CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2996, 16 August 1911, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Feitz.

Grand National week passed off under the most favourable conditions. The weather was not promising to start with, and a few showers of rain fell on Tuesday, but after that the sky cleared,- and we were treated to a succession of bright sunny days. One might have been excused at times, in fact, for thinking that it was a spring meeting rather than a winter one. The attendance was very large, a special feature in this respect being the fact that more visitors than usu.al stayed over until the close of the week. In many respects it can be claimed that this was the most successful Grand National week on record. .

In at least one respect all previous records were badly beaten. The best totaHsator record for a day’s racing, prior to last week, was that handled at Eliersli© last Boxinig Day, but this was beaten on Tuesday’. Thursday saw a higher mark set, while on Saturday all previous figures were put badly in the shade, £32,425 being passed through the machine, making a total for th© meeting of £92,679, or about £22,000 more than was invested at Ellerslie at the June meeting, which was the best previous record for a three days’ fixture. Last week's total was £2OOO in excess of the amount handled at Riocarton last November in connection with the four days of the Ou-p meeting. Adding the £54,058 invested at the Trotting Club’s fixture, wo have a total of £146,737" passed through the totalisators for six days’ racing last week. This is easily a record for the Dominion. Such an enormous sum is bound to bo seized on by opponents of the totalise tolas furnishing an argument regarding the increase in gambling. The increase is. however, more apparent than real. It must b© remembered that last year the bookmakers were licensed, and if the figures could he got at it would probably he found that there was no more money speculated, last week than was the case a year ago. Fo far as the clubs are concerned, taking into account the increased .taxation, it is pretty safe to say that they received as much revenue a year ago from the totalisator and bookmakers’ fees as was forthcoming last week from the totalis.ator. Taken all round, the racing was particularly good. I doubt if we have ever had two better cross-country races than the Grand National and Beaufort Steeplechases, but it must be admitted that the Lincoln Steeplechase rather spoilt the record. The hurdlers provided excellent sport, even though the finishes wore* not always close, while the flat races were also exceptionally well contested. It is not always easy to institute comparisons as to quality of competing horses, but I should say that, on the whole, those we saw last week would compare very favourably with the horses which have competed at any Grafad National meeting for years past. Among the steeplechasers Paritutu is entitled to first mention by reason of his success in the Grand National. The victory gained by the old Castor gelding was highly popular; in fact, I have rarely seen sm/i an outburst of enthusiasm at Riocarton. This was doubtless due, to no small extent, to a recollection of the exceptionally bad luck which Paritutu has had in big events on this course inthe-past, his record including second in a New Zealand Cup and three Grand National Hurdle Handicaps. After such consistently bad luck it was highly fitting that he should at last be rewarded by success in such an event as the Grand National _ Steeplechase. He had not had much experience over country but he registered a highly attractive performance. His jumping throughout the race was excellent, and his pace on the flat and his ability as a stayer served him well at th© finish. Taken all in all it was a. good performance. Castor, the sire of Paritutu, had earned' previous distinction in the jumping line through Record Reign, while on the ram’s sire Paritutu is closely related to another champion, The GuardCaptain Jingle, who won the Beaufort Steeplechase, also ran a good race on the first day, when he finished second to Wirral in the Enfield Steeplechase, and he was also going well on the third day in the Lincoln Steeplechase, when he came to grief about six furlongs from home. Ho is a very fast jumper, and has a good turn of pace. Captain Jingle is bv Captain Webb, by the Traducer —Water witch horse Natator from Fame, his dam. Jingle, being by Fusilade— I Chat-lain*- With, more experience I exiw'i, him to in.prove a lot. and by ••.rod. Grand National meeting he should be pretty good, Sii Lethe is probably entitled to rank as th© most brilliant cross-country horse seen

