Our Illustrations

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 352, 22 April 1897, Page 7

Our Illustrations

This week, as one of our leading illustrations, we present Mr Wm. Percival, the popular secretary of the Auckland Racing Club. Mr Percival is not approachable concerning his own history, and therefore we are dependent upon others to supply us with information. We find that the jovial executive officer of the Auckland club was born in Wanstead, England, and early in his career he displayed a taste for horses, and was adjudged a splendid cross-country lad when only in his teens. He arrived in Auckland in 1868, and a few years afterwards became a leading follower of the hounds, and for ten years no more fearless rider could be found across country. On one occasion the subject of our illustration met with an accident while riding Coronation in a steeplechase at Canterbury (N.Z.). Since that time he has devoted attention to the interests of the Auckland Racing Club, and is now decidedly popular. It has been said that Mr Percival is too closely identified with certain horses. We, however, give the guarantee that the horses with which Mr Percival’s name has been connected have been fairly and honourably leased. No doubt Mr Percival takes a strong interest in the progeny of his stable, but that interest is more for the benefit of the turf than for himself. To interest our cycling contributors we give a picture of our English friends, Messrs. Green and Edwards, who have recently been competing in Melbourne ; also a group of competitors and trainers at the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Club’s Meeting, held at Wanganui on March 18. We also present Israelite, the winner of the Maiden Pony Race at Potter’s Paddock last Saturday. This little fellow is only thirteen hands two inches and a half high, but he is the picture of a racehorse in miniature. Another picture is that of the cross-country pony, Fauntleroy. He is a splendid performer, and certainly deserves better success than has attended his efforts at Potter’s Paddock.' Kapai’s picture is also given. He was the winner of the Electric Trot and the Stewards’ Trot at the late meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club. He is a fine, handsome horse, and has few superiors when racing under saddle. We give a portrait of Butler, alias Harwood. The appearance of this savage in our columns needs a word of excuse, because, as a rule, we only cater to the sporting world. However, at the present time he is an object of public interest. Soon after the publication of our paper to-day he will probably arrive in Auckland. Although many wish to see the murderer, it is certain that die detectives who have him in charge will prevent the curiosity of the public being gratified, and for that reason we present his portrait.