CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS

Br Fmrrz.

I was very pleased to noie that arrangements have been made whereby Mr H. Brinkman's services will be retained as handicapper for the Tahuna Park Trotting Club, and can say that I am echoing the opinion of local trotting owners and trainers.. He is a careful, painstaking official, and though somewhat too sensitive to remarks made upon his work, he might remember that it is an owner's privilege to grumble, and that there is generally far more bark than bite in his criticism.

The horseman M'Guire, who met with a somewhat severe accident at the Plumpton Racecourse, left the Christchurch Hospital last week, having pulled through splendidly. It will be remembered that after Manjess had finished third in the. Welter Handicap at the Christchurch Racing Club's meeting the horse and his trainer, J. Lewis, and his rider were disqualified for 12 months, it being alleged that the horse was not ridden tA win. On TueEday last the matter was again reviewed by the stewards, and they decided to take no further action in the case. So far as I can gather, the stewards have seemingly acted somewhat harshly, and I am told by those who should know something that there is not a shadow of doubt that Manjess was sent out to win. On the other hand the stewards, I understand, unanimously declared that, in their opinion, he was not. I saw the race, and I feel that the horse might have been more judiciously handled, but the sentence inflicted appears to be too heavy. However, the stewards in their wisdom have so decided, and the penalty should serve as a warning to others.

At the same meeting of stewards on Tuesday evening the running of another horse was mentioned, but no action was taken.

These two cases, and after witnessing the running at the South Canterbury and Ashburton meetings, suggest how necessary it is to appoint stipendiary stewards. I suppose it is almost useless to expect stewards to give up their momentary power, and though I do not care to make invidious distinctions, it is about time owners insisted that a competent man o» men should watch the running of their horses. Otherwise they will suddenly find themselves carpeted by * number of incompetent stewards, and probably disqualified for a lengthy term. Time after time innocent men have suffered, whilst the guilty have escaped just punishment, and somehow the latter are usually of the poorer class. Slow Tom, who is engaged in the Wanganui Steeplechase, left here for the north last week. None of Sir Geo. Clifford's horses were taken north.

If Eurus, Bagpipes, and Taxpayer show decent form at Wanganui, they may be taken on to the Auckland meeting. Marion, I omitted to mention in my last, is dead. She raced in Mr Stead's colours, but subsequently passed into Mr P. Campbell's hands, and she died at the latter place, I learn. Narcissus, Bagpipes, Wet Blanket, Tupara, and Secret Society were all given jumping work during the week. Most of the horses named acquitted themselves well, though the last-named did not jump pleasingly. The annual meeting of the Ainberley Steeplechase Club was held last week. Present Messrs Courage (ch&irinan), Allan, J. B. Starky, H. Acton-Adams, A. Francis, W. Bowman, Alpe, Wells, Rhodes, G. N. M'Lean, Biker, M'Naught, Kempthorne and Brown and Dr Cook. The balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £114 4s 4d, was read and adopted. The annual race meeting was fixed for August 31. The revising of the programme caused considerable discussion. A motion that two trots should be added to the programme was carried. A further proposition, that the meeting should consist of three steeplechases, one hurdle race, two flat races, and two trots, was carried. It was decided to alter the post-and-rail jump on the west sid« of the course. The following committee was elected : — Dr Cook, Messrs Alpe, Wells, G. N. M'Lean, Lewton, Courage, J. B. Starky, G. B. Starky, Wagner, and H. Acton-Adams. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr F. Lewton for past services as clerk of the course.

Acceptances for -events to be decided ai the Plumpton Park autumn meeting will not be visible until too late to allow me to suggest possible winners. However, owners are almost sure to heartily respond. I like the prospects of Leura and Teresa in the Trial Handicap, Royal Money and Carl in the Hornbs r Handicap, Orlando and Viotta in the Bracelet, Vtrax and Plain G. in the champion Handicap, Nabocklish and General Grigg in the Empire Handicap, Roseneath and Lord Althorpe in the Innovation Handicap, Amusement and Veracity in the Electric Handicap, and General Lyons and Valentia in the Dash Handicap. SOriATi AT WIN«ATUr. A very pleasant gathering took place at Wingatui on Monday evening. May 8, when the friends of Mt M'Donald, to the number of 30, met at his house for the purpose of giving a welcome to Mr and Mrs McDonald on the occasion of their re-burn from Christchurcn, where they were married on April Q6. During the evening songs were rendered by Mrs and Miss Crawford, and Mr MacLauchlan. Some splendid gramophone selections were given by Mr Andrew, who also presented the couple with a beautiful pair of easy chairs

on behalf of the residents of Wingatui. M* M'Donald, who is trainer to ihc Hon. G-. M'Lean suitably responded. Refreshments wero plentifully supplied by the ladies, and dancing was indulged in till the early hours of the morning, when a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."