CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2274, 30 September 1897, Page 33

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

BvM. Quad.

Mr Stead has sent many a good animal to contest the Hawke's Bay Guineas, but Mason has never shipped a better one than Multiform. It should not be forgotten, however,' that several really first-class Yaldhurst colta have been beaten in this race when their prospects appeared to bo nite as bright as those of Multiform. It is

unnecessary to enlarge on the colt's'performances, they are to well known, and I shall be greatly surprised if he is defeated. The colt was sent north on Saturday nightin charge of Derrett, who will ride him in the Guineas.

Starr, the woll-known trotting trainer, has recently taken possession of stabling in the Papanui road, and it was with pleasure I accepted his invitation to come alone and have a look at the establishment. The fact that Rita occupied a box at Loucsboruugh was alone sutHeient inducement to pay Starr a visit, and I must say that the trotting champion looks remarkably well. She was put to General Tracy last year, but missed, and it. is probably just as well, as if the little mare comes back to h;r best form it is quite within the bounds of possibility that she may win much more than tbe value of two or three foals. Iv these days of short limits Rita, with her wonderful pace, cannot be safely ignored, and there is little doubt she will worry the best of our trotters. The year's respite from active training has apptrently done her an immense amount of good, as she has filled out a lot, and is, withal, hard and muscular. That every assistance will be given her by her trainer goes without Buying. Rita could scarcely be in better hands. A fine big, roomy animal is the Berlin mare Josephine. She, too, has had a long spell, and seems to have considerably benefited thereby. Starr intends taking her to Ohoka, but whether she is forward enough to do herself justice is problematical. J- sephine is probably one of the finest trotting mares in the colony, and with decent luck should well repay Starr the care and attention which he has evidently bestowed upon her. One of the finest fillies I have seen wai led out formy inspection, and shd^s worth looking over. By Rothschild out. of Locket (by Beilin out of a thoroughbred nmre) reads remarkably well, aud the filly does justice to her breeding so far as lo:.ks are concerned, but she has not been long enough in active work to enable her trainer to express an opinion as to her merits as a trotter. Th« filly has breeding, size, and conformation to recommend her, and it will be etrange if she cannot trot. She is a beautiful bay, with black points. Her head, neck, and shoulders are very similar to those possessed by Rothschild, and her legs could scarcely be improved upon. Although big for her age, the filly is not by any minus leggy, whilst at the same time she is not by any means top-heavy. She stands slightly higher behind than in front, but only sufficient to suggest the possibilities of propelling power, and if Starr can develop th«s there is little doubt the filly will amply repay him. A couple of Kentucky colts complete the list of animals at present locat-d here. The quarters selected by Starr provide beyond ample box and stall accommodation, living room?, harness and feed rooms ; an-1 altogether are about ns cosy and comfortable as could be desired. There is also good paddock room, and Starr intends laying out a s mall circular track for exercise purposes. The stables and paddock are well" sheltered, both being provided with a good supply of water. Imperious and Electioneer, owned by Messrs Mangin and Wilson, have already been visited by some firs».«class trotting mares, and the unions should produce toruetbiog which will perpetuate the names <»f these standard-bred sires. Mr Mace has f cut Watlass, a mare by JSiuerson out of Waikari, to Electioneer, and Waikari arid The Duche»s ti Imperious. Pansy B will also be put to one of the sires mentioned. In addition to thfne, Piinilose bas been served by Imperious, and Gipsy and another in Are are also booked to the same ho se. Electioneer has also been mati'd with Hattie S.

Jenny, by Berlin, in foal to Impt-rious.-^ias been purchased by Mr Marr. and it is intended to send the mare to the same sire again after foaling. Marquis of Zetland has been under suspicion for some ronsWeraßle time, consequently his withdrawal from the-Newr ZenlmndM 'up was not a surprise. His stable corupxnion Chaos has also been tc|atched for the same rare. Mr Hobbs did not cousider it Advisable to persevere with the firstnamed, 't his 'leaves but two lepresentatives remaining in the Cop from the Racecourse stables —Bloomer and Monte Carlo. The first-uamed is growing into a handsome filly, and if either of the two is to run it will probably be Bloomer. Bracelet is in splendid health and t,pirits. Big and handsome as fhc wus at the end of laxt racing season, the is much more attractive inappearance now, and will undoubtedly furnish into one of the finest mares in the colopy. Son-of-a-Gun is being fairly well patronised by breeders, a»d is con^rqu-ntly being given an opportunity to distinguish himself as a sire. Manawanui has been sold, and is now an inmate of Hobbs's st*bli-fi.

