NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1780, 2 January 1886, Page 19

NOTES BY BEACON.

In consequence of the reports of the numerous race meetings held last week taking up a quantity of space, I hold over the continuation of my comments on the Dunedin Cup horses until next week. . ( Tho following acceptances for the Dunedin Autumn meeting were received on Monday: — HURDLE HANDICAP, Of 100 soys. One mile and a-half. st lb st Ib Master Agnes ... 12 7 Garibaldi ... 10 a King Arthur ... 11 5 Medico... ... 10 0 Borderman ... 11 5 Maiuboom ... 9 10 Moody... ...10 10 Temuka ... 9 o Kingask ' ... 10 7 Boots ... ... 8 10> Trapper ... 10 7 Mayboy ... 8 7 Marquis ... 10 5 Silver.Kiug .., -8 J DUNEDIN CUP, Of 1000 soys. Two miles and a distance. Trenton ... 910 Captain Webster ... 7 & Tasmau ... 0 7 Everton Lad ... 7 3 Turquoise ... 810 Leon ... ... 1 3 July ... ... 8 7 Derringer ... 7 •£ Nelson ... 8 2 Tiger Tim ... 7 0 Lochiel ... ... 8 0 Spade Guinea ... 6 3 Fusillade ... 7 10 Patrician ... 6 0 Lady Emma ... 7 9 Eubezahl ... 6 0 Hermitage ... 7 8 Jupiter ... 5 12 Necklace ... 7 8 Warbeck ... 5 9 Russley ... 7 7 Scraps filly ... 5 7 PUBLICANS' HANDICAP, Of 100 soys. Six furlongs. Lochiel ... 812 Water Jiiug , ... 7 0 Nelson... ... 8 9 Titbit ... ... 610 Necklace' ... 8 7 Rubezahl ... 6 7 Taiaroa ... 8 7 Molly Bawn' ... 6 5 Captain. Webster... 8 6 Conundrum ... 6 O Talebearer ... 8 5 Miss Webster ... 510 Marion ... 7 10 Silver Queen ... 5 7 Kocket... ... 7 2 Scraps filly ... 5 7 Jack ... ... -7 2 STEWARDS' WELTER HANDICAP, Of 120 soys. Seven furlongs. Taiaro<t ... JO 7 Conundrum ... 8 0 Jack '... ... 9 5 Matanaka ... 712 .Kocket... ... il a Madonna ... 1 9 Water King .. 9 0 Miss Cook ... 7 9 Eubezahl ... 8 7 Miss Webster ... , 7 7 Viking... ..85 Martyr filly ... 7 7 Molly Bawn ..85 The Cup acceptances show a great weeding out, only 22 horses being left in out.of the 49 originally entered. A good many of those that have been withdrawn are, however, great rubbish, while others — such as Black Rose, Ike, Strenuous, Moana, Ascot, Take Miss, and Madonna — have gone crooked. The most sensational scratchings are those of Administrator and Stonyhurst, and I rather expect to hear that the winner of the Canterbury Derby and Cup winnur has come (.0 gt ief at Auckland. However, Friday's racing at that place will let us know whether there is anything .wrong with him. There was not much .speculation on the appearance of the acceptances, but Lochiel, Russley, Trenton, and a few other horses were backed for a bit, and quotations are as under : —

DUNEDIN CUP. - 100 to 14 agst Lochiel 100 — 10 Lady Emma 100 — 10 Fusillade 100 — 10 Trenton 100 — 8 Nelbon 100 — 8 Leon 300— 7 Captain Webster 100 — 7 Necklace 100 — 7 Everton Lad 100— 7 July 100— 6 Derringer 100 — 0 Tasman 100 — 6 Hermitage 100— (3 Kussley 100— 0 JTiger 'i'ini 100 — 0 Patrician 100 — (5 Turquoiso 100 — 5 Spade Guiutw 100— 4 Rubezahl 100— 3 Warbeck 100— 2 Jupiter 100 — 2 Scraps filly.

Nelson has, by winning the Auckland Cup, incurred a penalty of 71b for the Dunedin Cup, thus bringing his weight for that race up to Bst 21b.

