DRUMMOND HACK RACES AND SPORTS.

Western Star, Issue 2152, 30 October 1897, Page 2

DRUMMOND HACK RACES AND SPORTS.

OFFICE-BEARERS: President—Mr A MoFetricb. Vice-Presi-dents —Messrs A. Jones, T W Perry, and J McParlane. Judge— Mr A. Nelson. Starter—Mr C Affleck, Clerk of Course —; Mr J Ewan. Clerk of Seales—Mr R Baird. Treasurer —Mr R Smith. Secretary—Mr D P Ewan. Handioappera — Messrs W Affleck and J Smith. Stewards —Messrs T W Ford, J MoFarlane, C Affleck, J Miller, D Clark. 0 Clark. W. Kennedy, 0 Coombs, R Deacon.

The third annual races and sports at Drummond were held in a paddock kindly lent for the purpose by Mr McFetrich on Wednesday, but owing to the adverse meteorological condi tions prevailing, the attendance fell far short of what it would otherwise have been. la the early morning great banks of black cloud in the western sky betokened a heavy downpour, and this occurred just when those who had made up their minds for a day’s outing would be making preparations for the journey to the trysting-placo. It cleared up about eleven o’clock, but only for a time, and shortly after mid-day an icy wind accompanied the rain that would have made Nansen shiver. Throughout the afternoon showeis continued to fall at intervals until the “ lawn,” was equal to a stockyard in the quantity and quality of its mud. In the face of such untoward climatic conditions it was a wonder that any ventured out, or that the Club decided to go on with their programme. They have been singularly unfortunate in the matter of weather for two successive years now, and probably, seeing that October is generally a rainy month, it would be advisable on their part to hold the gathering a little later in the year. However, the attendance on Wednesday was fair, and there could not have been, approximately, less than 300 on the ground, among those present being a few ladies who, in being there, showed a disregard for the weather not usually chai’actcristic of the sex. That the gathering is appreciated is borne out by the fact that many came a long distance, —• from Heddon Bush, Wrey’s Bush, Otautau, Winton, and Calcium The course was very heavy—in fact, in anything but a fit state for racing, the horses laboring to such an extent as to make the racing disappointing. Of course, nothing else could be expected, and it no doubt accounts for the number of horses scratched and the small fields as compared with last year, owners not caring to j risk their animals on such a track. The number of entries for the Cup, Hurdles and Fly was only 10, while

