NOTES BY BEACON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1853, 27 May 1887, Page 23

NOTES BY BEACON.

My full comments on the Dunedin races are necessarily held over until next week, owing to the fact that the Witness now goes to press so early in the week. I may, however, say that it was a thorough success in nearly every way, the only drawbacks being the counter attractions on the first day and the cold weather prevalent during both days. These circumstances, of course, affected the attendauce. materially and the amount of money invested in the totalisators was lessened in proportion. The sum put through by Messrs Mason and Roberts was £7676, or £3536 less than this time last year. On the first day dividends ruled very small, but on the second amends were made by some substantial sums being raked in by backers. Still those infatuated people who fancy that they must win money by putting £1 on every horse in every race would have had a bad time of it, for on the whole meeting such an investor would have lost £32 6s 6d ! He would have won £8 Is 6d on the second day, but this would have been considerably more than swallowed up by £40 8s lost on the first day's transactions. Those who anticipated that the example of William Stuart at a recent gathering would be followed, and that people would be found shabby enough to demand back money which they had invested on a losing horse, were agreeably, disappointed ; for there was not the slightest approach to anything of the sort. The bookmakers did a brisk trade at totalisator odds, but carried it on in so discreet a manner that none of them weie molested. There were two protests on the second day. The first, that on behalf, of Kingask in' the Hurdle Race, may be dismissed as a simple piece of consummate impudence ; but the other, ' that against Marion, is a more serious matter. Her running on the first day was the 1 matter of universal comment, and everywhere' one heard the remark that she had either gone off a lot or was what is vulgarly termed " stiff." It is little cause for wonder therefore that her extraordinary change of form on the second day deepened the impression that on the first occasion she was " not on the job." I' shall have more to say on the subject next week, but meanwhile may remark that it was rather rough on the backers- of Apropos that the stewards should give Marion the stakes, while at the same time deciding that she had been foully ridden. I hear that it was on account of Marion's owner not being present at the meeting that the stewards did not disqualify the mare ; in fact, that is shown by their specially passing a resolution exonerating him from all connection with the affair. \ \ By different notes in this issue it will be noticed that the Canterbury and Auckland Jockey Clubs have an idea of reducing their somewhat extravagant stakes. Our Canterbury sporting letter unfortunately arrived too late to allow us to give it in full. We, however, make the following extracts: — - ' l ' The Plumpton Park Races last Friday were the first held there under^he new rule, and were principally remarkable for affording the first instance in New. Zealand of a refusal by the authorities of a license to use the tbfcalisator thereat. A club is said to have been formed, but the powers that be were evidently not satisfied of this being the case, and refused the license; but after. .numerous telegrams to the Colonial Secretary, and interviews with R. Beetham, Esq., R.M., the club was' granted

a permit, intimation of which reached; .Christy! churcti., after the, races, had, commenced at; Plumptbn, and, of course, top late to be of any avail., Mr Taylor had guaranteed 'the stakes, and some sportsmen here started a subscription, list to recoup any loss he might, make,;b'ut; he comes out with a smartish loss on the meeting. The bookmakers-, laid very, fair odds, and as in most of the. races, every starter was backed more or less .spiritedly,' they had a fairly good day. , Still,, as /the" day'sracing ended, more than one of the bookmakers ■were heard to express themselves in favour of •the machine. The day turned out miserably cold and stormy, but the sport was fairly good— c or, perhaps, was felt to be so,by its likeness to-, old times. The only hitch was in connection' with {the Trot, in which Rockwood certainly merited disqualification ; but when the protest came to be considered on the following dayi it was dismissed as informal.

There' was a fair attendance tat Tattersall's Club Rooms last Thursday of the members of the, Canterbury Jockey Club, to .receive the report for the year from May 1, 1886, to April 30, 1887. The proceedings must be characterised as dull." The hon. treasurer's' (Mr G. G. .Stead) figures were, of course, incontrovertible, and so extremely clear to everybody,that for lack of another text he had to fall hack upon the totalisator, upon which .he delivered a disquisition of considerable' ; length, the premises and arguments whereof I were as incontrovertible as his figures. The substance of the proceedings has been tele- . graphed throughout the length and breadth of 'the land, and I will only say— for the benefit of those who find life too short to study the reports of such meetings — that stakes amounting . to £11,426 8s were paid during the ] 2 months, the receipts, less working expenßes,being£l ss2dbelows2dbelow these payments. £1043 Is 4d was expended in i permanent improvements to the course, stands, &c, and the club's debit cash balance is £1546 '0s 6d against £536 14s a year ago. Thfi assets stand at £11,300, and the liabilities at £2014 0b 6d, showing a surplus in favour of the club of £9285 19s 6d. The Midsummer race meeting left a loss of £806 18s 5d and the Autumn meeting of £204 11s 2d; while the Metropolitan meeting resulted in a profit of £1450 17s sd. The only proposition of any importance made was thab the country clubs should be asked to support, through their members of Parliament, Hon. G. M 'Lean's bill amending the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Mr Stead confirmed the intimation, made by "Beacon" after our last meeting, that the figures on the totalisators are in future to remain unchanged for five minutes after the conclusion of each race.