The hunter Roslyn changed handp attheTimaru meeting, Bfr Jowsey being the purchaser. AdtHngton has not been out of his stable for some time.

Cuttß'B youngatera from Tired, Melusina, and Retina are all shaping nicely. Inchcape anpeirs to be riijrhtly lame. Monte Carlo has been Mrly well backed at long prices t" win the New Zealand Cup. The stable got on a c-uple of thousand at 100 to 1. The tro'ting mar<j Mapgie has been sold by Mr V. Harris to a We&t Const sport. MfPfenger Maid, Jenny Tiacy, Jessie, Maid of Heathcote, Z-jnobia, and several others will visit Rothschild.

An agi«!jition is on foot to request the TrottiDg Association to reopen the Bed ot Stone case. * The Akaroa County Rucine Club had the Homewurd case under <?iscuß»-ion at^its annual meeting. The cisc, it will be remembered, after being di-cuaacd again and again by the club and the South Is-lanrl Trotting Assoeifttion, was finally sent to the club by the association together with r.ll the evidence. This ivas-re*d and debated by the Akaroa Club, and on the motion of Mr O'Bradlcy it was resolved -"That Mr G. Mafon be disqualified during th<* plesfenre of the rlub, in accordance with Rule No. 17." After an amendment — " That the evidence before the stewards in regard to Mr Seftou's connection with the borte Homeward i-i not sufficient for this club to take any further steps in the matter"— hud been lost by 4 to 6, and a further amendment to defer corfridcr+tion in order to- obtain a le^al opinion had also been loit by 8 to 2, it was carriei by 7 to 3—" That Mr Arthur Sefton be severely reprimanded by this club for the part he took in connection with the running of Homeward at the last Little River races." Well, this is a very tame ending to an unsavoury case, and I have to sac why Mason, Sefton, and O'ReiUy should be di- qualified or reprimanded whiUt others coivnected with the business escape scot free. I have no desire whatever to see wholesale disqualifications ioflicted, but I very much question whether the authorities have made the punishment lit the crime in thit case.

A {-pedal meeting of the association wa« held last eveniug, on the requisition of several delegates afcking that the Linda-Bed of Stone appeal be leopened. There were present — Mr D. M'Lean fvice-president) in the chair, Messrs V. Harris and L. Matson (C*nterbury), M'lntyreand Rollitt (Lancaster Park). Myers and Walker (Tahuna Park), Howell and Beverley (Plumpton Park), M'Namara (Titnaru), Marr (New Brighton), Fuchs (Invercirgill), and Garrard (Ahaura). A letter was re id from Mr Chadwick (Neleon) appologising for his absence. A communication was read from the Greymouth Trotting Club notifying the appointment of Mr J. F. Gricrson as its second delegate, also that Mr George King would act during the absence of Mr Selig. After the requisition had been read, The secretary read a letter from the president, Mr" Selijr, expressing the' opinion that the case might fairly be re opened if fresh evidence was tendered. He was not aware at the last meeting, when this case was considered, that all the delegates had not voted. Mr V. Harris moved — "That the appeal be reheard." His reasons were that all the delegates had not voted on the question and the club had' now further evidence. He held a telegram direct from the secretary of the Greymouth Club saying that no club had power to take horses' names out of the forfeit list; that it was a matter for the association. Again, they had heard from Mr J. j Cre t swell, secretary of the Hororata Club, that Cotton had done the same thing as he did in regard to Bed of Stone in respect to a horse owing money to the Hororata Club that he desired to run at Ashburton. Cotton started the horse at ! Ashburton although told he could not get the stake if hs tvpn. On these grounds he asked the association to re-open the case. fifr Marr. in seconding the motion, thought Mr Harris had stated ample reasons why the case • should be reheard, and wan decidedly of opinion