at the meeting. In the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases he jumped exceptionally well, his easy style at his obstacles exciting general admiration. On the third day ho quite smashed his field up, and the manner in which he ran out the three miles suggested that he should have put up a better struggle at the close of two miles and a-half on the second day. Sir Lethe provides a good illustration of the fact that form on other courses is not an infallible guide to prospects at Riccarton,, where the larger fences steady many horses and give the jumper of the type of Sir Lethe a distinct advantage. Wirral was only seen out once, and the manner in which he polished off his field in the Enfield Handicap, taken in conjunction with the form shown later in the week by Captain Jingle, showed that Wirral is a steeplechaser of more than ordinary promise. I was surprised to find he was not engaged in. the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases, but probably his ability was not suspected until after the nominations for those races had closed. He is a bold fencer, and when we look back and remember the display given by Audax a couple of years ago, the conclusion is forced on one that Birkenhead is likely, given the opportunity, to make a big name as a sire of Steeplechasers. It can certainly be said for his 'stock that they look the part. Corazon and Antarctic registered fine performances in the Grand National Steeplechase, and I regard them as two of the finest horses I have seen over the Riccarton country. If asked to make a choice between the pair, I think I would take Antarctic. It was a great effort on his part to go out as he did in the Grand National and force the pace with his big load. He appeared to give a first-class display of fencing, but his hind legs bore traces of the struggle afterwards, and it was probably the fact that he had not got over the effects of the race that caused him to put up a disappointing performance on Thursday. As for -Corazon, it seems certain now that he threw away the Grand National when he incurred a 71b penalty on the second day of.the Wellington meeting. He is a rare stamp of a cross-country horse, and he should be good for a lot more racing yet. I would like to see Antarctic and Corazon meet again, at even weights, in next year’s Grand National.

Of the- other steeplechasers Red M'Gregor ran rather better than he -did last yea r, and I can imagine conditions under which he might be a good horse. Lovell was .scarcely so brilliant as he was a year ago. Emus looked well, but showed no dash, and is evidently a thing of the past. Le Beau jara a fair race in the Grand National, and was going very well when he came down on Saturday. Dorando was shaping in good style in the Grand National when he fell, and he ran two decent races inter in the week. I was a trifle disappointed with him, but he may yet prove a high! class crocs-country horse. Honest Tom broke down in the Grand National, and True Blue was not seen again after that race. Hoanga’s only performance was a good one 'up to the last fence, when he fell, and he is evidently a useful sort. iNone of (he others specially took my fancy. -.Among ‘ the hurdlers Continuance was easily the champion. I am disposed, in fact," after his ridiculously easy win in the Grand National Hurdle Handicap, to class him as one of the best hurdlers I have ever seen. It was certainly a fine performance to win as he did. On the last day, lout for a stirrup breaking at the last hurdle, he would have been very close to Windage, i and in finishing fourth he put up a sterling effort. He stays well, and is altogether a great horse over hurdles. His win added to the fine record of Gisborne horses at the Grand National meeting. In recent years they have won the Winter Cup once (Mahutonga), Grand National Steeplechase once (To Aral), and Grand National Hurdle Handicap three times (Medallius, Paisano, and Continuance). Continuance was ridden by W. Young, who also steered Te Arai and Paisano in the winning double a year ago. Whndage ran a fine race in the Grand National till he fell six furlongs from home, and that he would otherwise have bceri on the scene at the -finish ho showed by the style in which he won the Sydenham Hurdle Handicap on the third day. He is a good sort over hurdles. Paisano was only out once, and ran well in the Grand National. Compass shaped well in each of his hurdle engagements, but is on the down grade. The Rover put up a good performance in the Grand National, but broke a blood vessel on the last day. Espartero showed that he is a good sort, and I expect to see him do better later in the season. St. Aidan ran his best race in the Grand National, and I will be surprised if we do not see something pretty good from him later on. Passive, Gaelic, and Cardiff proved the best of the hack hurdlers, which were, on the whole, a better class than usual.

Undecided must take first -place among the performers on the flat. The Grand National meeting usually introduces to notice at least one good recruit from the hack ranks, and Undecided can fairly bo classed with Penates, North-East, and Nyland, the heroes of the three previous years. He can gallop fast and run out a good mile, and on last week’s form he is in the front rank of our sprinters. Ho suffered at one time in the wind, but has now been cured, and I quite expect to see him adding materially to his winning record this season. Nyland ran well each time he started, and ho should not be long before he wins a good race. Boanerges won his first race at Riccarton on Thursday, but I was rather disappointed with him, judging him on the highest standard. He should, however, do well during the coming spring. Effort ran one bad race and one good one, the latter showing him up in a very attractive light. Bonny Glen shaped well in the Winter Cup, and despite his failure on the third day I expect to see him a winner before long. Iney showed consistent form, and is evidently very useful. Odessa ran a fine race in the Winter Cup, but failed to reproduce the form later. Negative did not quite shape up to expectations in any of his engagements. Czar Kolohol came out with a good performance over six furlong's on the last day. Ho is in good fettle, and should win again soon. Among the hacks Gold Circle was the best, but Eaglestone showed improving form, and Ahuapai also performed decently over six furlongs. The hack class, however, was only moderate.

