NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1478, 13 March 1880, Page 19

NOTES BY BEACON.

The Dunedin annual meeting of 1880 may be termed the meeting of certainties, race after race — almo3t without exception— going to the favourite. It is not often, however, that a big handicap like the Dunodin Cup can be spotted as ours was on thia occasion , and that the race can, to all intents and purposes, be run three months before the allotted date. Such was the case, however, this BOason, Mata and Titania being selected as the best in immediately the weights appeared, and the pair actually running in the very posiiionsasaigoed to them by public estimation of their capabilities. So universal was the opinion toat tkose two were thrown in that I can take no special credit to myself for having stuck to them throughout. To bookmakpra the handicap was a disastrous one., for backers would touch ncarcely anything else but th'i two favourites, and the metalliciana wore mostly full about them before the weights ap. pauved. About the third horse in the Cup I also spoke favourably, pointing out that Foul Play must not be overlooked on account of his owner never sending him for longer races than a mile and a half ; still I feel convinced that even without his penalty he oould not have beaten Mat*, so easily did the latter win. With his additional victories in the Railway Plate and the Queen's Plate, this horae proved the most successful of the meeting, securing the handsome sum of £740 in stakes for his owners, though £80 of" that sum was nearly loat by Nolan's clover riding of Volunteer in the lastnamed race. Next to Alatai n point of value of winnings came Foul Play, whose performances were — running third in the Uup, walking one for the J. 0. Handicap, winning the Forbury Handicap, and the Flying Handicap with a 61b penalty. Those victories were achieved with the moatconsummate ease, yet in extraordinarily good time, and I must give up all hope of solving the problem why handioap pera csbiinatj thi* horse's powers so lightly as they do. His wins amounted to £350, he of cour-e jjettinsf on y half the stake in the J 0. Handicap Tim Robinson stable took ia all £697, Grip's victory in the St.Leger representiag £347. This colt confkmed his form in the Canterbury Derby, for Hornby now being an absentee, the black colt again defeated Betrayer. About thia latter's ruaning some dissatisfaction was expressed by the public, bafc the handsome coltseemedtome to simply proveagain that he caauot carry weight. Still the time was wretchedly bad after such a performance as winning the Canterbury Cup in 4mm 6 seo. Grip and Betrayar occupied tho sime relative posi tions in the Cup as in tbe S^,. J>ger, finishing fourth and fifth, and b'oesa throe performances plainly show that the son of SUuderer ia the better at both medium aud heavy weights. An Otago owner, the Hon. K. Campbell, was the next highest winner with £207 for Sir Modred'B victory in the Champagne Stakes. This oolt is a worthy brother to Betrayer, and will oven in my opinion provo his superior, for he is bigger and more muscular, and at tho same time a beautiful mover. Mr R. Ray's winnings were limited to Titauia'a second in tho Cup and her first in the Stewards' Free Haudicip, the fretful little mare again putting him in a hole in the big race by not running up to some seconds of her private trials. Mr M 1 Master's steeplechaser Scamp won the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase very easily, this clever little son of Roebuck takiug with eaaa fences which proved too much for the rest of the company. Scamp was bred by Mr Fraser, of Messrs Strode and Fraser, in Vincent Comity, aud un dor the name cf Larrikiu was raced in that neiwh'oourhood by Mr Jones, of Cambrians. At the Naseby races last year he wus purchasad by the late Mi" James Duncan, of Palmerston, for £21, and tlieu passed into his present owner's hands. The great Lone Hand shaped very badly at his jump*, and seemed totally unfit. Possibly we imy see him in better form at the back end of the ueason. Mr W^ O. Webb secured £20 by The Governor's second in the Champagne Stakes and £90 by Adamant's win in the Selling Race, the h mdsome brother to Danebury having ve*y poor company to meet The two-year-old son of Anteros aud Revoke has passed into Mr llay'n hands, and Adamant was bought by Mr W. Sherwin, of Waimato. Mr Lunn's total was £100, made up by Robiu Hoad's win in the Novel Race, Alice Grey's second in the Hurdle Race, and Marie Antoinette's eecond in the Consolatiou Stakes. I had expected better thing 3of this filly, but she went off a little before the meeting, and greatly disappointed her friends Mr Prince's youngster Hilarious secured £50 for the Ladies' Puw e, but the son of Goldaborough had no show with Mata in the Railway Plate, albeit he finished before Templeton. Mr Eraser's wins were cou fined to fche £50 for Betrayer's second in the St. Leger. 