TARANAKI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 211, 9 August 1894, Page 6

TARANAKI.

July 28. The District Court opens here on August 15, when the action, J. B. Williamson v. Patrick Riall, claim /500 for alleged libel, will be heard. This action arises out of certain matters that occurred in connection with the Emmett enquiry held by the Wanganui Jockey Club. Messrs. Weston and Lusk will appear for plaintiff, and Mr D. Hogg, of Wanganui, for the defendant. It is likely that another sporting case will occupy the attention of the Court at the same sittings. The Normandy Trotting Club made a profit out of their initial meeting. The general meeting of members of the club was held at Normanby on July 25th. There was a fair attendance, and Mr Quin was in the chair. The secretary read a report and balance-sheet showing a bank balance of £l4- odd, assets /30, liabilities about £5- The total receipts amounted to 2s 4d, and the expenditure to 5s Bd. Improvements to the course were left in the hands of Mr A. Alexander, with whom satisfactory arrangements were made as to holding future meetings on his land. It was proposed to hold the next meeting some time about the end of January. Mr C. Tate has added to his string the two-vear-old colt Dauphin, ex Madcap, dam' of the departed Auckland Derby winner Morion. Phe colt is something like Morion in appearance. I understand that Mr Tate has taken a lease of the colt. The chance of Belle in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase will be somewhat discounted by the distance, which I understand, is between three and a half and four miles. The jumps are also reported to be stiff. Percy Johnston w’il[ ride the chestnut daughter of The Australian in the big event, and in the Beaufort Steeplechase the second day. My impressions for the two principal events are : —Steeplechase: Booties, Belle, Bombardier. Hurdles: Melinite and Empire. Since Mr Douglas re-purchased Mutiny, the chestnut son of The Mute—Lady Maxwell has failed to catch the judge’s eye first. As Boxing Day approaches some interest is being manifested in the first Taranaki Hack Derby. I saw a Derby candidate, Financier (Governor —Maid of Honor) the other day, but he looked very backward considering that the event is not so very far off now. There is a good deal of enquiry about Mr J. B. Williamson’s Derby colt Aughadowey. Booties is worth backing in the Grand National Steeplechase, as his jumping abilities will carry him over the country, and, moreover, he is not so slow as some people imagine. He has got the name of being as slow as a top, etc., but it is all bosh. A writ has been served on Mr J. J. Russell, at the instance of Mr F. Calgher, who claims certain moneys in connection with the winnings of the jumper Union Jack. The case will be heard at the next sitting of the District Court here. [This message arrived too late for insertion in last week’s Review. — Ed. S.R.j