CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS

I B? T?bitz. I

Sir George Clifford, when speaking at an "At home" following upon the irsrriago of Mr E. Cutts'e daughter Alberta lo Mr Alf. Dickson, paid a very high compliment to Mr E. Cutts, who has trained Sir George Clifford's horses for rrany years. Ho taid that . in the veteran trainer he had bs&n served by a man absolutely beyond reproach, and one i of the most honourable and respected rase in the profession. Never, said Sir George, had he had the slightest occasion to complain, and their relations had ever bean of a most cordial and trustworthy character. No one, probably, has greater opportunities of judging than Sir George, and his remarks fell upon those who could cordially support his eulogy. It must ha-ve been extremely gratifying, if somewhat embarrassing, to Mr Cutts to hava such a graceful complimemt paid to him. Sir Geoi'ge also remarked that although many good things had passed the gates at Chokebore Lodge, Mr Dickson had undoubtedly taken out the best that ever left the well-known establishment. A few venturesome backers have had the hardihood to support New Zealand Cup candidates at prices which appear to me to be absolutely suicidal. Achilles at 100 to 3, Nightfall at from 100 to 4 and 5, Maniapoto at similar prices, Mahutonga at a point longer, Black Reynard at 33 to 1, Mystification at 40 to 1, St. Michael at 100 to- I£, and Quarryman and Vladimiir-ait 100 to 4 each. Convoy is jumping the hurdles very well, and this fellow should! ba particularly hard t» beat over the obsfcxC-les if he goes on the right way. This is exactly the type of horse likely to pick up a valuable stake. Narcissus is also "lepping" in good style, and no fault can be found, with the work being acconir phshed by Phaetonitis, Rongoa, and Bagpipes. The annual meeting of the Ashburton. County Racing Club was held on Tuesday afternoon, Mr T. E. Upton presiding. The balance sheet showed receipts £2345, expenditure £2239 14a 3d, credit balance £105 15s 2d, as against £235 0s lid last year. The balance of assets over liabilities is £389 7s 8d» The balance sheet vas unanimously adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr J. C. N. Grigg; vice-president, Mr A. E. Peache; commir.tee — Messrs T. E. Upton (chairman), H. D. Acland, J. Davison, W. B. Denshire, H. Friedlander, E. Gate 3, . J. C. N. Grigg:, J. Hampton, J. R. Hart, W. '■ Hodgkins, L. d-3 C. Malet, G. S. Mathdas, and F Russell; stewards— Messrs W. B. Denshire, H. Friedlander, E. Gates, W. Hodgkins, H. Hutton, L. de C. Malet, G. S. Mathias, A. F. Roberts, F. Russell, M. Stitt, J. Studholme, D. Thomas, and T. E. Upton; hon. treasurer, Mr J. Davison. The question of taking steps to ensure that bookmakers outside the enclosure paid their license fee was referred! to tho committee.