1 was Borry to see that Mr W. Walters could wiu nothing more than the Consolation Stake*, but, as I fancied when his horses arrived here, Hippocampus, Libeller, and Billingsgate were all a bit off. I find that I omitted to mention Mr P. Butler's £150 in the proper ptaco This was made up by tbabspeeily muro Luna's wins in the Free and Publicans' Handicaps, and second in the Stowards' Handicap. Of the disappointing horses at the meeting the Traducer— -Wuiiuea colt was the_ most prominent ; but I think thia magnificent looking youngster will turn out a clinker when he gets thoroughly set. L nglands was evidently nothing liko fib, and Hornby was queer when he came down here. Tnere were remarks that Catnbalio was not- sent in tho Cup race, but the fact is that h« had both \\h heels trodden on in that contest, which wa> quite enough to put him out of it. Volunteer waa a3 fat as a bullook, l>niig only a few week? out of a p'irlrlrck, oo thut wo did not srp him at his best iNata r or waa another nob at his best,, bub he attracted much attention by his errand shape and tnako Templ"toii wan fro.ih and lively, but lio could not foot it in tho company with the weights he bad un Chancellor ran better in tho Forbury j Handicap Minn I Hid pxp^cted after sopiag him lon the tumiine ground, but iv tho Flying and \ Couß-rfsi'ion llati(lieflp3 he was all abroad j ' while ilr Goodman did not start York for anything. Of Voltigeur, Glendyne, Benvolio, the i Flat Iron filly, Atlantic, Hand, Concrete, aud

the like, no one ever expected much, and no one was therefore disappointed over them. A mixed programme of horce-racing and athletic sport 9 has boon arranged for the Hyde meeting on the 17th inst., and from wbat I hear it ia likely to prove a thorough BucceFS, an influential and active committee having the matter in hand, and numerous entries being promised. The races consist of a Hurdle Handicap, Maiden Plate, Hyda Cup, Handicap Trotting Raco, Strath-Taieri Handicap, Consolation Handicap, and Hurry Scurry. Owing to the hasty manuer in which the meeting haa been got up the stakes will not be very large, but if it turns out the genuine success anticipated it will be, doubtless, made an annual fixture, aud of an improved character. . . A raoe meeting at Riverton is projected, to be held daring the Easter holidays. The programme for the Moa Flat and Ettrick Domain races on March 17th and 18th has come to hand. The added money amount* to £122 and is distributed over eleven events, the principal of which are the Domain Haudicip or 25 soys, and the Farmers' Plate of 25 soys. It is open to question if the promoters of this new venture would have done better by confining the racing to one day and giving better prizes, but probably the residents ia the neighbourhood prefer quantity to quality. Nominations for the Domain Handioap close on the 13th. The Hon. W. Robinson has purchased the steeplechaser Robin Hood.

As published last week, the nominations for the Dnnedin Ohumpagne Stakes of 183 L avo thirty iv number, and of theso fourteen are Ofcago-bred youngsters. Mr G. Dodson has entered seven by his fine horse Oassivelaunus out of Envy, Remnant, Miss King, and other good mares; Mr Ccorabe has another son of Swindle ; and Mr D. Kirby two colts by that unfortunate racehorse King Philip. Special interest will attach to the last-named, as they will probably be the first of that horse's get to appear on the turf. Of the Northern division, the Middle Park Company are strongly represented with eight highly bred youngsters, inoluding a full brother to Betrayer and Sir Modred ; a full brother to Marie Antoinette ; and youngsters out of Rupee, Fleurange, Oharm, and other fine mares. Mr W. O. Webb haa only two entries, and Mr Redwood but one —the latter, howeveiya half-brother to Mata. If favoured with fine weather, the Palmerston anuual races to be held to diy (12th) shouldbe a success, a number of townspeople having resolved to take a run out there for the day, while the residents in the neighbouring districts are sure to muster in forco.^ Tho en trios for tho principal races wore published last week, and should all the horses turn up there should be some good sport. The Hurdle Raoe should prove a good thing for Tbilo, and tbe Pnlmersbon Cup lookß a moral for Tera after her Southland successes. Of. the quartetto in the Distriot Handicap I know little, and I slwll therefore not meddle with it. For the Shag Valley Handioap the winner of the Cup incurs a 71b penalty, and this should furnish a good struggle between Tera and jne of Mr Goodman's pair— Ohanoellor and York— bub I incline to the filly's chauGd.

