OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 89, 7 April 1892, Page 3

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

[By

Wire.]

(from our own correspondent) The Wellington Racing Club stewards, at a meeting on Tuesday last, decided to postpone dealing with the disqualification of Yuille, Nathan and May, bookmakers, until the Wanganui Club, which it was reported was going to re-open the matter, had given their final decision. The Wanganui Club at their monthly committee meeting on Friday, had the appeal before them, and definitely resolved that the decision previously arrived at should not be altered. The hesitation of the Wellington stewards over the endorsement of the disqualification is said to arise from the fact that Yuille is a life member of the Club. Having subscribed ten guineas to the grand stand fund two years ago, if they warn him off the course they will probably feel it incumbent on them to return his money. Mr. Robert Napier, a well-known garden contractor here, has been appointed caretaker of the Hutt course. He has had a lot of experience in laying lawns, bowling greens, etc., and should be the right man in the right place. Mr. Martin’s Retina has, after all, accepted for the Great Autumn Handicap. It is not, however, decided to send her, as she is entered at Feilding, for which meeting the weights are just out. Martin will probably settle to-morrow which meeting she will go to. I am inclined

to think it will be Feilding, for she is well in for the principal race with Bst 21b. Several bookies here have volumes open on the extremely difficult double—Great Easter Handicap and Great Autumn. Before the acceptances 50 to thirty shillings was laid and offered. Since the price has been 50 to 3. Palliser, Merrie England and Kulnine are the local picks for the longer race, and Flinders and Hippomenes for the seven furlong flutter. There are no further developements of the rival trotting clubs. The Island Bay Club’s application to be constituted the Metropolitan Club was to have come before the Christchurch Association yesterday, but I have not heard whether anything was done. The latest of news about the Johnsonville combination was that they were willing to give way on the question of title, if the Island Bay stewards consent to give up Queen’s Birthday as date of their inaugural meeting. No such arrangement, however, is likely to be arrived at. The racing club have received magnificent general entries for their Autumn Meeting. There are 9 for the Trial, 15 each for the First and Second Hurdles, 23 for the Hack Flat, 17 for the Hack Hurdles. 21 for the Stewards, 29 for the Railway, 27 for Waiwetu, 20 Welter, and 27 for Electric—total 203 ; besides the 83 for the Thompson and Autumn Handicaps. Mr. Evett will have his work cut out to compile the handicaps, which are due on the 20th inst. If he succeeds in giving satisfaction to the owners we shall have a capital meeting. The weights for the Otaki Maori Club Easter Monday Meeting were issued yesterday by Mr. A. King, the Club’s handicapper. This is purely a hack meeting, but it is very popular with Wellington sports, who will about equally patronise this and the Wairarapa race meeting at Tauherenikau. The United Hunt opened their new season very successfully at Miramar on Saturday afternoon. There was a capital field, and the run, which was over Mr. Crawford’s (the master) land, was voted one of the best the Club has yet had. There were two or three spills, but no one was hurt. Mr. Crawford very hospitably entertained the members after the run at afternoon tea at his homestead. Mr. D. H. Mackinnon, the new secretary, is shaping well for a successful season.