AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Bt Tjjsoa.

June 17.

The committee of the Auckland Racing Club has g.^en notice of motion to be submitted at the forthcoming meeting- of the Racing Conference which, if adopted, -Rill do away with the similarity of colours used by owners. As this Fimilarity of colours has caused^ gTeat confusion in the past, the motion should find favour with, the lelegates attending the conference

In view of the «p!end'd success that attended the winter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, both from the racing and finarcial standpoint, it 29 anticipated thai the committee of the metropolitan body will move in the direction of increasing the prize money next season. It will not be surprising when this work comes to be undertaken to find the stake for the Great Northern Stee-plecha«-e increased to £1000

Tbe death of Mr William M'Lsughlin the other day removes £rom our midst one of the straightest and moat papular figures in Auckland sporting circlef, and a man of sterling worth as a citizen. Deceased had been a member of the committee ci the Auckland, Racing Club from its inception, and took a lively interest 111 the welfare of the metropolitan body He was also one of the originators of the Pakurauga Hunt Club, ■and for many yeaxs master of the hounde, v»hiJi lie followed regularly until cjuite i«-

I cently. Few indeed rode straighter to hounds than the late Mr Wm. Miiaughlan. His remains were laid to rest on Friday last in the Church of England oemetery at Otahubu, there being a thoroughly representative following of those anxious to pay the last tribute to the memory of deceased. An Australian in search of ponies for meetings on the other side arrived in Auckland s few days ago, but has not been able to do business, the prices asked by local owners of lmputiftiis being beyond tht figures the visitor was prepared to pay. The clever little cross-country horse Hautapu appears to have quite lost his form. Defender, who passed into the hands of Mr T. A. Williams recently at 55gs, strayed on to the railway line at Eliers'ie on Wednesday night, and was killed. The son of Cuirassier had not sported silk under his new owner's nomination. Although the Salvadan mare Aqua Regia failed ba<Jly m her efforts at the Great Northern meeting, her connections are apparently of the opinion that her form at Ellershe was all wrong, as thw have accepted for her iv the Hawke's Bay Hurdle Race. The stallion Swordfish was shipped to his new home in Sydney last week, and the son of Hotchkiss and Fish Girl looked in blooming health as he was put aboard the Waikare at Queen street wharf. I understand that Sword Fish who boasts a strong strain of Muskst — Fisherman blood, is to be used largely -with mares of the St. Simon and Grafton blend on the other side, and it will not be surprising to find the Auckland-bred hoise putting up a creditable record in Australia. The stallion Marshal Soult is to be used for stud purposes in the Gisborne district, the eon of Sou't having been purchased by Mr Hepburn, of Patuahi. The price paid is said to be £300 The Launceston — Foxglove mare Luminous was shipped back to the Islands by the Mana-pouri last Wednesday. She hai been raring for a season in and about Auckland, but performed veTy disappointingly.