NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 19

NOTES BY BEACON.

I hear that Mr Stead intends giving up Mb large breeding and racing establishment, and that in pursuance of that purpose the whole of his stock, in training and at the stud, will be sold by auction immediately after the Canterbury Spring meeting.

The Spring meeting of the Cromwell Jockey Club has been fixed for October 6th, but the programme has not yet appeared. . Messrs Ronayne, Lintott, Moss, Johnston, and Dodge have been appointed a committee to draw up the prospectus for a Plumpton coursing-ground at Oamaru. It is proposed to establish it at the racecourse, the lessees of which will be asked to grant terms.

In another column will be found particulars of the programmes for the Dunedin Spring and Autumn meetings, as drawn up by the Programme Committee and adopted on Tuesday -evening. The Committee were to meet last evening and fix the dates for receiving nominations and acceptances, after which the full programmes will be printed and published. It will be seen that on these two programmes alone there has been an increase of £1470 —namely, £525 on the Spring meeting and £945 on the Autumn meeting. The Winter mooting will receive attention in due time. The handsome amount of £3960 (they might as well have made it £4000) will now be given in added money, which ought to give satisfaction to owners of horses. The principal increases at the Spring meeting are as follow : — Hurdle Handicap, from 35 soys to 60 soys ; St. Andrew's Handicap, from 100 soys to 200 soys ; Trotting Handicap, from 50 soys to 120 soys ; Spring Handicap, from 40 soys to 70 soys ; President's Handicap, from 70 soys to 130 soys ; and the establishment of a Member's Plate (welter handicap) of 100 soys. At the Autumn gathering the principal increases are the Hurdle Handicap, from 80 soys to 100 soys ; Publicans' Handicap, from SO soys to 100 soys ; Maiden Plate, from 60 soys to 100 soys ; Stewards' Purse (welter handicap), new race, of 120 soys ; City Stakes, from 330 soys to 200 soya ; J.C. Handicap, from 200 ?ovs to 300 soys; Suburban Stakes (welter handicap), new race, of 150 soys ; Steeplechase Handicap, from 100 soys to 130 soys ; Hopeful Stakes (handicap for two and three-year-olds), new race, of 120 soys ; Forbury Handicap, from 350 soys to 250 soys ; Mandeville Plate, from 120 soys to 150 aovs ; Flying Handicap, from 80 soys to 100 soys ; Consolation Handicap, from 60 soys to SO soys. There will be twenty-two races in all on the three days of the Autumn meeting.

Thefollowing excellent nominationshavebeen received for the Otago Hunt Club's Steeplechase meeting to be held on September 9th : —

TALLY-HO HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, Of 70 soys.

Mr J. Chisholm's (ns) b g Little John Mr J. 11. Stophcnson's b g shillelagh Mr D. L. ChrKie's b g Katerfelfco Mr P. Jones' eh g Young Sledmero Mr A. F. Ilali's g m Adalgfoa Mr J. Allen's b g Rattler Mr J. Pilbrow'B b v, Clarence Mr T. W. Hungerford's g h Carrigheen Mr G. RohinHon's eh <c Mountain Deer Mr C. A. Jefferson's br g Leap Year Mr 11. Lunn's eh g Canard Mr W. Saunders' b $ Pirate Mr M. Glasset's (ns) eh. g Cornet Mr W. H. Taggarfc'H b g Kobin Hood Mr J. W. Tn.<fj,'ai t'B b g Leap Year Mr T. Brown's hg Little John. HANDICAP FLAT RACE, Or CO soys. Mr J. Stephonson's 1) m Eugenic Mr J. Stcphenson'.H eh c Taiaioa Mr W. founcos' br h Sir Garnet Mr 11. Goodman's blk h Idalium Mr 11. Goodman's fh sr Violin Mr D. Kiiby's b c Go;ii Mr D Kirby'u eh h Adamant Mr E. Ciitib' br h Chancellor Mr H. Driver's eh g Prospero, by Castaway— Belli; of the Isle Mr A. Gardner's b g Rob Mr Mi Glaaaet's {v*) b w Aury (late Royal Maid).