The first race-meeting held by the Wairio District Jockey Club came off on the 23rd ult., aud seems to have been a most enjoyable affair. The Hurdle Handicap, of 14 soys, was won by. ,Mr Patterson's Gipsy (9st 71b), with Mr Hogan's Mountain Deer (lOst) second, Mr Smith's Tyke (9st) third. Mr Steel's Apnrlma won tho Mfliden Plate, of 7 soys, from Tyke and another starter. The Cup, of 20 soys, attracted a field of five, and Mr Eraser's Ladybird (7st 51b) was made a strong favourite. She ran off the track, however, and a good race among the others ended in a victory for Mr T. White's Claret (76t 7lb), with Mr Bellamy's Pre-em|tive Kigirt (70* 71b) s-ecfatod, Mr T: JShßtffota'B Spec-.

(9st) third. The Derby Stakes went to Clifford's Wee Boy (81b overweight), who

in <in 150 yards ahead of Mr J. Groves' "Jadet and Mr Johnston's Caractacus. Mr Smith's Florence carried off the Ladies' Purse md the Selling Race ; and the Trottiug Handi3ap was won by -Mr Lamont's Paddy (15sec.) from half-a-dozen others. In the Consolation Stakes Mountain Deer injured himsulf, and Lady Ellen consequently scored an easy win. The best finish ot the day took place in the Hurry Scurry, for which six started, /ind Aparima beat Typo by only half a head. All the arrangements in connection with the forthcoming meeting of the Clutha Jockey Club are now well advanced (says the local paper).' The course has been carefully prepared, and it is expected it will prove all that could be de- { sired. For the Clutha Handicap there are eight entries, .for the Trotting Race nine entries, and for the Hurdle Race five entries. Horses are coming from Dunedin, Milton, Lawrence, Tapanui, &c, and there is every promise of a capital meeting. Although the entries last year were not so numerous, the several events — with a single exception — were fairly carried out, and exactly hit popular taste. There was no rowdyism, and the race meeting was very much like a reunion of friends with the races added. Thus the races were resuscitated in the Clutha under most favourable and promising circumstances. Let us hope that the stewards will take care that the same pleasant after-reflections can be indulged in this year. If a little sport in horseracing cannot be indulged in without being accompanied by all the swindling, quarrelling, fighting, debauchery, and general rowdyism that. was prevalent at, say, the recent Taieri meeting, then we hope and believe the public hei c will unanimously set their faces against them. So long as they are fairly orderly and pleasantly conducted, but no longer, will they merit and receive the support of the general public of the Clutha. The races in Southland this year have beeu particularly destructive to horseflesh. On Sunday last, says Saturday's Southland News : — Mr J. Clapp, of Nightcaps, lost the mare Maud, which had been entered for the Wairio. She slipped and oroke her leg, and so had to be shot. The races, which took place yesterday, and are reported in another column, were marked by one unpleasant feature — the breaking down of Mr Hogan's Mountain Deer. The horse was trying to overtake Lady Ellen in the Consolation, when it slipped, staggered a few yards, and fell. It was found that the Deor's back was badlystrained, and last night be appeared to be dying. He was then shot. The following nominations have been received for the Maniototo Jockey Club's races : — HANDICAP TIME TROT, Mr T. Foster's b m Wanderoo Mr S. Hanger's Hawkdun Mr J. 'hi. .Scott's Ida, aged Mr R. Hood's g g Bob, aged Mr J. Griffth's g m Dolly, 6 yrs Mr T f Taylor's r m Dolly Varden Mr T. Ferguson's r g Chance, aged Mr T. Ferguson's b m Fair Nell, aged Mr S. G. Inder's b m Gipsy, aged Mr H. Devon's b m Dairymaid Mr Botting's Butcher Boy, 6 yrs DISTRICT HANDICAP. Mr (C. Foster's b g Thespis, 4 yrs Mr S. Hanger's b g Skipper, aged Mr J. E. Kennedy's br g Foul Play, late Coburg, aged Mr T. Keenan 6 b g Jupiter, aged Mr J, Laverty's blft m Veronica, aged Mr R. Hood's b m Winnifred, 4 yrs Mr S. Holding's c m Snowflake, 3 yrs Mr S. 