NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1679, 26 January 1884, Page 20

NOTES BY BEACON.

The Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club, at a meeting held last week, considered a communication received from the Lumsden Jockey Cltib with' reference to the, latter body's disqualification of the hofa'e Jasper, his owner Mr Richard Bunton, and the jockey Alexander. After discussion the disqualification was endorsed.

At the same meeting a letter was received from the Grand National Steeplechase Club asking what inducement the Dunedin Club would hold out in order that the Grand National meeting should be held permanently in Dunedin instead of at different places every successive season. The secretary was instructed io" write to the Steeplechase Club with a view of ascertaining what kind of inducement the latter expected. The Dunedin Jockey Club are effecting several improvements at the Forbury, and these will be completed before the Cup meet irig comes off. Principal among them will be the erection on the lawn behind the grand stand of a building to be used as a ladies' retiring-room, where tea, coffee, and other light refreshments will be supplied. The whole of the grand stand and other buildings In the enclosure will be repainted, and the untjigh'tly "royal box " in the stand will be at last removed. A Quantity of additional picket fencing will be erected on the inside fanning of the course — namely, six chains from the distance-post in the direction of the quartermile post, and a chain or two to the right of

stand. Those Jockey Clubs that have not yet responded to Messrs Whetham and Walker's circular re " Turf Record" are requested to do bo aa early as possible, so that no time may be lost in getting the work under way. Intending subscribers would also oblige hy sending in their names, in order that an approximate idea may be gained as to the number of copies that will be required. Secretaries of jockey clubs whose meetings have not been fully and clearly reported in the papers would do well to forward a correct report of their gatherings, so that no errors may occur. I may here repeat that the price of the " Turf Record ' will be 6s Gd, post free. A race meeting on a small scale was held at Lee Stream on Thursday last, at which the first event was won by Mr Button's Dandy ; a jumping contest by a mare named Huntress ; a trotting handicap by Mr Ferguson's Tommy ; and a hack race by Tommy Dodd. The affair was so successful that an annual fixture will probably be the outcome. Frjrri the Tuapeka Times I gather that a few days ago a public meeting was held in the Town Hall for the purpose of forming a jockey club. The meeting was fairly attended by the business people of Lawrence. His Worship the Mayor, who was voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting. He stated that in towns of much less importance than Lawrence horse-racing was entered into with spirit, and that a number of gentlemen of that town had interested themselves to promote such a club. He saw no obstacle in the way of that desire being consummated, and would leave it to the meeting to discuss the question. — Mr Tolcher moved the followingresolution : — " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable that a race club be formed, to be called ' The Tuapeka County Jockey Club.' "—Mr Hugh Craig seconded the motion, which was carried.— Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.R., while coinciding with the views of the previous speakers that it was desirable to form a jockey club, thought the question of means should be taken into consideration. He was of opinion that one good meeting was better than having several small ones, and that a number of people would contribute to this club who would not contribute to the Caledonian Society or the Cricket Club. For his part he would do his utmost to make the Club a success. — Messrs Fraer, Hunter, Foster, and Willis were appointed to canvass Lawrence for members; Mr J- C. Brown, Wetherstones; Messrs S. P. Craig andH. P. Thomson, Blue Spur; Messrs Dwyer and Mitchinson, Waitihuna ; Mr Tolcher, Tuapeka Flat; Mr H. Craig, from Evans Flat upwards ; Mr Mitchinson, Waipori. An account of the Maniototo races, condensed from the Chronicle, appears in another column. The meeting seems to have been a success, though threatening weather interfered with the attendance. The racing was excellent, many of the finishes being extremely close, and the Hurdle Race even resulting in a dead heat. Mr Foster's horse Rocket appears to be in good nick, and he may next month repeat his former good performances at Dunedin. The Mataura Ensign reports the decease of the thoroughbred horse Sylvanus, who had been standing in that district for the last three seasons. He died from a severe attack of rheumatism. Sylvanus was bred in New South Wales, and was by Goldsborough, dam Paradigm. He was brought over here by Harry Prince, and fell into the hands of Mr H. Goodman. He commenced his brief turf career at our Spring meeting of 18S0, where he ran second to Nautilus in the Maiden Plate. At Oamaru the following month he won the Maiden Plate, and ran second to Luna in the Flying Handicap. At Dunedin in the Autumn he ran unplaced in Sir Modred's Cup ; second to his fellow- voyager Hilarious in the City Stakes Handicap, at a difference of 101b ; and second to The Governor at even weights in the Queen's Plate, when Lady Emma and Nautilus finished behind the pair. At Invercargill he was beaten in the Derby by Sir Garnet, another of the trio of youngsters imported by Prince ; and ran third to Luna and Hilarious in the Cup. At Dunedin May meeting he ran nowhere in the Birthday Handicap won by The Poet, and shortly afterwards developed a,

