WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 215, 6 September 1894, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

August 27. Mr Henry Redwood’s horse Awarua Rose, who has been in charge of E. Cutts, of Riccarton, for some time past, passed through Wellington yesterday in the Penguin en route to Nelson. The horse will not stand training this season, and will therefore be treated to a spell at his owner’s place. He will probably serve a few mares.

Dr. Newman has notified the president of the Wellington Racing Club that he does not intend seeking re-election as a steward of the club. Ido not know his reason for this decision, but probably his connection with the temperance and social reform parties has something to do with it.

Mr J. E. Henry expects a record field to start for the New Zealand Cup—between 20 and 30. The weights for the Rangitikei Hunt Club Meeting appear to be a fair produc-

tion, but I fancy the handicapper has erred in placing Hop Bitters above Amalgam in the Hunt Club. The latter is a good performer, - and besides that his running in the National Steeple was sufficient for any handicapper to allot him top weight in the Hunt Cup against hunters. I must extend my congratulations to Mr “Joe” Henry in being appointed handicapper to another important racing club—Hawke’s Bay. Mr Henry did not make an application for the position, but was offered it and accepted. As handicapper for close on thirty clubs he will have his hands full during the coming season. Monte Carlo is greatly fancied by a few good judges in town for the N.Z. Cup. He comes from a staying family, and should have no trouble in getting the two miles. I hear the colt by St. Clair—Lady Gertrude, Solano, is something above the average. He should turn out a good three-year-old. The Hutt horses are doing steady work in view of spring engagements. A well-known Hutt jockey is proceeding against a late owner of racehorses for the recovery of about alleged to be due for riding fees. There is a disagreement as to the terms arranged for, the defendant alleging that the jockey was to receive 10 per cent, of the stake money won by the horse, while the plaintiff claims for the recognised amounts fixed for winning and losing mounts, viz., and respectively. It is considered probable that a settlement will be effected before the case comes up again on the 10th prox. Mr N. Grace, one of the delegates of the Wairarapa Racing Club to the recent Conference, in his report at the annual meeting of that body, said, “ The most important subject discussed was the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, and when the Conference met again there was no doubt this would be an accomplished fact. It was most desirable that there should be a supreme body to control the Metropolitan Clubs —some recognised head of racing; and he was confident whether Auckland or Dunedin oined on not, the New Zealand Jockey Club would be formed. The maintenance of the club would be secured by a small levy on all clubs, and jockeys’ and trainers’ fees would be devoted to the purpose. Some clubs already put aside these fees for special purposes, but most put them into the general revenue. The principal expense would be the secretary, and as * there were 200 clubs in the colony, the levy would not be felt.” As to the reduction of meetings in the Wellington districts, Mr Grace said it was understood at the Conference that the Metropolitan Committee and the Country delegates should meet in November and bring in some scheme for the reduction, but the general opinion was that clubs that had no course of their own and no appointments should be the first to go. Hunt Clubs would have to go under this arrangement. This really emanated from Otago where there were many little clubs with no convenience. Akura would have to go, and Porirua for a certainty. They had to abolish six meetings. . Wellington had voluntarily given up one, then there were the two Hunt Clubs, Porirua and Akura, the sixth would either be Pahiatua, Martinborough, or one day off Opaki. [The above was delivered too late to appear in last week’s issue.J There is an old saying that “ absence makes the heart grow fonder,” but that cannot apply to the action of the members of the W.R.C. in not re-electing Mr J. Saunders as a steward of the club at its annual meeting. Mr J. Saunders has proved one of the best members of the club from its inception, and when its funds were in low water he was the first to put his hand into his pocket and help the club out of its difficulty. He also formed the railway line to the course, which was afterwards taken over by a company. It is true, as was hinted at by Mr Kane, that owing to residing out of town Mr Saunders could not be present at all the meetings of the stewards, but he was certainly always present at the race meetings. And yet, for this reason, the members refuse to re-elect him! Several of Mr Saunder’s old co-workers (especially Mr Maginnity) were very sore at the division, and rightly so too. The objectionable clause in the Gaming Bill relating to the powers given to th? N.Z. Jockey Club was dropped by Mr Bell (who was in charge of the Bill in the absence of Sir Robert Stout) on Mr Lawry moving to strike the clause out. A difficulty, however, has cropped up

