WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 216, 13 September 1894, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

September 8. The hurdler, Lord John, has changed hands, the local sportsman who owns the hack Merryman having purchased him from Mr Bridson. The price has not

transpired, but it was probably about P3O. The horse has been placed under the charge of H. Fletcher at the Hutt. Merryman is being hacked about town at present, but will probably be an inmate of Fletcher’s stable ere long. The double winner at the Rangitikei Hunt Club races—The Artist —is spoken of as a coming horse. Somnus —Lady Artist is breeding good enough to win handicap events in really good company. He was nicely piloted to victor} on both occasions by Geo. Reid, who formerly was part owner in the horse. Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R., deserves the thanks of the Auckland R.C. for the manner in which he worked in the House to carry out the club’s desires relative to the clause in the Gaming Bill giving the N.Z. Jockey Club power to issue tote licenses. Another conference with the Council was arranged in the House on Thursday, and Messrs Larnach, Fraser, G. W. Russell, Houston, Capt. Russell, and the Premierwereappointed managers. The managers speedily came to an agreement, the Council agreeing to withdraw its new clause and substitute instead a clause providing that totalisator permits shall be issued by the Governor, and the Premier agreeing to consult a body representing half of the racing clubs of the colony. Although the N.Z. Jockey Club will receive recognition when formed by Parliament, Mr Lawry must be credited with having succeeded in his task by taking the sole issue of licenses out of the hands of the New Zealand Jockey Club. J. Huxtable returned from Marton with Royal Oak on Friday. The horse ran without success in two hack races at Marton, for which he was fancied by his connections. It is understood that the Australian system of re-handicapping winners after declaration of weights will be adopted by the W.R.C. in connection with the Cup this year. The weights will be published earlier than usual, which will cause more interest to be centered in the race, and will also enable bookmakers more time to get round on their books. Lady Somnus. the Hawke’s Bay representative, was given out as a really good thing for the Flying at the Rangitikei meeting last Wednesday, and a tidy commission was worked in her favour in town. She, however, had to be content with the barren honour of third place. A commission in favour of Kaffir in the Bracelet met with betterfate The Lochiel — Inid horse Geraint, who has been wintering in Peter’s stable at the Hutt, was sent to his owner’s place at Greymouth this week where he will be trained for West Coast racing. Mr F. Martin’s brood mare Sylph has foaled a filly to Chainshot. This is the second filly she has produced to Chainshot. The last few days of fine weather has greatly improved the tracks at the Hutt. Review is doing good work, and although rather small I fancy H. Fletcher will pick up a few hack races with him this season. Austral and Bouquet have been putting in sound work, and the latter takes kindly to the jumping business. Davis’ charges —Kent, Overseer and Swordfish —have been restricted to gentle exercise and are all healthy. Mr A. Fabian’s team, consisting of Britain and two two-year-olds, left Greytown for Hastings this week in charge of Topham, where they will be trained for future engagements. Britain is a bit dotty. The newly elected stewards of the Wellington Racing Club met on Wednesday, when a committee consisting of Messrs. Macarthy, Ames and Scales was appointed to draft the programmes for the ensuing season, and to recommend the dates on which the various meetings should be held, and the added money to be given at each meeting. Messrs. Bell, Ames, Wilkins, Scales and Harbroe were appointed a course committee, and a subcommitte was set up to deal with applications for trainers’ and jockeys’licenses. The stewards refused the request of Adam Macmorran for the removal of the disqualification for foul riding at the club’s last spring meeting. The following programmes of country clubs were passed : —Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club, 9th November; Masterton - Opaki Jockey Club, 26th December ; Lower Valley Jockey Club, 26th December; Otaki Maori Racing Club (two meetings), Ist January and 24th May. It was resolved to warn all country clubs, in view of the proposed legislation to reduce the number of race meetings throughout this and other districts, that they should not incur any further liability in connection with the courses or appointments, as it had not been decided where the pruning knife should be applied.

