TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XV, 11 October 1902, Page 913

TURF NOTES.

The Dunedin J.C. spring meeting opens on Wednesday. Grey Seaton was outpaced In the Wanganui Guineas. Mr J. O. Evett got back rfoat Wanganui on Saturday morning. The Caulfield Cup is set down for decision on the ISth October. The Victoria Amateur Turf Club s Toorak xtandicap will be run on October 11. Seahorse is engaged in the Cesarewltch Stakes. Un to Monday there were five colts and five filly foals at the Wellington Park Stud. The Duke of York Stakes will be run on Saturday. Seringapatam is expected to run well in that event. A wager of 700 to 100 was recentlv taken about Wakeful for the Melbourne Cup. Mr R. B. Lusk is proving himself a capable judge. His decisions give general satisfaction. Aida, dam of Impulse and Uhlan, has foaled a filly to Phoebus Apollo at Wellington Park The progeny of Soult and Seaton Delaval were much in evidence at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting. The Wanganui horae Fakir by Catesby, has received a little support here during the week for the N.Z. Cup. at outside prices. M. Rvan got kicked by Telephone just before the start for the Electric Handicap on Wednesday; the result was an injured foot. A southern writer, speaking of Mr Hartgill, whose services in the box are so much in request, says of that gentleman, "There is only one judge.” Lady Dash was referred to by one of the onlookers when she went out to run for the Maiden Hurdle Race at Avondale as "that yeller horse.” Austerlitz at the first time of asking started to repay her purchase money, and showed all her dash in the Electric Handicap at Avondale. Many thoroughbred mares have carried their foals unusually long this season. Rose of Wellington went full twelve months. A mare at Onehunga went 23 days over her time. There were two broken collar-bones at Avondale on Wednesday. Munro, the rider of Dingo, and Jenkins, rider of Mechanic, being tne sufferers. T. Connop, the Hawke’s Bay horseman, who has been to Rotorua for the benefit of his healih. returned to-day by the Tarawera, somewhat improved. Ard Patrick, the Derby whiner, who has been oil the scene for about three mouths,

ou Wednesday ran third lu the Newmarket Jockey Club Stakes to Rising Glass and Teinplcmore. Achi ’cs would probably have been first favourite for the New Zealand Cup today ?.ad he been left in that event. His Wanganui Guineas performance shows how bri'llant he Is. Pampero was backed for the N.Z. Cup In Auckland for several hundreds last week. One penclller, who some time agv laid 500 to 35 against this horse, laid 500 to 40 more. Eighteen yearlings are to be sold by Messrs Pyne and Co. in Christchurch from the Eldersiie stud during New Zealand Cup week. Stepniak. Gipsy Grand, and Wallace will be represented in the list. Advance’s half brother, the wonderfully in-bred Laureate, may yet turn out worth persevering with. He is still in the hack ranks, however, as he missed his race on Thursday at Wanganui, Aroha putting him our. I regret to learn that owing to ill-health Mr W. D. Bush has been obliged to resign the secretaryship of the Otahuhu Hack Race Club. A good substitute.however, has been found in Mr W. L. Lockhart. When doing a preliminary before the Grandstand Handicao ar Avondale, on Wednesday, Bluejacket stumbled and fell with Julian, who had one of his legs hurt, so that he has not been able to resume duty. Valor, a recent winner over hurdles at the Port Adelaide races, was got by Teksuin, who was bred in Auckland. Scots Grey, another Wellington Park stud representative, is leaving winners of small races in Australia. Mr T. H. Davey ( ‘The Probable” in the “Canterbury Times”), who I mentioned several months ago as a probable candidate for Parliamentary honours at the coming elections, has, I notice, been announced as a sure starter for a Christchurch seat. As Achilles was able to win the Wanganui Guineas as he liked, and his stable companion Porirua ran second, the. lastnamed escaped a lOlbs penalty in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, as anticipated b.v me might prove to be the case. What (asks a Victorian writer) wete Australian breeders thinking about when Winamill (the dam of Air Motor). In foal to Gossoon, was allowed to leave New South Wales to go to New Zealand for the insignificant sum of 100 gs? The contractors are removing a lot of stone from that part of the Ellerslie property where the extension of the course from the seven-furlong post to the new mile starting point is to be formed. A lot of stone will be utilised in the widening of the tan track for a foundation. Latest betting quotations on the NewZealand Cup in Auckland are:—6 to 1 Nonette and Siege Gun, 10 to 1 Tortulla and Pampero, 12 to 1 Glenaladale, Melwood, 14 to 1 Welbeck. 10 to 1 Porirua, Sirius, Kelpy, 20 to 1 Halberdier, Lavalette, Fakir. 25 to 1 Cannie Cbiel and Bowman. From 33 to 10 to 1 others. Messrs H. Ilayr and Co. have received the contract to work the totalisators this season at Ellerslie from the Auckland R.C. They have recently purchased two new totalisators. Mr Jas. Roulston’s prolific mare Winnie has foaled a filly to defunct Castor. This youngster is therefore a full sister to Record Reign, now in India. Winnie’s daughter Pretoria, by Cuirassier, has foaled a colt to Phoebus Apollo. Mr J. McWhirter, “Atlas,” for a long time associated with the “Sporting Review.” left Auckland on Saturday, to take up a position on the “N.Z. Referee.” The genial Mac. will be missed. On Friday the staff of the “Sporting Review” presented Mr. McWhirter with a pair of field glasses, and in doing so wished him success in his new sphere. It would appear from the following that our old friend Record Reign, the best hurdle horse we have ever nad. is not doing too »’ell yet. Writing about horses which are being prepared at Poona for

the coming big meeting in India, the •‘Asian’s” reporter remarks:—Record Reign has a dry coat, and is one of the quietest horses on the track; he has had. like most of the big guns, a little halfspeed work.

After remaining fine since last Saturday morning, and promising well for the Avondale meeting, rain set in again on Wednesday, and deterred many from visiting the suburban meeting. Verily the Avondale Jockey Club continue to have tho worst of bad luck in the matter of weather

The victory of The Shannon at Wanganui in the Spring Handicap is conclusive proof, on top of her Avondale perfouaancea, of the leniency with which she was treated by Mr Evett, who did not see the mare run at the Grand National Meeting and couid not have been well informed about h&r. She got badlv awy then, and has probably improved in form since.

At Cambria Park the following foalirgs have taken place during the week:— Pjxfingi Fctae. by Castor—Madcap, colt tc Cyrenian: and Barmaid, by Ingomar. filly to Brigadier. The following mares have VLs r led Cyrenian:—Sparkling Water, by St. Hippo—Wultemata; Jesmond, by Cuirassier— Bianca: Impregnable, by Ditadnought—Tigredia; and Chiara, by Cuirassier—Ouida.

The death of S. Jsbornc at Grevmouth on Thursday recalls to mind the fact that it was he who rode Fakir to victory in the New Zealand Grand National of *1 STI. Osborne was associated with racing on the West Coast, and the Great Autumn Handicap winner. Longlands. and Jack were two horses that won the Grey mouth J C. Metropolitan Handicap in his nomination.

. Fergus and Mr Dveble, the respective riders of Nor’ west and Sportsman iu the Steeplechase at Avondale on Wednesday, had hard work, the former to get his moun’ home, and the last-named in trving to avert defeat. Higgins, who rode The Swimmer, only starred to ride after his mount hat! knocked a fence three furlongs from heme. Hur for the mishap The Swimmer might have beaten both.

The Auckland Trotting Club have fixed the date of their Spring Meeting for November l<t and sth. The programme is a satisfactory one. They have Increased the value of their trotting races for the Summer Meeting by £CO. and the pony events by £l5, and two of the trotting races at the Summer Meeting are to be of tho value of £2OO each, one a two mile race and the other a mile race. This should lead to visitors coming from Canterbury ami other parts of the colony.

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club's spring meeting commences on Wednesday, and should prove a successful one. in the King Edward Handicap The Shannon has been rehandicapped to 8.13. and may roak a big bid for victory in that race, In which the best of the three-year-olds may run well, however. In the Hastings Stakes the Auckland pair Sans Pcur and Kamo will stand in need of beating, as both are smart. The Hawke's Bay Guineas, on the second day, may be won by Porirua or Orloff, a! though I quite expect Lavalette to run respectably.