that Mr Stringer's opinion should have been read. Mr Myers would like to know why the association should reopen the case. The delegates present at the previous meeting had an opportunity of voting, but failed to do to, and those delegates who wore absent had all received notice to attend. This was a free country, and no man should be compelled to vote against his will. In hii opinion Mr Harris's arguments nieiely strengthened the previous ruling of the association. The very rule of trotting said "thoclub" means any properlyorganised trotting club, and payment to the C.T.C. waß just as good as to the Greymouth Club. There was no ground shown for the appeal being reheard. Mr Walker supported Mr Myers's view. He considered a lot of fuss had been made about some of the delegates not voting. At the last meeting he had not been able, as a new member, to grasp the rule 3 governing trottinp, but since then he had studied them, and was now prepared to vote. He had also found out that forfeit money had been received by stewards when horses were actually on the track. Mr V Harris had done this, and he knew of three men who were prepared to swear to that effect. Mr Murr bad also taken money the same way. The whole thing was simply a farce. The chairman should rule whether the case should be reopened.

Mr V. Harris denied Mr Walk«r's statement as to his receiving forfeit money. The Chairman thought every opportunity h*d been given the C.T.C., which club had failed in its duly in not furnishing th« association with proper particulars. He would rule that the case could not be re-opened. Mr V. Harris thought it would be fairer to put the motion to the meeting, and reminded the association that the O'Reilly-Homeward case had been re-opened, aud that the president of the association had written to the effect that the case should -be re-opened if new evidence was forthcoming. Mr Walker said Mr Selig had no right to dictate to the association.

Mr M'lNaniaraATkS opposed to the reopening of the case.

Mr Howell said he was unavoidably absent at the last meeting of the association. He thought the rules of trotting should be the guide of delegates. At the sac < c time he did not infer that either Mr Rattray or Mr Cotton had acted wiongly. Mr V. Harris reminded Mr Walker that at the la^t meeting he (Mr Walker) had expressed himself as a great stickler tor rules. The Chairman again stated that he could nob allow the case to be re-opened. Substquently some of the delegates became somewhat personal in their- remarks, the chairman objecting strongly to a statement made by Mr Harris. The nominations received for events to be decided at the Cup meeting are on the whole good. The following table'will show how the nominations compare with, those of the previous year* : —

It will be seen that although the average is slightly le«» than in any season shown in the table that quality is well represented, and are named from all parts of the colony. The Curragh .Steeplechase has filled badly, both in number and quality, aud it is scarcely worth the club's while to keep it on the programme; they should inseit a valuable hurdle race in its stead. The nominations' in connection with the Summer meeting compare as follows :— 1892. 1893. 1894 1895. 1896. 1897. Middle Park Plate 35 26 45 37 37 23 Again there is a falling-off in numbers', but those nominated are brimful of quality, and the race is sure to be interesting. For the new race — the Champion Stakes, w.f.a.,with penalties and allowances, one mile and a-quarter — 14 hava been nominated, and I feel sure the race will be one of the mo»t popular of the Summer meeting programme. My selections for the Geraldine meeting are as follows :— Hurdles, Dundee: Squatters' Handicap, Manilla ; Geraldine Trot, Rockwood ; -Geraldine Cup, Double Event ; Hack 1 1 andicap, ißogengang ; Stewards* Stakes, Padlock ; Flying Handicap, Crescent.