The Oaraaru Autumn meeting on March 17th and 18th promises well, the sale of privileges having jealised £345 10s. The handicaps for thia fixture were also published in last week's Witness. The programme opens with the Hurdle Handioap, in which Lone Hand and The Agent are entered, but the appearance of these grea 1 ; gans ia doubtful, and I Bhall therefore give my vote to Thilo or Ada. Several gooA horses are nominated for the Redcastle Handioap, and supposing all go the post I should prefer Titania, tuna, and Templeton, in the order named. The aatne are entered in the Sfc. Patrick's Handicap, run on the same day, but us it is now impossible to say what will go for it,, I shall say nothing about it, except that Blue Peter with sst 91^ should have a great show if anywhere near his old form. Conoerning the Steeplechase, the fiist event on the second day, the same remarks apply as to the Hurdle Rice. This (Friday) ovoning entries close for the Maiden Plate of 30 soys and Novel Race of 50 soys j together with acceptances for the handicaps— which latter, indeed, may play havoc with the impressions I have given above aB to Droballe winners.

Very meagre details of tho Southland Jockey Club races cairn to h<»nd by telegraph, but papers now supply fuller information. The course was a pretty good one, though I hear from various owners who were there, that the distance* of thu races were measured in a very slipnhod m&unei', and the times taken are therefore o? no use. The weather was gond, and the attendance, on the second day especially, quite uo to ftxpaefcafciona. The horae? entered from Dunedin naturally carried off the cream of the stakei, but thi« Iwt, instead of disheartening the Club, should induce them to keep up the valii9 of the stakei in futnre, and thereby encourage the local epartstnen to breed or purchase good horses, so as to benefit themselves and make them able to hold their own asainsfc strangers. For the Maiden Plate there were no less than 11 starters, but Tera had n^ difficulty in winning, with Brunette second, andMr Loughnan's stud-horse Architect third. Tbe very nexfc race was the Derby Stakes, and so little had been taken out of Tera that she easily added this to h*r previous victory only two youegstera being found to oppose her.' Mr Goodman ran first and second for' fhn Southland Cup with Chancellor and Titania, they having only such catcle as the Remnwf. filly and Mockingbird to meet, and of these the filly wag fat as a bullock. The following race, the Publicans' Handicap, id described as another mere spin for Chancellor— Merrybird, Border Lad, and Rocket being tho defeated ones. A Selling Rac-, won by Mr Ltmny'B Durkie; and a Butchers' Race, secured by Mr Coulston's Cap. tain concluded the day'B proceedings. On the second day Jimmy Cotton's Thilo scored a win In the Hurdle Handicap, after a pood race with Mr !\f itchell'aDandy,with LiLtle Dan and Satan all behind. The Commercial Handicap proved thoboil-overof the meeting.Ohancellorand York beinsr rlofented on the post by Tera. Mr Goodman had, howovor, a certainty in the J.C. Handicap, all the boraes being scratched except Chancellor and Titania, who cantored round amidst the hootings of the spectators. Why they should have been yelled at I do not know X should have thought that the owner* of tbe scratched horses should have coma in for that. A capital struggle for tho Selling Race resulted in Mr J. Smith's Merrvbird ■winning from six others. Some dissatisfaction having been expressed afc Mr Mooro'a handicapping, the Sfcewmis framed the weights for the Consolation Stakes, ai>d Mr W. J. Bnnner's Kothwell won, boating Border La^, Yonncr Mnokinsrbivcl, tho Remnant filly, and R >ck t. A H«ck R>-0", w«n by Mr SmUhV HornnJp", and anoHiw Butchera' Rac°, won by Mr AnrWRon'a Darkle, wound up the programme. At tie s<.ttiin}/, Mr Goodma'i took L 213 ; Mbp'»p Mason and Valance, L 10 1; Mr Cntto-n, L3B ; Mr Smith, L2B ; and others fcraaller buuch, tbf, whole amount ing to L 414. Ai so )ii as these race* wore ovrr, we Southland Times — there being no a-ivt-rti-jeaicn^ of the programme to seoure— ha-i n lending sirticU denouncing horse-racing in very strong term*, and especially regretting the impetus that spori had just received In Inverowgill, (Thw is