New Zealanders will be glad to learn that Trenton is in work again. Native Cat again trotted unsuccessfully at a Sydney meeting on the 7th inst.

" Spectator," in the Auckland Bell, writes :— " Since the Auckland Racing Club introduced the rule making it compulsory for clubs to give £30 or over for each race on their programme, what has been the result? Selling and novel races have come greatly into favour, and the £30 and £40 races advertised mean the old style of racing for small stakes when properly looked into. The different clubs give £30 novel races, but the winners must be sold and the proceeds given to the . clubs. Sometimes winners have been sold for as little as £10, but they usually run from £15 to £25, and the stewards, to their discredit, often make the owners pay " through the nose" to get their horses back, or make others who want them pay the outside price by running them up. This is no idle statement, I but one that can be proved by the writer if I necessary. Now lam not against selling races, I but I thing some new rule i? necessary, 'and this is the principle reason. We will suppose that a horse wins one of these novel races and is sold for £20— a price as likely as not to be less than his value. The balance, £10, [ is actually all the public money won, but still he is debarred from running in a maiden plate, the conditions of which are that the race is open to all horses which have not won a stake of the value of £25. Now, if the horse realised £20 the club only gives £10 instead of the £30 supposed to be added money, the difference being made up by the owner, who is afforded an opportunity of selling his horse. In all selling races I think the owners should be permitted to put on their own selling value, starting at £100, and making list the top weight and 21b allowance for each £10 less in the value at which the horse is entered. In these days of bad handicapping, selling races giving away -bigger stakes would become more popular, as owners would thus have opportunities of handicaping their own horses^according to the value they set on them, instead of having to submit to the tender mercies of handicappers, who often place a horse worth £200 in the same handicap as others not worth a fifth or sixth of the amount. You cannofc, it is true, handicap horses according to value, but if we had some £75 to £100 selling races on the principle I have laid down, there would be some good racing. The programme for the Wellington Racing Club's Steeplechase meeting on July 9 is out. rNearly £400 will be given in stakes, of which the more prominent are the Steeplechase Handicap, of 150sovs; Hurdle Handicap, of 80sovs ; and Trial Steeplechase Handicap, of 60sovs.

By the entries for the Auckland Champagne Stakes of 1888, and the Leger of 1889, it will be seen that Dunedin owners are represented by the Hon. G..M'Lean's St, Malo and St. James and Mr H. Goodman's Apremont — Hammock colt.

At the Christchurch Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, Thomas Herbert BQby, aliqs J. W. Steppleton, was charged as follows: 1. That he did on or about March 2, 1887, unlawfully established a sweepstake by which prizes of money are gained by a certain mode of chance, to wit : the drawing of tickets relative to a horse race known as the Dunedin Jockey Club's Birthday Handicap. 2. That "on May 10th he disposed of certain tickets designated "The Eagle's Nest, Killarney,'.' by which authority was gained by one John Blaney, publican, Duqedin, to have an interest in the said sweepstake. 3. That on March 10th he sent to the said John Blaney a circular, inviting him to take shares in the said sweepstake. 4. That on May 10th he kept a common gaming house in Gloucester street, Christchurch. Mr Stringer appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty to each charge. Mr Ollivier sentenced the accused on charge No. l,to be fined £50, or to be imprisoned for six months ; on No, 2, to be fined £50, or six months' imprisonment ; on No. 3, to be fined £25, or one month's imprisonment ; and on No. 4, to be fined £2, or seven days' imprisonment. The fines to be cumulative, and the terms of imprisonment concurrent. Thus the prisoner is fined £127, with costs about £16, or in default of payment to be imprisoned for six months with hard labour. A fifth charge of conspiring with one H. J. Rogers to defraud one G. B. Smith, of Wellington, of the sum of £6, though on the charge sheet, was dropped, pending the result of proceedings in Wellington against Rogers,