GALLOWAY HURDLE HANDICAP, Of 15 soys. Mr J. Hazlett's g m Quiver Mr J. Hazlett's b m Lucy Mr D. Kirby's b m Gift Mr C. C. Armstrong's b m Lucy Mr r. Power's wh g First King Mr D. M'Master's blk m Black Besß Mr John Iveson's br m Fairfield Mr A. Smith's eh g Foxie Mr R. Taggart's b m Ladybird Mr J. Drumm'B gr g Forbury. HUNT CLUB WELTER. HANDICAP STEEPLE-

OH ISE, For a cup and 50 soya. Mr John Chisholm's (ns) b g Little John Mr J. H. Stephenso^s b g Shillelagh Mr D. L. Christie's b j? Katerfelto Mr O. R. Wise's b m Shopherdesa Mr A. F. Hall's g m Adalgisa Mr B. Laing's b g Rona Mr J. Allen's b g Rattler Dr Murphy's b m Blush Rose Mr H. Lunn's b g Terry Dr Roberts' br m Novice Mr W. Saundere' b g Pirate Mr M. Glaasefs (ns) eh g Cornet Mr R. G. Wadmore'a (ns) b g Master Morris Mr P. Jones' eh g Gang Awa' Mr W. H. Tajjgarfc's b g Robin Hood Mr Thomas Brown's b g Little John.

Quite a shock was sustained last week when the news arrived that "Mr Horsford" had determined to retire from racing for the ensuing season, and had leased his horses for that period. I understand that this step is taken on account of that popular (because straightforward) owner finding that he cannot spare sufficient time from the pursuit of his profession to enter thoroughly into racing. It seems a great pity, because on the past season's performances of his flying fillies, Siesta and Nonsense, "Mr Horsford" appeared to hold so strong a hand for the approaching campaign. It appears that Messrs Mason and Vallance are to have the use of Siesta, Nonsense, La Mode, Murat, Leopold, Deceit, and Helena ; while Dan O'Brien has taken Holderness. Messrs Mason and Vallanoe may therefore be expected to take this season quite as prominent a place in turf matters as they have in previous years. Acceptances for the Canterbury J.C. Handicap and nominations for the Canterbury Cup were received on Tuesday as follow ;—

0.J.0. HANDICAP. Of 600 soya, at, lb. at. lb Grip .. ..9 8 Bundoora ..7 4 Mata .. „9 5 Blue Jacket „ 7 4 SirModred „9 0 Holderness „7 8 Natator .. 811 Nonsense „ 7 1 Hornby ..8 4 Siesta .. ..7 1 Lady Emma ..8 4 Vanguard ..7 0 Betrayer ..8 4 Matanaka .. 7 0 Dauphin ..8 4 The Poet .. 6 12 Salvage .. 8 4 OnDifc., ..6 9 Gorton.. .. 8 0 Legerdemain „ 6 9 Emir Bey .. 713 Toi-toi filly ..6 5 Libeller . . 7 13 Welcome Jack „ 6 5 Tasman .. 7 10 Turqiioise .. 6 6 Sir George .. 710 Hinemoa ..6 4 Cathedral ..7 8 Bayard.. ..6 4 King Quail ..7 7 Dan .. ..6 4 Slander filly ..7 6 The Jilt ..6 0 Envyfllly .. 7 6 Te Ata.. .. 6 0 La Mode ..7 6 Trinket ..6 0 Hilda .. ..7 4 Taiaroa ..6 0 CANTERBURY CUP. Of 600 bovb (w.f .a.). Emir Bey Betrayer Leos Leonato Bayard Hornby Toi-toi filly Lady Emma Gorton Matanaka Legerdemain Nonaenau Siesta Turquoise Murat The <Jurate Sir Alodred Hinemoa The Poet Welcome Jack Mata Taiaroa Grip Natator Salvage Vanguard Cheviot Iris.