rather rich, considering that up till the meeling it assisted by publishing all the information concerning it that lay in its power, and actually appointed a " special reporter" to describe tb.B races in its columns— this " special," however, supplying the worst report of a meeting that I ever read.) The paper goes on to say that it " cannot wish the Jockey Club success " (cool, after taking that body's money), ''for whilst racing is a!; all times undssirablo, it seems a kind of satire to see Bport getting into the a?cindant with failure* happening all round and tradesmen clamouring for money." One would think from this that going to see races must necessarily involve a great deal of expense, while the writer omits to take into calculation the amount of money laid out by visitors to tho place during race time. However, he winds up with a very truthful observation! when he writes, "It is not be expected that any remonstrance of ours will do much to stem ths tide." This article called forbh a couple of letters, evidently from persona who had backed tho wrong horae*, for they were full of bad temper and malics — one writer characterising the Nbrthera ownern of horses as " swindling horsey men," and the other visitors as "a set of blacklegs and vagabonds with no lawful visible ! means of support " These in turn brought out a letter signed "Oao Interested," who hints that the Southland Times will be proceeded agaiust for libel. The weights for the handicaps at the Oxford meeting on the 17th inst. are as under : — HURDLE RACE. St. lb. , B t. lb. Barmaid .. „ 11 4 Moonlight .'. 912 Rifleman . . . . 10 4 DISTRICT HURDLE RACE. St. lb. ' St. lb. Barmaid .. .. 11 9 Moa .. .. 10 0 Rifleman . . . . 10 9 Nimrod . . . . 10 0 Grey Boy.. „10 0 OXFORD CUP. St. lb. S t. lb Don Juan . . 9 4 Middloton . . „ 810 Orange Peel ..9 2 Little Maid ..8 0 Huntingdon .. 9 0 The following weights have been declared for the race 3to be run at Port Victoria on the 18th inst. :— PUBHCANB' PURSE. B . , st. lb. ■ S t. lb. Swindler.. .. 910 Mealynose ..9 6 Fly .. ..9 10 Kasparll. ..8 0 Mistletoe .. 9 10 Reindeer ..7 6 COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLB RACE. St. lb. sfc. lb Eclat .. .. 11 2 Larrikin .. .. 10 0 Swindlor.. .. 10 12 Brown Boy ..9 13 COUNTY HANDICAP. St. lb. St. lb. Swindler . . . . 10 0 Kaspar 11. ..84 M'Kay'schg .. 9 0 Blue Eibbon .. 710 Brown Boy . . 811 DISTRICT HANDICAP. st- lb. St. lb. Swindler . . . . 10 0 Kaspar 11. ..84 Fly .. ..9 7 Reindeer .. 7io Mealynoso .. 9 7 PORT VICTORIA HANDICAP. St. lb. " S fc. lb Tawera .. .. 10 1 Venture .. ..9 0 Eclat .. ..9 2 Reindeev ..8 2 " Sinba-1 " reports that the Heathcote Racing Club have resolved to lay out a permanent course near the Heathooto Arms. Also thafc tho sporting denizens of the Peninsula intend holding a meeting shortly with a view of amalgamating their several clubß ; so that instead of having small fixtures at Duvaucbelle'a Bay, Little Biver, Wascoe's, and Tai Tapu, one good annual meeting will be held near Babbit Island, Lake Elleamere. The weights framed by Mr Lance for the Great Autumn Handicap do not appear to me a wonderfully successful production or a particularly fair one either. Mata worthily holds top place, and about Fishhook and Foul Play's positions thera is little fault to find ; but Le Loup is ridiculously let in with Bit 101b —an absurd weight for a horse that haa been proving himself in Australia second only to C aester. Mr G. Fraser has now won this race two years in succession, and unless Le Loup is all to pieces, there can be nothing to' stop hia securing it for the third time. Old Templeton has at last come down to B<t 121b, or one pound more than he carried to victory when a five-year-old. Natator is another favoured' animal with only Bit to carry over hia own distance, for no one imagines that we saw him at his best in tho Publicans' Handicap at the Pi'irbury. Camballo at the same weight ia shamefully 511usad, and ha cannot have been weighted on hia Dunedin running, or else others who ran similarly should have been dealt with likewise. Titania and Chancellor cannot complain, but why Hornby should give weight to Grip and Bwtrayer ia more than one can understand. Pinfire, Lira, and Hippocampus are fairly used ; and Longlands is actually risen 7lbs, on tbe weight he won with last year I Strange that it should only now begin to dawn on Mr Lance that this double winner of the Great Autumn is a good handicap horae. Vohratew has b9en dropped on for the bit of a struggle he made with Mata in the last two hundred yards of our Queen'a Plata race, but if his owners have time to get him fit ho ia not out of it. O£ the rest little need_ be said, except that of the light-weight division Vampire and Libeller look the best in— the latter especially, if he c >uld regain the form he