'Holding's c m Snowdrift, 3 yrs Mr Cogan's b g Young Bar won, aged Mr Cogan'e b m Maniototo Lass, 3 yrs Mr Ferguson's c g Specimen, 5 yrs Mr J. Weir's b m Flyingfish, aged J.C. HANDICAP. Mr T. Foster's Rocket, aged Mr J. E. Kennedy's br g Foul Play Mr T. Keenan's b g, Jupiter, aged Mr J. Laverty's blk g Peeping Tom, aged Mr C. Huddlestone's Knickerkoker Sam Mr J. Laveity's b m Veronica, aged Mr S. Hanger's b g Skipper, aged Mr Cosran's b g Young Barwon, aged Mr J. Weir's b m Flyiugfish, aged, At Kakanui races on Boxing Day the Maiden Plate, of 10 soys, was won by Mr J. Russell's Freebooter, whose only opponent was Mr G. Robertson's Fishhook. There were three" starters for the Kakanui Handicap, of 20 soys, in which Mr W. M'Lean's Chester (list) beat Mr J. Ward's Bob (9st 71b) and Mr Wise's Gaiters (list) very easily. The Trotting Handicap, of 20 soys, was won by Mr W. M'Leau's Onward (scr) from seven others. Mr W. S. Martin scored a win in the Novel Handicap, of 20 soys, with Ino (lOst), who beat her three opponents very easity. Fishhook (7Ost 71b) then carried off the Publicans' Handicap of 15 soys, beating Freebooter (lOst 71b), Gaiters (list), and three others. The North Otago Times says that in the Maiden Plate it was perfectly plain that Fishhook was not ridden as he should have been, and this was more prominently made apparent when Fishhook won the Publicans' Handicap against Freebooter and several other horses. The Maiden Plate of a mile and a half, was run in Smiii. 20sec. ; and the Publicans' Handicap of a mile and a-quarter in 2min 28sec.— an allowance of 52sec. for a-quarter of a mile. Immediately after the race for the Publican's Handicap the stewards held a meeting, and disqualified the horse Fishhook and his rider for 12 months. Mr Wise won the Farmers' Purse, of 10 soys, with Little John, in a field of 13 horses ; the Benevolent Scurry was taken by Mr Kirwin's Dahlia ; and Gaiters beat three others in the Consolation Stakes. Our old friend " Robin Hood" is going over to Sydney and start in business there. The latest issue of the New Zealand Stud Book, volume 8, is just to hand from Mr George Elliott, of Christchurch. The work bears every evidence of having been compiled with the care always shown by the author, and as it is four years since the last number appeared, it is needless to say that the present volume will be heartily welcomed. No breeder, racing man, or person interested in the turf in any way should be without the successive volumes of the Stud Book. At Mossburn races on Boxing Day the Hurdle Race was won by Mr Basstian's Jolly, beating Kelly and Tommy; Maiden Plate, by Mr J. Yardley's Jessamine, beating six others ; Trotting Race, by Mr Curran's Shiner (400 yds), from seven opponents ; Mossburu Handicap, by Mr Dyer's Pauline, who defeated Lady of the Lake, If-I-Can, and Paddy; Flying Handicap, by Mr Wright's Paddy, from three others ; and Hospital Race by Mr M'lntyre's Sloper. I have received from Mr J. A. Duthie a copy of the Tokomairiro Jockey Club programme for their annual races to be held on the 28th and 29th of this month, and a very good bill-of-fare it is. The added money amounts to £410, and full details of the various events will be found in this issue. The principal stakes are the Tokomairiro Handicap, of 70 soys ; President's Handicap, of 50 soys ; Flying Handicap, of 30 soys ; Novel Handicap, of 40 soys ; Trotting Handicap, of 35 soys ; Bruce District Handicap, of 20 soys ; Hurdle Handicap, of 35 soys; District Hurdle Handicap, of 15 soys; Pubjjcans' Handicap, of §0 so.vs ; and Maiden Fkfo,, 6i 20 sbV3. N&mlnasfctas ftrr all the

