WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 31

WELLINGTON NOTES.

By Onlookbb.

Wellington, June 30.

From Sydney on Thursday the s.s. Talune brought over to Mr C. Patterson, of Wellington, a yearling colt by Stockdale out of Dowager. Mr Patterson bought the colt during a recent visit to Australia. He was bred on the Campden Park estate, and our sports who paid him a visit like his looks. As he is to be trained in Christchurch for two-year-old engagements, the son of Stockdale has been sent on south. 'Tis to be hoped Mr Patterson's enterprise meets with reward.

On Monday next the United Hunt Club stewards are to take up the inquiry into the Timothy case, when the owner, jockey, and trainer have been ordered to appear for examination.

Our local stipendiary magistrate has had before him thia week a sporting case in which Fred Murfitt, of Sandon, a horse trainer, sued a Wellington pen-driver named D. W. Duggan for a balance (£5 lls 6d) due for training and feeding Charlie, a trotter. Charlie was prepared by Murfitt for the Palmerston North Trotting meeting held in March last. The plaintiff's claim covered and included £1 .4s 6d put down as half divi, on a horse Oily, which the trainer and the clerk had jointly backed, the latter holding the ticket. The defendant admitted the claim for the dividend, although he alleged that he had lost the ticket and never drawn the money, and he paid the amount into court), less certain deductions amounting to 14a 6d. As to the rest of the claim,

he stated that he had settled with the plaintiff on the racecourse at Palmerston on the day of the races. Plaintiff gave evidence in his own behalf, and evidence for the defence was given by the defendant, M. T. Everton, grocer, Wellington ; Alexander Lohnet, trainer ; and Richard Hankins, trainer. Lohnet swore that he saw defendant hand some money to plaintiff on the racecourse. On the first hearing the S.M. reserved judgment ; and finally his decision w.»s thus announced : Judgn ent for plaintiff for 10s, with costs. This was the amount paid into court by Duggan. Sir Patrick Buckley is introducing a Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendmentßill to prevent[such matters as the recent O'Brien- Stead case coming into court. It provides that no prize in any horse race, fight, game, sport, or exercise shall bo recoverable at law.

As notified would be the case, the stewards of the United Hunt Club yesterday opened an inquiry into the reason why the jockey who rode Timothy in the Open Steeplechase at their race meeting was not able to draw the correct weight when he returned to the scales. Sir H. D. Crawford occupied the chair, and there was a full attendance, including a shorthand reporter. The owner of Timothy and J. Lunn, who was in the employ of Mr J. M'Kenzie, gave evidence, after which the inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow to hear the evidence of Mr (J. M'Kenzie, and the rider Gravestock, who, itwasunderstood.hadbeen unable to get back from Hawkes's Bay in time to attend the meeting. Yesterday several horsea were backed for the N.Z. Cup in town, the principal wagers being laid against Au Revoir at 100 to 6, Pinrose at 100 to 5, and Magazine at 100 to 4. Au Revoir is regarded as the best treated animal in the race.