A great feature of the season has been the success of the Carbines, and on this the Duke of Portland Is much to be congratulated. says a writer in “Sporting Life.” as His Grace perceived that there might be something wanting in the stoutness or stamina of the St. Simons, and to prevent such a falling-off ho got back the Musket blood that had hit so well with him before in the case nf Memoir and La Fleche, out of Quiver, by Toxopholite, the sire of Musket. Tho price, 13,000g5, was thought to have been over heavy at the time the Duke paid, but results have proved that the money was well laid out.

From all accounts Macnaraiira, the rider of The Shannon In the Wanganui Syring Handicap, cut things very fine In that race, winning with the daughter of Toipedo by a head. At the Avondale meeting, la the Cup, it was thought that he had taken a great liberty with the opposition. for he only brought the maru with a fast run at the finish, just when mary thought she would not succeed in getting up. These lightning finishes are dangerous, for at times mistakes are made, and the defeat of a favourite under such circumstances—that is. through waiting too long—ls an offence not readily overlooked by the public.

The Otahuhu Hack Racing Chib’s meeting, weights for which have been declared, should afford some sport next Wednesday. It is a pity that the owners of horses and tne authorities will not observe the rules of racing in connection with the naming of horses. At nearly every meetbig names are selected for horses that are already In use, and this only leads to confusion. Queen’s Guard and Gipsy arc two that cannot be allowed, and these must be altered before tho day. Owners cannot be expected to know all the names of horses racing, but the Turf Register and Stud Books should help them, and they can always refer to friends better informed than themselves.

The amount won by Sceptre has only >een exceeded twice by three year olds, »ls. w by Douutmi (£3B,OCU) a,nd Flying Fox j£37,410). Tbe steeplechase fences at Caulfield have been raised. One or two of them are Dow < trifle over four feet, while none is lower than 3ft 81 u. In America, as well as in England, they have some big punters. When Direct Hal won the Metropolitan, a pacing event, at Brighton Beach, on August 12th. one punter was credited with laying 27,000 dots, to 18,000 dels, on him. However, he had no uneasiness, as the horse won his three beats right off the reel. The American record for a mile and a furlong, which previously stood at Imin 51 1 ssec, was lowered at Brighton Beach, New York, about the beginning of last month. The horse who did it was BomTT toert, who, with 8.8. cut out the distance Jn Imin 51sec. This is 4sec better than the Australian record, which stands to tbe joint credit of Valiant and Postillion. Mr Andrew Gordon, who bred, among other horses. The Australian Peer and Prime Minister, died recently in Queensland. In noticing the death of this noted breeder a confrere remarks that he owned at different times Darebin and Vespasian, and also brought into Queensland the brood mares Stockdove, imp. (dam of The Australian Peer), First Lady, imp. (dam of Grand Flaneur), and Grey Esperance (dam of Touchstone), and Hope. Wakeful, who will have 10.5 on her back, the same weight that Carbine carried to victory in the Melbourne Cup. Is still first favourite for that race at the short price of 6 to 1, and it is public money that is keeping her in her position. Should she win, which I should think very improbable, the feat will be an unprecedented one in the annals of racing, for no mare has ever won an important tw T o-mile handicap in the spring of the year under such a burden, and so far Carbine’s performance stands out alone. It was only this time last year that Wakeful was referred to as a nonstayer. The formation of a Trainers and Jockeys Union has been finally decided upon, and there will be some thirty-five or more members at Ellerslie. Rules are being drafted, and in due course will be presented at a meeting to be called later on. The Union may not unlikely seek to have a representative at the Racing Conference next year from what I can learn. There are a number of matters they think they should have a voice in, and it is intended for one thing to approach the Conference on the subject of the administering of the Trainers and Jockeys Provident Funds, which are accumulating in the hands of various Metropolitan Racing Clubs. Nonette was stepping a bit short one morning last week. This was quickly noticed and a. report got about that he was tore. It transpired that he had puL*ed off a ,shoe. Nonette is a particularly sound horse, and though he always has had a sciatchy way of going when the work has been of the slow order, he show’s nothing of this when asked to extend himself, and he has been doing far better work than any of the horses at Ellerslie could have accomplished, and has the advantage »f the services of a light-weight in most of his gallops, though occasionally M. Ryan rides him.

The following are the names of a number of mares on a visit to Wellington Park sires:—Mr Livingstone’s Ladybird, dam of Lottie; Mr Sinclair’s Mantle: Mr Hannan’s Nellie; Mr Percival’s St. Ursula: Mr F. Marshall’s dam of Strathnairn; Signet. dam of Romeo; and Orphan, dam of Bellman, etc.; Mr Bolton's Harpist and St. Lyrist: Mr F. W arson’s St. Laura; Mr Booth’s Cressy feii.H Mr McLeod's? \ReV.enge. and The Slave; Mr Booth’s Jennie; Mr A. Kidd’s Mysterious and The Maid; Col. Dawson’s Victoria: and Mr Jas. Muir’s Ri pulse and Folly. The annual spring pilgrimage to Melbourne has set in. says “Umpire” in the Sydney “Referee.” and already the advance guard of Sydney horses has crossed the Murray. S. Fielder was the first tra<i»er tc tr.fi.ke a move, and wfent through on Monday with The Persian? Ahington, W.eronga, and Invasion. T. Pay ten is now on the way with a couple of Grafton two-year-olds. Great Scot, Brakpan. Stillwater, and First Thought. The Derby favourite. Abundance. Felicitous, and Kinglock will be on the move directly, whilst among others under ea v ly orders are Patronage. Sir Leonard, Hazel Lad. The Caretaker. Ibex. Merton Steel, and several two-year-olds. Within the next ten days those intended for service at Caulfield will be despatched, and no doubt New South Wales trained horses will make a very fair show altog« her. Lord Ellesmere, a contributor to the “Badminton Magazine,” writes: “I believe implicitly that there is such a thing as luck, and that luck may alwa -s turn in one’s favour. Otherwise I shot? i h .ve often been tempted to give It up as a bad job. The other day It occurred to me to make a rough list of the important races for which I have run second, but n» * er won. during the X-i years I have been racing. They are of the so-called classic races—the Derby, the Oaks, and the Qjie Thousand (1 have nover got nearer than third for the St. Leger). the Good wood and Doncaster Cups, the Prince of Wales Stakes, and the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, the City and Suburban (twice!, and the Great Metropolitan at* Epsom. Of two-year-old races I will only mention the Middle Park Plate and the Woodcoie. If this is not a record of ill-fortune 1 do not know what else to call iL"

Mr R. E. Mcßae, who introduced such good sires as Puriri, Volunteer, and Deadshot to the Taranaki-Wanganui coast, Is going to South Africa to settle, and has just been presented with a purse of sovereigns by settler friends on the coast. As an owner of racing stock, steward of various racing clubs, judge at agricultural shows, and as an all round man amongst stock, Mr Mcßae is widely known find popular. Amongst horses owned by Mr McRae, In conjunction with Mr W. Nicholson, who used "to ride them, were: Butcher Boy, who yame to Auckland years ago, and finished up his career; Rustic Medora. Gazelle, and later on a useful ’chaser In Whalebone, by Volunteer. From what I can gather of the prospects of totalizator legislation in this State, says a Sydney writer, it is unlikely that anything beyond a rormal Introduction of a bill will be attempted in this session, but Mr E. M. Clark, will make a bold effort to pais his bill in the Assembly early in next session, which will mean about the middle of next year. The bill is pretty much the same, I understand, as the one passed by the Council before, and which lapsed at the end of the session in the Assembly. There is already opposition to the measure, not by the bookmakers, but by those meddlesome folks who are identified with religious movements, who object to gambling in any form. They are already getting up petitions, and writing to the papers. I do not know what the fate of the next attempt to make the toialisator legal will be. but if it passes the majority of votes will be a small one. Anyway, if Partial ment adopts it, the bi!!, is not likely to become law for abouT twelve months from date, In any case. Mr G. E. Morrison gives an amusing account of the sale of the Chinese nonv which had, in 30 days, carried him 800 miles of his journey through China, to Burma, over an unusually difficult road, “it was always in good spirit, brave and hardy, carrying me as surely the last zO miles as it had done the first 20. Yet. when I came to sell it, I was astonished to learn how many were its lts height, which was 12 hands 3in in Nampoung. had shrunk three days later to 11 hands 3in in Bhamo. This was told me by one young officer who came to look at the pony, with a view of making me an offer. Another officer proved to me that tne off foreleg was gone hopelesslv; a third demonstrated that the poor beast was spavined, and that its hear hind frog was rotten. One of the constabulary discovered the pony was a roarer.” Then a Hungarian Jew moneylender ctfme to n.ake an offer, and found to his regret ♦hat the pony’s hind legs were even worse than the forelegs. In the end, Mr Morrison sold the pony for what it had cost him, about £4. Mr C. O'Connor, who has been appointed to the position of starter to the Auckland Racing Club, has for some years acted for a number of country clubs in the South Island, and has made frequent trips to Gisborne, also acting there. He has been strongly recommended by racing people who have had evidence of his work, and received the appointment over other applicants, some of whom are experienced and capable men. Though not a condition of office, it is thought tual Mr O'Connor will likely reside in Auckland. Mr Cutts’ successor is not unknown here, for years ago Mr O'Connor was a prominent horseman, and on visits irom the South rode between the flags over the Ellerslie country and over hurdles, and lias been associated with the successes of some good and useful flat, hurdle, and cross-country winners in d’fterent parts of the colony, amongst which may be mentioned Crackshot, Ma-c-trcni, and Clarence, to name a select trio.

