Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW . AND . LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, February 9, 1899. SPORTING TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 446, 9 February 1899, Page 10

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW . AND . LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ GAZETTE. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Thursday, February 9, 1899. SPORTING TOPICS.

Bobadil’s weight in the Newmarket Handicap is the highest ever allotted a three •year-old in that race. Mr S. H. Gollan’s horse Pounamu, sold to go to Russia, has been renamed Marshal Sax. Before the weights appeared, a wager of £5OO to £35 was taken about Vigorous for the Newmarket Handicap. After the weights were posted, 100 to 5 was freely offered. Djin-Djin left for Riccarton on Saturday. Messrs Pollard and O’Sullivan’s unlucky horse is still very lame, but he can put the injured foot to the ground, so there is a remote chance Of hie being able to start at the coming meeting of the C.J.C. Rex won the Summer Handicap very easily on Saturday. When Sceates called upon him for his effort the St. Leger—Jessie gelding settled the matter in a few strides and passed the post with his mouth open. Jimmy Beckett was a trifle unlucky on Saturday, for Lady Marion got all the worst of the start in the Summer Handicap and was running nearly last for more than half the journey. The game little mare made a big effort in the last two furlongs and finished a good third to Bex and Korowai. “ Ribbleden,” of the Australasian, selects the following for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup : —Newmarket Handicap : Veneda, Stand Off, Alemene, Model, Blunderer, St. Albans’ best, Caledonia. Australasian Cup: Cocos, Le Var, Woodlark, Ballistite, Hainault, Symmetry, George Frederick. The Victorian Jockey, H.Webb, was disqualified for six months for foul riding at the Ballarat Miners’ Turf Club Meeting. If stewards were more severe in their punishment of foul riding there would not be so many fatal accidents to chronicle on the turf. Many of these.calamities are styled accidents, but in reality, manslaughter would be a more truthful term. ,

St. Oonon, who has been doing stud duty on the West Coast, has been returned to Hawke s Bay. Cairo, who broke down at Ellerslie, is reported to be recovering slowly. The cable announcing that Aurum had been scratched for the Epsom Spring Handicap creates the fear that his split hoof is coming against him. Wilson, who came in first in the Flying Han* dicap at Stratford, was found to be short weight, f and the second horse had to have the assistance of the bridle to move the beam. Mr S- Fielder has written to the Australian press disclaiming that the stable are reponsible for the support accorded Vigorous for the Newmarket Handicap. Red Lancer has been doing good work at the Hutt since the Wellington meeting. Mr Joel’s gelding should win a race during the Taranaki fortnight. Bluecap’s easy win in the Marine Handicap •hows what sort of a chance Halberdier would have had against him in the Hobson Handicap on Monday, if untoward circumstances had not prevented a meeting between the pair.; Tommy Taylor left on Sunday, by the Gairloch, for the Egmont and Taranaki meetings. He will probably ride Bluejacket and Red Lancer in their engagements. Mark Ryan was a passenger by the same boat. On Thursday Markinch was sold by Alick Phillips to a Whangarei Maori. The little son of Nordenfeldt was not a profitable investment for Phillips, but, nevertheless, he should do well in the country when he has not big racehorses to meet. The Indian Sportsman is the title of a new paper devoted to all branches of sport in India. It is an illustrated paper, and an Australian weekly expresses the fear that it will be a difficult matter in India to find matter to fill the columns. The Sou’-Wester gelding, Light, has done none too well in his training. At present he is turned out in the paddock, so it is very unlikely that he will put in an appearance at Hawera or New Plymouth. Porangi Potae was none the worse for the “ smoking” she experienced at St. Helier’s. She ' ran a real good race in the Summer Handicap .on Saturday for six furlongs, and but for getting badly away in the Devonport Handicap she would have made things a bit warm for the everblooming Lillie. By the way, the Ingomar mare behaved with perfect propriety at the post when the field lined up for the race, and notwithstanding the fidget inducing delay she never turned a hair. Mr CI horpe had her in splendid fettle, and met with attention’s due reward. Kanaka’s win in the Third Hurdles, like his ■Steeplechase victory, was very popular, and Mr Bayly came in for congratulation. Notwithstanding the rumours that the Australian gelding was off his feed, he ran thoroughly well in every race, and exploded the “ off color ” theory completely. Bellman ought to have won the Hurdle Race on Saturday. Mr Hannon took things a bit too easily running along the back, and made the mistake of thinking he had the opposition beaten too soon. He took Hall’s “ boot flogging ” operations for the real thing, and consequently just suffered defeat. The Rotoiti, which left Onehunga on Monday’ took a number of sportsmen for New Plymouth' Among the passengers were—Mr Atyeo, of Christchurch; Mr W. Ryan, of Wanganui; and Mr Fred. Lovelock, of New Plymouth. All of these metallicians have been assisting at the Takapuna meeting. Another passenger on the boat was Mr Dan McLeod. Mr W. J. Atyeo, the well-known turf commission agent of Christchurch, has an announcement ■in our bu-iness columns this week. He is al ways up to date in his business arrangements, and, like Oliver Twist, is always “ asking for more.” Unlike poor Oliver, however, he looks remarkably well upon it, and ever wears a smiling countenance. The time in Saturday’s Hurdle Race makes Bellman’s time on the Monday all right, and implies that the Takapuna course is very fast, or that for a mile and three-quarters Bellman and Kanaka are a couple of hummers. The newly appointed official timekeeper, Mr George Read, knows his work thoroughly, so we may be sure that there is no mistake on his part. After the race for the Welter Handicap a stalwart sergeant of the “ foorce ” was so overcome by the visual evidence that Mark Ryan had reminded Merry Maid that the race was not an exercise gallop that he al most fainted. When he had sufficiently recovered from the awful shock the sight of blood gave him, he promptly took the rider’s name and address, so we suppose “ proceedings are pending,” as the “ bobby ” •ays in “ Dandy Dick.” Cuirasette, as usual, was unlucky in getting away in the Borough Handicap at Takapuna. She was behaving so well at the post that her backers thought that for once in a way she would go with the barrier. However, just as the starter’s hand was in the act of pressing the lever, and as his lips were framing the word “ go,” the North Shore mare was on her hind legs, and consequently was left hopelessly beuind. One expects a Maid of Honour to behave with almost perfect propriety, therefore the performance of Mr CroU’s mare in the Steeplechase on Saturday was distinctly disappointing. It was Maid of Honour’s first appearance at the meeting, and not a few backers gave her warm support. Great was their consternation at her refusal to negotiate the water-jump the first time of asking. Munroe’s efforts to get her over were unavailing, •o he had to bring her back to the paddock. Then loud and frequent were the remarks about the frailty of a Maid of Honour.