showed at Auckland. Sixty nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, to be ran in November, is a good number, beinpr the largest by one that has ever been received for any race in NewZealand, the largest bithnrto having been 59 for the Dunedin Cup of 1879. Mr R. Ray and the Yaldburst stable are the largest nominators, with seven each ; Mr H. Goodman come? next, with five ; Mr Wilkin, the Hon. W. Robinson, and Mr Fraser come next, with four respec- , tively ; Mr T. George, Mr H. Redwood, Mr P. Butler, and Mr H. Prince send three eachj and other owners smaller numbers. All tbe cracks at pre3ent in good work are in the list, together with a number of untried young ones. The weights will appear on May 1, " The Druid," whose signature I am pleased to ajrain see at tho head of a sporting article, thinks Mr Lance's handicap for the Groat Autumn a curie us one. He, like myself, considers that if Le Loup runs up to his form he must be near winning, if not the actual winner. From North to South, right through the Colony, come strong comments on the handicipping for the Dunedin meeting, the principal points touched upon being the foregone conclusion of Mata being first, and Titania second, for the Cup ; the fact of all the boraes in the Jockey Club Handicap being scratched, except Foal Play; and the lenient handicapping of Foul Play in the Forburv and Flying Handicaps. In the Canterbury Press are the follow, ing comments by " Sinbad" :— "Read-rs of this column may romembpr that when the weights for tbe Cup appeared I waa unupr the impression thai; Mr Caleb Moore, the handieapper, had scarcely been so succ-Baf ul as u=uial. T, ia uommon with the majority of my confrwes. c nm'erod that Mata bad been treated with gucli an amount of leniency that tbe result of the race wai a mere question of his being fit -md well Tho judge* verdict in the recently, run Dunedtu Cup will, perhaps, have proved ho the pabhc thst, after all, I was not bo very E « r ou .;"> my judgment as to that event j ana Mr Moore's subsequent laboura during the mgeting would, I Bhould wy, be wwngh, to »üb.»

Btantiate the opinion I formerly expressed that the handicapping hand of that gentleman bad lost its cunning. In the Dunedm Jockey Club Handicap, on tho second day, a race hitherto remarkable for tho brilliancy of its contents, Mr Moore on this occasion bad one acoeptor. Foul Play, with fet 101b, was rather too much for tha other owners, who, it seems, 'folded up their tents, like the Arabs, aud 'silently Btole away.' Tilania, with Bit, had snch an easy victory in the race generously introduced by the stewards, that Mr Moore can scarcely be complimented on the result of the opportunity given him by his committee to retrieve his laurels. But what can we think of Mr Moore's abilities after the result of the third day ? 'Quern Deus vult perdere prius demcntat.' Foul Play, who was considered by hm opponent so formidable over a mile and threequarters with Bat 101b, is hampered in the Forbury with one pwiud more over a distance we know is entirely his own. He wins it quite easily, and, none the worse for his exertions, carry his 51b penalty for the Flying Handicap, and again secures a winning bracket on the same day. I was not present myself, and therefore am not in a position to say what opinii-n was express dby the Dunedin public generally, but I am in a position to say that I there are owners who express their determination never to run an auimal again on the Dunedin course while their horses are submitted to Mr Mooie's handicapping." On the same bubject tho Wellington Post BayB :— " Dirtctly the weights appeared for thiß year's Oup, very strong comments were made upon the handicapping, and Mata and Titania were at once universally declared to have all the beat of it. The handicapper, Mr Caleb Moore, was the subject of many very strong animadversions in some of the papers, and It waa even roundly stated that the weight Mata was to carry was known some days before the day of publication. At a meeting of the stewards to consider the matter, Mr Moore was removed from his post of bandioapper. It waa subsequently ascertained tbat the action of ' the stewards was ultra vires, as Mr Moore, having been appointed at a general meeting of the Club, could only be deposed by the vote of a similar meeting. He waa therefore reinstated, but it is not likely that he will again adjust the Dunedin weights. By the way, this latter paper takes great praise to itself and its sporting correspondent •• Vigilant " for tipping Foul Play for