CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Bx Fsitz.

"When the Bellman disqualification case came before the New Zealand Trotting Association on "Wednesday it did not take the members long to arrive at their verdict. Owing to the peculiar nature of the stewards' inquiry, the matter had been hung up from the previous meeting, to allow the club to be repiesented and to reply to statements made regarding a steward whom L. Robertson stated had told him that if Bellman did put up six or eight seconds better time in the Limit Handicap to that exposed in the Y/inter Handicap the norse would be disqualified. This statement was absolutely denied by the steward referred to, and was corroborated by members of the association who hea-rd the conversation. Members generally agreed, as, indeed, did the club, that it would have been better to have disqualified L. Robertson. and^Bellman after they had concluded that the horse had been pulled in the "Winter Handicap. However, looking at the case from every standpoint, it looking at the case from every standpoint, I fail to see what else the club could have done. The association, in supporting the club, has apparently done the right thing. B. Edwards, the well-known trotting trainer, returned from a trip -to Auckland last week, bringing with him three trotters — viz., Bob E.T., Billy Wilson, and Victory. Billy Wilson is a big pony, by Vancleve, arid has been leased by Edwards, but the other pair were purchased right out. Victory is a Vancleve gelding. Alrnont took up his new quarters at Avonhead on Thursday, as also did Weaiy and King Harold went to the same stable on Saturday.

W. C. Herd, well known in trotting circles in Auckland, is at present on a visit to this city. The Tahuna Park Trotting Club will again have to discuss the two appeal cases sent forward. b3' them to the association. New evidence and'staternents were given and put in. It is a pity thr,b in all these cases both sides are not represented befora the association. A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton County Racing Club was held on Saturday evening, when it was decided that the> next autumn meeting should be held during the second or third week in May, tho summer meeting being held as usual on the Tmwald course on January 1 and 2. It was suggested that the best time for the first meeting in the season would be in November, about a week after the C.J.C. Cup fixture. The A&hburton County Racing Ciub have to keep up two courses. The chairmen thought, it would be in the best interest of racing m the district if the club held each of its meetings on the one course. The grand stand, uaddock, and other accommodation could then bo improved. A letter was read from a gentleman connected with the North Otago Racing Ciub asking for information regarding the working of the totalisator. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association has tabled a motion to be laid before the Agricultural Conference in Wellington to the effect that some means be adopted, by taxing or otherwise, for reducing the number of stallions of inferior quality plying for public patronage. If the conference succeeds in persuading the Government to introduce legislation with the object of barring the use of weedy brutes as . stallions, a large amount of beneht will be effected in our horseflesh of all grades. .

At the last meeting of the Trotting Association a request was made by a southern writer for the return of the £5 appeal money deposited in connection with the Hsro-Haroldson case at Gere. The secretary showed that a cheque had been sent to W. Grant and had been drawn.

I am lather sorry to see that it is intended to introduce trots into the Sotith Canterbury programme. 1 know that these events usually bring in a fair amount of revenue, but scarcely one trot in twenty provides a decent finish. Generally one horse is out by hims3lf.

Margot, by Stepniak — Marion, is now in Hobbs's stable. This filly lias a rather x\nsightly joint. R. J. Mason has paid a few visits to Riccarton since I last wrote. Of the rising two-year-olds, Diplomat — out of Bracelet's dam Adulation — continues to please all who see him ; but little fault can be found with San Patrick or the Hotehkiss— Frailty colt. The Cup filly La Notte looks very well. The tiottmg mare Flowerwood is now in M. Edward s's stable.

Miss Poole, owned by Mr Fricdiander, of Ash-bin-ton, is being worked by 3. Edwards. Slrathnairn could scarcely be looking better. He may run well in the flat events at the Grand National meeting.

The Saracen — Psyche filly is being regularly ridden by T. Stewart. She is owned by T. Siieenan.

Dunda-s and Benzoin have again been commissioned. They both look well, especially the former, though, of course they are somewhat in the rough.

G. Matthews appears to hs,ve a smart filly sired by Musketry ii-osxi Dione. Nearly all ihfi Musketry stock are good-looking.

There has not been muck betting during the week in connection vith the Cup. By this time next week the handicap should be before ua.

Local punters fairly held their own with the layeis over the. Hawke's Bay meeting, Roller being heavily supported in each of his races. The following gentlemen have been nominated for seats on the boaid of the New Zealand .Trotting Association: — Messrs Cr. Bisiett, E. Clarkson, J. F. Grierson, W. G. Garrard, C. S. -ixowell, W. Hayward, G. King, T. Marr, A. L. Myers, D. M'Lean, F. Mulholland, G. H. M-HalHe, and P. Selig. Messrs T. H. Davey, H. V. Styche, and J. Chadwick, who were also nominated, declined to stand, and requested that their names should be withdrawn. Voting papers are returnable to the secretary of the New Zealand Trotting Association on or before July 5.