AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1894, 22 May 1890, Page 27

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

(Fhom Oub Own Cohbespondent.) Auckland, May 20. The protest lodged by Mr W. Walters against Mr {J. Kean's horse St. Michael receiving the stakes in his South Auckland Autumn Handioap, on the ground that he did not carry a 51b penalty which he had incurred by a race he won at the Taranaki meeting, still remains undecided. Some contend that as Mr Walters did not lodge his protest until after the race meeting had closed, he is out of court ; but though the rules to some extent bear out just such an opinion, I doubt whether it was intended that a case such as the one undrr review should be thrown out on such {grounds. The stewards meet on Tuesday next to decide the matter. If the protest against St. Miohael is upheld and the stakes awarded to Mr Walters' horse Pinfire, another difficulty will present itself. The latter horse won the Claudlands Handicap at the game meeting, the conditions attached to whioh state that the winner of the Autumn Handicap shall carry a 71b penalty, which, of course, Pinfire did not do, and therefore his claim to the stakes in the last-named race is sure to be challenged. It is stated that the American expert, Mr Tom Merry, who has been in Australia for some time past purchasing mares on behalf of Mr L. J. Rose of California has secured Ricochet and Lady Alice, who are full sisters to Mitrailleuse, all baing got by Musket from Bricyna, It is believed to b« quite on the cards that at least three of the mares purchased by Mr Merry will be left in New Zealand to be mated respectively with Nordenfeldt, Castor, and Apremont. Inquirieß have, I learn, been made on this point aa to the charges likely to be made for the services of the sires in question, tho keep of the mares, &c, should a programme such as that stated above be carried out. So far the ailment from which Raglan is Buffering has baffled all the " vets." that have been consulted about his case, Ho doe 3 not appear able to raise a gallop, and has been bli3tered all round. An afternoon's racing took place at Lake Takapuna on Saturday last, but only about 200 persons were present. The Maiden Plate, of 20aovs, one mile, was won by Mr Walters' Ingorina (7.7), the three-year-old son of Ingomar and Hipporina, who beat Parnell (7.10) and three others. The Settlers' Race, of 1530V8, one mile and a-quarter, fell to Mr Thompson's Torment (8.0), beating Nigger (9, 5) and Revoke (6.0). The Pupuke Cup, of 40aoys, one mile and a-quarter, drew out a fiold of six, and fell to Mr J. Rae's Prudence (6.10), who beat Ingorina (6.10) by a length. The Maiden Hurdle Race, of 20sovs, one mile and a-balf, was won by Mr Dawson's Grace Darling (9.0), who beat the favourite, Hune (11.0), by a head. Grace Darling had hitherto been only known in connection with pony races, and her victory was thought little of, NEW ZEALAND STUD COMPANY. The resolution to voluntarily wind up the New Zealand Stud Company was passed at a special meeting of shareholders on Friday last. Mr James Russell, who presided, said he did not think he need trouble them with any detailed account of the financial position of the company. Suffice ifc to say that they had been carrying on for years past under a great disadvantage in consequence of the fact that they owed a large sum of money, principally to the bank, and the large sum they had had to pay as indercht had to a certain nxtent crippled their efforts. The company's property comprised a large

number of mares which were every day getting older. In the natural course of events they decreased in number, and every year saw the loss of two, three, or more. They had never been able to replace those mares, and therefore the position of the company was not becoming better. They had been requested to supply a certain sum of money for the replacing of mares, but; were not in a position to do so, and therefore tb>.nr principal creditor, the b-vnk, had asked them to go into liquidation. Personally, he could uot 6ay one word against the bank's action. He thought they had done what every prudent creditor would have done. Mr Russell said there was a prospect that the company would not leave Auckland. He did not think there was any intention to have a forced sale of the property. There was rather a desire on the part of the bank to put money into it and nurse ife, as it were, uutil a better price might be got for it in future. He could assure shareholders, however, that the most would be made of the property.