DUNEDIN NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 301, 30 April 1896, Page 10

DUNEDIN NOTES.

Messrs Martin Taylor, of Christchurch, Wm. Proffit, of Napier, and J. Davidson, of Auckland, are visitors to Dunedin, the coursing meeting commencing to-morrow (Wednesday). The Challenge Stakes is, of course, the great attraction, and at the draw on Monday night 70 dogs were left in, and about 200 persons attended the calling over of the list. The prices offered were, to say the least, astonishing, 100 to 10 to half a sov. being on offer throughout, with very few exceptions, these being Shylock, Bloomer, The Fiend, and Christmas Rose. The first-named is favourite at 5 to 1, and 100 to 10 was offered about Bloomer, and was quickly taken and more wanted at the figure. Martin Taylor turned backer, and tooks odds from W. Proffit. 100 to 14 was afterwards the quoted price against the celebrated Victorian bitch (Bloomer). It strikes me, however, that the winner will turn up in one of the long-shot chances, about which it would be easy to get 500 to a fiver or fifty shillings. There are a lot of well-bred maiden dogs engaged. There is nothing like the usual crowd of visitors that have been here on former occasions, but as against this, there is more than the usual activity in betting, although not to quite such a large extent, in one hand, as formerly. There was very little change in the betting to-night (Tuesday), Shy lock, Bloomer, and The Fiend hardening a bit. The weather is fine, and has every appearance of remaining so for a day or two.

The statistical report of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture for December 1, 1895, contains much useful information. Under the title “ Horses,” the following statement is made — “ The number of horses reported this year 964,264, is the largest reported since 1881, but their value, according to the equalised value per head of 12.84 dole, is but 12,381,150 dols, the lowest ever known in this class of live stock. The number of colts foaled in 1894 is given at 89,657, a number much below the average of the last few r years. Cases of distemper among horses and colts are reported from the Counties of Coles, Sangamon, Shelby, Effingham, Johnson, Pulaski, and St. Clair. Tn Ogle County there have been a few cases of strangles in horses, and in McDonough some unknown disease has affected them.