Some fine hunters were seen out during the meeting. The best of them was Hawick, who won over hurdles and on the flat, and who is quite above the average in his class. If he could jump country well

he rvould be a great hunter. Flamingo ran two good races over fences, and is very useful. I took a great liking to Silver Blaze, who is young and who should improve on last week’s form, which was quite useful. He is a rare jumper, but does not seem to stay well at present. Hill Lass gave a fine exhibition of jumping on the first day. Glenmore also created a favourable impression, and ho should do oven better before long. There wore, of course, a few falls at the meeting, but serious accidents were not numerous. The jockeys Cochrane and Bartholomew had to be taken to the hospital, but they are now doing all right, and the only other injuries were of a minor character. 1

The New Zealand .Metropolitan Club’s August mooting was continued on Wednesday and Friday, and provided some particularly good sport; of a higher class, in fact, than has been seen on the Addington course for a long time. The fields were large, the finishes were close, and some exceptionally fast times were registered. Rarely have races been so hard to win,' and many horses which had to be content with place honours were rather spoilt for future racing by the fast marks now recorded against them. Speculation was unusually brisk, the totalisator investments for the three days being £54,058, compared with £33,144 last The financial result should therefore be very satisfactory to the club.

Racing opened on the second day with the Trial Handicap, for which there were 17 starters. Wallace Wood finished up a warm favourite, Coldstream Bells being the only other backed. Wallace Wood, First Vue, and Coldstream Bells quickly singled themselves out from the rest of the field. With half the journey gone Wallace Wood and Coldstream Bells commenced to draw away from First Vue, and a good finish saw Wallace Wood win with a bit to spare by a length. First Vue was a poor third, pulling up, a length in front of Welcome Jack. . The first and second are two of the smartest three-year-old colts wo have seen out for some time. Wallace Wood is by the American stallion Wallace L., his dam, Cissie Wood, being by Wildwood—Auntie. Coldstream Bells is by Abbey Bells from the champion mare Sal Tasker. He is a first foal and is a very handsome colt. Both of them should take a high place later on. There were 11 starters for the Progressive Handicap, Betel Nut and Medallion being the only ones backed, with Betel Nut a warm favourite. The two fancied candidates got off badly, Medallion especially so. At the cm! six furlongs tho.V wore some distance behind Child Beldon, Lady Lyons, Master Raymond, Proud Girl, Dayspring, and Bonification, who wore in a bunch in front. A little further on the gap was reduced, and entering the last lap Medallion was just showing the way to Betel Nut and Proud Girl. Betel Nut broke in the back stretch, and Medallion beat him by eight lengths, Master 'Raymond being a dozen lengths away third, with Bonification fourth. The winner put up a good .performance, and is a horse that will be heard of again. He has a pedigree strongly reminiscent of the Crossan stud at Berwick, being by George M. Patchen from the Wildwood —Susan mare Susie W T ild. Thirteen was the main for the Lincoln Handicap, Violet C. being rather better fancied than Arundel. The chance of Arundel was soon extinguished, as he went off badly. Violet C. and Banner-dale drew right away at fire start, and they had the race to themselves all through. Violet C. faltered at the entrance to the straight, and Rannerdale beat her home by eight lengths. Prince Rufus being 40 yards away third., just in front of Arundel. The winner, in doing a mile and a-half in 3min 42sec. showed considerable improvement on his form of the first day, when he was beaten in 3min 51sec. Twelve lined up for the King George Handicap. Dr Chutney, Bribery, and Imperial Polly being the three favourites, with the first pair very solidly backed. Derringcotto was quickly cut in front, followed at the stand by Lodi, Little Tib, and Dr Chutney, with the others close up. Going down the back Derni-ng-cotte was called off, having started before his time, and Dr Chutney and Little Tib went on in front. Entering the last lap Dr Chutney was a length in front of Little Tib and Bribery, who were two lengths clear of King Cole, after whom came Imperial Polly and Croesus. The first to ro tiro was Little Tib. and a little further on Dr Chutney also dropped out. Bribery and King Cole then settled down to a great finish. Drawing right away from the rest of the field, they foulght out every inch of the journey, King Cole winning by a head. Dr Chutney was 40. yards away, just in front of Croesus and No-reen. King Colo, who is by Ribbon wood —Kola Nut. has been rather unlucky up to date, but in this race he put up easily the best effort he has been responsible for. I un dierstand it is intended now to retire him to the stud. Bribery, who has done most of his racing in saddle, ran a great race, with the handicap, I "believe, of a damaged, |y re over the last two furlongs. The Midwinter Handicap attracted a field of 11, Lady Richmond being a solid favourite, with Bothville and Rosemary next in order of public fancy. Lord Ashton and Rosemary ran to the front soon after the start, and they were still in charge a lap from homo, where Lady Richmond was third, joist clear of Esma. and Rothville, with Lord Althorp moving up fast. Going down the back Lady Richmond went to the front with Lord Ashton, who broke a little further on. Then Lord Althorp joined in. but Lady Richmond held her own easily, and beat Lord Atlihorp with something in hand, with Esma, who trotted another good race, 40 yards away, just clear of Link. The winner hails from the stable of the Hutt trainer D. Nyhan, and is by Albert Victor—My Lady. She is a fine mover, of whom we have not scan the best yet. Lord Althorp -also put up a fine performance, and with the winner cut about 10 seconds from bis previous handicap time The Avon Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, attracted 10 starters There was not much to choose between Lady Cherry and Quincey for favouritism, end after this pair six were evenly backed, Lord Vivian and Viewmont. being the outsiders. Lord Vivian streaked off at a solid pace, and he was still well out in front a lap from home, where Q'uinccy was second, just in front of Li smite and Rubioan. with Electrocute and Eedchild moving no fast. Three furlongs from homo Rodchild had joined the leaders, and ho won comfortably by five lengths from Quincey. who beat Lard Vivian by a length, with Rubican close up. It was a nice race to watch, the only disappointing feature being that it was not so fast as I expected it would have been, Redchild winning in