These are a great improvement on last year, there being 40 acceptors for the Handicap out of 70 entries ; whereas last year there were only 25 acceptors out of 65 entries. Again, for the Cup there are now 28 nominations, against 19 last year. Those that have fallen out of the Handicap are Virginia Water, Somnus, Mischief, Chancellor, Amulet, Idalium, Louis dOr, Hilarious, Lure, Volunteer, Fleur-de-Lys, Whitbach, Violin, Nonpareil, Cheviot, Murat, Yatterina filly, Flapjack, Iris, Sou' Wester, Armourer, Administrator, Loonora, Minerva, Amazon, Coupon, Statesman, Gitana, If So, and Aida. I am glad to see that the Canterbury Jockey Club have reconsidered the idea of reducing the money for their Consolation Stakes from 50 soys to 40 soys, and have decided to keep it at the former figure. I remarked at the time ,the programme was published in the Christchurch Press that it seemed paltry to reduce this race by 10 soys when they were increasing the whole programme by £200 or £300, and it is gratifying to notice the alteration. On this subject "Sir Launcelot" has the following delicious paragraph :— " Several of my confreres, with what I thought at the time rather indecent haste, reviewed the Canterbury Jockey Club's programme before it was finally revised and issued to the public. They saw that, apparently, the Consolation Handicap at the Soring meeting was reduced to 40 soys, and some of them, over ready to read a lesson to a rival Club, dilated upon what they called the paltry meanness displayed in the reduction of the stake by 10 soys. The programme, which is now public property, show.-? that the stake for the Consolation Handicap has not been reduced, but remains at 50 soys, the same amount as previously. I have been waiting to see whether any of my confreres will acknowledge their error, but as yet they have made no sign. It is curious that some people's jealousy at tiir.es destroys their spirit of fairness."

That writer's "confreres" must feel terribly cut up at the foregoing. " Indecent " — what a queer expression ! " Their error " — why, it was the Club's error! "Jealousy " — just imagine anyone feeling jealous of the Canterbury Jockey Club ? ft is, however, gratifying to know on such good authority that we sometimes possess a spirit of fairness. The fact is, palpably, that " Sir Launcelot " is riled at the Christchurch Press' sporting writer getting a copy of tho programme and publishing it a week before him.

The following are particulars of the trotting horses imported from America to Nelson last week by Mr John lierr, an old resident in that province : —

I.— Dark chestnut stallion Fitz James, bj r General M'Clcllan, dam by Owen Dale, by Belmont.

2.— Black stallion Pinole Patchen, by son of George >!. P'tcbcn, jnn. 3 — Bay stallion Irvinprlon, by RyMyk's Ilamblctoniati dcUii, Imogene by Socly's American Star. ■1 —Bay stallion Ncwland's ll' nibletonian, l>y Spc dilation, by ltyfdyk's Hamblctoman, dam Martha Washington by Buna Washington. fi —Bay stallion Oak Grove, by Irvinjr.on, by RysdjK's Hamblctonian, dam Lady Venture by Bel mnnt.

6. -Bay stallion Corbitt, by Irvington, dam Minnie Patcben, by Goor<>-o M. Palchcn. jun. 7.— Dark dapplo-jcrov stallion Bill Allen, by Sawyer's Messenger, dam by Capt an Fisher, gr d thoroughbred.

8. Grey marc Lady Allen, by George M. Patchcn, juu., dam Ptanule, I y Grey Eagle. 9. - Grey mare Smoofchbriar, by George M. Patchen, jw-.., dam by Kugouo Cassurly, ffrd ToauufcH, by Gioj Eaile.