"leg," which nebessitated hfo retirement! from the turf.

The next race meeting of the Taieri Amateur Turf Club will bo held on ttie 12fch of Aprill The meeting will be held in Mr Robertson's paddock, the site of the old Silverstream racecourse. The programme will be issued shortly. Efforts are being made to form a Racing Company at Riversdale to purchase about 80 acres of land suitable for a course from the Agricultural Company. We (Ensign) believe the property could be secured on most advantageous terms, and if the people of Riversdale only sttce'eed in acquiring it they will have set older towns &U example worthy of imitation. In our experience, the purchase of a course ife too often delayed until the land within a reasonable distance of town is bought up, only to be resbld at a high figure. The Ettrick Jockey Club are about to take action for the purpose of getting u*p the annual races for St. Patrick's Day, and a meeting of the Club is to be held on Saturday night. . Heathco'e Autumn races are fixed for March 25, and the programme will be issued shortly. The Gliib have a balance of £280 in hand.

Mr G. G. Stoad's horses. Sir Bedevere and Trnnton, arrived at Christchurcfi last week by the steamer Rotomahana, from Auckland ; also Mr Piibrow's Ugly Buck, Mr P. Butler's Fusilier, and Mr T. Sheenan's steeplechaser Hercules.

A Christchurch paper announces the death of Mr Thomas Milner, who was well known in coursing circles and also as the owner of several trotting horses, among them Our Pony, Cock Robin, and Blackboy. Mr Milner was 43 years of age, and leaves a widow and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss.

Mr T. Pollock has sold his cross-country horse Melbourne to the Hon. G. M'Lean for 70 guineas, and I understand that the jumper will return to Christchurch consigned to Captain Cotton, the pbpular master of the hounds. , ,The Makikihi correspondent of the Timaru Herald write 3 :— The trotting horse Councillor arrived liere from the North on Menday to meet his enga'g'eme'ntd with 1 Bella, a private match having been arranged between the two for £50 a side, to come off on the 25th inst. £25 a side has been deposited with the editor of the Waimate Times, and the balance has to be staked at the post. The distance is three miles on the metal, to finish at the Makikihi Hotel. Bella is a warm favourite with the Waimate folks, and I hear some of our Makikihi sports are freely backing the horse.

The full programme of Greymouth Autumn rages rtbows that £530 will be given in stakes, including the J.C. Handicap of 125 soys ; Goldfields Handicap of 100 soys ; Grey Valley Handicap of 60 soys ; Railway Handicap of 50 soys ; and Hurdle Handicaps of 50 soys and 40 soys respectively. Over £600 will be provided in prizes at the Wairarapa Autumn meeting on February 21 and 22, the principal stakes being the Cup Handicap of 100 soys ; Champagne Stakes of 100 soys; Produce Stakes of 115 soys; District Handicap of 50 soys; Grand Stand Handicap of 50 soys ; and Hurdle Handicap of SO soys. Writing on the late Rangitikei meeting, the Bulls correspondent of the Feilding Star says : The races of 1884, under the auspices of the Rangitikei-Marton Club, are numbered with the things of the past. To an outsider they present a sorry spectacle. On the first day, in only one event did more than two horses face the starter. The big handicap brought a good field to the start, but it was painfully evident that the horses were not racing on their merits. There must be something rotten Komewhere. The arrangements were all carried out, and but for the gale there was blowing the attendance would have been pretty fair, though it is evident that there is a steady decrease in the public patronage, and the stewards will yet have to face the simple fact that two days' races is too great a tax on the spending powers of the people. One good day's sport would be infinitely better than the present two days' agony. [It is only fair to say that other papers in the district do not give anything like so disparaging on account of the meeting.] The Turakina Jockey Club have a debit cash balance of £27, but have good assets, and a considerable sum of money due in subscriptions and nomination fees. Nothing definite has been arranged concerning the next races.

