Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 510, 27 September 1900, Page 11

Sporting Topics.

£Bv

Petronel.]

Clansman was bought on Friday last by Mr J. Rust, Who gave 41gns for the Blairgowrie pony. Auckland Cup nominations are due with Mr Percival to-morrow, Friday, September 28th. Mr W. Percival’s brood mare, Electra, by Castor out of Welcome Katie, has produced a filly to St Leger. Texas, the winner of the second pony race at Avondale, was offered at auction last week, but was passed in at 37gns. A skill competition coupon for the approaching Hawke’s Bay Meeting is this week published as a supplement to the Spouting- Review. George Wright left for Wanganui, taking with him Rosells, Beddington, Laetitia, and Hastings. Joe Gallagher also travelled with the team. Weights for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s first day’s races are due to-morrow, Friday, September • 28th. The Poverty Bay Turf Club pays stakes in full. That five per cent imposition will soon be wiped away altogether. The Wanganui acceptances are first-rate in point of number, and the racing next Tuesday and Thursday should be of a very interesting character. To-morrow, Friday, nominations are due with Mr Percival for the Handicap Hurdles, Prince of Wales’ Handicap, and City Handicap, to be run at the Spring Meeting of the Auckland Racing Olub. The following Hawke’s Biy Races must be accepted for to-morrow, Friday, September 28th : October Handicap, 2 sovs; First Hurdles, 2 sovs ; First Hack, 1 sov; Corinthian Stakes nil, and Flying Handicap, 2aovs. Mr Mussell Fleetwood, the secretary of the Taranaki Jockey Club sends me the book programme of the season’s meetings. At the Sumrr er Meeting for backs, the added money amounts to £B9O, and for the Autumn Meeting £1355 will :f .r. be provided in stake money. Mr F. B. Roes, the owner of Voltigeur 11, Telephone, Hylae, and other horses, has an announcement in this issue notifying the public that no person except himself r.as had, or A has any interest in the horses racing in his name. p' 1 Statements to the contrary have been circulated, and Mr Ross wishes to emphatically deny their accuracy.

Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan’s mare Leocant, by Leolinus from Oantiniere, has foaled a filly to Seaton Delaval. This youngster is a fullsister to Mr John Marshall’s three-year-old Paul Seaton.

To-morrow Mr W. Percival will receive nominations fcr the Auckland Cup, Auckland Racing Olub Handicap, Summer Cup, Railway Handicap, and the Auckland Steeplechase, to be decided at the Summer Meeting of the A.R.C. The entry fee in each race is 1 sov. Johansen, who scored a handsome victory at the A.J.O. Spring Meeting, was t 3 the fore at the Tattersail’s Club Meeting on Saturday. He won the Cup from Glenore, Blue Metal and seven others, running the m’le and a-quarter in 2min 10 2-ssec.

The book programme of the Canterbury Jockey Olub has reached me. In addition to the various programmes for the season it contains the nominations lor all the ovents which have closed, and some other useful information. The total amount of money given away in stakes is £19,165. The Metropolitan Meeting has £lO,OOO, the. Summer, £2020, and the Autumn £3,490. At the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company’s sale of Friday last, the pony Blue Paul, by Seaton Delaval—Lady Mersey, four years old, was purchased by Jack Rae for 92gns. Blue Paul is a smart little pony and may pay his way later in the season. At the same sale First Whisper, by St Andrew—Whisper was bought by a little syndicate for 49gns. On Friday (to-morrow) entries close with Mr F. D. Luckie for the following races, to be run at the Spring Meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Olub : Maiden Plate, 1 sov; Juvenile Stakes, 2 sovs ; Trial Handicap, 1 sov; Maiden Hurdles, 1 sov ; Nursery Handicap, 1 sov ; Second Hack Handicap, 1 sov; Second Hurdles, Isov; Welter Hand cap, 1 sov ; Final Handicap, 1 sov. MiLuckie will receive nominations at the Criterion Hotel, Napier, up till nine o’clock tomorrow night. Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan are offering for private sale Liquidator, the two-yeor old bay gelding by Seaton Delaval out o' Liquidation. Liquidator ran in the Avondale Stakes and the nursery Handicap at Avondale last week, getting second in the former, and third in in the latter race. The youngster showed pace, and had he got away better at the start he might have been returned a winner. Liquidator will be sold at a reasonable figure.

