CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 47

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Feitz.

There has been little transpiring here during the past week of much interest to the sporting world. The "washing-up" proce?3 has formed the principal feature, and I fear many have had a poor dividend "The Sieg3 Gun demonstration" has almost Jicd out, and those who spoke somewhat bitterly of Mi Stead's action in sciatching Siege Gun are generally fain to confess that he at least acted the part if a genuine sportsman. Electioneering matters have taken up much of tbe time during the past week and frequent discussions have arisen as to the probable fate of the totalisator. Opinions are pretty evenly divided on the matter, and the "card" is being pricked in the endeavom to discover for whom the peopie will vote — for or against — so far as the candidates are concerned. By the time these notes are in print these troublea will ba Bet at rest. Personally Ido not fancy, in view of the heavily-signed requisition for its retention that will be placed before the House next session, that the machine v.-ill be abolished. The success of Cruciform in the Wellington Hapdicap was naturally anticipated here, and I know that tbe pencillers suffered considerably. In fact in almost every race decided on the first day the layers had much the worst of the deal.

I hear that a well-known gentleman in Christchurch has made up his mind to enter the list of horse-owners in Canterbury, but his attentions will principally be confined to trotting. Already he has purchased three horses, and engaged a trainer, but I am not at present at liberty to state the name of the newcomer.

The prices realised for ths trotting stock at the sale of the late Mr H Mace's horses exceeded the most sanguine expectations, especially in the case of Almont (640gs) and his untried full brother (400gs). It is a pity, perhsps, that these horses and their dam are to be taken to Australia, but their export mf>an6 a fine advertisement foi this colony. Almont, it is certain, has not yet shown his true foim in public, and it will take a real good one to defeat him if he would only keep down.

I hear that a further offer has been made for Eibbonwood, but SOOgs is the price asked, and nothing lets will appaicnlly be accepted. If this horse, Almont, and Futz could bs brought together one of the finest "roces ever witnessed in this co'.ony would oveiftuate. I hear that the new owner of Almont may throw the gauntlet down to the owner of Fritz. The latter has held his title of champion for many years, and he is not growing younger. Both Almont and Ribbonwood can certainly pace .quite as fast, if not faster, than 2mu? 13sec for a mile, which constitutes Fiitz's record. At the Magistrate's Court on Friday, before Mr W. J. Lawrence J P.. and Mr T J. Beresford, J.P., Richard Pest was charged with having, on October 15, dealt with a forged document as though it were? genuine, by presenting II tc the oftVers of the Xew Zealand Trotting Association, md applying thcie.n to register a horse called "Major 'Robin," but fals.ely described as "Fancy Fre<\" He was further charged with forging a recpipt handed by him to tho informant, "Wilhaci Rolhtt, on the same date, for j£lG The accused was defended by Mr Casaidv On the application of the police, a remand was gianted until Friday next.