Our old friend Levanter has been allotted 10.10 in the Liverpool Grand National. With such a weight the Captivator —Steel All gelding should stay “ all day.” We shall, however, have to wait until we know the horses above and below him before considering his chance in the race. Latest English files imply that the Irishmen have, as usual, a rod in pickle for the event. One would have thought that after Monday’s experience on the North Shore ferry boat the secretary of the A.R.C. would have been more than ordinarily careful of the contents of his pockets. Probably he was; but, even so, the highly respectable editor of an influential journal was successful in a little bit of amateur pocketpicking, and when he required it to polish up his monocle the genial secretary couldn’t find his handkerchief. Hotorua is already noted for its health-con-serving baths. Another virtue it now has in the eyes of punters, it is a good place for a tip. On Friday Sultan was a warm order in the Hot Lakes town, and a Christchurch visitor did not neglect to accept the office when he arrived at Takapuna on Saturday. He was on Sultan and helped himself to the outside dividend. There was a dream man in the paddock on Saturday. On Friday night he was awakened by his better-half who demanded to know why he was smacking the youngster and shouting “sixty three pounds.” He explained that he dreamt of a £63 dividend at Takapuna. He spent the Saturday afternoon and some cash in trying to verify the nightmare. .Numbers 1 and 3 were again to the fore on Saturday. Kelvin Grove and Lillie were third on the card, while Rex, Kanaka and Bluecap were each number 1. Nor’-West was certainly 2on the card, but he was the first starter. The Borough Handicap and the Welter each went to number 11, and 11 is made up by two Is A nice little thing could have been worked if these coincidences had presented themselves before instead of after the races ! Captain Norbury, of the steamer Gairloch, must be a favorite "with the sporting community. In the season he generally has a good cargo of sportsman and horses, and on Sunday morning last there was a big crowd of sportsmen on the Onehunga Wharf to witness the departure of the Gairloch for New Plymouth. The tight little craft had on board the racehorses Waiorongomai, Coronet, Eton, Tim, and Kanaka. Among the passengers were T. Taylor (who will ride Bluejacket and Red Lancer atEgmontand Taranaki), Mark Ryan (engaged to ride Waiorongomai), Mr J. B. Williamson, and Mr Frank Macmanemin. Mr Dakin, it is evident, is not one of those who believe Bobadil to be a better three-year-old than Cocos, as he makes the son of Abercorn allow the Bill of Portland colt 61b in the Australian Cup. If (writes “ Milroy”) Bobadil’s weight is now right how unjustifiable must have been the Bst 61b Mr Dakin asked him to carry in the Melbourne Cup. On a weight for-age basis Cocos is allowed 71b from Wait-a-Bit for having been beaten by the latter in the Melbourne Cup. As the weights have gone up nearly a stone, they are more in favor of the five-year old than the three-year-old ; but, while classing these two “scientifically,” Mr Dakin has apparently ignored War God, who was at their heels in the Melbourne Cup, as he has only raised him 11b, while Cocos and Wait-a-Bit have gone up 141 b and 121 b respectively Unquestionably the pick of bo h Mr Dakin’s handicaps is Massinissa, who is class enough to win one or both, if it is found necessary to run him in a “ linen bandage.” The idea of putting the son of Splendor only 21b above a three-year old like Vigorous is, on their respective public form, ridiculous. Vigorous has won one race, value £3B 10s. He has been beaten easily by Picture at level weights ; failed, when thoroughly fit, to reich Cocos at IClb the best of the weights ; has been beaten by Strathroy at a stone, and just managed to beat Ettebab at level weights. Kor this he gets B>t 111 b in the Newmarket Handicap, while Massinissa, for his wonderful spring performances, gets Bst 131 b. When Strathroy beat Vigorous at Rosehill, the latter looked to be walking in a furlong from home, but failed like a non-stayer. That race was, like the Newmarket, over six furlongs. At five and a half furlongs —the Oakleigh Plate distance —Mr Vowles put him in at 7st 41b, or 191 b under Massinissa, which shows that either he or Mr Dakin has made a very glaring mistake concerning these two horses. Mr Vowles has been as lenient as Mr Dakin has been severe. The difference of opinion concerning Vigorous and Dozon does not speak much for the value of handicapping. Had Mr Vowles and Mr Dakin taken a middle course between Vigorous and Dozon it would have been very much more satisfactory to themselves and the public. The proprietors of registered suburban race courses (writes “ Javelin ”) have undoubtedly stood in their own light in not urging the V.R.O. committee to place the racing on their courses under the supervision of paid stewards. The argument about the cost being too great is a poor one, as that difficulty would assuredly be soon overcome by a speedy re-establishment of publicconfidence and with it a substantial increase of public patronage. So crooked has suburban racing become that even Mr George Vowles, about the most experienced racing veteran in the colony, finding it impossible to handicap equitably on public form, has had to “chuck” it in justice to himself. Things must indeed have got to a low ebb when people who for years have followed racing prefer to patronise track cycling, which is admittedly none too wholesome. Had racecourse proprietors accepted the advice given them, and secured the appointment of paid stewards a few years ago, they would not have been confronted as they now are by the always difficult task of restoring lost confidence. “ Martindale” writes to the Sydney Evening N eW s : —The well-known northern district jockey, T. Hepplewhite, will shortly take his departure for New Zealand, having accepted an engagement under Mr J. Chaafe.