exactly the time he was handicapped at. This remark really applies, however, to those that finished behind him, as RedehikJ got oil 1 badly, and really put up a great go. A field of 20 speedy nailers took part in the Dash Handicap, May Dillon having a good call in the betting over Royal Vesta, Millie C., and Duncan M'Gregor. Millie 0. jumped out smartly, and passing the stand, she was showing the way to % closely packed field, prominent in whiclj were Belroy, Dragoon, Royal Vesta, Prime® Wilkin, and May Dillon. Going down tha back Millie C. and Royal Vesta drew away together, Millie C. winning by four lengths, with Prince Wilkin throe lengths away* followed by Belroy and V. S. The winner, who is only a pony, is by Wild-moor, a son of Wildwood—Alice Azrnoor, her dam being a Ha Ha mare. For a little on© she can muister up a lot of pace. May Dillon faded out three furlongs from home, up to which point she was going well. Fourteen turned out for the Telegraph Handicap, Havoc being a. warm favourite, with Franzie, St. Swithin, and Factory Boy best backed among the others. Harold Minto and Herring cot to set _ i sound pace, but at tlie end of half a mil(| The Needle had drawn up to their wheel©, with whole bunch hot on his track. Turning for home the field was in a bunch, and a great race home ended in Franzie winning by a length from, Discourse, who finished very fast, and beat Rosebery by a length, with Derringootte and Agesamor close up, followed’ by Havoc (who lost ground at the start), The Needle, and lid-i perial Polly. It was a fitting close to a .good day’s sport. On the third day a- start was made with! the Addington Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, for which there were 15 starters, and in a good betting race Ngarata was a slightly better favourite than Rothville. Lord Vivian, and Lula Child. Lula Child went off smartly, and soon had a _ bag luted. After going six' furlongs, Lord Vivian and Rothvillc ran past her. Going down the back, Rothville took charge, and easily holding his own to the finish he won by four lengths from Ngarata, who finished fast, and beat Lord Vivian by two lengths, with Sir Joe, Quineey, and Miss Ngapara close up. The winner is a five-year old horse by Rothschild—Aggie-, and he is* a good out of a trotter, with a rare burst of speed, his time working out at 4.52 for two miles. Fifteen lined up for the Ladies’ Bracelet Handicap, The Whip being a hot favourite, with Royal Child and .Silverino best backed of the others.. , The Whip and The Next fought out an interesting duel for the greater part of the journey, The Whip winning by four lengths, _wi(th The Lark three lengths * behind The Next. Th© winner is a diminutive three-year-old gelding by Rothschild, and he lias a sweat; style of going. A field of eight lined uip for the National Handicap. Havoc being a hot favourite, with Royal Ribbon easily the best-backed of the others, , and ths bracketed' King Cole and Marie Narclla as third choice. Dillon Bell got off badly. Dr Chutney showed in front for a furlong, when Havoc ran through very fast, and at the end of half a mile he was a length, clear of Dr Chutney, with RoyaRibbon a length further back, just in of Marie Narelle and Bright, who wem closely followed by King Col©. , Going down the back Royal Ribbon lost his place and the others ran along in the same order, Entering the last lap Havoc was still showing the