A.t a meeting of the stewards or the Wairarapa Racing Club on Saturday last Mr W. E. Bidwill was elected chairman for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr Wilkinson, a resolution was passed “ congratulating the stewards and Wai- ■ rarapa generally upon the election or Mr W. E. Bidwill to the position of steward of the Wellington Racing Club.” Mr Wilkinson considered that he could do an immense amount of good for the country by being on the Metropolitan Club and he would like to see Mr Bidwill appointed to act for the country clubs in the place of Mr Williams, who would, he understood, unfortunately be absent in. Australia when the Conference next met. It was resolved that no reduction in training fees be made in future, and that no horse be allowed on the course until training fee is paid and permit issued. Several committees were appointed, and it was decided that the whole of the stewards should meet on the Tauherenikau racecourse on Saturday, Bth September, at 1 30 p.m., and see exactly what is required to be done before handing over the course to the sub-committee. A committee was appointed to see what work is required on the Moroa course to put it in order for training and for how much it could be maintained for the season, and report to the next meeting of stewards Future meetings of stewards are to be held on Saturday afternoons at 2 o’clock. A special vote of thanks was awarded Mr W. E. Bidwill for the kindness he had shown to the stewards and for the great interest he had displayed m connection with the club. [by WIBE.I September 11. Sir R. Stout’s Gaming Bill becomes operative on Ist January, with the exception of the clauses relating to the reduction of meetings and the proposed formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, which do not come into force until the 31st of July. . The stewards of the Wellington Racing Club met yesterday, when a committee was appointed to draft programmes and fix the dates of the meetings, etc., for the ensuing season. The committee prepared a report, as a result of which the following dates were adopted :—Spring meeting, Thursday and Saturday, 22nd and 24th November; Summer meeting. Tuesday, 22nd January (Anniversary Day), L_ fl nd Thursday, 24th January; Autumn and Steeplechase meeting (combined), Wednesday and Friday, Ist and 3rd May. The added money for the meetings is £965, £1855, and £1215 respectively, which means an increase of £260 on the stakes paid during the past season. It will thus be seen that while other Metropolitan Clubs are reducing stakes the Wellington body is taking action in the opposite direction. The principal additions made to the season’s programme are as follow :—On the first day of the Spring Meeting the Hack Hurdles of 30 sovs is struck out altogether and the Hack Flat Race increased in value from 30 sovs to 50 sovs, and in place of the event erased a Welter Handicap of 60 sovs has been inserted. On the second day the Hack Hurdles of 30 sovs has been struck out and the Hack Flat Race increased from 30 sovs to 40 sovs. A Trial Handicap of 40 sovs replaces the event excised; the November Handicap has been increased from 120 sovs to 125 sovs ; and the Second Welter Handicap is reduced from 60 sovs to 50 sovs. The Hack Hurdles has also been struck out of both day’s programmes at the Summer Meeting, and the two Hack Flat Handicaps increased from 30 sovs to 75 sovs and 60 sovs respectively on the first day. In place of the event struck out the Disposal Stakes of 50 sovs, five furlongs, has been inserted, and the Welter Handicap has been increased from 80 sovs to 100 sovs, and the Second Welter from 70 sovs to 80 sovs. At the end of the second day’s programme a Farewell Handicap of 60 sovs, one mile and a distance, has been added. The programme for the Autumn and Steeplechase Meeting is practically the same as last year, with the exception of the Hack Hurdles on the first day, which has been increased in value from 30 sovs to 40 sovs, and the Hack Flat Race from 30 sovs to 40 sovs. The Hunter Steeplechase is reduced from 50 sovs to 40 sovs; the Autumn Handicap un the second day has been increased from 115 sovs to 125 sovs ; and the Hack Welter has been improved in value from 30 sovs to 40 sovs. As mentioned in my letter, a new feature with regard to the conditions for the Wellington Cup, the stake for which is the same as last year, has been introduced. Instead of owners being penalised by fixed weights the winner of any handicap

flat race after the declaration of weights may be re-handicapped and made to carry such additional weights as the handicapper may impose. Mr J. O. Evett has been reappointed handicapper for the club (including hack events), Mr R. Roake, clerk of the course, and Mr Andrew Young, sen., who acted as honorary starter for the club for the continuous period of fifteen years until five years back when a paid officer was appointed, has been given charge of the flag, and is expected to fulfil his duties creditably. Mr E. Pearce has been appointed as delegate to represent the club at the Conference to be held in Christchurch in November, and the committee have passed a special resolution expressing regret that Mr J. Saunders, who in the past has been of such service to the club in the capacity of steward, will no longer be a colleague. A committee yas appointed to deal with the question as to what reduction should be made in the number of race meetings, consequent upon recent legislation, and after carefully considering the matter the committeemen resolved to recommend the discontinuance of the following meetings : Akura Maori Racing Club, United Hunt Club, Wairarapa Hunt Club, Porirua Jockey Club and Pahiatua Jockey Club or Lower Valley Jockey Club. The report will come up fo;‘ confirmation by the stewards on the first Monday in October. The Porirua Jockey Club has decided not to hold its annual meeting in November, owing to the lack of interest displayed by members ; and as this institution is one of the clubs over which the shadow of extinction next season .is hovering, the guarantors of the prize money wisely considered that the best policy would be not to hold the gathering, as if it resulted in a loss they would not have the chance of recouping themselves next year. It is probable that the Marlborough Club will alter the date of its meeting (arranged for Boxing Day) to some time in November, as several local horses intend making a trip to the Manawatu district about Christmas time. J. Murphy, of South Featherstone, lost Mischief’s filly foal a few days ago. This was the first foal produced by Mischief (who is the dam of Rebellion, Revolution and Co.), and her owner naturally feels his loss keenly. The double victory of Victim at the Dunedin Hunt Club Meeting was a very severe knock to local bookmakers. A recent arrival in Masterton from Dunedin profited to the extent of £5OO by Victim’s success. The dispute between a Hutt jockey and a late owner of racehorses (concerning which I wired you last week), has been settled by the former accepting about a third of the amount claimed. Lord John (by Hippocampus —Gipsy) has been purchased by a local sport, and goes into Fletcher’s stable. As Mr J. E. Henry was not able to accept the position of handicapper to the Wairarapa Trotting Club, Mr W. Shannon has been appointed to the office. The betting market is very quiet locally. Mr Yuille reports that Royal Rose has been supported for a few hundreds at 100 to 4. The quotations wired you lately remain unchanged. Owing to the severe imposts allotted to the two Wellington horses nominated for the A.R.C. Spring Meeting, neither will attend your gathering.