On the third day of the Calcutta races, Vanitas, who won the Viceroy’s Cup on the previous day, could only get third in the Cooch Behar Cup, a mile and a quarter. The race was won by the American horse Brave Himyar, with Vatersay second. Neither of these hoses started in the Viceroy’s Cup. Vanitas (10.7), however, was successful on the fourth day, winning the Chowringee Plate from Coolalta, Camlin, and Carlton, all Australian horses, the last-named the winner of the Newmarket Handicap. Vanitas ran the six furlongs in Im in 16sec. Kittylea and Hughie, both at one time in J. H. Davis’ stables at Caulfield, finished first and second in the Mistletoe Stakes. Leonidas atoned for his defeat in the Viceroy’s Cup by appropriating the Turf Club Handicap from Vatersay and Brave Himyar. Auckland will be well represented at the Eegmont and Taranaki Meetings. The big annnal sale of thoroughbreds conducted by Messrs H. Chisholm and T. S. Clibborn will take place this year on April 4 or 5. The champion gelding of Australia, Merloolas, has been placed in Mr T. 8. Clibborn’s hands for private sale. At Perth (W.A.) on January 28 the Kirkham Stud bred Lucky Dog, by Martini Henri —Uralla, won the two big events of the day. Kirry, who put up the Australia record for six furlongs, viz., Imin 13sec, is closely connected on the dam’s side with Messrs Nathan’s Bros.’ mare Ellerslie. The Reaper, nominated in the name of Mr Jas. Wilson for the Newmarket Handicap, was well backed for tjie event in Melbourne on Feb. 1, the best price at the finish being 100 to 5. When Sam Fielder saw the weight allotted to Vigorous in the Newmarket Handicap he expressed his intention of scratching. It will be seen by the acceptances that he has kept his threat. This is a hard knock for the early punters.