Baron de Marbot at one time had a mare which was so savage that it required four or five men to saddle and bridle her, her head having to be covered with a blanket and ail her four feet tied; “but once you were on her back, you found her an incomparable mount.” She bit everyone who came near ner, until tne Baron’s servant cured her. and showed his master how to secure immunity. He approached the mare armed W’ith a roast leg of mutton just taken from the spit; when she tried to bite the man gave her the hot mutton, and seizing it she burned her mouth so badly that she never tried to bile the man again; Baron de Marbot employed the same treatment, and she never bit him again; she even became more tractable towards the stablemen she knew, but made up for this by displaying greater savagery than ever toward -.stranger*:. Before she came into Baron de Marbot’s possession, this mare had been sold, and killed a groom the first day she spent in her new stable, and the man’s mistress brought an action to recover the money she had paid for the animal. Not only did she get a verdict, but the police ordered that a written statement should be placed in the mare’s stall to warn people of her ferocity. and any bargain for her was to be null and void unless the buyer declared in writing that his attention had been called to this statement. Writing on turf legislation in South Australia. “Richmond.” the Adelaide correspondent of the Sydney “Referee,’’ has the following:—ln the House of Assembly this week the Government carried their proposal to levy a tax of 2J per cent, on totalisator investments. There was some opposition from the class of members who object to the State “soiling its hands” by taking any of its revenue from racing. Ittit they were in the minority. The clubs will still take their 7J per cent, from the investments, so that the 10 per cent, will be deducted before speculators receive their dividends. The Government have Introduced their bill designed to suppress the tote •hops, but exactly how far It will be

effective is doubtful, seeing that, as I pointed out a week or two ago. while the Attorney-General has been drafting this measure, his partner in law has framed rules for “clubs” in connection with tote shops, under which they are now registered under the Companies Act In a nutshell, the Government bll provides that if on hearing of an information against a person for unlawful gaming the court shall be of opinion that any money or thing be proved to have been given or received by the defendant or hid agems which raises a reasonable suspicion that it was done in contravention of the Act shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the commission of the offence. Power is also given to the police to enter a place on a warrant where it is suspected that unlawful gaming is being carried on, and to remain there for three days, instead of, as at present, having to obtain a fresh warrant for each occasion on which they wish to make an entry. The maximum penalty on conviction has been fixed at £2OO. A story is told—and it must be owned that there is considerable air of improbability about it —that a Buckinghamshire gentleman, early in the last century, who prided himself on the excellence of hia horses, was exceedingly chagrined to find himself always outridden by a butcher’s boy on a fast trotting cob. He at once endeavoured to buy the cob. but as the butcher was not a very eager seller it was not till after long negotiations and parting with a very substantial cheque that he obtained him. And when he did. as is so often the case when a horse is bought of which so much is expected, he was disappointed with his purchase, who proved to be a veritable shy that could scarcely be driven on by whip anct spur, and that certainly did not show any of that pace which had so appealed to his new owner. Exceedingly irate, tne latter interviewed the* butcher, and angrily insisted that he had been taken in. This tne butcher would not admit, and insisting that the horse could and would trot as fast as ever, put up his boy again, with the result that the cob made an excellent show. The gentleman was bewildered at the change, which the butcher finally explained by telling him that it was the basket which caused the horse to do his best, and as the gentleman would not of course carry a butcher’s basket, the original owner got the horse back at a considerable reduction in price. It is a good story, but there is an air of imp: obability about it which is charming in its naivete. To begin with, a man was scarcely likely to give a big pnce for a horse without trying it himself, and one would think that there would not have been much difficulty in breaking a horse “off the basket.” The Public Petitions Committee, we are informed, have made the following recommendation in reference to the number of petitions that have been sent in from various sources praying for the abolition of the totalisator: “That in view of the large and influential representations made by the 7143 petitioners praying for the abolition of the totalisator. this committee recommends the prayer of the petitioners to the earnest consideration of the Government.” We may assume that the last has been heard of this matter for some time, as tne Referendum Bill has been dropped; hut, after the expression or opinion from oir Joseph Ward a short time ago that the question was one that should oe referred to the people, the Government will have to either tackle the question themselves or seek an expression of opinion of the people of the colony in some way. There can be no doubt that a gigantic business has grown up, mainly as the result of the legalising of the totalisator in New Zealand. Racing and breeding studs have developed marvellously, and so long as the colony continues in a prosperous condition will continue to grow. There is a danger, however, of the racing business growing too vigorously, and there certainly would be a slump and a good many persons thrown out of employment were the totalisator suddenly

taken away from the <*lubs. There art many clubs that are in a position to carry on racing without the aid of the machine system of speculation, but there are others whose very existence is dependent upon it, and there are some that it would not be a mistake to deprive of It altogether. In a matter of this sort some contend there should be no monopoly, and they hold that the little as well as the big clubs should have the same privileges. It is not difficult to imagine what would have been the result of allowing free trade in the use of the totalisator in New Zealand. As It is we have now more racing in the colony than It is judicious to encourage, and tnere Is no wonder that a section of the community view with alarm the Increased meetings and the consequent Increase of speculation on the sport. We must try and keep racing within reasonable limits, and the surest way to do so is to continue to restrict the use of the totalisator to well-established reputable clubs. In Western Australia racing institutions (according to a Sydney authority) have had remarkable development, and the principal clubs have lately been flourishing apace. This is to be expected in districts where the goldfields develop life and bustle quickly, but the advance of Kalgoorlie and the Boulder as racing centres has been something prodigious. The sporting scribe of the Adelaide “Observer,” “Tarquin,” has been giving an account of a visit to the West. After pointing out that the first meeting at Kalgoorlie was in November, 1894, and tracing the progress made since, he goes on to say: “The amount given away in stakes for the meeting under review was £3835. or equal to that subscribed by the Adelaide Racing Club for its Birthday Meeting at Victoria Park, which attracts numerous horses from Melbourne. The racecourse, which Is reached by electric car, is situated about a mile out of the town, and comprises In all 200 acres, held on a 99 years’ lease, of which 10 acres are enclosed for the grandstand and Leger reserves. The grandstand, which is an imposing structure, cost nearly £9OOO, and Is capable of holding 2500 persons. It is unnecessary to enumerate the whole of the appointments. It will suffice to say that they are as complete as those at Morphettville. The Kalgoorlie Club run a place totalisator in addition to the ordinary machine, and, from the club’s point of view, it must be admitted that it is a decided success. Men who bet on a heavy scale, however, seldom use it. If more than five horses start, the place tote pays 1,2, 3. The total amount invested is divided into three equal parts, and investors on the placed horses are entitled to a dividend arrived at by dividing each such part by the number of Investors on such horse respectively. If four or five horses run, the place tote pays first and second only, the total amount staked being divided into two equal parts, and paid to the investors on the first and second horses respectively. If only three or a less number of horses start, the place tote is not opened. The club allow the bookmakers to bet, and no better argument in favour of the machine and the metallicians working side by side could be adduced than that furnished at this meeting. Licenses were issued to no fewer than 90 bookmakers, and the revenue received from them alone was £l5OO, those in the grandstand paying £3O each for the privilege of betting for the three days only, while the fielders in the Leger reserve contribute £l5. A leading member of the ring put it, “This is ruination, though we fully recognise we have a right to subscribe something towards racing.’’ At Perth they are charged as much as 70 guineas for a four days’ meeting The following is a copy of a dialogue on ’ the betting question sent anonymously to the Special Commissioner of the London “Sportsman”:— At the Cheshire Cheese Tavern the conversation turned on the recent election of a member of Parliament, whereby a vote ostensibly hostile to the Ministers of State was recorded.