the Dunedin Oup, with all his penalty, and makes the truthful assertion that that horse "ran the Cup course several seconds faster than it haß «ver been traversed before." Considering that the dead heat between Mata and Sinking Fund last year occupied only 3min.s7i sec., and tbat Templeton won the race in 1878 in 3 mm. 59 sec, I fail to see where the "several" seconds cornea in. The latest phrase of the W&irarapa Jockey Club dispute is shown in the following letter addressed by Mr Girdlestone to a local paper : — " Mr Wardell's letter to you of this date would lead the public to infer that I had appropriated or failed to account for about L 250 be longed to the Wairarapa Jockey Club. Mr Wardell is quite correct in stating that I have received about L6OO on behalf of the Club, but be seems to forget that at a meeting of stewards held on the racecourse after the second day's taoing, at which he was present, I was authorised to pay Messrs Vallsmce, Butler, and Keith the amount of the stakes won by them, as they wished to leave the district that evenIng. I hold the receipt of those gentlemen for L 226, and have likewise paid about L4O away for men's wages and expenses incidental to the meeting." A Wairarapa reporter, in describing the race for the Southern Chief Produce Stakes at the recent meeting, flays :— " It was a noticeable fee • ture that all the colts which ran for this event were geldings." With reference to the disqualifying by the Wellington Racing Club of Mr R. Stevens, Mr A. Campion, and the horse Commission for fraudulent entering of the last-named for the Wellington races, I notice that the individuals in question have addressed explanatory letters to the Olubi Mr Stevens writes i— " In reference to my posting a letter with the entry of the horse Commission, I must confess I am the most to blame in the matter. I met Mr Can • pion near Foxton on the morning of the 19th, on his way down with Commission. I was driving cattle alone, and asked him to give me a hand over the river with them, which he did j but instead of getting them over in about an hour, as I thought, it took me about five hours. I then asked him if he would help me on to the beaob, as the cattle were difficult to drive. Campion told me he had not entered his horse for the Empire Plate, and wanted to go back to Foxton to write out the entry and post it. I said as he had not sent it before it would be just as soon for him to come to the beach with me, and then he would have time to go to Otaki and post it before the office closed. He consented, but having some trouble with the cattle, he did not get to Otaki till after the post-office was closed. I did not arrive at Otaki till next day, the 20bb, after the mail had left for Wellington, and then Campion told me he had been too late to pest his entry when be arrived on the 19th January. I told him I did not think it any barm to ask the postmaster to put the stamp of the 19th on it, on which he gave me the letter, and I aßked the postmaster if he could put the 19 th January stamp on it. He consideied for a while, and then took it, and about two or three hours afterwards he came to the hotel and said he would like to know the contents of the letter. In reply, I told him what he has stated in bis letter, with one exception, and said I would not persuade him in the least, only if he could do it I should be much obliged. .... This is all and the only explanation I can offer you, trusting when you 'have considered over the affair, and think of the harm it has done me by the remarks of those who do not know the trutb, you will remove my disqualification. I refer you to the Wanganui and Rangitikei Jockey Clubs as to my character ever Bince I have had' anything to do with them. Before your Club does anythirg definite in the affair, I may mention I had not the slightest interest in the horse, and would not have been the gainer if the horse had iun and won. . , , . 1 did not bribe anyone, but did it to oblige Campion, for it was through me he was too late to post bis entry, and he is in no way to blame in the transaction." Mr Campion writes:— " With reference to my die qualification by the stewards of your Club, I should huve written to explain my conduct in this unfortunate affair fsocner, but that I fully expected some official intimation from you. Mr R. Stevens has to-day informed me that be has written to you, and fully explained the whole businesß, so tlat it will not be necessary for me to go into details again. I had not the least intention of defrauding or misleading anyone. Ii the Stewards wish it I shall be most happy to attend any meeting and fnswer any questions they may put to me on the tubject, or do anything in my_ power to clear my character. Before definitely exercising your power to difqualify me, and thereby do me a sorious injury, I should wish you to refer to the Wanganui and Marton. Rangitikei Jockey Clubs as to the character I bave always borne. Trusting you will cofijider the explanation offered by