last year there were no less than 16 for the cup alone. Seeing that the meeting is likely to be a district fixture, the club should seriously consider the advisab'eness of having a piece of land of their own, and then they could hope to have u firmer course by drainage and also erect a peimanent stand, which would not cost much, and which would materially add to the attractiveness of the gathering from an onlooker’s point of view. We believe such a thing has been mooted, and as there is no lack of energy among the Drummond peop'e, there is a likelihood of the suggestion becom ing a jail accompli. This year the club had cards, but their utility was greatly discounted owing to the absence of colors and numbers, and although the horses went out with numbers on, they served no purpose. It is to be hoped that in future this will he rectified, on the maxim that what is worth doing is worth doing well. The sports excited a good deal of interest, but the track, like the course, was greatly against records, and it told on the contestants, a knocked out appearance being no rarity, while. *he slippery nature of tho ground caused, in one or two events, the unexpected to happen. A word of praise is duo the two secretaries (Messrs Ewan and Roberts), the judge (Mr A. Nelson), the stsrter(MrC. Affleck), the clerk of the scales (Mr R. Baird), who were the principal conspicuous officials, for the success which attended their efforts. There were no protests, and the handicappers (Messrs W. Affleck and J. Smith), evidently gave entire satisfaction. It only remains to add-that Mr T. W. Perry, of the Travellers’ Rest Hotel, had the licensed booth, and supplied a splendid luncheon. Mr S. Learmont the confectioner’s stall. Following are tho details: — Hurdle Race Handicap of Ssovs. Second horse I sov from tho stakes. Distance, mile and a half. Open to any horse that has never won over £5 at an advertised jumping race Mr J Fletcher’s r g Forest King, Mr Millar’s g m Topsy, aged, 10 7 ... 2 Little John, Killarney and Miss May were scratched. Topsy baulked at ihe jump opposite the judge’s box, and at the hurdle on the turn to the back of lha course. Forest King negotiated all the sticks splendidly, and romped home an easy winner. Drummond Guineas of 5 eovs, second horse 10s trotn the sUik-a. Distance, half a mile. Weight 9sb. Entry ss. Mr Millar’s Doctor,3yrs, fbt 1 Mr J. Ford jr’s Liberal, By<s, 9*t ... 2 Three started. Doctor won by about four lengths. Drummond Cup of 9 sovs. Seo-md horse I sov from the stakes. Distance 1} miles. Welter handicap. Mr G Gorton’s c h Little John, aged, 1 10 2 1 Mr T Blee’s Uk g Denser, aged, 8 2 ... 2 Mr A Lindsay’s g g Doubtless, 4yrs, 93 3 Also run—Miss May,Pathfinder,Kingsman Miss Short, and Comet. This was the best race of the day. On the fall of the flag Pathfinder shot to the front, but was soon supplanted by Bowa»r. Passing the “ stand,” Doubtless led, with Little John running np. At the back of the course, Little John took the lead, followed by Bowser and Doubtless. Coming into the straight a good race took place between the two former, but the chestnut wen by a length, Doubtless a fair third. Record Reign Handicap of ssova; second horse 10a from the stakes. i Mr J Kilkelly’s Outlaw, syrs, 9 4 ... 1 Mr Harvey’s Harold, Gyre, 812 ... ... 2 Forest King, Little John, Sir John, Gomel and Oleouu also ran. The field kept wel ogether until the turn into the straight* when Outlaw went to tho front, winning by about five lengths Welter Handicap of lOsovs. Second horse 10a from the sfakes. Mile and a quarter. Open to all horses and riders. Mr O Affleck’s b g Watermark, aged, 912 1 Mr G McLeod’s King o’ tho Hills, 9 5 ... 2 Seabreak, May Fly and Miss Short were scratched. Won easily. Plting Handicap of 5 sovs. Second horse 10s from tho stakes. Distance | mile. Wea John 1 Harold 2 Seven entries.

SPORTS PROGRAMME; Judges—Messrs A. Hamilton and 0. Yonng. Starter —D. Calder. Handioappera Messrs J. Calder and J. Kilkelly. Stewards —Messrs D. Calder, C. Yoang, A. Hamilton, J. Brown, G. Gray, T. MoFetrioh, and 0. Turnbull. Secretary—B. Roberta. Maiden Fuat Race, 100 yards.—First prize £1; second 7s 6d. W King, A Calder 2, W Donnellan 3. Four entries. Potting Stone (Handicap).—First 15s ; second ss. M Hogan 1, D Calder 2. Nine entries. 440 Yaeds Handicap— First, £1 10s ; second 10s; third ss. C Evans 1, A Calder 2. Throwing Hammer, standing swing—First 15s; second ss. J; Hogan 1, J C ringle 2. Five entries. Half Mile Handicap— First £1 10s: second 15s.—P. Evans 1, J Cameron 2. Four entries. Cumberland Wrestling— First £L 6a; second 10s ; third ss. 120 Yards handicap— First, £1 ss; sec* ond 10s ; tr ird ss. —O. Calder, syde, 1; P. Ferguson, syds, 2; J, Cameron, 2yds, 3. Six entries.

An electrical target, invented and patented by two Nelson residents—William M'Gee and William Harris—dees away with the necessity for a marker in thebutto, the value and position on the target of each hit being shown on an indicator at the firing point automatically. At Dunedin on Tuesday night James Anderson, a seaman on the ship Pen Nevis' was drowned Ho was on board with Thos. McGladery, the carpenter, and after stopping to light his pipe walked over the wharf, despite the warning cry of the carpenter who had gone ahead. The yarpaator gave an alarm, and without waiting to take off his overcoat, jumped a'ter bis shipmate, but could not reach him before he sank. The carpenter said he thought deceased was short-sighted. The verdict returned was “ accidentally drowned,” the jury adding a rider recommending McGladeiy to the notice of the Humane Society for hia bravery. Anderson, who was 54 yeais eld, was a native ot Glasgow. He slipped at Melbourne. The fact that the House has been already five weeks in session and practically no business is done does not deter Ministers from bringing in farther Bills. The following new measures were introduced by the Premier ;—The Second Ballot Bill, the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, and the Technical Educa* tion Act, 1897.