handicaps are due on the 14th iust., and as the date of the meeting has beeu well chosen I expect to see entries flow in freely. The gatheriug will be held in Mr John Draper's paddock, which is situated between Milton and Milburn, about two miles from each place. The club has obtained a long lease- of the ground, and contemplates expending a considerable sum in the

improvement of the course. The following weights have been declared for the Christchurch Midsummer meeting : — CRAVEN STAKES. at lb . st lb Lochiel ... 8 12 Rocket ... 7 8 Fusillade ... 8 9 Adventuress ... 7 5 Captain Webster... 8 7 Titbit ... ... 7 0 Talebearer ... 8 6 Rubpzahl ... (5 8 Marion ... 8 1 Water-colour ... 6 7 Fusilier ... 8 0 Conundrum ... (> 0 Maligner ... 8 0 Forest King ... « 0 ISvertonLnd ... 8 0 CorrieViekv ... 6 0 Spade Guinea ... 710 Athol Daisy ... 6 0 Hilly ... ... 7 10 NEW YEAR WELTER PLATE. Talebearer "... 10 5 Rube^ahl ... 8 7 Leon ... ... 9 7 Conundrum ... 8 0 Billy ... ... S» 7 Sediment ... 8 0 Fusilier ... 9 3 Mermaid ... 8 0 Rocket ... 9 0 May ... ... 8 0 Titbit ... ... 8 7 Final acceptances for the above meeting were not to hand when we went to press, so I can say little about the various events. The HurdleRace should be won by Master Agues. In the Middle Park Plate I like the Otago youngsters Apropos, Red Rose filly, and Fallacy colt in the order named. The Midsummer Handicap should be a good thing for Captain Webster, and the Selling Race for Derwenter. Mr Stead should carry off the Craven Stakes with Lochiel or Marion ; while Billy should be about in the New Year Welter Plate. At Alford Forest races, on Thursday, the Hurdle Handicap was won by Venus (10.jjt 101b), beating Grace Darling (lOot) and Bay Tommy (llbt 51b) ; Maiden Plate by No Name, with Pop-the-Question second, Tommy thitd ; Trotting Race by Bismarck (250 yds), beating Symphony (250 yds), Gipsy (scr), and Nelly (scr) ; Hack Race by Mayflower, with Spider second, Grace. Darling third. Sheffield races are set down for March 19, with added money amounting to £80. The following acceptances for the Waipawa races have been received ;—; — R.C. HANDICAP, Of 180 soys. st lb ' at lb Poet ... ... 810 Director ... 710 Rifleman ... 8 0 Liberty ... 7 8 Mystery ... 8 0 Salisbury ... 7 7 The Laird ... 7 11 HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, Or 40 soys. Scrutineer ... 11 12 Bateman ... 10 4 Faugli-a-ballagh ... 11 6 Rata ... ... 912 De high ... 10 7 Kimu ... ... 9 0 Claude... ... 10 7 Greyling ... 9 0 RAILWAY HANDICAP, Of 40 soya. New York ... 8 0 The Arrow ... 6 12 Mi>s Dargon ... 7 8 Aimee ... ... 6 7 Bonny Blink ... 7 8 Elena ... ... 6 7 Abraham ... 7 2 LADIES' BRACELET, Of 30 soys. Liberty... ... 12 0 Faugh-a-ballagh ... 10 9 Denbigh „. 11 11 Abraham ... 10 7 Rifleman ... 11 4 Wallabi ... 10 2 Kata ... ... 11 0 Greyling ... 10 0 A private match was run on the trainingcourse at the Hutt Park last week between the horses Pink Rose (9st) and Maripnsa (Bst), the distance being about one mile, and the stakes £50 a-side. Both horses got away well together, but Mariposa, who was ridden by C. Armstrong, soon went to the front, and cut out the running at a good pace for thr^equarters of the distance. Here Pink Rose, who was ridden by J. Baker, came with a ruhh and got on terms with her opponent. A capital race ensued to the finish, but just before passing the post Mariposa obtained a slight advantage, and eventually won by a neck. The following acceptances have been received for the Featherston races :—: — HANDICAP HURDLES. st lb st lb Loch Lomond ... 