Mr Stevens sufficient at least to exonerate me from such serious fault in this matter as has been laid to my charge, I am., &c" The Club met last week, and after consideration of the letters failed to see why the resolution of disqualification should be rescinded or altered, At the same meeting the Wellington Club received from Mr Siegfried Franok an explanation of his proposal in reference to his patent totalisator, he offering to sell half hispatent for use in the district on certain conditions. The meeting discussed the proposal, and came to the" conclusion that in the present uncertaiu state of the law it would not be advisable to make any arrangement with Mr Franck. The result of the late Wellington races is that the Club have paid off all their liabilities, barring half their overdraft at the bank. We are in receipt so far of only the bare results of the Turakina meeting on the 3rd inst. The Hurdle Handicap, of 30 soys., was 1 won by Abolition (10 sfc. 3 lb), beating two others; the Maiden Plate, of 35 soys., by Mata, beating seven more ; the Turakina Handicap, ©f 80 soys., by Banshee, with Confidante second, Resolution third j the Scurry Race, of 20 soys., by Randwick ; the District Handicap, of 30 soys., by Abolition ; and the Consolation Stakes, of 15 soya., by tbat commoner Soukar. The Westland Racing Club have decided to hold an Autumn meeting at Easter, a very good time, as it follows the Greymouth fixture instead of clashing with it. The stakes will amount to L2OO, and the programme will be published shortly. The following entries have been received for the minor races at the Hawke's Bay Racing Club's meeting :-— Maiden Plate of 40 sovi. Numa Saunterer Inanga Spindrift Grand Duchess Rawenata Mavis. Ladies' Pukse, of 40 soys. Billingsgate Saunterer Lone Hand Numa Rawenata. DISTRIOT PLATE, Of 50 SOYS. Numa Topaz Moanotaiari Rongokako Mavis Pioneer Inanga Rowenata Spindrift. With reference to the above meeting I note that Henaro Tomoana, M.H.R., has withdrawn hiß refusal to allow the races to be held on his ground at Pakowhai, his previous action having been taken through some misrepresentation having been made to him. This must be a great relief to the Jockey Club, who would otherwise have been in a fix for a course. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club have endorsed the action of the Poverty Bay Racing Olub in disqualifying for ever the trainer (Hean) and the jockey (Rollo) of the mare Numa ; for Bix months the jockey (E. Thompson, a half- caste) of Sylvia; and in warning off the grand Btand and paddock the bookmaker Harry Hastings, who is precluded from any such privilege on any course under the control of the Club. The entries and acceptancees for this Club's race-meeting are as follow :— First Day.— March 17th. MAIDEN PLATE Of CO SOYS. W.f.tt. Spendthrift Mavis Sauntevev Grand Duohess Arab Child Eongokakoa Pioneer Rawenata Numft Darkie \Vairoa ( Parawhenua Magnolia! RAILWAY STAKES of 30 SOYS. W.f.a. Merlin (Page's) Lara Billingsgate Topaa ; Hero Tavil Never-Misa Merlin Homeo Talent. Corinthian cop of 40 soys. Welter weights. Pourere Tamatea Saunterer Billingsgate Numa Pahau(late Swiveller) Homeo Te Whetumarama Groy Momus. . NAPIER HANDICAP Of 250 SOYS. 1J miles. Bt. lb. at. lb. Lara .. .. 7 8 Laertes .. „ 0 6 Numa . . . . 7 4 Loch Lomond . . 6 6 Libeller ■ . . . 7 2 Vampire (including Otupai .. .. 7 0 61b penalty) .. 0 5 Paaawhenua •■ 012 Soukar .. .. 6 4 Hailstorm . . 610 Little Wonder . . 6 0 Orand Duchess . . 