A grentleman, who stated that tie was an elector, explained that the defeated candidate owed his downfall to ha»«Drf organised odious restrictions on the Inhabitants of the borough and on his servants and workmen. Boswell: * x'ray, sir, what did he seek to restrict?” The gentleman, whose name I (Boswell) have not preserved, replied that the aim of the soundly beaten candidate had been and was to prevent other nersons from hazarding their own money on the contingencies of horse matches Johnson (rising, and striding up and down the room): "Why, sir, this is a sorry fellow, indeed, and rightly rejected by the voters. Adventure is the soul of commercial prosperity, and the man wno seeks to repress adventure or hazard, as you style it, is unfit to be at still less to sit in Parliament. ” I made bold to suggest a distinction between speculation on commer. contingencies and wagering on horse matches. Johnson: “Sir, your wits would seem to have been less ready than yourself to leave Scotland. Should they ever join company with you again, you will understand your own foolishness.” I was much abashed at this rebuff, but humbly craved enllerhtenment. Johnson: "Nay, nay, if you ask me thus I have no more to say against you.” Then, after a pause—“ Whether we hazard our money in South Sea Bubbles or in the possibilities of mining, or on the speed of horses, we are equally adventurers, and working to a good end. though it may be far astray.” Goldsmith, who nad now joined us, observed that while he could understand something good coming out of a miue, the speed of horses could not in a similar sense be productive. Johnson: “Sir, do you think us all as ignorant as your Moses, -who sold horses for green spectacles? Do you not know that the breeding of good horses is a vital necessity to a nation, and that speed, tested on a racecourse again and again is only the gauge by which men can discover worthy parents of horses that are to be?” Goldsmith: “I profess you amaze me with your knowledge of such a subject; but you do not touch the point of substance, which is wagering or adventuring—can it what you will—on the contingencies of horse matches.” Johnson: ‘air, why waste words? Horse matches are a national necessity, and, while they last, men will bet on ’em. We should be better employed over a bottle of port than in such tilting at trifles.” After consuming the bottle we had more conversation, but I have preserved 20 minutes of it except the followina:— Johnson: “This election earmarss the people’s demand for freedom from men who would forbid them to support their own fancies. Sir, let’s go out, and wager on a horse match.” * ® ® ® TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. There was a fair attendance of members of the Takapuna Jockey Club at the annual meeting held at the Club’s office at Devonport last evening, Mr E. W. Alison in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet were read as follows:— During the past season three meetings ; were held, extending over seven days, i stakes amounting to £5600 being paid away, as against £5290 for the previous year, an Increase of £3lO. The amount paid to the Government as totalisator tax amounted to £BBO 9/2. The total receipts amount to £BBO3 5/8, a falling off of £B4 2/7 as compared with the previous year, leaving a balance to profit and loss account of £827 13/8. According to the rules three members of committee retire ■ annually. This year the retiring mem- ■ bers are Messrs A. Alison, G. Lankham : and Captain Coyle, who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election, and are the only nominations received. The balance-sheet is as follows:—Dr.: Sundry secured and other creditors, £12,316 1/9; bank overdraft, £l7B 18/2; balance, £1685 9/7; total, £14,180 9/6. Cr.: Racecourse, and other properties, buildings, plant, etc., £13,600; office furniture, £SO; sundry debtors, £529 9/6; cash in hand, £1: total, £14,180 9/6. Profit and Loss Accdunt:—Dr.: Stakes, £5600; salaries and wages, £9ll 19/9; rents and interest, £567 12/8; printing and advertising, £251 19/6; catering, £172 6/6; rates and taxes. £99 19/7; Legal expenses, £95 16/2; band, £49; insurance, £2B 16/9; petty cash, £24 13/; carting account, £ll 13/6; painting, £ls 9/8; horse covers, etc., £7 4/; donations, £3 3/; stationery, etc., £6 17/; racing conference, £7; tools, etc., £l6 10/; timber, £7 J. 7/; seeds, plants, etc., £3 9/; hire, £4 6/; delegate’s expenses, £l6; hurdles, £8 16/; sundries, £65 8/11; balance profit for year, £827 13/8; total, £8,803 6/8. Cr.: Totalisator (£5270 6/4, less Government tax, £BBO 9/2), £4389 17/2; gates, booths, etc., £1973 8/6; nominations and acceptances, £1507; subscriptions. fees, etc., £918; grazing, £ls; total, £BBO3 6/8. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, spoke of the satisfactory condition of the Club generally, of the racing witnessed, and the continued support of the public who attended In large numbers. The receipts, as compared with last year, showed a falling off of £B4 12/7; the expenditure Showed an Increase of £335 18/7, of which £3lO was accounted for by Increased stakes. The total stakes paid away was £5600, as against £5290 last year. The club's winter meeting was conducted Under a disadvantage as against the preJ year - ln that there was no public holiday on May 24. The surplus of receipts over expenditure for the year amounted to £827 13/8, being £420 11/ less tnan the preceding year, chiefly owing to the increase of stakes, which placed the club in the position of being sixth on the list of the whole of the clubs in the •atony in respect of the total sums paid

away In stakes. The club had leased for a term of 21 years about two acres of land adjoining the saddling paddock from the Devon port Borough Council, which would enable the club to extend Its saddling paddock when required. The ground was now being cleared and would be available this season. The course and surroundings were in splendid order and condition, and a credit not only to the club, but the caretaker, who deserved a word of praise for the manner in which he had carried out his duties. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. The thrte retiring members of committee, Messrs A. Alison, G. Lankham and Capt. Coyle were re-elected. A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman proposed by Mr Mays was suitably acknowledged by Mr Alison, and the meeting terminated. © © © AOVNDALE J.C, SPRING MEETING. The Avondale J.C. Spring Meeting was concluded on Wednesday. The weather opened’promisingly enough, but after two races had been disposed of a heavy downpour was experienced, and the saddling paddock became sloppy, and pools of water lay all along the course, which was again rendered in a neavy condition. Tne attendance was not so good as on either the nrst or second ways, but speculation was bilsk enough, and the racing showed consideraole ment, some of the hnishes being very close. Some of the winners and second horses eiiected surprises. The sum of £5791 was passed through tne totalisators during the afternoon, bringing tne total for the three days to X 17,180, or £&jZi less than last year, when the meeting was held on the Ellerslie course. The fine field of thirteen went to the post for the Maiden, in which the recent arrival, Inchcape, succeeded in beating The Miner, who was going so well to tne last hurdle that the race was in doubt to that stage. Putty, who was the third favourite, cleverly defeated eight others in the Hack Handicap, S*eatonia, Irish and Lingard running a close race for second money. Just when Maroon and Gold looked to have the Welter Handicap won, he and Maro having bumped into each other down the straight, Hikipene came strongly and just got up in time to snatch a narrow’-margln win, Hesper finishing close up. The Steeplechase was a most interesting content, and was particularly well fought by four, victory resting with Nor’-west, who fairly wore Stockman down in the home stretch, while The Swimmer, who struck a fence hard nearing home, was right up in third place, and Hinemoa was not more than five lengths behind the winner. Tne Grandstand Handicap was a false run race, Durable tailing away about fifteen lengths in the first three furlongs. Vai Rosa won very comfortably. Austerlitz once more showed the brilliancy she possesses by beating Camille, St. Peter and eight others, of vfhicli Lady Soult and Gold Web were rather badly left, this being the only unsatisfactory start of the day. Avalanche wan the Pony Race most decisively from Sentinel and four others, and Idas landed t*ie Publicans’ Handicap in good style. Camille, who showed much improvement upon her running the previous week, finished second, while St. Olga just beat Formula for the third place. Altogether the manageemnt have cause to be satisfied with financial results of the meeting, though, had the weather not been atrociously had, they would have been much more pleasing. Results:— SECOND HANDICAP HURDLE RACE of 80sovs; second lOsovs from stakes. One mile and three-quarters. 62—H. Franks’ ch g Inchcape, by Gorton—Lady Bell, 10.5 (Higgins) .... 1 91—E. Cuneen’s The Miner, 9.7 (Mitchell) 2 73—A. Ludlow r ’s Sophia, 9.11 (McGregor) •.. 3 Also ran: 22, Lightning, 9.10, Pennell; 109, Winsome, 9.10, Hall; 85, Admiral Hawke, 9.9, O’Connell; Commodore, 9.5, Moore; 84, Waimana, 9.3, Ross; 53, Lady Dash, 9.0, Phillips; 32, Aka Aka, 9.0, Pope; 5, Reality, 9.0, Buttler; 26, Briton, 9.0, Dan Morrigan. Waimana, The Miner, and Reality were running in the front of a closely bunched eight horses at the end of the first round. Lady Dash having fallen at the second hurdle, and Commodore having run off. Going along the back of the course The Miner went to the front, Inchcape, who was running fourth, going up. At the turn for home Inchcape was being rfdden, and The Miner came on to the last hurdle with a two lengths lead, but striking it Inchcape got on terms, and finally won by half a length, Sophia six lengths off third; Winsome, who jumped badly, fourth. Time, 3.33. Dividends, £1 6/ and £1 13/. THIRD HACK HANDICAP of 40sovs; second ssovs. Five furlongs. 102—T. Williams’ ch g Putty, by St. Leger—Ellerslie, 6.10 (Percival).... 1 68—A. Bray’s Seatonia, 7.0 (Batman) .. 2 97—Butler and Williamson’s Irish. 7.7 (Porter) 3 Also ran: 63, Hippowai, 8.11, Speakman; 130, Lavadel, 8.0, Sceats; 41, Ben Blair, 7.7. Bird; 89,Lingard, 7.5, Phillips; U6,Bastion, 7.0, Jenkins; 55, Minna, 6.10, Barr. Hippowai and Ben Blair were first to move, and then came Irish. Turning into the straight Lingard had passed the leaders, and Irish and Seatonia were running next and were well abreast till nearing the winning post, when Putty came on outside and won by a short length, Seatonia beatftig Irish half a length, Lingard fourth. Time, 1.7. Dividends, £5 and £1 10/. ,

