SPORTING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4955, 5 January 1883, Page 3

SPORTING.

(fbom oub own correspondent.) OTAKI RACES. Otaki, Jan 5. The following are the nominations for the Otaki races : — ' Hurdles.— Scrutineer, Highlander, Skylark, Sunray, Deceiver. Otaki Stakes— Eccleston, Dynamite, Orphan, Scrutineer, Camelia, Banshee. District Handicap. — Scrutineer, Orphan, Dynamite; 'Eccleston, Countess.

The water-carts were not out to-day, just when they were required, and everything was at the mercy of wind and dust. The principal streets were filled with clouds of dust, but the Corporation were senseless to the fact of any inconvenience arising therefrom, and curses not loud but deep were showered on their devoted heads. The Court was somewhat busy this morning, and the value of the new arrangement carried out by Mr Anderson seems to give every satisfaction, so much so that every word can be heard distinctly— a fact which cbuld never before be recorded. Of course when the wind arose the noise created by it somewhat interfered with the sound, but it is evident that a vast improvement has been effected. At Mr Huff's Photographic Studio this afternoon, Mr Lundon, on behalf of about 50 subscribers, presented Miss Sparkes and Miss Bainbow, the ladies who took part in the Richardson Showe, with tokens of the apprecation in which their services at the Fancye Fayrs were held. Miss Sparkes was presented with a massive gold brooch and ear-drops, and Miss Rainbow with a handBorne silver watch, on which her initials were engraved. The customary compliments were paid, and the recipients expressed thanks for the gifts. Sir G. S. Whitmore kindly forwards to us the following letter, which he has received from Mr Henry Redwood. It will be of interest to those who have a stake in Picton Coal f Mines :—": — " Mr dear Sir George Whitmore. — As you have requested me to send you a statement of what 1 think of the Picton coal after my trip to the Pelorous in my ya_cht_' Tprea, 1 1 have done so. The sample I got was not of the best, as the coal had been exposed at the mine to the weather for some months, but as the manager allowed us to select the largest pieces we got a fair sample, and I am pleased to state that I have never seen as good coal, both as to making steam and- ease in stoking, for it makes little clinker, has very little smoke, bnrns freely when you make a thick heavy fire and are driving hard, and a quick one when used thinly, and is quite as durable as either Newcastle, Grey, or English. In fact, for all purposes of steam raising I have not seen its equal. There is no unpleasaant smell with it and the comfort to the stokers in using it will always make it popularr for steam vessels. I may add that I used it for three days, which were long ones, from light to dark. — Believe me, yours sincerely, H. REDWOOD." During the season Mr R. C. Holcrof t has imported 20. Deering binders, and might have sold others had they been in hand. The other morning he despatched by train about £1500 worth of machinery, and some idea of the extent which agriculture is assuming on this coast may be gained from the fact that his orders for binding twine included aufficient to cover 60,000 acres. With the binders do less than three tons of manilla twine were imported, but Mr Holcroft is endeavoring to bring into use that made from native flax, and has already given Mr Staffon an order for a quantity, in order to test its qualities for binding. The Deering machine this season has been considerably improved. The elevator has been widened to take in the full length of grain, and thus render the machine suitable for this district. The machine can be easily raised or lowered by mean? of a wire rope round the main axle and a ratchet on the ground wheel, the latter being probably the most convenient contrivance yet adopted. For draught purposes the machine is fitted with equalising 3-horse whippletrees, proved by calculation to.be the most perfect which it is possible to make. The binder is also provided with a number of good improvements, and a valuable matter in connection with it is that the makers send out with each machine a number of extras, supplied by Mr Holcroft, and invaluable in case of breakage.