WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 405, 28 April 1898, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

Return of horses —Vedette —Return of Mr Ban O’Brien — Arrival of Mr Buckland with his trotters — Mr Martin dissatisfied—A probable law case —South Wairarapa Hospital sports —A test case.

>. Wellington, April 25. Strathbraan, Australina, and Hillstone have returned from Nehon, and all are now at The Hutt. Seeing that, Ben Varrey was in such good form it is a wonder she was not engaged at The Hu't. She has gone home to Wanganui along with Surrey. George Price, who was in charge of Ben Varrey on the trip and rode her in Nelson, e-tops here for the local meeting. Messrs. Nicholson, Birkett, and Pagan (late owner, trainer, and rider of Vedette) returned from Sydney yesterday. Mat. Harris rode Vedette in the Final Handicap when he won' Other passengers well-known in the sporting world were Mr and Mrs Dan O’Brien (who are on their return to New Zealand), Mr Chas. Paterson (of Paterson Bros.), and Mr J. A. Buckland, of Dubbo, N.S.W., who brought across a team of twelve trotters, including the champion Fritz They were met on arrival by Mr A. J. Rattray, the capable and energetic secretary of the Canterbury Trotting Club, who is making arrangements for Mr Buckland’s stay in New Zealand. They journeyed on south to day. Mr Dan O’Brien brought over a yearling he purchased at the recent Sidney sales. Zanella and Tirant d’Eau have gone back to Napier, but Robertson remained at The Hutt with Amphion. Mr P. Martin informed me he was d ssatisfied with the handicap of Tirant d’Eau. That was the reason he did not stop for the local meeting. A badly treated horse at the meeting was Sing Song. She was taken up to the Wairarapa on Saturday; as was Ruamahanga. F. Higgott (son of Sam Higgott, the wellknown Riccarton trainer) is now in coarge of G. W. Banks’ team at the Hutt, and is assisted by D. Hands, who was a long time connected with H. Lunn’s stable at Riccarton. When Persimmon won at Wairarapa he ran in the name of Mrs A. Whiteman. ‘ I understand the gelding was under offer to a local man before the race for £5O, but no purchase was made. It is stated that no authority was given to dispose of the gelding afterwards, and that the possession of Persimmon will be made the cause of a civil action. Although the Wellington Racing Club refused to approve the programme of the South Wairarapa Hospital Sports Second Annual Meeting to be held on the Moroa Course, Greytown, on Queen’s Birthday, the programme has been advertised in the Wairarapa papers. The test case, James Walden against Bert Champion for trespass on the Hutt Park Race course, was mentioned in the Magistrates’ Court by the club’s solicitor (Mr H. D. Bell) o i Friday last. Mr Wilford (defendant’s counsel) said his client was at New Plymouth, and did not know that the case was fixed definitely for that day. In the course of discussion Mr Wilford said the bookmakers would not be affected by any decision of the Court. They had beer, advised of a certain course of action, and, so far as he knew,

were going to adopt it. The question as to their rights would probably be determined by the Supreme Court. Mr Bell interpolated that he was not afraid of his learned friend’s blank cartridge; he -wanted His Worship’s decision. After some discussion as to the best day on which to take the case, Mr Kenny fixed the hearing for Tuesday next at 9.30 am. Considerable interest is being manifested in this action, in view of the decision ot the Wellington Racing Club committee to refuse licenses to bookmakers, and to eject them from the course if detected at betting.