Labourer’s win in the Plumpton Handicap at Avondale last week must be accounted a lucky one, for, but for the bad start, it would have been a one horse race. Hohoro would have won with a little bit to spare. The way he moved, and the position he reached after giving the leaders a hundred yards start, showed the public what sort of a race there would have been with the field despatched on even terms. Truly V. horo must be accounted the uni .cky horse of the district.

Mr G. G. Stead’s colt Formosan has been paid up for in the Wanganui Guineas. Sir George Clifford’s colt Cannie Chiel, and Mr E G. Watt’s Nobility are also among the probables. With Beddington in the field the race should be an interesting one. Messrs Nathan’s gelding may be exbected to show very different form to that he displayed at Avondale last week, but still I fancy Mr Stead’s colt and Nobility will be the two to fight out the finish if they are sent to Wanganui. Cannie Chiel, Sir George Clifford’s colt, is a sure starter. Ho promised to grow into a good three-year-old, and if he has fulfilled that promise he must take some beating.

Texas paid the big dividend of the Avondale Meeting. £75 3s was the return each investor of £1 got for his plunge. The result was never in doubt either, for Texas jumped away with the lead, and was never headed, and finally won by a couple of lengths from Bapit, Mr Donald McKinnon’s pony. The latter would have paid the same dividend as Texas, for there were eleven tickets issued on either of them. Mr Tooman generally mana es to get a good dividend with each win, but the public quite lost sight of the fact that a Tooman-owned pony is generally dangerous.

Seahorse, accompanied by Labourer, left for Sydney en route for Melbourne on board the Waihora on Monday. The two colts were looking in capital condition, and they should stand the journey well, for their quarters were very comfortably arranged. ' Major George travelled over by the same steamer, while the horses were in the charge of Joe Scents. It is not known who will have the training of Seahorse for the Melbourne Cap. Major George, writing to a friend in Melbourne sent him three names and asked the friend to make arrangements with one. The answer was expected on Monday, but as the Mararoadid not arrive until Wednesday, the Major had to leave Auckland without knowing the result. It is certain that Seahorse will go into the hands of a good man for the finishing touches to his preparation.

The Poverty Bay Turf Club will hold its Spring Meeting on Thursday and Friday, October 25 and 26, on the Makaraka Racecourse. For the two days’ racing £455 will be provided in stakes. On the first day, the spring Handicap of 60sovs, one mile and a quarter, is the chief race on the programme. The Flying Stakes, six furlongs, is worth 40 sovs, and the Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters, also has an endowment of 40 sovs. Tr al Welter Grandstand and Maiden races make up a < att active programme. On the second day the principal event is the Makaraka Handicap, run over one mile and worth 50 sovs. The five furlong race, the Waikanae Handicap, is worth 40 sovs, and the Second Hurdle Race has a stake of the same value. The full program lie will be found elsewhere in this issue. Nominations close with the Secretary, Mr J. H. Aislabie, at the Masonic Hotel, Gisborne, on Saturday week, O tobsr 6. The weights to be framed by Mr A. T. Danvers will be published about Thursday, October 18.

St Paul will cover a few mares th ; s season.

Record Roign is hardening for the New Zealand Cup. The Wanganui Spring Meeting takes place next Tuesday and Thursday.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co will offer Matamata Harakiki at Auction on Friday.

Auckland Trotting Club Annual Meeting tomorrow, Friday, at four o’clock i i the afternoon. Mr Thomas Morrin’s racing colours were sported by St Amy at the Avondale Meeting. Formula had the best of a once round gallop with Hengist on Tuesday morning

Mr Thomas Morrin’s brood mare Radiant, by Pobinson Crusoe out of Radiance, has visited Seaton Delaval.

Messrs R. and R. Duder’s brood mare Anna, by Musket out of Florin, has foaled a colt to St Hippo. The thoroughbred mare Vivid, by Musket out of Beauty, was sold on Friday last for 17 guineas. Mr J. Johnstone was the purchaser.

