QUEEN'S PLATES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2114, 26 January 1886, Page 4

QUEEN'S PLATES.

THE change which the Duke of Westminster, when Master of the Horse, made in the distribution of the money given from the Privy purse for Queen's Plates in England, has not been very successful so far, for though the value of these prizes has now been raised from 200 guineas to £300, the fields have been ■mailer in this the first year of the change than they were before. Last season there were 51 runners for 14 plates, but this season there have been only 31 competitors for 10. .Of the 10 plates run for this season that at Newmarket was worth £500, and was won by Mr Hammond's St. Gatien ; while the nine others of £300 each were run for at Liverpool, Bath, Salisbury, Ascot, Stockbridge, Lewes, York, Richmond-on-the-Swale, and Lichfield. A plate is given now to each of these meetings annually, ■with the exception of Salisbury, which shares a plate with Winchester in alternate years. According to the new regulations no horse bred out of the United Kingdom is qualified to run for a Queen's plate, and the same horse is not allowed to win more than two plates iv one year. Mr I'Anson's Ohisltlnu-st and Hambledou, who won the plates at Bath and Salisbury and at York and Richmond are the only two horses •which have been twice successful this season, the other winners being Loid Manners' s St Reuben at Liverpool, Hcrr Hirsch's Althorp at Ascot, Mr Lefevrea Hermitage at Stockbridgc, the Duke of Westminster's Newton at Lewes, and Prince SoltykofPs Charmain at Lichfield. Only two Queen's plates (of 100 guineas each) arc run for in Scotland, and these brought out only five runucrs, both being won by Lady Adelaide. Fourteen plates, also of 100 guineas each, were run for in Ireland, of which twelve were competed for at the four Curragh meetings and the two others at the Cork park and Down Royal meetings. There were only 46 runners for the 14 plates, no fewer than five of which were won by Mr Kenna's Wavelet, while Mv Gubbins took two with Grecian Bend, and three others were won by Jack. These horses are only of moderate calibre, and it certainly seems as if the money devoted to Queen's plates might be employed to a better purpose in the encouragement of horsc-breedmg.

The Vossiche Zietung reminds its readers that two centuries ago the population of Berlin was 17,000, of whom over 5000 were French, chiefly Huguenot exiles, on account of the i evocation of the edict of Nantes. Thus nearly every third person to be met in Berlin was a Frenchman. Kkckntly a fire broke out near a large menagerie at Moscow. As it was impossible to save all the lions and elephants, the manager of the establishment was requested to point out snch of his treasure as could be removed with safety. When he passed by the monkey cage, a big orangoutang screamed out : " For God's sake, let me out. I never was a monkey until I came here. lam an honest man ; cave me. ' — Bacon. At the Oxford Assize recently George Boddington, under g.imekeeper in the employ of the Duke of Marlborough, was charged with the wilful murder of William Beokley in Blenheim park. During his imprisonment the accused confessed to having struck the deceased several terrible blows. The defence was that he was not responsible for his actions, and it was proved that his mother was a lunatic, and that he himself some yeais ago was for nearly twelve months an inmate of an asylum. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on account of his age and his former infirmities. Sentence of death was passed. The death is announced of Mr Thomas Barrett Whitefoot, so long associated with the Sportsman. Tho deceased, who was in his 37th year, had been very unwell for some time past, and lately his health completely broke down. His death, which was somewhat sudden, occurred at Sheffield. In his earlier press career, Mr Whitefoot was connected with the Sheffield Independent. He subsequently joined the staff of the Birmingham Daily Post. He was appointed editor of the Sportsman about eight years ago. The Rev. John Moffatt has been offered by Sir Hercules Robinson, and has accepted, the post of resident magistrate at Taungs, in British Bechuanaland. This appointment will give general satisfaction. Mr Moffat is the son of the venerable Dr Moffat. A showman's lot is not to be despised. One of the class has just been civing details of hi 3 profits on a "gala day," and we find that he gets, on an aveiage, £3 out of throwing at dolls for cigars, £3 out of his shooting gallery, £10 out of his swings, £10 out of his "cocoa-nut business," and as much as £70 on occasions, out of his "roundabout." Iv all, ho usually calculates upon a total of £100. Ox November 30, four men broke into Netherby Hall, the residence of Sir Frederick Giahnm, and stole a quantity of jewellery. Information wns j/ivi'n to the county police at C.u lisle, and the roads were watched. Two police ollicers met the gang who are siipposed to have committed the lobhery about two miles from the city, and charged them with the offence. The men thereupon drew revolvers and fired. Sergeant Roach was shot in the arm, and Policeconstable Johnson received two shots in the side, and is lying in a piecanous condition. The men were tracked to Carlisle, and Constable Fortunp, of tincity police, followed them, when the} turned upon him, and assaulted him *>o severely about the head that ho \\ as lef ► lying on the road for about an hour in an unconscious state. The assailants theh managed to get away. Yes ! It is certainly true. Ask any o: your friends who ha\e purchased there. Ga ■ tV. and Cramvell have nimerous unasked for . m very favourable commendations fora countrj customers on their e\cellent packing of turniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies anj eentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garhck and Cranwclls ii, the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse o Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Fleer Cloths and all Hojibe Necessaries. If your new house is nearly finished, or, you are fjotnff to get married, visit Garlick and Crauwell, Queen-street and Lome-street, Auckland. Intending purcbaien can have » catalogue ten ftee.