WELTER HANDICAP of 70sova; second lOsovs. Six furlongs65—R. and R. Duder s br m Hiklnene, by St. Hippo—Anna, 4yra. 8.0 (Smith) 1 I&>—Mrs J. Lennard’s Maroon and Gold, 8.11 (Sceats) 2 D. McKinnon’s Hesper, 8.2 (Pope).. 3 Also ran: 139, Landlock, 8.8, Cress; 88, Mechanic, 8.7, Jenkins; 93, Sly kiiss, 8.6, Julian; 111, Maro, 8.3, Ryan; 33, Gold Web, 8.0, Porter; 34, Mary Seaton. 8.0, Bird. Gold Web, Landiock, and Sly Miss were in the lead till nearing the straight, where Landlock came on in front, Maroon and Gold and Maro overhauling him next the rails. Maroon and Gold had the best of the run home with Maro, but Hikipene and Hesper finished faster in the centre of the course, and Hikipene won by a head; a neck between second and third. Mechanic fell. Time, 1.24. Dividends, £8 4/ and 19/. SECOND HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of SOsovs; second lOsovs. About 3 miles. 147—E. Cecil’s br g Nor’-west, by Sou’wester—Betty, 11.8 (Fergus) 1 61—M. Deebles Stockman, 10.0 (M. Deeble) 2 168—H. Franks’ The Swimmer, 10.11 (Higgins) 3 Also ran: 113, Cannongate, 11.13. Stewart; 82, Matarawa, 10.3, Morrigan; 32. Dingo, 10.3, Munro; 41, Hinemoa, 10.0, O’Connell; 14, Kotwhai, 9.7, Bowden; 45, Gipsy Girl, 9.7. McGregor. Hinemoa, Stockman, and Kowhai were the order over the first three fences, and then Stockman took the lead, Hinemoa and Kowhai going on second and third, The Swimmer and Nor’-west nex* in order, Cannongate last. At the hack of the course Carmongate ran off, and Stockman drew away and led Hinemoa several lengths passing the stand, where Matarawa, The Swimmer, and Nor’-W’est were the order, and in this way they went the next round, where Nor’-west went up to Stockman, followed by Dingo and Swimmer, Matarawa having fallen. Dingo fell at the wing of the first of the double. Going down the back for the last time Stockman, Nor’-west, and Swimmer were side by side, Hinemoa at their heels, and a hard race ensued, Nor -west catching Stockman at the last hurdle and beating him by two lengths, Swimmer a length off third, Hinemoa two lengths off fourth. Time, 6.38. Dividends, £3 4/ and £2 11/. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP of 120sovs; second Usovs, third osow out of the stakes. One mile. 152 —Mrs J. Lennard’s br h Vai Rosa, by Seaton Delaval—Vieux Rose, 8.2 (Sceats) 1 132—J. George’s Durable, 7.2 (Percival) 2 49 —E. Cecil’s Bluejacket, S.B (Julian) 3 Also started: 77, Ragabrasn, 6.12 (Phillips). Vai Rosa and Bluejacket ran in the front together till half-way down the straight, Ragabrash handy coming at this stage, but only on sufferance, as Vai Rosa drew away and won comfortably. Durable, who was ten lengths behind all along the back, finishing fast, got within two lengths of the winner. Time, 1.52. Dividend, £2 8/. ELECTRIC HANDICAP of 70sovs; second lOsovs. Four furlongs. 234—J. Reginald’s b f Austerlitz, by Soult—Sappho, 7.11 (Sceats) 1 113—C. Lovett’s Camille, 7.5 (Satman).. 2 187—J. Chaafe’s St. Peter, 8.10 (Ryan) 3 Also started: 62, Telephone, 9.9 (Ross); 109, Spalpeen, 7.11 (Julian); 35, Nereid, 7.7 (F. Ross); 42, Landlock, 7.6 (Cress); 88, Orange and Blue, 7.6 (Barr); 44. Lady Soult, 7.5 (Percival); 40, Gold Web, 7.0 (Snodgrass); 10, Ngatiama, 7.0 (Porter). Austerlitz and Camille came into the straight with the lead. Telephone having dropped back suddenly approaching the turn, while Lady Soult and Gold Web were left rather badly at the start. Coming down the home stretch Austerlitz remained in front, and, ridden right out, beat Camille by a length and a-half, St. Peter, who came well from the turn, finishing third, Nereid and Orange and Blue finishing next in order. Time, 53fis. Dividends, £2 15/ and £1 18/. THIRD PONY HANDICAP of 40sovs; second ssovs. 6 furlongs. 70—J. Hanson’s br f Avalanche, by Soult—Princess Alice, 7.10 (Barf) 1 186— J. Reginald’s Sentinel, 8.5 (Sceats) 2 34—J. Harrison’s Cuisine, 7.11 (Bird).. 3 Also started: 104, First Whisper, 8.2 (Taylor); 167, Girton Girl, 8.0 (Julian); 62, Wherekino, 7.4 (Satman). Whereklno and First Whisper led to the turn; then Avalanche came fast and, racing to the front, won by three lengths from Sentinel, who just beat Cuisine. Time, 1.26. Dividends, £6 and 15/. PUBLICANS’ HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second lOsovs. Seven furlongs. 195—Mrs J. Lennard’s b f IcU-s by Seaton Delaval—lda (Sceats) 1 36—C. Lovett’s Camille, 7.0 (Percival) 2 187 — J. Chaafe’s St. Olga, 8.7 (Taylor) 3 Also started: 802, Formula, 8.8 (Ryanl; 85, Solo, 7.9 (Satman); 30, Roslphele, 6.10 (Phillips); Hikipene, 7.0 (including 71b penalty). Formula led for nearly two furlongs from Solo and HUdpene, who went on together to near the turn, at which stage St. Olga and Idas wint to the front. Formula closing on them !n the straight, where Camille came still faster, Idas winning by two lengths, St. Olga just beating Formula for third place, finishing half a length behind Camille. Time, 1.38 Dividends, £3 and £5 8/. ® © © WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING. WANGANUI, Thursday. It rained early this morning, but is now fine, and the course is in good condition. The attendance Is up to the usual standard. Results:—