i i The privileges for the . Greymouth meeting realised £78. '„.*/ . ' \ ; Disagreeable weather prevailed at the', Plump;tpn Park meeting* 'on . Friday^ f and asj.no. ; totalisator was allowed the.attendance'was very Ismail. r ,Fpur competitors wenb.- but .'for the : Hurdle Handicap, of 25sovs,,but\ the race 'was ' won easily 'by' Mr. J. Higgiris' Secretary, (list . 81b) from ' Mr T. , Sheenan's ' Aziin, (lOst - 81b), with . Mr, Bradley^s Defiance ,(9st' 101b) and Mr ;E» Dransfield's ~Mulguthrie\ (lOst '31b) beaten off. . The Selling Hurdle ' Race, , of . 20sovs,,' was, carried off by, Mr T. . Ho.we's, Master !Guy from Mr 'Higgins' "Johnnie and Mr, jW. ,Stari£s .Darkie., ". Seven' started , for jthe Park , Handicap, of 4Qsbvs, with Mr W. C. ! Webb's colt Ruby (7st 131b) a warm, favourite, ;but ,he had to succumb to Mr S. Lemon's 4 Leeistqn (6st), a son of Python' and Lady Oaledon ;', !Mr Sbeenari's Presto/. (6st 7lb) was a fair third, while the unplaced division consisted of Mr Stead's Securus (Bst) 'Mr 1 O'Connor's Mazurka j (7st),-Mr Bradley's Rose.and Gold (76t41b), and 'Mr Grigg's Mountain Deer (6st 121b). A Trot- ; ting Handicap, of ■ 25sov8,. was won with great ; ease byMr ,W;Kerr's Rdckwood (40sec) in 9min ;28seo, Mr T.Watson's Moses (65sec) was second, Mr- J. Homer's Black Bess isssec) third. ; Johnnie (7st) won the Novel Handicap, of 20sovs, beating Mr S. Higgott's Mistake- (Bst 21b), Mr S.. Alexander's Fib (6st), and four others. In the Flyingi Handicap, of 25sovs, Mr , Webb got a turn with Vaultress (6st), beating Rose and Gold (7st 61b), Presto (6st 51b), and three others. Seemingly outsiders were generally victorious during the day, and if there had been a totalisator on the ground some good dividends would have been paid.

, The annual meeting of members of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Thursday, and I make the following extracts from the report lof the treasurer (Mr Stead): — "From the "figures I submit it may be seen that the debit • balance has increased from £536 to £1546 during the past financial year, and' that this increase is represented by an expenditure of £1043 upon the permanent improvements. The falling off in the revenue, and some excesses in expenditure upon the working account, to which I shall refer later on, will fully explain how the deficit has arisen. The 'following are the principal items in revenue which show a shrinkage : — Subscriptions, from £672 to £609; race receipts, | £2990 to £2833; privileges, £726 to £684; totalisator, £5425 to £4807. Upon the other side, it will be seen that current expenditure on working accounts shows the following increase :— Salaries, from £375 to £400 ; racecourse maintenance, £291 to £423 ; advertising and Drinting, £141 to £211; general expenses, * £288 to £372; and stakes, £11,152 to £11,426. It may not be possible for the "incoming Committee to increase the receipts, but when it is noticed from the figures just quoted that the ordinary expenses have increased from £1423 to £1798, it appears as if there is some room for retrenchment in this direction. • It is satisfactory to notice from the profit and loss account of the year's meetings .that, although the losses on the New Year and Autumn meetings were £806 and £204 respectively, there was a profit of £1450 on the Spring meeting, so that the net result on the racing account was a profit of £439. Under the circumstances, it will probably be considered advisable if' the New Year's meeting be curtailed to one day, and if a saving in this direction and other economies suggested are effected, there need be no further important reduction in the programme, if we can rely on keeping up our revenue to even the reduced rate of the past year. Whilst the present movement in opposition to the totalisator continues, we cannot well venture to frame any estimate of our future reyenue, but doubtless within a few weeks something definite will be' settled with respect to the law relating thereto, and we shall then be able to draw up our, programme for the ensuing season." The report was adopted, and it was resolved that an future the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year be printed and circulated among members, it possible, one week previous to the annual meeting. On the motion of Mr J. Gresson, seconded. by Mr Stead, it was resolved — " That a circular be addressed to the country clubs requesting them to urge their representatives in the Lower House to support the bill introduced by the Hon. G. M'Lean." The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :— Committee — Messrs T. Ackland, F. W. Delamain, J. D. Frankish, S. Garforth, J. B. Gresson, F. J. Kimbell, R. M. , Morten, H, H. Prins, R. D. Thomas, A. C. Wilson, G. P. Williams, C. H. Williams, H. Wynn-Williams. Stewards— Messrs P. Cunningham, G. H. Clifford, J. D. Frankish, J. D. Lance, H. H. Prins, J. Studholme, A. C. Wilson, H. Wynn-Williams, Hons. E. Parker, W. Reeves, W. Robiuson, and L. Walker. Judge: Mr F.- Kimbell. Clerk of Scales: Mr S. Garforth.- Hon Treasurer : Mr G. G. Stead. Mr D. Caro said a number of visitors to the recent race meetings of the club had complained of the practice of removing the totalisator numbers from the machine immediately after the decision of the race, upon which the investments were made. He hm! previously mentioned the matter to the uva.iurer, and it would be more h>iti*fnctory, he thought, if the numbers were allowed to remain intact for at least five minutes after, the race. He did not wish to impute any impropriety on the part of the workers of the totalisator, but he was satisfied his suggestion, if adopted, would be aoceptable to the public. Mr St«-ad said he had previously had some conversation with Mr Caro on the subject, and he had issued instructions that the totalisator numbers should remain as suggested.

