WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 370, 26 August 1897, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

Death of R. J. Fitton—The Masterton ' Racing Club—Miss Orwell—Return of horses from the South —T. Clarke’s stables — Wellington Racing Club — Wellington Club notices of motion—Mr . J. D. Hayward — Sou’-Wester — The Manawatu Racing Club.

Wellington, August 23. Mr R. J. Fitton, who died at Masterton on the 11th inst., was for some years secretary of the Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club. Deceased was 45 years of age. Mr W. J. Jorgenson, a local horse owner, accompanied by Miss Jorgenson, left on Friday last on a trip to Sydney. The Masterton Racing Club has fixed the date of its Summer Meeting for December 9th and 10th, when £640 will be given in stakes. Miss Orwell (Artillery—Folle Farine) was recently purchased by a couple of Gisborne sports, and was taken North on Friday last. She had an attack of gripes on the way up, and was rather in a bad way. Besides Violence and Umslopogaas, R. Kingan brought back with him the filly Miniature (Medallion —Miss Lucy), which he purchased in the South for 90 guineas. T. Clarke has leased the house and boxes for some time tenanted by H. Fletcher. Clarke has Sea Serpent, King Wai (now unsexed and minus one eye), Sylph, and Royal Oak in hand ready to do. spring service. Mr Martin’s Choroid (St. George—Retina) also arrived from South this week, and has gone into Clarke’s hands. The latter should pick up some crumbs at the Wairarapa meetings between now and New Year time. W. J. Taggart returned from the South on Friday last with Whiskey. Bob Day took Gazelle and Hassan home at the same time. I understand that the American horse Haha will do stud duty in this district next season. < t q Macarthy presided at a meeting of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club on Monday morning. The secretary reported that the following nominations had been received for offices for the ensuing season. President, Colonel Pearce; vice-presidents, Messrs T. G. Macarthy and F. Franklyn ; judge, Mt G. H. Scales ; treasurer, Mr H. Hartroe ; auditor, Mr D. T. Stuart; hon. surgeon, Dr. Purdy; clerk of scales, Mr John Wilkins ; timekeeper, Mr N. Grace; stewards (seven required), Messrs G. H. Hartroe, J. B. Halcourt, J. Saunders, W. E. Bidwill, W. Lingard, E. W. Kane, Geo. Hutchison (M.H.R.), J. J. Curtis, V. J. Riddiford, and the Hon. C. J. Johnston. Messrs C. P. Skerritt, J. Maginnity, and Jas. Coates had been nominated, but had notified that they desired to be withdrawn; It was decided to remove the disqualification from all the horses and persons that took part in the Grey town North Hospital Sports on May 24th last. August 24. J. D. Haywood, the well-known stud horse owner, w as in town to-day, and looks well on it.

Illness of Ted Cuneen—Robinson Crusoe —Schooling work—Morag. Napier, August 24. The many friends of Ted Cuneen will be sorry to learn that he is lying at present in the hospital here, suffering from hemorrhage of the lungs. Though in a very critical state last week I am glad to say that when I visited him on Sunday he was showing signs of improvement. Robinson Crusoe’s list for the coming season is already full so I was informed last week. Marina and Harmony are being schooled over the hurdles at Napier Park, the pair show a great deal of proficiency in their new avocation. Alick Mitchell is still in charge of them. Morag, looking a bit on the light side, has returned from his southern trip.