Spring Handicap of 12Ssovs, one mil® and a distance.—Shannon. 8.6, 1; Loch Erne. 7.2. 2; Halberdier, 9.0 3. Scratched: Fairy Dream, Maro. Westerly. Coqvoy, Tukapa and Legion of Honour, lime. 2.1. Dividends, £2 2/6 and £3 4/6. Wanganui Guineas, a sweep of lOsovs, with aOOeovs added; secund otsovs. One mile: Achillea. 1; Porirua, 2; Golden Vein, 3. A procession. Won hard held. Scratched: Kingman. Time L 42. Dividend £1 4/6. Moutoa Hack Handicap of 60aovs., six furlongs: The Ganger, 1; Walreka, 1; Rustique. 3. Won by e half-a-length. Scratched: Punami. Time Ll 7. Dividends £5 7/ and £4 11/. I .rst Handicap Hurdles of 125sovs; 2 miles and a distance.—Waiwera (Coch- : me). 1; Frost (P. Arnott), 2; Evening Wonder (A. Hall) 3. Also started: King. Won easily by a length and a half. Time, 4m Ils. Dividend, £2 8/6. First Hacz E.rdie Handicap of 75sov®: 1 mile and 5 furlongs.—Levant (J. O’Con-r.-’l> 1; Glencoe (P Johnston.., 2; O J Gun (Fahey). 3. Also started: Waitohi, Toledo, Dick, Redshank. Benedictine. Levant came through at the top bend, and Ui the run home beat Glencoe by a length. 1 *me, 3m 8 3-ss. Div'dend®, £2 8/ and 15/6. Putikl Lack Handicap of 75sovs: 1 mile and a distance.—Aroha (G. Price). 1; Laureate (Jenkins), 2; Dick Turpin (H. 3 Also started: Cave and Lissa. Won easily by a length. Time, 2m. £l4 13/6. Flying Handicap of 150sovs; 6 furlongx —Nioiti (W. Young). 1; Windwhistle (J. Pine). 2; Westguard (L. Miller), 3. Also started: Chasseur, Ringlet, Tukapa. A de&perate finish resulted In Nioiti winning on the post by the merest margin. Time, Im 16 3-ss. Dividends, £3 1/ and SECOND LAY. Owen Stakes.—Shrapnell Shell 1. Chasseur 2, Zealous 3. Scratched: Nioti. Time, 1.16. dividends, £5 4/6 and £5 1/. Second -xandicap Hurdles of lOOsovs; If miie.—Waiwera, 12.3. 1; Smithy, 9.9, 2; Stockade, 9.6, 3. Won easily. All started. Time. 3.24. Dividends, £2 16/. Hack Flying Handicap, of 60 sovs, P furlongs.—Governess, 7.12, 1; The Ganger, 8.5, 2; Walreka, 7.9, 3. Good Race. All started. Time, 1.16 2-5. Dividends, £5 15/6 and £1 6/. A protest against Governess was dismissed. Second Hack Hurdle Handicap.—Levant, 10.12 (J. O’Connell), 1; Glencoe, 10.5 (P. Johnston), 2; Old Gun, 10.3 (Fahey), 3. Also started: Waiotahi, 9.4; Redshank. 9.0; Benedictine, 9.0. Won easily by half a length. Time, 2.24. Dividends, £2 9/6 and 16/. Wanganui Stakes Handicap.—Halberdier, 8.0 (J. Duff), 1; Fakir, 7.5 (W. Price), 2; Convoy, 7.9 (T. Wilson), 3. Also started: Ostiak, 8.3; Melwood, 8.0; Golden Vein, 7.6; Bowman, 7.5; Legion of Honour, 6.7; Fairy Dream, 6.7. In the straight Halberdier shot out and won comfortably by a length from Fakir, who made a good late run. Convoy was a good third. Time. 2.40. Dividends, £2 16/6 and £2 4/. Railway Hack Handicap.—Lissa, 7.9 (C. Jenkins), 1; Dick Turpin, 7.8 (Gray), 2; Cave, 9.0 (T. Wilson), 3. Also started: Rita, 7.5; Betsy. 7.0; Rukumoana, 7.0. Won by half a length. Dividends, £4 14/6 and £1 12/6.

Marangal Stake® Handicap of lOOsovs, 1 mile. —Tortulla, 10.4 (Jenkins), 1; Nioltf. 7.10 (W. Price), 2; Loch Erne, 7.10 (T. O’Brien), 3. Also started: Reclaimer, 8.3; Oracle. 7.3; Dodona, 6,10; Westerly, 6.7; King Edward, 6.7. Oracle and King Edward led for a furlong. Westerly and Tortulla being next, and Nioiti and Dodona last. Nioiti put in a splendid run round the bend, and was upsides with Tortulla and Loch Erne entering the straight. A magnificent struggle home took place, Tortulla winning by half a head, Lach Erne two lengths away third. Time, 1.45. Dividends, £1 15/6 and £1 13/.

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB SPORTS MEETING. *Th> Pakuranga Hunt Club’s sports meeting on Saturday, postponed from r fortnight previously on account of bad weather, was held at Alexandra Park and there was a fair attendance, the grandstand being full, and it was from there that most of the events were witnessed by the people, as the afternoon w'as showery and unpleasant. But for the weather the meet would have been a complete success, as it was the sport was interesting enough. First or second favourites won every time, and the pencillers who <were doing business nearly all had a lot the worst of matters, as there was not a solitary turn up during th© afternoon. The correct card showed big entries, but the scratching peu was freely used, and the Melds were only moderate*. Some of the racing was interesting, but the six events fell to four horses, two of which won twice. They w’ere Kiatere, by Castor—Victoria, and Miss Drury, by Drury Lane, and Mr H. Crowther rode them, thus putting up a record of four winning rides. The following officials conducted the business of the day Stewards, Messrs A. MuCosh Clark, E. D. O’Rorke, H. T. Gorrie, H. O. Nolan, H. C. Tonks. XV. D. Pittar, C. E. Purchas, W. Percival; judge, Mr W. McLaughlin; starter, Mr 11. T. Gorrie; clerks of scales, Messrs A. R. Harris and J. S. Buckland; handicappers, Messrs W. McLaughlin and H. O. Nolan; clerk of course, Mr T. Brown. Music was furnished by Hunter’s Brass Band, and afternoon tea wjls provided by the Strand Cafe Company. FARMERS’ FLAT RACE for Trophy valued at lo&ovs., 11 miles. Mr A. J. Kidd’s Aka Aka, 12.7 (Mr F. Parker) 1 Mr J. Gray’s Ploughboy, 12.7 (Owner) 2 Mr W. Austin’s Vic, 12.7 (Owner) 3 Also started: Neptune, Pepper, and Nil Desperandum. Betting was 2 to 1 on Aka Aka, 10 to 1 Vic, 20 to 1 Ploughboy. Aka Aka led all the way and won by six lengths, four lengths be tween second and third. HUNTERS’ HANDICAP HURDLES, for lOsovs trophy. Two miles. Mr H. Crowther’s Fftite|e, 12.7 (owner) 1 Mr T. Bray’s Perseverance,ll.o (owner) 2 Miss E. Abbott’s Star, 12.5 (Mr T. Harding) 8

Libeller, Muriwai, Juno, 'Whirlwind, Ika Vuka, and A Frost also started. Betting ■was 2 to 1 Kiatere, and 3 to 1 Perseverance. Kiatere took the lead when halfway. Perseverance came from the rear and caught Stax in the home run, but could not catch Kiatere, who wan by half a dozen lengths. Time, 4min lOsec. MILITARY FLAT RACE. Trophy value 10 sovs. Two miles, to be ridden in uniform. Trooper J. Hcrrold’s Midnight, 11.0 (owner) 1 Trooper S. Dicken’s Rally 11.. 11.7 (Mr R. Forbes) 2 Trooper Quinlan’s Cannongate IL, 11.7 (Mr Murray) 3 FARMERS’ HURDLE RACE, for trophy value JOso vs. Two miles. Mr E. G, Ellett’s ch m Miss Drury, 13.7 (Mr H. Crowther) 1 Mr H. Mood; b m Freewill, 13.0 (Mr G. Harding> 2 Mr C. Wallace's br g Puktrimu, 12.7 (owner) 3 Aka Aka, 12.7 (Mr Parker), also started. Betting: 5 to 4 on Miss Drury, 6 to 4 against Aka Aka, 6 to 1 Freewu. Aka Aka fell at the first hurdle. Miss Drurywaited on Freewill to the straight, and then came away and won easily by half a dozen lengths. HUNTERS’ HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, for trophy value losuvs. About

