THE STEEPLECHASE MATCH AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1804, 29 January 1884, Page 2

THE STEEPLECHASE MATCH AT CAMBRIDGE.

The steeplechase match between Mr Douglas's Qnilp and Mr Rutherford's Sportsman came off on the course of the Cambiidge Jockey Club at Gwynnelands at thi ee o'clock on Saturday last, and resulted in an easy victoi'V for Quilp. The weather was veiy favourable for the event, and the attendance was unexpectedly large. Quilp being the local hoi.so was decidedly the favounte, but it cannot be said that the betting was e\tiavagant on either side; in some instances odds were given against Spoitsman. It was geneially expected that the stakes would be £ )0 aside, but £40 was the aggregate sum deposited in the hand* of the stakeholder, Mr Rutherford refusing to increase the money on account of the last post and rail fence having been removed. Mr Kirkwood acted as staiter, and Dr. Waddington as iudge. At the fall of the flag, Q»ilp was sent off with a good lead by Goldsmith, and Sportsman, ridden by Wilson, followed rather stiffly, and soon fell about four chains behind. Quilp maintained this lead until the finish, and won as he liked. Both horsos took every jump without a single balk. Qnilp, on passing the judge's box, was loudly applauded, but the contest throughout was altogether void of the least excitement. The distance was three miles, or twice round the course, and the time was 7min. 44secs. A flat race for €20 aside had been arranged between Mr Jno. Brown's Little Bob and Mr Norgrove's Wild Giil, but Mr Noi giove was unable to carry out his engagement. Mr Brown sent his horse round the couise, so that he might claim the money, but we understand he is prepared to gi\e Mi Nargrove a run for it on smno future day, not being desirous of taking advantage of Mr Noi glove's inability t > attend on Ratuiday. The public who attended the meeting weze somewhat astonished on arriving at the gate of the coume to be compelled to pay an entrance fee of Is for foot passengers, Is a horse, and Is for every occupant of an vehicle, members of the club not excepted. It appear* Mr W. K. Caitor has leased the course from the jockey club for crazing pui poses, the club reserving certain rights as to holding races, &c., at certain periods of the year. In di awing up th° lease, it would seem as if the club had been oblivious of the fact that it was likely matches of this natuie would come off during the intervals between the respective races, and neglected to stipulate accoidingly. Possibly they considered thatshould :i match be made, the lessee would not object to throw the course open for the occasion giatis, but Afr Caifcer seems to have ' taken an enthely different view of the matter, for, leaving public philanthropy on one side, he determined that the occasion should be one of benefit to him, and that the public should pay for thcii fun. The fact that a charge would be inflicted was not generally known until a few honi.s befovo the vaco took place, as had it been known sooner we are assured the public would ha\c combined in the matter, and preferred seeing the race from the road. We understand the matter will be brought forward at a meeting of the jockey club to be held shortly, when we hope a much better understanding will be arrived at. Neither on the Auckland course, nor any other course, are we aware of a charge being made on occasions of this nature. There are other respects in which the jockey club seem to have made a mess in leasing the course. Owners of horses desiious of training their cattle can be debarred the n&e of the course at the pleasure of the lessee, notwithstanding that they pay him for training on it. This is an e\tiemely awkward matter, and it would seem as if the club had drawn \ip the lease with their eves shut. Mr A. G. Hughes is deserving of the thanks of the public for his kindness in throwing open the portion of the course leased by him for Saturday's ' event.

Mr H. Hadfield, Tuhikaramea, advertises that if a bay horse running on his farm is not rcmnved within 14 days it will be sold at the Cambridge pound to pay expenses. Ten shillings reward is offered for the recovery of a pprcel, lost from Carter's coach, between ! Tamahere and Cambridge on the 25th inst. You will do well to furnish your house ! rom Garlick and Cranwell's. They have now the most complete Furnishing Warehouse in Auckland furniture to suit all classes, good etrcr.-ig, and cheap. They have Tapestry Carpets !rom 2s 3d per yard, Brussels from 3s lid per yard. Linoleum from 3s 9d to 5s, Oil Cloths from Is Gd to 4s Cd per yard, good 12 feet wide Oil Cloths at 3s 6d per yard. Immense assortment of Iron Bedsteads from Infants' Cots to 6 feet wide half-tester Bedsteads. Double iron Bedsteads from 25s. 480 Bedsteads in stock to select from. Beddings of all kinds and sizes kept in readiness. Dining, Sitting, Drawing-room B'urjuturo. and and a large assortment of Manchester and Furnishing Goods, including a lot of Cretonnes. Book Catalogues sent free to intending; 'purchasers. Garlick and Cratvwell, City H«ll Arcftjfc, Queen-street Aui^JaM;