Messrs Barnett and Grant have £lOOO book on the double New Zealand Cup and Steward’s Handicap.

At Christchurch on Saturday Malatua was favourite for the New Zealand Cup at 6 to 1, while Record Reign and Sant Ilario were level second favourites at 7 to 1.

Fulmen continues to get through a considerable amount of work, and, according to report, pleases his partv by the way he accomplishes the tasks he is asked to perform.

The Napier Park Racing Club has received good nominations for its anproaching Meeting. The Aucklanders Rosella, Beddington, Laetitia, Hastings, Hengist, and Formula figure in the lists.

Bluejacket departed for Wanganui yesterday (Wednesday). His track form has been very good since the Avondale Meeting, and he should be worth following up at the Wanganui Meeting.

The Juvenile Plate, for two and three-year-olds, to be run at the Spring Meeting of the ? J.C. has filled well.

Amongst the recent foalings at Wellington Park are the following : Armilia, by Castor— Necklace, a filly to Hotchkiss; Aiaa, by Leolinus —L’Orient a filly to Hotchkiss, and St Mary, by St Leger—Weasel a colt to Castor.

Mr Dan McLeod’s two year-old Scotty, by St Leger—Janet, will go down to Christchurch to take part in the Cup Meeting. He will in all likelihood ba the only Auckland owi ed juvenile to measure strides with the southern cracks.

Record Reign got through a striding gallop over two miles on Tuesday morning. The Cup horss mo ed rsally well, and appeared to relish his work immensely. Fit and well on November 3 he must take a power of beating in the big race

Malatua appears 'o have quite recovered from the reported temporary indisposition. He is very firm in the market just now, and if he lands at the post all right he will carry a lot of money on the day the New Zealand Cup is run.

Old Telephone made hacks of hi s field in the Electic Handicap at Avondale, on tie second day of the meeting. I sunpose the Billingsgate gelding will now be put at the jumping business, for he must fill the handicapper’s eye should he be entered for any sprint races.

Record Reign, Hengist, Formula, Miss Delaval and Scotty, are the only Auckland horses entered for the C J.C. races, which closed last Friday. None of Messrs Nathan’s horses have been nominated, so it may pretty well be concluded that Beddington will no* be a starter in the New Zealand Cup. There is an announcement in our advertising columns that St Paul will serve a limited number of mares this season at a fee of ten guineas. By St Leger out of Satanella, St Paul’s deeds are so fresh in the memory of readers that there is no need for me to extol his merits. Breeders will, no doubt, make early application to Mr John Ohaafe, who will supply them with all the further particulars desired.

Bluejacket is an acceptor for the Spring Handicap at Wanganui He should run well with 9s’- if the going is on the dry side, but I would rather have him on my side for the Wanganui Stakes, run over a mile and a-half on the second day of the Meeting. Boreas has also been accepted for in the Spring Handicap, but 10st 71b is a lump of weight to carry, when a horse is not absolutely fit, and reports from Porirua state that Boreas is not yet quite forward onough for a severe race. Rosella, Bst 61b, looks to have a very fair show, and if The Hempie has made the improvement to be expected she should run well with 7st 111 b.

Mr E W. Alison, the Chairman of the Takapuna Jockey Club, is a candidate ior the Mayoralty of Devonporb. Mr Alison’s knowledge of public affairs and other well known qualifications eminently fit him for the responsible position. Devonport is a quickly growing place, aud there are various measures of improvement to put before the public which will need a carefully - guiding hand. la Mr Alison the burgesses of the marine suburb have the right man for the place.

The Auckand Trotting Club will hold its Ai nual General Meeting on Friday, September 28th, at the lub Rooms, Durham street. The meeting is timed for tour o’clock in thr afternoon, and the business on the order paper is : To receive Report and Balance c-.heet, and elect members of Committee in the place of those retiring.

Entries of foals for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s Jackson Stakes of 1903 close on Monday, April 22nd, 1901.