10— Bay mare F.umy, by Owen Dale, dam r. thoioujfhbrcd maro. lli— Bay maro Lady Silva, by J.\ck Itawkiiis, juu.,

dam Orange Girl, by Ploughboy, by Harris' Hambletonian. &c, Mr Walters has christened his unnamed young stock as follows -.—Brown filly (3 yrs) by Hippocampus— Yatterina, Hipporma; black filly (4 yrs), by Hippocampus— Slander, Hippodamia; brown colt (4 yrs), by Yattendon— Peeress, Fits-Hercules: brown colt (3 yrs), by Yattendon— Peeress, Herculaneum ; black filly (3 yrs), by Yattendon— Fanny Fisher, Fishwoman ; black filly (2 yrs), by Yattendon— Fanny Fisher, Fishgirl; brown colt (2 yrs), by Musket— Yatterina, Musketeer ; brown colt (yearling), by Musket— Yatterina, Fusilier ; black colt (yearling), by Musket— Fanny Fisher, Torpedo. • The Observer says :— There was a rumour current in town last week that a well-known trainer who has not been very sucessful of late, had taken an unannounced departure from these shores per steamer to Australia.— We hear that a couple of well-bred colts, one by Matchless, both the property of the Messrs Hellaby, of Shortland street, were killed by lightning during the thunderstorm on Saturday morning, while in their paddock at the Whau. A meeting of the committee of the Oamaru Jockey Club was held (says the North Otago Times) on Monday evening. Mr A. C. Paterson, president of the Club, was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs J. Moss, J. W. Humphrey, G. Greenfield, T. Shalders, J. M'Arthur, and J. Hardy, secretary. The meeting was specially called to consider the advisability of liquidating the debts of the North Otago Turf Club, which threw up the sponge about four years ago. It was stated that the Club had already paid 14s in the pound of the outstanding debts, and it was resolved that the balance of the acknowledged accounts be now paid. It was also resolved that the treasurer, assisted by Mr Humphrey, be authorised to pay to the committeemen of the Turf Club such sums as they may prove to have been paid by them personally in discharge of the debts of the old Club. Every one will admit that the Oamaru Jockey Club has thus gracefully done a graceful act. The Wanganui Herald states that Mr Hamilton, of Manutuhi, has purchased from Mr Barker the thoroughbred sire The Governor, and intends to stand him in the Manutahi district, Also that Mr Morgan Rees is about to take Gladiator to Napier, his owner having decided to send him there for sale.

At last Wednesday's annual meeting of members of the Wanganui Jockey Club the report, to which I referred last week, was adopted. It was resolved, after discussion, that each incoming Committee, together with the trustee of the ground, take over the liability of the bank overdraft on behalf of the club. Mr Hateley was proposed as handicapper by Mr J. W. Jackson, seconded by Mr H. N. Harrison. Mr Hogg proposed and Mr J. Durie seconded the appointment of Messrs A. Higgie and J. Chadwick, jun. Mr J. P. Watt thought a committee of three members of the club should be appointed, as had been done by the Canterbury Jockey Club. Mr Betts strongly favoured the appointment of Mr Hateloy, as the opinion of the oldest supporters of the club was that Mr Hateley's handicapping was as good as could be expected — Mr A. Higgie said he had been asked if he would accept the position of handicapper with Mr J. Chad wick, jun., and he agreed to do so because he thought they could not get a better man, or one with more knowledge of the performances of the various horses.— Mr J. H. Pollock said, in reply to Mr Betts' remarks, that the true test of successful handicapping was the number of acceptances, and when it was recollected that out of as many as 19 nominations only some five accepted, that was sufficient indication that the handicap was not a success. When it was recollected that the revenue of the club camo largely from owners, he thought it would be apparont that in appointing Mr Hateley the club was doing a most unwise thing. — Mr J. W. Jackson said it was very easy for a man to handicap local horseß, but how was he to handicap horses from all parts of the Colony. Mr Hateley's handicaps had been satisfactory to all parts of the Colony, and other clubs were anxious to secure his services, although unable to do so. — Eventually Mr Hately was elected by 23 to 13. — Mr Powdrell suggested that in the arrangement of the next programme the Cup Race should be placed on the first day, to which tho chairman replied that such was the intention at present.