Concerning Mr Taylor's application for the use of a totalisator at last weok's' Plumpton Park races, " Sen ex" writes :— " Mr Taylor had his programme approved by tin Canterbury Jockey Club, and then, in the usual course, applied through the Resident Magistrate for the use of the totalisator, -with the result that it was refused. I am informed that the reason assigned for the refusal was, 'that it was not required,' which is a somewhat ironical way of putting it, inasmuch as without the assistance of the machine the money required for the payment of the stakes would not be forthcoming. Not forthcoming that is from revenue, but requiring a subsidy from the pockets of those who are responsible, for the* stakes. Mr Taylor's name does not appear on • the programme, and consequently owners will not look to him for the stakes, but will hold the stewards responsible for them. Fortunately the sum required to be made up is not a heavy one, the total stakes, less the 5 per cent., amount to, £147, of which £68 has been received in nomi-' nation and acceptance fees, leaving a deficit of £79, part of which would be recouped by admission fees to the ground and stand. It was, of course, open for the promoters of the meeting to compromise with the owners of horses and ask them to receive back their nomination and acceptance fees, in which case the loss accruing would amount to little beyond the advertising expenses ; but lam happy to hear that they have acoepted the position manfully, ■and* intend to carry* through the meeting at a

loss to themselves rather than entail disappointment'on owners andthe.public.! So farasJ'sm' aware thiSj is the t first time that an 'application for the, use ,of , the totalisator, has been refused, and it, will 'no doubt' appear hard to 'those interested •on the 'meeting ; but, '^whil^.' synipaf thising with them, in such an unexpected' bl6w : to their hopes, I most thoroughly concur.in the justice of tha refusal.' The Gaming and, Lot-' teries Act, although permitting' the use of the machine , to. racing clubs, and the'prombtera oi racing, never intended that a body 'of men or an individual should farm it for their 'own profit, but simply use it for the promotion' of racing ; and it is a' matter for congratulation that Mr Beetham, has accepted the responsibility of deciding who, are legitimate ,, promoters' 'of racing, and who are illegitimate promoters of their own interests.., The,- use of the' machine, once granted to J 'a club remains in force until revoked by the Colonial Secretary", But the act provides that he may revoke it at any time he thinks fit, and it appears to me than considerabM good would result if the Colonial Secreta/s .waß. waB now r evbke all existing licenses. Thre would render new applications necessary throughout New, Zealand, and then some' other illegitimate racing institutions would share the well-merited fate of PlumptonPark.'^ " ,' The programme, for the Marlborough Jubilee gathering in June shows that £145 will be.given in stakes, the leading prizes being the .Steeplechase Handicap (of 60s'ovs), Hurdle Handicap (of 30sovs), and Winter Oats Handicap, on the flat (of 25sovs). , ' At the mixed racing and athletic meeting of the Hutt Park Club on June. 20 .nearly, £200 will be distributed in 'prizes. The mpst valuable of those for the horse races will be the Jubilee Handicap, of 50sovs ; ' Hurdle Handicap, of 30sovs ; and Lower Hutt Handicap, of 25spvs. In the Legislative Council on' Thursday/the Hon. G. M'Lean moved the third reading of "The Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment Bill." The Hon. Mr Wilson said the bill was. put forth as a perfectly harmless one, but there was more in it than was made to appear. The Hon. Mr M'Lean bad informed them that the bill was merely to remedy a defect in the law by which a person after speculating money could, by giving notice to the parties, demand it back, and he saw no reason why people should not be able to get such returns. He moved that the bill bo read that day six months. The Hon. Mr Kenny seconded the motion. The third reading was carried 'on the voices and the bill passed. At a committee meeting of the Westland Racing Clubheldon Wednesday the 18thinst. Mr H. B. Bradley, of Christchurch, owner, and his horse* Rose and Gold, and Mr John Card, of