The Hobart Cup was decided last week and was won by Flintlock (Carbine —Duenna), with The Scotchman second and Rosella third, and the time recorded was 2min 42Jsec. As Tattersail had a consultation on the event, a list of other starters may prove of interest to our readers. They were as follows:- —Eiridsdale, The Musketeer, Tamino, Chokebore, The Pirate King, Beau Brummel, Teepookana, Timbrel, De Vere, and Lena. It will be seen that the winner is a full brother to that good horse, Amberite. The Australian Jockey Club have last week cancelled the license of an ex-New Zealand bookmaker, who, in addition to carrying a “ tommy,” kept an hotel at North Shore. The amout involved was but small, but the “ bookie ” would not part up, and he is now out in the cold. The action of the Opotiki Racing Club in having cancelled Alfred Butler’s license as a gentleman rider, and also with having disqualified 8. P. Moody for three months, has been endorsd by the Auckland Club. The disqualification by the Wade Club of F. Kelly and the horse Ngakaroa (raced as Benicia) has met with the approval of the Metropolitan body. It will be remembered that last year the Auckland Racing Club held a long inquiry which eventually led to the suspension of two jockeys. One of them was William Perry, who had won the Derby and Auckland Cup on Nestor, and it was understood at the time that a portion of the evidence which led to Perry’s suspension referred to his conduct on the Kensington racecourse in Australia Be that as it may, Perry went to Australia, and although the management of the Kensington meetings by paid stewards is justly regarded as strict, the Kensington Club at once granted Perry his license. Rightly or wrongly, Perry was recently led to believe that if he came to Auckland he would meet with no opposition in getting his license, but" he was at once blocked when he attempted to ride at Takapuna. At the ordinary meeting of the committee of the Auckland Club on Monday, Perry applied for his license, but the committee temporized, and the consideration of the application was postponed. Surely by this time the committtee are fully seized with the facts of Perry’s case and should be in a position to deal with it. One well-known Auckland sportsman, whose long and honourable career on the turf has led most people to think that he would be the last.to take into his employ a jockey under a cloud unless he was satisfied as to the honesty of his intentions, has, we believe, offered Perry employment if he can get his license. We learn from Sydney that the St. Hippo— Innisfail filly is rapidly recovering from her ailment under the care of Mr Veterinary Sugeon Pottie. The Soult —Cressina colt is as jolly as a “ sandboy,” and has quite an army of admirers in Sydney.

Mi- James Ferguson has resigned his position as caretaker for the Avondale Club. Ferguson has in the past done good work for the Avondale Club, and the fact that experienced judges from other parts of the world have pronounced Avondale one of the best-furnished Plumptons they have seen is a feather in his cap. The club are calling for applications for a caretaker. In the meantime the duties are being discharged by Ben Burke

The six-furlong track at Randwick has long enjoyed the reputation of being the fastest in the colonies, and, at the meeting of the Sydney Turf Club on January 26, the reputation of the course was increased by Kirry putting up an Australian record for six furlongs in the Challenge Stakes, a time honored race at Sydney head quarters. Kirry is a bay mare, four years old, but hitherto she has not been known to fame. On this occasion, however, she carried 7st 81b to victory in the splendid time of Imin 13sec. A field of twentythree started for the race, amongst them being such good performers as Hopscotch, Djin Djin, Vivian, Cabin Boy, Kitaware, Blue Metal, etc. The horses that ran into places were Proudfoot and Eastern King. The starling price of the winner was 10 to 1.