two miles and a half. Mr H. Crowther's br g Kiatere, 13.7, including 71b penalty (owner) 1 Mr A. T. Pittar’s b g Rio-t, 13.7 (Mr H. Cotter) 2 Mr C. Norgrove’s ch g Polo, 11.0 (Mr J. Gordon) 3 Te Akau, 12.7 (Mr Howard); Tirinui, 11.7 (Mr Dcebie), also started. Betting: Evens Riot, 6 to 4 Kiatere. Tirinui ran off early in the proceedings, Riot and Te Akau going to the front. In the last round Kiatere drew up to Riot, and joining him enteiing the course for the run home, won by four lengths. Polo half a dozen lengths off third. MEMBERS’ HANDICAP FLAT RACE, for trophy, value lOsovs. Three miles. Mr E. G. Ellett's ch m Miss Drury, 13.7 (Mr H. Crowther) 1 Mr F. L. Armitage s b g Marine, 12.0 (owner) 2 Mr T. Bray’s b g Perseverance,' 11.7 (Mr Bray) 3 Briton, 12.0 (Mr Kinloch); Aka Aka, 12.0 (Mr F. Parker); Whirlwind 11., 11.7 (Mr W. Austin), also started. Betting: 5 to 4 v Briton, 2 to 1 Miss Drury, 4 to 1 Aka Aka, 10 to 1 Marine. Aka Aka and Marine were in front for three rounds, when Perseverance a-nd Miss Drury drew up, Miss Drury catching Marine turning fcr home, and winning easily by five lengths, Perseverance ten lengths off third. ® ® ® DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING. DUNEDIN, Saturday. The following are the acceptances for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting.which opens on Wednesday;— First Hurdle Handicap, IS mile: Sultana 10.11. Dartmoor 10.2, The Earl 9.13. Vanquish 9.7, Tufto 9.2. First Hack Handicap, 6 furlongs: Lady Rosalyn 8.13. Secret Society 8.11. Moslem Maid 8.0. Reg-ulatlon 7.12. Tufto 7.9. Sarchedon 7.2. Barbette 7.0, Invicta 6.12. Mosglel Handicap, li mile: Pampero 9.7. Canteen 8.9. Welbeck 7.13. Electric Handicap. 6 furlongs: Goldspur t*3, Canteen 8.13, Lady Rosslyn 8.5. Beau-

clerc 8.4, Whirl *ind 8.2, Hawthorne 8.0, Ayrdale 7.12, Donna Rush 7.10, Noblease October Welter Handicap. 7 furlongs: Vladiinar V.», Beauclerc 9.8, 'Wild West 9.2, Abercrombie 8.13, Cherrystone 8.11. Tugela 8.9, Glenelg 8.2, Noblesse 8.2. ® ® ® OTAKI MAORI RACING CLUB. The following are the acceptances for the Otuki Maori R.C. meeting, commencing on Wednesday: — Tehiwl Memorial Stakes of JOsovs.—Cure 8.13, Ghoorka 8.9, Lifebelt 7.10, Tyrene 7.9, Pure Silver 7.8, Wehenga 7.0, First Hurdles of 40sovs, Ij miles.— Kohonui 11.13, Mourner 11.6; Old Gun 9.11, Attua 9.8, Waitohi 9.0, Ciovjs 9.0, Dreyfus 9.0. •Demonstration Handicap of 80sovs. Ik miles.—Cure 8.10, Robin Adair 8.2, Punawal 7.9, Lifebelt 7.8. Ora 7.2, Guesser 6.10. Flying Handicap of 45sovs, 6 furlongs.— Pure Silver 8.10, Gold Purse 8.5, Wehenga 7.12, Mussel! 7.9. Dalky 7.3. Malrehau 7.2, Flanagan 7.0, Position. 7.0. Welter Handicap of -iOsovs —Smithy 9.11, Mourner 9.7, In the Van 9.4, Hamua 8.13, Prisoner 8.9, Rebellious 8.7, Hakaraia 8.7. Tiklrawa 5.7, Pantomime 8.7, Insurgent 8.7. Stewards’ Handicap of 40sovs, 5 furlongs.—Gold Seal 8.9, Gold Purse 8.4, Stepson 8.3. Terror 8.1, Turepo 7.11, Aldlnga 7.8, Kereru 7.8, Elibank 7.8. Gold Dredge 7.2, Dalky 7.2, Malrehau 7.1, De De 6.10, Flanagan 6.10, Explorer 6.7. ® ® ® OTAHCHU HACK MEETING. The following acceptances have been received for the above meeting. v*hich is fixed to take place on Wednesday next:— Maiden Plate Handicap: Hypatia 8.12. Ben Blair 8.10, Star 8.0, Padlock 8.0, Dynamite 7.12. Goldchaser 7.0, Manutalntu 7.0. Handicap Pony Race: Lady Howitzer 9.10, First Whisper 9.2, Soultfish 7.7, Mosquito 7.4 Pure Gold 7.4. Otahuhu Cup Handicap: Sly Miss 8.12, Doctor 8.10. Lady Howitzer 7.8, Miss Drury 7.8. Rally 7.4, Marine 7.4, Star 7.4. Settlers' Hack Handicap: Bright Star 9.0. Captai i Jack 9.0, Wilga 8.0, Mosquito 8.0, Zu.:a S.o, Goldchaser 7.0, Lucetta 7.0, A Frost 7.0. Handicap Hurdle Race: Hylas 11.9. Hinemoa U.S, Tuni 10.7, Marine 10.5, Sophia 10.5, Lady Dash 10.3, Ika Vuka 10.0, Rangipunehu 9.10, Freewill 9.10, Star 9.3, Briton 9.3, A Frost 9.0, Awatuna 9.0. Railway Hancicap: Sly Miss 9.0, Delia Rose 8.5, Hypatia 7.10, Hipstone 7.10. Lingard 7.10, Ben Blau- 7.8, Nereid 7.8, Padlock 7.4. Pukaki (late Pepper) 7.4, Rally 7.4, Manutainutu 7.4, Soultfish 7.VO ® ® TUR ? TALK FROM THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Graphic.” CHRISTCH UR< T.I, Saturday. I shall have plenty of time to make selections for the Dunedin Jockey Club’a Spring Meeting in a future letter after the acceptances are available. In the meantime I may say that I think the Mosgiel Handicap will resolve itself into a match between Pampero and Welbeck. The tracks at Wlngatui have not been as bad lately as those elsewhere, and the local horses may therefore have an advantage over visitors as regards condition. The committee of the newly formed Dunedin Coursing Club have agreed to make a written offer to lease a portion of Forbury Park for coursing purposes for the term of five years. A membership of 150 is already assured. The following foalings are reported:— Britomart, by Gorton—Lady Gertrude, b f to Stepniak; Fairy Maid, by Albany— Titania, b f to Stepniak; Ranee Nuna, by St. George—Wutersprite. b c to Stepniak; Tempest, by New Holland—Tornado, ch f to Stepniak; Coronal, by Medallion—Corolla, br c to Gipsy Grund; Huguenot, by Apremont-Martyr, b f to Stepniak; Fanna, by Maxim—Hermione, b c to Stepniak; Pleasure-seeker, by Chain Shot— Psyche, b f to Castashore, and visits him again; Sea Shell, by Chain Shot—Nautilus visits Sant Ilario; Nautilus, by Traducer—Waterwitch; Fatigue, by St. George—Tired; and Tired, by Leon—Nora, visit Nelson. St. Michael is amiss. King Log also is lame, and will not go to Napier Orloff will be Mr Stead’s sole repiesentative at the Hawke’s Ray meeting Tch Dion has foaled twin colts to Multiform. Both are alive. The Forbury Park Racing Club have resolved to hold their first race meeting on 20th December, a week prior to the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting. About 250 names will be presented for election as members at a meeting to be held next Monday, and the first general inerting, to be held shortly afterwards, will elect office bearers. The trotting stallions Viking and General Tracy are announced for sale. Culvorden, by Son of a Gun—Roseneath, has produced a filly to Cuirassier; Ich Dien, by St. George—Ravenswing, twin colts (both alive) to Multiform: Fatigue, by St. George— Tired, a colt to Lakeshell; and Lanotte. by Etrldspord—La To sc a, a colt to Multiform. By way of compensating them for their unhappy experience at Geraldine last week, the weather treated racegoers royally at the Ohoka and TCyreton meeting on Thursday. As a result the attend-