11 0 Walkover ... 10 0 Halicore ... 10 5 Skipper ... 9 6 MEW YEAR HANDICAP. Gabble... ... 8 6 Lifebuoy ... 8 0 Gentle Annie ... 8 -1 Kakapo ... 7 1 Revoke... ... 8 2 Little Scrub ... 7 1 F.R.C. HANDICAP. Gabble... ... 8 0 Kakapo ... 7 10 GeutleAnnie ... 712 Greyhound ... 7 0 Revoke... ... 7 10 Nikau ... ... 6 5 FLYING STAKES HANDIQAP. Revoke... ... 8 4 Capncine ... 7 0 Lifebuoy ... 8 0 Dan O'Connell ... (3 4 Little Scrub ... 7 10 At the Westland Racing Club's Summer meeting there was splendid weather, and 1000 people were present. The Open Handicap was won by Wanderer ; Hack Race by Chesterfield ; Produce Stakes by Cutty Sark ; Hokitika Handicap by Nor'-wester, with Hazard second ; Selling Race by Never-inind; Handicap Hurdle Race by Young Barbarian, with Harkaway second. For the second day's racing the weather was showery, but it. cleared up afterwards. 1200 were present. In the Handicap Hurdles Young Barbarian was first, with Harkaway second. Rimu Handicap : Zulu, 1 ; Nor'-westor, 2. Novel Selling Race : Lady Ellen, 1. Westland Handicap : Barney, 1 ; Hazard, 2. District Handicap : Wanderer, 1 ; Never Mind, 2. Consolation : Hazard, 1. Porirua must be a queer place for racing, judging from ihe following opening comments in the New Zealand Times :—": — " These races, which have been looked forward to with interest for some time past, were run on the beach at Porirua on Boxing Day, and under what may be said very unfavourable circumstances. So far as the weather was concerned, it was all that could be desired, but the course itwlf was in a wretchedly sloppy condition. The seawards had arranged for the first race to stari at 11 a.m., but at that hour nothing could be seen of the course, or even the hurdles, as They were both covered with water. The saddling paddock was in pretty well the same condition, and the • water extended to the counters of the booths. Many of those who had not had previous experience of Poriaua race meetings were asking " Where's the course ?" while there were many ready to answer, " This is not a race meeting — we're going to hold a regatta." How the stewards could have so wretchedly bungled the whole affair, when anyone used to the place could have told them the tide would not suit, is not easily explained, and this mismanagement is not likely to add to the future success of £be club. After a few minutes' consultation the races wer^ postponed until 1 o'clock, and the visitors were left to find for thomselvcs what amusement tliey could. At 1 o'clock the sea had commenced to recede, but not sufficiently so to enable racing to be proceeded with, and it was not until 2.15 p.m. that the saddling boll for the Maiden Plate was rung. By this time the water was pretty clear of the course, but it, must not be imagined that it was di?y tinder ftfot. Just the opposite, ft* when

