AUCKLAND ITEMS. (From Our Own Correspondet.) Auckland, December 2.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 26

AUCKLAND ITEMS. (From Our Own Correspondet.) Auckland, December 2.

Good luck attended the Takapuna Jookey Club on Saturday last, on the holding of their Spring meeting, and there must have been fully 2000 peraons present. Speculation was very brisk, and £3520 passed through the totalisator during the afternoon.

The programme opened with the Maiden Hurdle Race, of SOiovs, which drew out a field of six, of whom Hailstone (9.7) proved the beat, and he won in easy style from Cracksman (9.5).

The Devonport Handicap, of 40aovs, five furlongs, for two-year-olds, attracted six youngsters to tbe post, of whom Dishonour, a full brother to Freedom, who was weighted at 8.0, was made favourite, but be out up badly, and the winner turned up in Lady Belle (7.7), a daughter of Brigadier and Belle, who beat Tullooh (8 8) by a length. The result was a surprise, and a dividend of £10 was paid. Lady Belle is a very inbred animal, as both her sire and dam were got by Musket. The Handicap Maiden Plate, of 30sovs, one mile, wai won by Bingtail (7 0), who beat Ma Boughal (7.2) and three others. Dividend, £5 9b.

In the Handicap Hurdle Race, of 20sovs, one mile and three-quaiters, Hailstone (9.4), was pulled out a second time, and he justified the confidence of his party by winning easily, and a dividend of £12 7s was paid to bis admirers.

The St. Andrew's Handicap, of 75sovb, one mile and a-half, attracted fivestarters, but from what bas transpired it would seem that there were really only two live ones in tbe field. Antelope (9.4) was made a very warm favourite, but she never sot into a [prominent place until the race was nearly over, and Leorina (9.0), striding along in great style, won easily by five lengths, Antelope beating Cartridge by a head for second place. Dividend, £3 fls. The Selling Race, of 30aova, went to Octopus, who realised JEOO on being put up to auotion ; and as he was' entered to be sold for nothing, his owner must have lost over the affair, as he bought his horse The Steeplechase, of 80sovs, about three miles nnd a-half, was a very interesting race for tho greater part of the journey, but at the finish Orlando (12 12) strode away from his opponents, and won easily from Silvio (11.2). Dividend, £2 16s. In the Handicap of 45?ovs, six furlongs, that good little mare Oapella (8.4) once again demonstrated what a speedy customer she is by winning in capital style from Antelope (8.10) and five others. Dividend, £7 18s. There were several accidents during the afternoon. In the Maiden Hurdle Race Watkins was thrown from Irish Agitator, and was badly cut about the face. W. Crowe and S. Fergus, the respective riders of Hune and Fishmonger, were severely shaken by falls they received while contesting in the Steeplechase, but fortunately no bones were broken.

The liquidator of the New Zealand Stud Company has received a cablegram from America asking the lowest price that would be taken for the Sylvia Park stud. I understand that an answer has been sent that the stud must go to auotion in January next. A rumour reached me this afternoon that certain Sydnejites are still nibbling at the matter, and it is stated one of their number is prepared to find £10,000 for the venture. Intelligence was this week received from Sydney to the effect that Mr J. C. Booth's pony Lottery had died there. It appears thnt a dose of soz of liquid ammonia was administered to the pony instead of soz of powdered ammonia, soz of the former being equil to 3Ooz of the latter. The Takapuna Jockey Club are likely to find themselves involved in a law suit over a decision given at their meeting on Saturday. Klngtail, tlie winner of the Maiden Plate, was protested against on the ground that she ran at an unregistered meeting. The stewards adopted the rather unusual course of instructing the totalisator manager to pay outon<tiingtail, and held over the question of disqualification, pending further inquiry, From what I can le*m there seems ti be no doubt Ringtail ran at alleged at the unregistered meeting, and the owners of Ma Boughal, who finished second, aot only demand the stakes, but the money they invetted in tbe totalisator.

While being schooled over hurdles at Parawai yesterday, Prospector fell and broke one of his legs, and it was found ueoessary to destroy him. J. Rao and J. Koan are expected to return to Auckland by the next steamer. I understand tnat the latter's health has completely broken down. Cuirassier will moat likaly remain under the charge of the Caulfleld trainer Kelly.

CRICKET.

The following Senior Cup matches were played on Saturday :— Auckland v. Paruell.— This match was commenced last Saturday. Tho ground proved slow for run-*etting, the total of the innings (the A.0.0. again batting one short) only reaching 99; of this total the best display was given by Howlett, who made S;7, not out, in a very taking style. Hichards (21). T. Neill (18), and K. Neil! JW also batted well for their runs. For Parnell, Mills and Walker put on 31 runs before the former was bowled by Howlett. Forwell got 14 an-i Walker obtained 22 In very good form. Time was called, tbe scores standing fit 50 for five wickets. Gordon v. United.— This match took pace on SatuHay. I'he Gordon took advantage of the exctllent wicket prepared to bat, with the satisfactory result of putting up a record for Senior Cup matches —namely, 'two wickets for 193 runs. H. B. Lusks score of 98 (not out) was n brilliant performance. Moresby played ft dashing innings lor 42 ; Goulstone. a most promising bit, played ft good innings of 36 (uot out). No less than eight bowlers were tried.

AQUATICS.

The annual regatta of the Auckland Rowing Association, on Lake Tnknpun<i, on Saturday, Dacember 27, promises to be v groat success, as nil the club3have crews training for noarlr all tho events, and crews are expected tocoinufrorn Giaboruenndthe Thames. The programme comprises sx g'K ™ca and three whalebiMt races. Tha Judges' Bay R«gatt», which mcludea eventß of rowing, sailing, and twimming, is progres.

sins: splendidly, the entries on Saturday being exoellens, and all other arrangements caref ully attended to. In consequence of the secretary of the New 2ea- ! land Amateur Rowing Atsooiation having intimated that the Wsitemata crew are disqualified from com- , noting in the rowing championships, the Auckland Eegatta Club, feeling this would have a most detrimental effect upon the success of the venture, have decided to postpone any further action in.regard to the carrying out of Rowing Association events until the association has explained in what position the local clubs will be. A strong feeling prevailed against giving public money raised in Auckland for races in which local crews are debarred. The affiliated clubs have been aßkea to write to the association for an explanation.