Greymoutb, owner, and his horse Barney were disqualified for two years. The reason is not made public, but it is presumed to be through the non-starting of Rose and Gold for the Westland Hadicap at last Easter meeting. The attempt made by a silly Frenchman to suppress betting on the racecourse is causing no end of trouble and annoyance. The gate receipts 1 have fallen off to the extent of nearly £2000 1 a day ; and the receipts of one day's racing of • Auteuil are reported to have, been less than £40 ! A greater proof that racing cannot be carried on without betting could not. be adduced. If people are not allowed to make a wager on the races they will' stop at home. The Government, however, has shown. signs of giving way to a certain extent ; and as a way out of the difficulty it is probable that it will have recourse to the pari-mutuel system which the totalisator affords. It is thought that the lists have seen their day, and that the "infernal machines " will replace them, combined with a reserved inclosure set apart for a ring within the paddock for owners and speculators. ' Our contributor, " Nimrod," writes that ' the first meet of the Otago Hounds for a fort-, night, owing to the unsatisfactory state of the weather, was held on Saturday at Mr" Hungerford's farm, Wakari. This being a favourite meet, there was a large attendance of intending followers, besides, a number of spectators and patrons of the sport, giving that quiet locality quiet a holiday appearance. The company grouped round the pack in friendly chat, critioising each other's mounts, and speculating on their .prospect (considering' the stiff nature of the fences and the, slippery nature, of the ground) of negotiating with success the somewhat difficult country, thickly studded with obstacles, which lay like a panorama before them. I noticed Poole, the huntsman, on Wildboy, who has become exceedingly clever, as indeed he ought to be with such tuition ; and J. Lawso'n, the whip, on Wizard. The master was was on Turk, and he really looked as if carrying 13st to the hounds for eight seasons had renewed his youth. Mr Taggart, who may justly ; be termed the father of this hunt, rode Robin Hood; .Mr Hugh Gourley,.sen., Ashby; Mr P. Laing, Glenara ; Mr J. Heffernan, Kate . ; Mr M'Guire, Othello; Mr Palmer, Potens; Mr Christie, Mabel; Mr Heckler, Gamecock; Mr Cameron, Mahomet; Mr Jones, Bungarbee; Mr North, a chestnut ; Mr Gore, Kangaroo ; Mr S. Gourley, Sweep; Mr Black, Daydawn gelding. There "were also several members of the Tiraaru Hunt present, besides Mrs Myers on Cocky', Mrs Walcott on her bay, and Miss Diumm on Greyfriar. The first fence, a stiff post and rail, damped the hopes of many' a follower, while some had to seek an easier mode of exit. By the time a stone wall and a double were' reached the field had assumed the form of a procession, while further on the small enclosures still more reduced the number of followers. The hounds were in grand fettle, and the melodious music they discoursed put courage into many a craven heart, and by hook or by crook successive difficulties were surmounted, till the last; fence, a regular " boomer," was approached in the direction of the waterworks. This caused many of the few survivors to think discretion was the better part of valour.- A sufficient breathing time having been allowed to men and horses, not excepting the fair .followers, who held their own remarkably well, the hounds were again laid, on for another run over the same country towards town, a run conducive of some good jumping, and also a few falls, luckily without any bad effects to their severa 1 recipients. Disaster first overtook Mr Gore on Kangaroo, then the huntsman came to grief, while the Daydawn gelding, which had been jumping very cleverly with Mr Black, slipped into a fence, giving that gentleman a slight fall, but he was. soon again in pursuit. The finish took place- in a paddock ' near Mr Hungerford'B residence, the heaving flanks of the majority of the steeds showing the heavy nature of the ground had told somewhat severely upon them. Most of those whose names were enumerated followed through. It was stated by Mr Hart, the hon. secretaryVwho rode The Drummer, and was as usual indefatigable in his efforts to make the run a success, that 'the next meet would probably be at Mosgiel.