the crowd, which was estimated at 1000, iricluding 150 horsemen, commenced moving about in the saddling paddock or hi front of th« booths, the whole place was something akin to. a slaughter-yard. To move about at all was disagreeable, but to- get to the totalisator one had to go through slush over his ankles. At a general meeting of members of the Wairoa Jockey Club, held at the Clyde Hotel, it was decided, on account of the state of the finances of the Jockey Club and the apathy shown by the public generally in the matter, not to have the usual annual race meeting this season.

The openiug day of the Auckland races seems to have been a big success, over 8000 people being present, and more than £9000 passing through the totalisator. The only decent dividend paid during the day was over Nelson's victory in the Cup, Major George's horse paying^his backers £25 8s 6d for each pound invested on him. The result of the race was a great surprise, but the stable companions of the two horses that were most generally fancied after all finished first and second. Nelson and Stonyhurst were both trained by Ted Cutts, while Waitiri has been doing her work of late with Dan O'Brien's horse Tasman, and it is pretty certain that those two astute trainers knew which was the better of their respective pairs to put their money on. Both Stouyhurst and Tasman appear to have been lying somewhere near handy at the finish. I imagine the time has been wrongly taken, four " minutes being rather faster than we are accus ; tomed to in this country ; though the distance has been covered in 4min. Ogsec. in Australia. Nplson's performances since he started racing will be placed before my readers next week, but I may say that though he has before now scored some brilliant ''victories, it was generally supposed that he was not cut out for a long race. Waitiri did not race until this season, when she commenced her turf career by winning the Hawkes Bay guineas of 250 soys. from Soudan, Bonny Blink, and Revoke. This she followed up on November 9 by appropriating the Petane Cup of 100 soys., carrying Bst 21b, an r l beating three others. Victoria has run in a great number of races, and with a considerable amount of sjuccess, especially in the Waikato district. The following handicaps have been declared for the Auckland races :■*- GRAND STAND HANDICAP. ' One mile and a half. st lb st lb Nelson ... 9 0 Wapiti ... 7 3 Turquoise ... 8 0 Retrieerator ... 7 2 Necklace ... 7 10 Revolver ... 7 1 Christina ... 7 10 Mitrailleuse ... 7 0 Salvage ... 7 8 Radames ... 7 0 Waitiri ... 7 7 Alpine Rose ... 6 10 Libeller ... 7 7 Cinderella ... 610 Tetford ... 7 6 Sir Bedevere ... 610 Torpedo ... 7 6 Carbineer ... 610 Foul Shot ... 7 6 Kalo ... ... 6 8 Mystery ... 7 5 Castashcre ... 6 5 Woodnymph ... 7 4 Contractor ... 6 0 Victoria ... 7 3 Victory ... 6 0 AUCKLAND R.C. HANDICAP. One mile and three-quarters. Tasman ■ ... 9 8 Mitrailleuse ... 6 10 Aelson ... 8 13 Capsize ... 6 10 Turquoise ... 7 12 Radames ... 6 9 Christina ... 7 7 Alpine Rose ... 6 9 .Necklace ... 7 6 Cinderella ... 6 9 Waitiri ... 7 5 Revolver ... 6 8 Mystery ... 7 3 Sir Bedevere ... 6 8 Tetford ... 7 2 Carbineer ... 6 8 Derringer ... 7 1 Rewi ... ... 6 8 Libeller ... 7 0 St. Michael ... 6 7 Woodnymph ... t3 13 Kalo ... ... 0 7 Foul Shot ... 6 12 Lionel ... 6 7 Torpedo ... 6 11 Lioness ... 6 5 Victoria ... 6 10 Victory ... 6 0 Wapiti ... 610 HURDLES. Macaroni .. 11 12 Kingask ... 9 12 Shotover ... 11 2 King ... ... 9 7 Alaric ... ... 11 0 Belle ... •... 9 0 Tiger ... ... 10 0 Miss Griffiths ... 9 0 Medico .. 10 0 The principal race at Auckland on Friday will be the Derby, and if nothing is wrong with Stonyhurst I shall expect .him to win it easily ; looking at his scratching for the Dunedin Oup, however, I shall not be surprised to see him withdrawn from the Derby, in which case Derringer should appropriate»it. There is no betting to chronicle for the Derby. Even money is offered against Stonyhurst, while 6 to 4 can be had about Foul Shot and Derringer. For the double of the Derby and Steeplechase 10 to 1 are taken about Stonyhurst and Shotover. " Tasman was scratched for the R.C. Handicap directly the weights appeared. Turquoise is considered the best thing in the Handicap. There is no betting.

The registration and control of our country clubs by the Auckland Raciug Club will do good in more ways than one (says " Hippona "). The moneys received in this way are to be devoted, to the Distressed Jockeys' Fund in connection with the senior club, and as the amount forthcoming this season will jot up to something like £100, it will be the means of adding a nice little sum to this laudable object.

In connection with the demand for thoroughbred stallions in India, the following letter has been received by the Hon. W. Reeves in reference to the class of thoroughbred stallions required by the Indian Government, and it will be of interest to breeders in New Zealand as explaining the stamp of horse best suited for exportation to India : — Ofiieo of General Superintendent Horsp-brefiling Operations in India, Simla, October 29, 1885. To the Hon. W. Reeves, director Middle Park Stud, Christchurch, New Zealand. — Dear Sir, — Colonel Ben. Williams, Director of Army Remount Operations for India, has since his return from Australia, Reported to the Government of India that very superior thoroughbred stallions, possessing great power and good boned legs, are obtainable in some parts of the Australian Colonies. 2. I therefore have the pleasure to address you, as Colonel Williams informs me that he feels sure you will be kind enough to render assistance in informing intending importers of horses to Calcutta, that thoroughbred stallions with large frames, deep girths and barrels, short legs with well-developed joints, short and broa/l shank bones, with large and well-defined sinews, good feet, and free from hereditary defects or unsoundness, are required for the breeding districts of India ; and that I shall be prepared to give 2500 rupees (two thousand five hundred) for any bona fide thoroughbred stallion of a weight-carrying hunter type, from four to six years of age, answering to the above description, that may be approved of on inspection by myself or a deputy in Calcutta. The height should be from fifteen hands to fifteen hands two (2) inches, and the colours preferred are bay, brown, or chestnut. 3 I would suggest that not more than 6 (six) stallions be imported during next season, and these will be considered, as it were, samples of the thoroughbred stallions obtainable from the Australian Colonies. 4. May I solicit your kind aid as above indicated. — Yours, &c, J. H. 11. Halla, P.B. — Referring to paragraph 3, I request it may bo noted that purchase up to six stallions, in the aggregate, and not more, will be made in the Calcutta market during next season. A copy of this letter is being forwarded to several of the principal horse-breeders and dealers in the Att&'fcraHan Ooteules:— J. H. RS H.