Fifteen thoroughbreds were shown at the annual horse parade on Saturday. The handicaps for the Ohoka and Eyreton meeting have been published. In the Hunters' Flat Race I like the chances of Prospect, Black Eagle, and Beggarman ; in the Handicap, Culverin, if as well as reported, should win ; and Manawauui may get home in the Welter. Crescent is fast I enough to win the Flying, and the District Welter may be won by Prospect or Black Eagle. Tlu.colt by Medallion out of Enid has been put into work. £ Mr M. Sherwin has vacated his stables at Epsom Lodge, Riccarton, and is at present living in town. * Mr Harley, the well-known amateur, has left for his home in Hawke's. Bay, after a most successful trip in this island. i I cannot compliment some of the delegates to the South I-land Trotting Association on their I conduct at the last meeting of that body to coni aider the Bed of Stone case. The chairman entirely failed to grasp the positio", and allowed I members to talk at him and to 'him and each 1 other as often as they liked. Mr V. Harris and Mr Walker were tha principal -offenders. The forme" in bis efforts to -obtain a reopening of the case exceeded -the rules of- debate, whilst Mr Walker funned the fUme by constantly jibing him that he had no case. Thore is some excime for Mr ({arris, but -he should not forget the reapfct due to- the_ chair -simply because that gentleman* ruling is agaiubt him. Mr Walker is gifted with a large voice, and he dearly likes to hear it. At the last meeting be said, as MiHarris reminded him, that he was a great stickler for rules, but did not vote. His fellow delegate, Mr Myers, spoke and voted in favour of Bed of I Stone, and bad Mr Walker exercised his vole it is fair to assume it would have been against Bed of Stone, and it is more than likely that he refrained fronj voting because it would negative that of Mr Myer*. vAtu At the last meeting Mr Walker stated that he had now read the rule), and was prepared to vote. Just so ; but if he was so anxious, why did he constantly remind the chairman it was for him to say whether the case should be re-heard, seeing that Mr M'Lean had then stated more than once that the case could not be reopened? I do not wish to be hard on Mr Walker, but it is a queer proceeding to speak to a motion s.nd then not vote. Every delegate should be prepared to vote if he is ready to speak, and when he declared that he is a great stickler for rules he should vote to carry them out. lam of opinion that Mr M'Lean made a mistake in declining to allow the delegates to say whether the case should be reopened. He took a grave reepoasibility upon himself when he declined to permit a vote to be taken after a motion had been proposed and seconded. As a matter of fact, had Mr Selig, the president, been in the chair, he might, judging by his letter, have allowed the delegates to decide the point. This being so, Mr M'Leau's action was very ill-advised, e-pecially • when it is remembered that it was he who proposed at the previous meeting that Bed of Stone should get th« stake. Again, Mr M'Lean might have remembered that as chairman he should have adopted an impartial attitude. Some of the delegates did not speak or take part in the acrimonious discussion that preceded and followed the chairman's luling. If member* insist on exchanging personalities at meetings of ' the association the sooner it is disbanded the better, as the association was not formed to enable i them to abuse each other. When I previously | commented on this case I thought the association I had done Ihe right thing in awarding the case to Bed of Stone. Unfortunately I had been unable to attend all the meetings in connection with ' the case, and it seemed a fair decision not to malce Cotton suffer for a mistake of the club. Since then I have obtained all the information I possibly can, and I must say that the club has been unjustly placed in an awkward position. On the rul«e Bed of Stone could cot start, aud because.

she was wrongfully allowed to compete and win is nothing whatever to do with the owner of tlie second horse, as the ouns of taking Bed of Stone's name from the forfeit list must rest on Cotton, not on a club or its secretary. The money vraa paid on behalf of C. Ilarold, not to allow Bod of Stone to start, but so that he might ride, and although the act of payment lel-ased Bed of Stone it did not secure the withdrawal of the maro's name fiotn the forfeit list in time to allow her to start. Had the money been taken by Mr Rattiay on behalf of Bod of Stono the case would have been different, but when Mr Rattrny accepted it Bed of Stoiie was not mentioned. The association would have dont the right thing if it had recominruded the club to pny the stake to both Bed of Stone and Linda, and after returning the investments on Bed of Stone paid out on Linda. This would have avoided much unpleasantness and ill-fe-*Hi)g, a great deal of the latter commodity hiving been fired off during the last few weeks. The club has not yet decided what course to follow, nil sorts of propositions being suggested to settle the matter. There is one matter in this case which shows the necessity of altering the rules. Harold incurred the debt wheu training Bed of Stone, and if he had liquidnt-d the debt at the scale ho could ride, but this did not release the horse in time to run ; consequently, if a horse changes hands, na Bed of Stone did. when money is owing, the debtor can force the new owner to pay the amount, and so release the debtor. This places an owner in an unfair po-ition,.and gives a.tiainer the chance of harassing tbefoimer for removing an animal from the latter's charge.

September 2S. Jxraei Touuk, the rider who was so sevecrly injured when Contractor fell with him at Amberley, died in the Christoburch Hospital yesterday.

At the horse sale yesterday, Mauser at,2ogs was the only one sold.

Marino, Quiltiri, trod Arquebus have left H. Franks's establishment and are now at Middlepark.

■Stewards' Handicap ... Juvenile Plate Metropolitan Handicap Jockey C!ub Handicap Curragh. Steeplechase . . . 38 35 37 50 7 167 oo 45 38 38 52 10 43 40 38 58 13 CO OO 47 44 46 32 35 35 52 53 !) 16 189 ISO 38 31 3d 50 10 183 190 16E -