6 8 Merlin (M'Donald's) 6 0 Second Day. — March 18th. HURDLE HANDICAP Of 75 SOYS. Merlin (Page's) Pourero Tamatea Rockama Woka Harkaway Express To Whetumarama Grey Momus Loch Lomond PROVINCIAL PRODUCE STAKES Of 60 SOYS. W.f.a. Spendthrift Mavis Moauataiari Arab Child llongokakoa Topaz Pioneer Rawonata Horonata Numa Te Ruwcre Tohora Parawhenua. tradesmen's handicap of 125 soys. 1£ miles. Mavis Lara Vampire Saunterer Hippocampus Grand Duchess Libeller Otupai Hero Numa Never-Miss Merlin (M'Donald's) Parawhenua Hailstorm Numa Laertes Balmora Magnolia Talent Soukar Sambo. hawke's bay ri/ATE of 60 soys. W.f.a. Lara Grand Duchess Libeller Ofcupai Pahau (late Swiveller) Harkaway Hailstorm Romeo Magnolia. SELLING RACE Of 30 SOYS. W.f.a. Merlin (Page's) Little Wonder Pourere Horonata Lydia Harkaway. After the Napier races Mr Monteith will offer at auction The Agent, Laertes, Te Whetumarama, Luna, Lalla Bookh, Lady Gertrude. Lara, Vampire, Templeton, Saunterer, and other horses. At Hampden races, on the 26th ult., our old coffin-headed friend Parawhenua, now belonging to Mr W. Robinson, won the Hampden Stakes and the Ladieb' Purse. Mr Hopkinson's Wainui secured the Hurdle Race ; Mr Ingram's Lady Dolly the District Reoe ; and Mr j M'Lean's Pohau the Consolation Handicap. ] Waiapu races on the 17th ult;. are reported to have parsed off smoothly. Seven horses Btarted for the Maiden Plate, but Mr Harding's b m The Owl won very easily. A pony race atti acted eight competitors, and the winner turned up in Mr Walker's Rukupo. In the Waiapu Stakes Mr Harding was successful with Rob Roy, who cantered away from four others. No less than 12 horses ran in the Hack Race, which waa won by Mr Walker's Awanui ; and the Consolation Stakes, won by Paratenc's Browney, wound up the programme. Saturday - afternoon racing, combined with other sports, sepmsto have become quite an institution at Elkrslie Gardens, Auckland, such gatherings having been held there for four consecutive weeks. On the 28th ult. the principal event was a trotting match for a cup and L 5, and tha winner was Mr Smith's Blackthorn, who with a start ot 50 yards beat Bix opponents. The eternal totalisator was here also, but gave only even money against the winner, while good odds were bet about him,

SOUTHLAND J.C. RACES Fibst Day.— Thursday, 4th March. The attendance at the old C3urpe, East road, was good, and the weather was fise, though a strong westerly breeze was blowing. MAIDEN PLATE, Of 25 soys, for all horses that have never won an ; advertised prize of over 15 soys. Weight for ago. Distance, one mile and a-half. Entrance, £2 2s. Messrs Mason and Vallance's Tera, Bst 21b . . 1 Mr J B Smith's Brunette, aged, 9st 31b . . . . 2 Mr I. Loughnan's Architect, 9sfc 31b . . 8 DERBY STAKES, Of 3 soys each, with 45 soys added, h. ft. Nomination, 30a ; acceptance, 30s. Distance, one mile and a-half. For three-year-olds— colts, Bst 101b ; fillies and geldings, Bsfc 51b. Messrs Mason and Vallance's Tera . . . . 1 Mr C Wycth's Mulatto .. .. ..2 Mr W J Mofltett's ßemnant .. .. ..3 SOUTHLAND CUP HANDICAP, Of 100 soys, with a sweepstakes of 3 soys added. Second horse to receive 20 soys from the stakes. Nomination, 2 guineas ; acceptance, 2 guineas ; h. ft. after weights are declared. Two miles and a distance. Mr II Goodman's Chancellor, 5 yrs, Bst 81b . . 1 Mr II Ray's Titania, 6 yrs, 9st 71b . . . . 2 Mr W J Moffott's Remnant, 3 yrs, 6st 71b . . 3 Mr John Marshall's Young Mocking Bird, aged, 6stlolb .. .. .. •• ° The Northern horses had it all their own way. Time, 3mm 59 sec. PUBLICANS' HANDICAP, i Of 30 soys. Nomination, 20s; acceptance, 30s. Dis- j tance, one and a-half mile. Mr H Goodman's Chancellor, 5 yrs, Bst 101b . . 1 ' Mr J B Smith's Mcrrybird, aged, Cst 101b . . 2 Mr Geo Stewart's Border Lad, aged, 6st 71b . . 3 Mr C Wycth's Mulatto, 3 yrs, 6st . . . . 0 j Titania and Rocket were scratched^ Chan- j cellor won as he liked. HACK SELLING RACE, Of 15 soys. Distance, once round the course. Post entries. Winner to be sold for £15, surplus to go to the Club Catch weights. Entrance, 20s. Mr Lawry's Darkie .. .. .. 1 j The winner was bought in by the owner for L2L Second Day..— Fbiday, Makoh 6th. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Of 40 soys. Open to all horses. Distanco, two and a-quarter miles, over eight flights of hurdles, 3ft. Gin. high. Thilo, 9st .. .. .. .. 1 Dandy, Sst .. .. .. .. 2 Satan, Bst 71b .. .. .. .. 3 COMMERCIAL HANDICAP, Of 30 soys. Distance, one and a-quarter mile. Lubra, 6st . . . . ' . . . . 1 Chancellor, 9st .. .. .. ..2 York, Bst 101b .. .. .. .. S SOUTHLAND JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP, Of 75 soys. Distance, two milos. Chancellor, 9st . . . . . . . . 1 Titania, Bst 101b .. .. .. ..2 SELLING RACE, Of 30 soys. Weight for age. Winner to bo sold for 20 soys., surplus to go to the Club. Distance, one mile and a-half. Merrybird, 9st 31b .. .. .. 1 Ladybird, 9st 31b .. .. .. ..2 Devonshire Lass, Osfc 31b . . . . . . 3 CONSOLATION STAKES, Of 20 soys. For all beaten horses during the meeting. Distance, once round the course. Entranco, 1 soy. Bothwell .. .. „ ..1