aiice was large. The course was a trifle slow, but tills fact did not spoil the sport, which was mostly interesting. Scylla, although by no means well treated in the Ohoka and Eyreton Handicap, had done something good at home. This fact leaked out. with the result that the daughter of Stepniak and Whirlpool started an odds-un favourite. She won comfortably, but the merit of her victory Is discounted by the obvious fact that some of her opponents did not appear over anxious to get their heads in front. Magnificent was among these, but in his case it was the fault, not of the rider, but of his horse, who was not In one of his generous moods. A feature of the race was the display of Pallas. The son of Chain Armour showed brilliant speed for six furlongs, anil when he Is quite readj’ he will speedily find a place on the winning list. Muscovite might have won the Flying Handicap with a little luck. After getting away none too well ho beat everything but Cyclas Para. The latter, a gelding h;.’ Lakeshell— Fatigue, was so little ranci.d by the following of Cutts’ stable, that he was allowed to pay a dividend of £Bl 16/. The Aucgland-bred pair, Regulation and Panama, divided favouritism for the Mandccßle Welter Handicap. The former was never prominent, but the latter put in a good run In the straight, and was onjy beaten a length by Good Spec. Speculate, a half-brother, by Banner, to the winner, appropriated th*e District Welter Handicap, and the uncertain Single Event, after rolling all over the course in the straight, managed to win the Hunters’ Flat Race by a head from First Shot, who started favourite. The Novel Handicap fell to Gun, a gelding by Son of a Gun.

Neither of Mr .Stead’s two-year-olds went to Napier after all. It had been Intended to the last moment tb take King Log, but the colt fell tame, and Orloff therefore went unaccompanied. The only incident in connection with the Npw Zealand Cup that has occurred during the past few days is the scratching of Ringman and Ideal. I suppose we have seen the last of the iatttr on the turf. W. C. O’Connor’s many friends at Riccarton are extremely pleased at his appointment as starter to the Auckland Racing Club. No better selection could have been made among the candidates available.

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. A typical Canterbury nor’wester blew throughout Saturday and was followed by the orthodox gale from the southwest. The latter brought a heavy downpour, which cleared the atmosphere, and the weather is now fine, and what js {better, promises to remain so. The tracks at Riccarton, which were dided by the heat and wind of Saturday, are now in excellent condition after the downfall of Saturday night. Riccarton is beginning to liven up, although it will not become really busy till after the Hawke’s Bay meeting, when the Northern horses will start to put in an appearance. Blazer and Battler, who are not engaged at Dunedin this week, have arrived, and the country-trained animals Terrapin, Clanbunn and Flint have also reached headquarters. As I have already said, however, there will be no considerable influx until next week. The local Cup candidates are all progressing satisfactorily. Cannie Chlel and Gienalad-aie are getting through ’their preparation in excellent style, and although I don’t, think either is likely to be dangerous, their trainer will not be to blame. Magnificent is all the better for his effort at Geraldine and Ohoka, and Calibre continues to stride along as if he had completely thrown off the soreness which affected him throughout the greater part of last season. Terrapin looks well, but Dundas is invariably lame after working, and Sir George Clifford’s fine colt Deerstalker is now a regular attendant, and I am really beginning to hope that he is destined to stand a preparation. The disappointing Skobeleff is nearly convalescent from an injured foot, and his stable companion Hutai is not to be given a spell after all. The following business has been done locally during the week:— N.Z. Cup: 700 to 86 against Halberdier, 500 to 20 against Canteen, 500 to 20 against Cannie Chlel, 400 to 2 against Secret Society, 300 to 9 Romany Queen, 300 to 38 against Tortulla, 100 to 14 against Siege Gun. New Zealand Cup and Stewards’ Handicap: 1000 to 9 against Siege Gun and Vladimir, 1000 to 10 against Pampero and Pallas, 600 to 15 against Siege Gun and Achilles, 300 to 20 against Sirius and Vladimir, 300 to 3 against Nonctte and Exmoor, 250 to 5 against Nonette and Red Gauntlet, 200 to 3 against Tortulia and Ostiak, 200 to 2 against Kelpy and Red Gauntlet. In spite of the heavy gale on Saturday the first day's racing of the New Brighton Trotting Club’s autumn meeting was most * njoyable. Carl was made favourite for the Burwood Handicap, but failed to keep in front of Lary Redford, who beat him by a. length in 5m 7s. Mr Buckland’s Verax, who was conceding the winner two seco mis, finished 15 lengths away third. A feature of the racing was the form displayed by the progeny of Imperious and Banfcleve, the former’s daughter, Silvery, won the Trial Handicap, and Peri, another daughter, carried off the Ladies’ Bracelet, while Lilian D., by Banoleve, defeated Sunbeam and Harbours in the Progressive Handicap, in saddle, covering the two miles in 5m 1.35, and Velox, by the same sire, carried off the Brooklyn Handicap (in harness), two miles, which he left behind in sm. Velox was followed home by Milroy and Little Archie, and three lengths only divided the three. Carl made amende for his failure in the Burwood Handicap by appropriating the Electric Handicap, and Wild Rose, by Boston, defeated a hot favourite in Agapanthus in* Dash Handicap.

The Dunedin Jockey Club’s SprlsW Meeting, which will begin on Wednesday, will be confined almost entirely to local horses. Welbeck, one of the few visitors from his part of the island, ought to win the principal event, the Mosgiel Handicap. The Electric Handicap may go to Goldspur or Canteen, the October Welter Handicap to Vladimir, First Hurdle Race to Sultana, the Maiden Plate to Secret Society, the Selling Race to Maremma, and the First Hack Race to Sarchedon. The following are the handicaps for the North Canterbury Jockey Club’s annual meeting:— Hunters’ Flat Race of 2-3sovs; li mile.— Skobeloff 13.7, Nance O’Neill 13.5. First Shot 12.8, Single Event 12.5, Trentham 12.5, Kalore 12.1. Apremete 11.5, Sovereign 11.2, Silver Penny 11.1, Flash Gun 11.1. Coronation Handicap of 40sovs: 7 furlongs.—Dundas 9.9. Pallas 9.1, Calibre 8.8, Scottish Minstrel 8.3. Antigone 7.13, Narcissus 7.9. Ordnance 7.2, Firebrand 7.7, Puawai 6.7. Rangiora Welter Handicap of 30sovs; 1 mile.—Scottish Minstrel 10.10, Narcissus 9.13, Bill Perkins 9.10, Good Spec 9.8, Skobeloff 9.7, Puawai 8.7. District Welter Handicap of 20sovs; 1 mile.—Nance O'Neill 12.9, Speculate 11.9, Kaiore 10.10, Golden Lake 9.11. Jibboom 9.9 Apremete 9.7, Sovereign 9.3, Sunbeam 9.9, Silver Penny 9.0, Flash Gun 8.10. Flying Handicap of 35sovs; 5 furlongs. Muscovite 9.9, Lady Dundas 8.8, Antigone 8.7. Hypnotist 8.5, King Stork 7.12. Regulation 7.11, Furious 7.11, Ordnance 7.10, Cyclas Paroa 7.10, First Shot 7.7, Reflex 7.7, Lady Brandt 7.3, Sophistic 6.7, Signal 6.7, Kaiore 6.7. (North Canterbury Handicap Trot of 25sovs; 2 miles.—Lillian D. scr, Cincinnati! Bsec, Silvery 20sec. Satanella 20sec, Little Albert 24sec, Dollar 28sec, Avenal 28. sec, Nobility 32sec, Wild Flower 32sec, Piccaninny 31sec, Dick 36sec, Annie Rooney 38sec Ohio 38sec. Ashley Trot Handicap of 25sovs; 1 mile. —Harold C. scr, Coin 6sec, Explanation 6sec, Kingston Gsec, Lillian D. 7sec, Ricketty 13sec, Dollar 22sec, Nobility 24sec. Annie Rooney 26sec. Gingernut 27sec. Dick 28sec. Furlong 28sec. Grannie 27sec, Governor L. 30sec Flash 30sec, Baroness 30sec, Honest Child 30sec, Bob M. 30sec. Kalora 30sec. At the Dunedin horse -»arade on Thursday the imported Obligado, by Orville, was placed first, an Arab stallion second, anu Casket, by Castor—Necklace, third.