On February 1 Mr Tom Pay ten struck Cocos out of the V.R.O. St. Leger, Australian Cup, and Champion Stakes. We do not wish to pose as the defender of Mr E. D. Halstead,' but at the same time we have a right to express regret at the circumstances which led to his resigning his position as starter for the Takapuna Club. The positions of handicapper, starter, and judge are surrounded with difficulties, and we feel inclined to think that the man is not born who in any one of the offices can give entire satisfaction to the habitues of the racecourse, and particularly to that class who succeed in getting through the gates on the “ nod” and speculate in silver. It would indeed have] been difficult to have discovered a genuine sportsman among the frequenters of the flat on the occasion when the unfortunate misunderstanding occurred concerning the start for the Hobson Handicap, but the decision of the committee could not but be regarded by the starter as a slap in the face from the authorities he looked to for support, and under the circumstances Mr Halstead did not lose a particle of respect that was worth having by so promptly resigning. He has followed this up by resigning his position in connection with the Avondale Club, and of course a successor will have to be appointed. While it may be admitted that Mr Halstead was not the best of starters, it may be claimed for him that his career at the barrier and with the red flag has been honorable. A sum of 57,300 gs was realised during the five days’ blood stock sales at Newmarket (England). This compares most unfavorably with last years’ results, when upwards of 82,400 gs were realised during the four days. On that occasion, however, M. Robert Lebaudy’s stud, numbering 53 lots, was responsible for nearly 29,000 gs of the huge total. Altogether, the results were far from encouraging for the future. In 1853, at the very commencement of his great career in the saddle, Fordham, being then a young and diminutive lad, won the Cambridgeshire on Little David. This was a good horse, and he won very easily by many lengths from a big field of thirty-nine [runners, and then ran right through the town, his little rider being unable to pull him up. As a reward for his success Fordham was given a Bible and Testament, and a gold mounted whip, on which was engraved, “ Honesty is the best policy.” If such presents were effered to some of the flash boys of the present day they would in all probability be received with derision and profanity. But George Fordham cherished these souvenirs with great care until the day of his all too early death. The news of the death of Mr Duncan McNicol, which occurred on Friday last, caused a feeling of genuine regret, not only among the members of the sporting community, but also among a large circle of friends. The deceased gentleman’s death was not unexpected, because he has never been himself since last February, when he was accidentally run overby a buggy. The injuries' then sustained shattered an otherwise good constitution, and his friends who saw-him at recent race meetings were pained to see the change The deceased, who was thirty-six years of age, was the third son of Mr D. McNicol of Clevedon, and was well-known and highly respected throughout the Waikato and Te Aroha districts with which he had been intimately connected for many years, taking a prominent part in everything pertaining to their welfare. He married the eldest daughter of Mr C. J. Storey, of Woodstock, Te Awamutu, and besides his widow leaves two young children, a boy and a girl, to mourn his loss. A section of the public generally revel in a little scandal, and their appetites have been whetted of late by the promise of revelations between an owner and a handicaeper, but it is just possible that it has all been a storm in a teapot, and that an ample apology from the owner will render any public inquiry in the matter unnecessary. Handicappers and owners alike are human, and there are no two classes of the community more likely to become enemies for the time being. They cannot look at a horse, or rather its qualifications through the same glasses, and, therefore, from time to time we find an exasperated owner using torrid expressions regarding some production of a handicapper’s skill. The handicapper, like the owner, is only human, and he, too, sometimes makes a mistake, but those who criticise bis efforts should bear in mind the difficulties which surround his position, and hesitate before being cruel in their criticism. It is the duty of a club to jealousy protect their officials from any unfair attack, and we are glad to hear that in the present case the accuser intends to come forward and candidly admit his error. It is only fair to other handicappers and to owners generally to explain that the parties alluded to in this paragraph are Mr Knight, the handicapper for the Takapuna Club, and Mr A. Phillips, the owner of Knight of Athol. The programme for the annual meeting of the Te Aroha Racing Club appears in this issue. The meeting will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14 and 15. Altogether the sum of £316 is provided in stake money. On the first day the principal race is the Te Aroha Jockey Club Handicap, one mile, with 45 sovs. On the second day the Te Aroha Cup run over one mile and three furlongs, is the chief event of the day. On each day there will be a hurdle race worth 25 sovs. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, Mr N. Ferguson, at Te Aroha, on Friday, the 17th inst. At the monthly meeting of the Auckland Racing Club held on Monday afternoon, Mr Buckland presiding, the following programmes were approved of: —Whakatane, March 17; Katikati Hack Club, March 8; Te Aroha J.C., March 15; Avondale J.C., April 19 and 22; Tirau (late Oxford), to be held in April. It is rumored that James, the Wellington trainer, contemplates a trip to Australia at an early date with Rata, Trask, and Art Jewel. The latter may show himself to be the best of the trio when opportunity offers. By Artillery—Crown. Jewel, his breeding is all right.