A peculiar race is said to have taken place at Taratahi last week. It was a match between the two horses Wild Rose and Policy, for £20 a side, arranged to be run on Ray's course, Taratahi. They started in the straight, Policy being the favourite, but Wild Rose led to the turn opposite Feist's store, when the boy steadied her to get round. Policy was apparently outpaced down to tha back of the course, but then came up on the outside. The next thing seen was the pair r>f them springing over the fence bordering the edge of the course. The top of the rail was smashed. Both boys were thrown, and the horses galloped homewards. A crowd of horsemen followed, and caught them. Going to Carterton, Policy was remounted by another rider, jumped over the p^ce they went out, and was ridden the remainder of the race, and claimed the stakes. Wild Rose's owner protested, as he could have done the same and been home before Policy, but thought the race would have to be run again. The turns are too sharp on this course, and it is impossible for horses to race round them at any pace. Several boys have been thrown by horses overpowering them and jumping the fence, while others run into the corners. Another match between the same horses has been arranged, but it is to come off at the Tauherenikau course.

In the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News of December 1 appear some sketches of sporting scenes in New Zealand, with a description by " Globe-Trotter," in whose article appears the following:—"! had the pleasure of being present at a very well attended meet of the Rangitikei Hunt Club, when Mr W. T. Owen, a true English sportsman, gave the Club a splendid run over his property at the Wangahue. I believe some 150 riders were present, although not more than about 50 followed. The gallop was alike most enjoyable to ooth riders and spectators. The latter could ride about and see the whole run, the dogs seemed to be well trained, while the master of the hounds, Mr Hughes, led the field the whole way, keeping well up with his pack, and hunt] ing them in grand style." A Wellington telegram states that as yet Mischief and Leonata are the only Cup horses there. There is very little betting at present, but the following are latest quotations : — 100 to 50 agefc Vanguard 100 — 40 Welcome Jack 100 - 25 Mischief 300 — 25 Tim Whiffler 100 — 20 Salvage 100 — 16 — Leonata 100 — 10 others.

The Featherston Racing Club has a balance of £40 to the good as the result of their recent meeting.

" Fetlock " writes as follows :— I was in error in stating in my last notes that Captain Russell had purchased the two-year-old filly Gretna Green, by Bolton Green — Pearl Ash. That geutleman informs me that he has not

bought the filly, and knows absolutely nothing of the transaction. My information was first obtained from a Press Association telegram from Auckland on Monday last, and also from an Auckland paper, which went so far as to give the price paid at 250 guineas." Mr J, Marshall stepped in at the last moment and secured one of the highly-bred yearlings which the New Zealand Stud Company were sending to Sydney. This was the yearling brother to Necklace, by Musket, out of Locket ; price, 300 guineas. The young stock shipped to Sydney by the Auckland Stud Company reached their destination in safety. Mr Walters notifies "Phaeton" that two lads named Absolum and Jackson have absconded from his service.

Weights for Takapuna races have been declared as under : — HUPDLE RACE. 8t lb st lb Chandler .. 11 12 <"hristma9 ..10 0 Woodpecker .. 11 0 Fly .. ..9 7 Hark away ..10 7 Shotover .. 9 0 B.rbiry .. 10 7 Nigger.. ..9 0 Yuba Bill .. 10 5 j.o. handicap. st lb at lb Salvage .. 9 7 Envious .. 7 2 Tuba Bill .. 812 MitrailleuEC .. 7 0 Libeller .. 810 Vrtex.. ..6 0 Kalo .. .. 710 Snider .. ..6 0 Woodpecker .. 7 7 i-ouhar.. ..CO Fiehwonian ..7 7 Taupouri ..6 0 Rewi . . ..77 Flageolet . . 67 Kenilworth .. 7 7 A.B. .. ..6 7 STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP. st lb st lb Chandler ... 12 7 Fly .. .. 10 0 Woodpecker .. 10 i Yuba Bill ..10 0 Barbary .. 10 7 Chtistiuas ..10 0 Harkaway ..10 4 Shotover ..10 0