doubt defeat Hastings, ac ffsll os

Co.sfouu and Hilltoo (Bat lib), Rufus and N-_-d of the Hills (8 it 2ib). Anchorite wes not forward enough at tha Melbourne Cup meetine, and, therefore, well and fit, Sst on the back of the $t. Albans' four year old will be nothing, and should he start (which I doubt vsry much), I prnf.ir him aaiTD« t-ho tup weight*. Of tho 2'J h irsea handicapped *rom 7sc 12.b down to 7 t f liko nothing better th.-ifl Hlii'.h (7-it 111b). P-iva'.eer (7nt !>:b), frnpulsi and |},-,nniri Boa (7*iß!b), Lord Ex-.ter (7.-it O'.b), Venecia (7at 31b), Here's Luck (7-.<: 2!bh and Brown and Rosa aud S-irabrir.»la (7:: i- There aro 50 hors-.-n weighted under 7*t, and th--.ro is not above half-a dozen worth mentioning— L.ird Ciifdao (Oh. 121b), Farnloa (0-t Hit.), Highland Mary {Gst *J'b), Pricea Imperial (o<t 8lb), Tom Brown iGit 6 h), Explorer (Cut 51b), and Palaronda (fl't 4b) Considering it ia nearly a month from the dato of tho oyent, and that theie are 111 candidates at the present time, I fancy that the winner will come out from the following 20:—Cunuamulla, Tom Brown, Sarabanda, Brown and Rose, Impulse, Nad of tlm Hills, Here's Luck, Lord Exeter, Venetia, Prince Imperial, Privateer, Highland Mary, Fernlea, Despot (7st9!b), Blszes., Bonnie Bie, Merlin, Favo (Sat 81b), Boscawen, and Tremando,

November 2, 3 50 p.m. My readers would scarcely credit how differently the two principal cities of Australia enjoy outdcor and indoor amusements. Victoria loves ita epring and autumn race meetings, tha winter football, and when tha summer comes round tha old English gime of cricket; but we here go in for aquatics wholesale, the local foot-hall and cricket matches are poorly at ended, but foot racinpr and walking rnaiiliKS aro all the go. Tna Press give any amount of publicity to the "noble ait of sellil fence," and this introduces to mo a subject that I Bcaicely mention in 12 months. I speak of the "noble art," which at, times gives way to brute force. No doubt Donnelly and Cowpcr, like Heenan and Tom Sayers, were brave men, and "hard-hitters" in their day, hut I never heard of their doing much for civilisation. "As they lived 8b they died." We have in Sydney a gentleman by the name of Mr Laurence Foley, who is a law abiding citizen. Some years ago Lauvenfie carried bricks and moitar npa ladder in company with a friend named SanJy Ross, who loved to talk .if Ivitg Billy and tho Boyne Water. Larry and Sandy fell out, and the Scotchman sent him home with hia "eye in a sling." Foley than turned his attention to learning the '.'art of self-defence," which he very soon did, mot Sandy, and after breaking several of his ribs and giving him a most unmerciful "slogging," waa declared tbe victor. Laurence after this tackled something better, and ultimetely was matched to fight Abe Hicken, the once champion light weight of England, and tha best man in Australia. Tbe encounter came off. and something like £20,000 was won on the Sydney man, Abe's body turning green after a severe blow in tho llth round. The peoplo here evinced a much keener interest in this setto than a cricket match or a Sydney Cup. Laurence was exhibited at all the Sydney shows (a coir.men thing here), and presented with testimonials. Mr Foley thon retired to a neat little pub. in Woollnomooloo, and bacamo a a man of importance. L'ke Trickett, not being satisfied with championship honours, he rnußtr rush once more in the aren ->, and get hammered by his opponent—Miller. Ha is ;-liii ou the " warpath," and the Sydney public are dying to see bim make a match with the South Melbourne blacksmith, Billy Farnan. The Town and Country, of Sydney, and the Melbourne Sportsman appear to give a great dee.) of publicity to tha match, and consequently the sporting public all over the world— 1 mean Syaney (Now South Wales) —are anxious to hear of tbe fight coming eff, The trial of brute force will most likely take place i-n this side of tho Murray, in about fivo weeks' time. Mr Foley has deposited with Alderman J. D. Young £230 (the match being for £500 a side), and will allow Mr Farnan £50 expenses for cr.ming over here. One well-known gentleman (lunatic), should the fight come off, iB prepared to lay Larry £50 to nothing if Farnan fights him near Sydney.