WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 37

WELLINGTON NOTES.

By Owroriff»i>

Harry Fletcher, who trained for F. Martin for a long time at the Hutt, will shortly return there and have Weary and Falka to start

Mi H. M. Lyon haa for many years assisted at the Otaki Maori Racing Club's meetings, nnd on the Queen's Birthday he decided tc go to Wanganui for a change. When he v.t.s returning by train a number of the Otaki Maoris assembled on the railway platform, and one of their number presented Mr Lyon with a Laiidsorne Maori mat and mantle drapp. The Wellington Racing Club has decided to effect considerable improvements at thp Hutt, to cost about £1700, and on Saturday last the course committee, secretary, and the club' 3 architect (W. C. Chatfield) visited the course to make final arrangements. The grandstand is to be lengthened at the eastern end by about 40ft, and this wiil provide seating accommodation for an additional 300 people in the lower portion of the building, and for a similar number on the top. The back of the piesent building is also to be extended so as to provide for a publican's booth, a stewards' luncheon room, and a kitchen, scullery, and pantry. The jockeys' room is to bo removed to the northern side of the saddling paddock, and there be fitted up as a telegraph office. The men's cloakroom, lavatory, and latrines are to be removed to the back of the grandstand. A lodies' cloakroom is to be provided, and adjoining it will be a tea pavilion with kitchen and -pantry attached. Another important alteration will be the raising of the stewards' stand, and the new and enlarged building will provide a weighing room, secretary's office and jockeys' room ou the ground floor, while upstairs there will be a stewards' room and a room for the press representatives. There will be a covered-in balcony and verandah in front of the building, and the upper portion of it will be used as a stand for the jockeys and trainers. Portion of the improvements are to be ready for the Winter meeting in July, while the plans and specifications for the remainder of the improvements are to be prepared at once.

It ia just like Alf. Shearsby's luck that Shylotk should win an important event so soon after he parted with him. Shylock's sirs, Wapiti, is well known, tut this is the first occasion that his female parentage has become prominent. Portia (dam of the G. N. Hurdles winner) ia a daughter of Grinder (Traitor — Misfortune), and Mosquito, by Day Dawn — Gertrude, by Potentate. \Grinder was bred by Mr Henry Redwood. Portia has a sister named

I Juliet, and a half brother named Romeo, bn|* ' neither gained any prominence on the turf. It was rumoured here that the going would not suit Marina in the Hurdles at Auckland, She was, however, well supported on the day. Mr Prosser has tired of training First Result and Ponaturi, and they have been put ouf of training.