way to Dr Chutney, who was two lengths out from .King Colo, with Mario Narelle and Bright next. In the back stretch _Kin,g Cole moved up fast, and drew away with Havoc. The latter 6-tus had a slight advantage rounding the homo turn, but King Cole finished in rare style and won by a length. Bright was Id lengths away third, followed by Dr Chutney. Marie. Narelle, and Dillon. The winner is a six-year-old hy Ribbonwood— Kola Nut. He is one of the small but select lot left by the champion in his only stud season in New Zealand, and it ia worth noting that two more of them— Marie Narelle and Royal Ribbon—also started in this race. For a long time past it has been known that King Cole was an exceptionally fast horse, but in hi© earlier racing days lie w&s rather tmoertain at the "post, and, in other respects, he was difficult to manage, the result being that he took a long time to cornel to his best. N. L. Price, however had shown great patience with him,, and he had his reward today, when King Cole established ’ a fresh Australasian tooe record for two miles, beating the 4.33 established by Wildwood Junior last November in the New Zealand Cup. King Cole is now clearly proved as a champion, and he should not lack opportunities alf the stud, to which ho will now, I understand. bo retired. Havoc ran a good race, doing 4.36 1-5. and Bright cut out that journey in 4.54 1-5- which gives some indication of the advance which is being made in the speed of our horses. Dillon Bell after his bad start, ran a good race, and Dr Chutney put up a surprisingly good performance. Sixteen was the mam for the Canterbury Handicap, the bracketed Redchild and Miss Florrie O. bein'* slight.lv better fancied than Medallion, 0 with Full Sail third choice. Full Sail was going well for a time, but then broke down. Repeater. Derringootte, Esma,, and Viewmont took a hand in forcing the pace . for the first mile. Medallion then joined in. and though Miss Florrie C. put in a fast run over the! concluding stages. Medallion held his own! easily, and won with a bit to spare by two lengths, Viewmont being four length© away, with Bollwind and Wild Tree next. The winner, who was successful in harness on Wednesday, in 4.56. cut his time dowrt to 4.42. and was not nil out then, so that be must rank as a really good one. He is a fine advertisement for George M. Patehom. He was handled in both hi© races by E. M‘Kewon. who has few* superiors as a horseman. Thirteen lined* iin for the Federal Handicap, Radiant Morn, Galvanita. and P'-incess Tracey being the order of favouritism. Bonification and Onawa in front at. the end of two furlongs, with Onward at the head of the other©. A little further on Bonification and Onward drew away together. Bonification easily holding his own and winning by two length®, with Wild -Arab a. dozen lengths away, followed by Galvanita, Onawa. and Lyonnais. The winner, who i® a brother to the Auckland crack, Specialist, by {Specification—Bonnie Vein, hai® raced conslstentlv for a- long time* without anv luek. and though not fancied by the public In’s win was very popular. Radiant Mom, the favourite, a fouv-year-old bv Tracey General, owned bv A. Pringle was never dangerous, and G.ailva.nita lest a lot of ground at the start, after which she van a, rd nw. Thera were 7R starters for the Lightning Handi< can. Curfew Bell being rather bettef ißJicied tlian Aberfeldy, and the bracketed