On Saturday the stewards of the Takapuna Jockey Club were asked to make an investigation as to statements published to the effect that Tim was “ stuffed” and a non-trier for the Second Hurdle Race. The enquiry will be held after the return of Mr F. Macmanemin from Taranaki.

A southern paper states that Fabulist is being schooled by Mr J. C. Booth over the jumps, and is shaping well. The information is a little too premature as Mr Booth has never asked Fabulous’ son to jump yet, but it is on the cards that he .will do so, more [especially as his late owner, Mr John Lennard, avers that he is a natural jumper, and would always prefer to jump a log no matter how big than to go round it. The total amount of money paid away for the two days of the Sydney Turf Club’s Meeting was £2,022. Mr S. Oxenham was at the head of affairs owing to the victory of Alemene in the Anniversary Handicap. He did not back his horse to the same extent that the Leviathan usually does. Mr S. H. Gollan’s horses Opae and Toriki have been nominated for the Welsh Grand National Steeplechase, of 500 sovs, three miles. The latest Australian scratchings are:—Newmarket Handicap : Coal Queen, Djin-Djin, Blue Metal, and Latem; Australian Cup : Blue Metal, Johansen, Water Colour; St. Leger: Cocos. Blazer wi.l not make the journey to Australia. It is thought that the the weight imposed by Mr tlakin in the Newmarket Handicap, 9.6, is too great a handicap to allow the St. Clair gelding a chance of success. Little fish are sweet, and he may catch one or two by staying at home. Late news from Sydney is to the effect that Cocos has gone amiss, and Mr Tom Pay ten, hi 8 trainer, advises a complete rest. If this is tru e his chances for the autumn events are worthless.

Mr W. Cooper, the owner of Newhaven, brought his Sydney visit to a close on Saturday, January 28, when he left by the steamer Himalaya for England (states the Sydney Mail). Mr P. H. Marton, the Russley studmaster, was also a passenger by the same boat. It is understood that prior to his departure Mr Cooper offered £4OOO for the New Zealand racehorse Multiform, but Mr G. G. Stead refused the tempting offer.

The secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club informs us that the distance of the Burke Memorial Stakes, run on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, has been reduced from one mile and a half to a mile and a quarter. The nominations for the various races to be decided at the meeting close on Tuesday, February 28, so there is plenty of time for owners and trainers to become aware of the shortening of the distance.

On January 28, at Appin, a jockey named Thompson won the whole of the seven ra~es on the catd. and then won a match, making eight consecutive wins.

In Walcha. New South Wales, the local club has a committee which numbers 90, with power to add to its number.

Prenez Garde is the name by which a brother to Whakawatea has been handicapped. Shaughraun, who was killed in the accident in the Anniversary Handicap at Rand wick, is said to have been one of the biggest Lochiels that has yet raced. He was a three-quarter brother of Survivor, who is now in England.

That speedy but ugly-looking horse Blair won the Corinthian Handicap at the S.T.C. meeting. This earns for him a penalty of 51b for the Oakleigh Plate.

The nominations of Mr N. H. Devlin, a wellknown Riverina sportsman, won five races out of ten at Yass the other dav.

When the last Australian mail left, the subscription list for the widow of the late George Durston had reached £lOO.

The victories of Eton and Coronet at Egmont were not acceptable to the Auckland bookmakers, with whom both horses had been well backed.