with the Legislative Council, which passed a motion last night insisting on the clause, and appointed a committee to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the House of Representatives. The black filly by Administrator— Hippolita in J. Wilson’s stable at Feilding has been named Portia. A three-year-old filly by Puriri—Fidelity has just been placed in Wilson’s hands to train by a Palmerston gentleman. She is rather on the small side. Roll Call is being sent alongin his work, and will probably be seen out at Bulls on the 26th. R. Kingan has now nine horses under his care at Awahuri. The latest to join the stable is a four-year-old filly, Sweet Sleep, by Ascot—My Dream. Bay King is to stand the season in the Rangitikei district. It is probable that R. Kingan will shortly build stables in Feilding and train his charges on the local course, instead of at Awahuri, some four miles distant. Cordelia is in good buckle, and a good battle is expected between her and Musket at Rangitihu this month. Mr Bell, at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, said he intended moving at a meeting of stewards to revise the rules to allow members at the annual meeting to elect the president, and thus do away with a 11 continuous ” president as at present. Mr Fabian has got the Greytown training track in good order after spending a considerable sum of money upon it in picking off the stones and constantly going over it with an iron roller. Topham is in charge of Mr Fabian’s horses, and they are progressing satisfactorily under his care. Britain is developing into a fine colt. Royal Tar has been taken up again. Bangor will probably be seen over the small sticks shortly. She is reported to take to the game kindly. The cleverness and cunning of trainers is well known, and I heard a day or two ago a story which certainly upholds their reputation. The affair happened not a hundred miles from Feilding, and has caused quite a stir in the locality. It appears that after the races some months ago instructions were given to keep the course closed during the winter. A trainer who was desirous of getting his horses fit for winter engagements approached the person in charge of the keys of the course (who is approaching his three score years and ten, but is all the same as game as possible and an enthusiastic sport), and after much argument obtained permission to use the outside of the course for one gallop. The trainer made profuse promises to return the keys, and certainly he carried out his promise ; but before doing so he had a look round > the secretary’s room, and found several similar locks with duplicate keys. Then he calmly replaced the original locks on the course with the ones he found in the secretary’s room and trained his horse on the outside for several months without molestation, the “ caretaker ” not troubling to go near the course, as he of course considered trainers could not be using it while he held the keys. The little game, however, was stopped by a local boniface, who “ spotted ” a “ go ” from his bedroom window one morning, and made haste to inform the “ caretaker.” The latter would not believe it, but after watching for himself he caught a trainer using the track (which, by the way, was the first occasion he took advantage of it). Then there was trouble, and after exchanging many high words the caretaker proceeded to lock the course up, but found his keys would not act. He then “tumbled” to the game that had been played on him and replaced the locks with new ones. That caretaker is of opinion now that he is slightly behind the times, and readily confesses that this is a very cunning age. [by wire. J September 4. With its usual regard for the convenience of its patrons the Wellington R.C. intend adding to the already splendid arrangements of its course a tea pavillion, plans for which have been prepared by Mr W. C. Chatfield. It is to be erected at the eastern end of the saddling paddock among the trees, and pretty well alongside the Thompson starting-post. The pavilion will be octagonal in shape and will measure about 50 feet square. It will command a view of the whole of the course, and in the centre of the interior • will be placed an octagonal counter 36 feet in length, from which refreshments of non-intoxicating character may be dispensed. The inside space will be filled with a table intended for extra supplies. Connected with this will be a spacious kitchen, and outside the counter

there will be an asphalted space 12 feet in width in which afternoon tea tables will be placed, and from there access may be had to a ladies’ room 15 feet 6. inches by 10 feet 6 inches, where lavatories and other conveniences will be found. In wet or windy weather canvas will be run round the open space on the windward side, so that the occupants will suffer no discomfort. Ladies in the AVairarapa are agitating for a similar building to be erected by the Wairarapa Club. J. Macara, of Wairarapa, has several horses in training, including the two fillies that he recently imported from New South Wales, and H. Christie, of Opaki, has two geldings in hand, bred by Mr Thompson. One of them is by Piscatorious, and the other by Forester. King Harry, who has been in Peters’ stable at the Hutt for some time past, left for Bulls last week in charge of L. Holmes. The horse went lame at the latter end of last season but appears to be sound at present. He will be trained by Cameron and Holmes in the event of his being able to stand a preparation, failing which he will serve a few mares. Mr J. 0. Evett shamefully treated the Wellington horses in both the Auckland Steeplechase and the Hurdles. Austral has only won a couple of minor steeples, yet he "is placed above such good performers as Union Jack and Crazy Kate, and the hack Bouquet, who is at present a maiden and has never raced _ over sticks, is reckoned to be superior in the .hurdles to a pair of winners like Warrior and Skittles. It would appear that Mr Evett does not wish to see outsiders patronise Auckland meetings. A splendid oil painting of the stallion Somnus has just been executed by Mr Bert. Hammond to the order of Mr 8. M. Baker. It is a very artistic piece of work, and good judges consider it equals if not surpasses anything of the kind ever produced in N.Z. I hear there is no foundation in the report that Philson, the Tasman colt, is to be shipped from Sydney to take part in the H.B. Guineas. Response is expected to win a big race in Australia this Spring. Cup betting is a dead letter in Wellington just now. At Bulls, The Artist is going well under the care of T. Cameron, and two half brothers to Monte Carlo are also in work and show good promise. In connection with the Gaming Bill and the objectionable clause, the Legislative Council has refused to accept the reasons adduced by the Lower House delegates, Messrs. Bell, G. Hutchinson and Lawry. The measure came up in the House to-night, and Sir Robert Stout, who arrived from the South yesterday, proposed that a Conference should be held, and wanted to exclude Mr G. Hutchinson from the Committee of the Lower House. Mr Lawry strongly urged the inclusion of the . country member, and the House, after discussion, struck out Mr Bell’s name and included Mr Hutchinson’s. Subsequently, however, the latter member’s name was struck out and that of Mr Duncan, of Oamaru, inserted. A futile attempt was then made to have the Hon. J. McKenzie’s name included. It is not yet decided when the Conference will be held, but it is understood that Messrs Duncan and Lawry will firmly insist upon the excision of clause 7, which takes the power of issuing totalisator permits out of the hands of the Colonial Secretary. I fancy there is a majority in the House to stop clause 7 from passing.? It is considered that The Dancer has a good chance in the A.J.C. Epsom Handicap, and I believe the Sword Dance horse is being backed by the stable