Miss Florrie C. and John, TOth Orpeswt. next best backed. Croesus -did not lea/ve th© mark, and Truth went off in front, being’ joined at the end of two furlongs by Aberfeldy, with Curfew Bell at the head of the others. Curfew Bell fell going out of the straight, her rider, R. Roay escaping luckily with a few grazes and bruises. Truth and Aberfeldy continued Jo show the way, but Aberfeldy had the Measure of the Australian gelding a long wa>y' from home,, and he eventually won comfortably by four lengths, a desperate finish for” second place ending in Miss Florrie 0. beating John by half a head, with Ribbons, Truth, and Imperial Polly close up. It was a very smart performance on the part of the winner, his. time for the mile being 2.15. Aberfeldy has long been regarded as one of our speediest .performers, his chief weakness being that he is somewhat unoertian at the start, especially in harness. A field of 10 lined up for the International Handicap, for which Emmeline was a hot favourite, with

Bribery easily the best-backed of th© others. Franzie showed out from th© start, Emmeline being handy, with Bribery moving along fast a little further back. Franzie was still in front at tho entrance to the straight, but Bribery finished with a great run, and Avon by a length, Franzie beating Emmeline by a head for second place, with St Swithin. a real food horse, and A 1 Franz —making his rst appearance, and probably not quit© wound , op—close behind the placed horses. Bribery ran two first-class races at the meeting, and is evidently even better in harness than in saddle. The meeting was concluded with th© Farewell Handicap, for which there were 15 starters, with Adonis, Dayspring. Harold Rothschild, and Belrov carrying most money. Silver Black jumped out smartly and was never caught, Avinning by a length from BlackBoy, who was half a length in front of Volunteer, Avith Belroy, Adonis, and Harold Minto close up. The winner is an Australian-bred gelding by Harold Osterc'y—Thelma, a ihare_ that must not be confounded Avith the. dam of Wildwood Junior. Silver Black was formerly owned in Otago, but was purchased recently by Mr J. Smith, for whom he broke a long spell of bad luck. The New Zealand Trotting Association •met on Wednesday evening; present— Messrs A. L. Myers (Chairman), R. 0. Diuican, W. G. Garrard, C. F. Mark, J. H. Pollock, and O. S. Howell. Th© chairman reported regarding the recent Trotting Conference, and urged that in future suggestions should be more fully considered before being placed on the suggestion book. A tter was received from, the New South ’ales Trotting Club stating that the disSuahfioation imposed on J. G. Bryen by ie Royal Agricultural Society and endorsed by the club had been removed. J. W. Burke appeared at the mating in connection] with an appeal in regard to his disqualification for fife by the Waimate Plains Trotting Club for “ringing-in” with the mar© Miss Judge in, 1906, and mad© a statement urging that he had not been connected with the affair. Messrs Garrard and Duncan, Avitli the chairman for the time being, > AVfere appointed to summarise all the available evidence in connection with the case and to present it at the next meeting of the association, Avhen the case Avould be considered. The action of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club in dismissing a protest by A. T. Lake, against the stake in the Ladies’ Bracelet at the club’s recent meeting being awarded to Ex-in’s Tracey, on the ground Wiat the latter had galloped, was endorsed. It was also decided to forward to the club ? Lake’s letter to the association, in which certain allegations were made, and to ask it the club wished to take any action. The application of the Oarnaru Trotting Club for re-registration was granted. The club also applied for a permit for a meeting .on December 7 or 14. It was decided to gsk the-club to fix upon one of the two dates. Tli© Inangahua Trotting Club apBlied for a permit to hold a meeting on ©comber 29, but the Westport Club, which has a meeting on December 26 and 27, protested, and it was decided to ask the Inangahua' Club to select another date. It was resolved to allot December 26 to the Ashburton Trotting Club for its meeting. Programmes passed by the executive AVer approved. Licenses as recommended by the Licensing Committee were granted. The committee reported that three applicants had been before the committee regarding their future conduct on and off courses. The committee recommended that £8 and an amount to cover hospital and medical expenses should be A'oted out of the provident fund to J. B. Pearson in respect of his late accident. The report was adopted.