Mr Jerry O’Sullivan, the well-known Blenheim sport, was in Wellington last week. His horse, Sing-Song, will shortly be put into work again with a view to racing at the autumn and winter meetings. Omago will probably be raced at the Marlborough meeting in May,

Commenting upon starters and starting, a writer in the American Spirit of the Times thinks that the Englishman, Mr McGeorge, was the test hand with the flag ever seen. He says : —But what was the real secret of McGeorge’s success ? I knew the man intimately, both in his official capacity, and in his private life. For that reason I think I am qualified to state my opinion. He was a most opinionated man, who had a very exalted idea of his own powers, and in the discharge of his duties was unswerving, unrelenting, and would brook no interference. A very unpleasant person, the reader will say. No! He was not. On the contrary, he was a man who in his private life was a cheery, good fellow, with a wide circle of friends, and who was as thorough in his friendships as he was in to the performance of his work. Directly he took the flag in hand, his whole nature seemed changed. He treated friends and foes exactly alike. He had many friends among the jockeys. But woe betide them if they presumed on his friendship; they were made to remember it. He was as unflinching and stern that I believe the jockeys absolutely feared him. So, too, it must be with a starter who is to succeed. He must be Stern to a degree, and must be upheld in his decisions by the Jockey Club—no matter if it be one of themselves who has to suffer.

Ellerslie has worn quite a deserted appearance during the past week, and there will be more desertions during the coming week, as George Wright will take his departure for the West Coast with Explosion, Acone, Rosella, Miss Emmy, and Hastings.

Onr latest Australian files show that Beachcomber has been backed for the Newmarket Handicap to win £B,OOO, and in cot ercysence has become first favourite for the big sprint event Beachcomber is the property of that long headed sportsman, the Hon. W. A.- Long, of Chipping Norton, who has owned as many good horses in his time as any sportsman in Australia. Amongst others owned by Mr Long was the unbeaten Grand Flaneur, and when the Chipping Norton squire backs anything he is generally regarded as being pretty deadly. Beachcomber is a five-year old, and is by that successful New Zealand bred sire Loehiel out of Seaweed who we believe comes from the Fisherman tribe. At the late Sydney Turf Club’s meeting he won the High Weight Welter Handicap, six furlongs, carrying 8.7, in Imin 14isec, and as he won by a couple of lengths he must be regarded [as pretty slippery. A field of eighteen started in the race. Beachcomber is engaged in the Newmarket Handicap at 6.10 including 31bs penalty.

The New Zealand v. South Tasmania cricket match ended in a draw, as the New Zealanders were unable to continue the game into the third day. The Tasmanians continued their innings and headed their opponents total by 8 runs. Pretty nearly all the batsmen made runs, but the principal scores in the 343 were made by Hanson 76, Eady 64, Davis 55, Burn 41, and McAllen 30. Reese was the most successful bowler, his five wickets costing 58 runs. In such a big innings this performance is undoubtedly a good one. Going in a second time the New Zealanders put on 103 for the loss of three wickets. Baker again played sterling cricket, and was 50 (not out) at the drawing of stumps. George Mills was bowled for a duck, while Reese (who shaped well for 22) and Lusk (17) were caught. Eady was responsible for the three wickets. Eady was out in rather a peculiar manner. The big Tasmanian drove a ball hard back to Reese, who managed to hold the ball. The Tasmanian umpire, after appealing to his colleague, gave it not out, but as the other decided against the batsman, Cobcroft claimed Eady’s retirement. A common complaint now-a-days is loss of hair? not in the jocular way, but in sober reality. Mr Parker, of Manners Street, Wellington, whose advertisement appears elsewhere, claims to be the discoverer of a preparation which will not only prevent such loss, but will give the hair, so to speak, a new lease of life. Unlike many advertised preparations, it has the distinct advantage of ‘not being greasy.” Needless to say this will be appreciated by many who, having an antipathy to anything of an oily nature being applied to the head, have preferred to let age and ill-health work their ravages. On the other hand it is an excellent and cooling “ dressing,” and it’s antiseptic properties commend it in cases of dandruff. The preparation emits but the faintest odour, which again will speak in its praise. When we add that the price of the article is within the reach of all, viz., Is 6d a bottle, or 2s in postage stamps (sent to any address), sufferers will admit it’s claim to a trial. Although this Hair Tonic of Parker’s has only recently been placed on the market, it is selling rapidly, and those who buy once are satisfied to try again. Agents are offered liberal terms, and here is a chance for pushing men to make money.