I was sorry and surprised to hear that the Egmont Olub had decided to take the Minerva 11. case to the Racing Conference for final settlement. The decision of the Taranaki Jockey Club appeared to be in keeping with ths facts of the case, and if Mr Beckett erred, on the advice of the Auckland Racing Club, who had told him that his mare was not debarred from running in New Zealand. Mr Beckett was perfectly open about the matter He asked the Secretary of the A.R.C. whether Minerva 11. would be qualified to run over here, and he received an affirmative reply. Thereupon he bought the mare, leased her, and she won races at Ellerslie and lakapuna, and her lessee received the stakes she won. Despite the A.R.O. permission, the stewards of the Egmont Olub declined to allow the mare to start until Mr Beckett, made a declaration that she was not debarred from racing here. Minerva 11. could not race at the Australian Jockey Club Meetings because she had raced at pony meetings, which are not recognised|by the;A. J.O. Here in NewJZealandipony racing is allowed, and ponies that have gone from here and taken part in pony meetings on the other side have come back and raced in New Zealand without disqualification. I have in my mind Partan Jeannie, Romp, and Tit, and no doubt there are other cases which could be cited. There can be no question that throughout the affuir Mr Beckett has been perfectly frank in every way, and though I have no desire to comment upon a question which is in a measure sub judice, I cannot help expressing the hope that when the judges appointed meet at Napier they will exonerate him from any susw picion of malpractice. At Adelaide on the 27th August, the hearing of the charges laid by the police against several persons for unlawfully betting m Victoria Park on August 18th, was continued. The cases were adjourned from Friday, and they included an information laid by Mr Nesbit, Q. 0., who appeared for one of the defendants, against Mounted Constable Wells, who gave evidence for the Crown, of having infringed the Act by making a wager with one of the accused. As soon as this case was called, the Crown solicitor (Mr Stuart) handed in the Governor’s pardon for the defendant. After the reading of the pardon, Mr Nesbit exclaimed : “ This is very funny and infamous. I understand the man has pleaded not guilty, and it is gross impudence, and libellous, to assume that he is guilty.” The Stipendiary Magistrate : ‘it seems to be a novel thing, and whether we should grant an adjournment to enable the matter to ba consi ’ered is a question we are doubtful about ” The Crown Solicitor. “ The court has no power to adjourn the case.” Mr F esbit secured an udjournment for half-an-hour. When the case was referred to later on, the Magistrate said the position was a very novel one, indeed, to grant a pardon when an offence had not been proved. The court was of opinion that the case must proceed. The Crown Solicitors “ This is something new to me. I shall watch the case, but 1 don’t know that I shall take any part in it. The proceeding of the court is most extraordinary. I cannot understand how the court, with the C cvernor’s pardon in its hand, can elect to proceed.” The Stipiendary Magistrate : “ Can you show us a case in which a pardon has been granted before an offence is proved]?” The Crown Solicitor quoted Cornyns Digest, vol 5, page 230 and 231. The court decided that there could be no adjournment, and found the charge proved against Harry White, who was fined £lO and costs, and against Walter Meyers for aiding and abetting, who was fined £3. John M‘Kay was also found guilty of unfawful wagering, and Thomas O’Callaghan for aiding and abetting, and ordered to pay £5 and £1 respectively. Writing of the late Lord Russell, of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice of England, The Aristocratic Tout says :—At one time, in conjunction with Mr Charles Blake, he nearly as possible became the owner of the mighty Bendigo, but irom the advice tendered to him from “ a close alliance ” on the bench he was persuaded from so doing. The son of Ben Battle originally only realised the insignificant sum of eighty guineas, and made his debut as a three-year old in the Cesarewitch, which fell to the Findon-trained Don Juan and Mr the late Jousiffe’s charge finishing iu the first flight, and starting at 40 to 1. He then got “ the knock ” for the second big handicap at the little town in Cambridge, his quotation on all the lists figuring at 50 to 1. Sir Charles was presenton the memorable afternoon and invested a moderate tenner on the son of Ben Battle for a place, which proved a most remune ative investu ent. He was autocratic in all his dealings on the Turf, and would always support hia own opinion, notwithstanding anyone’s advice to the contrary, a confrere in his early days who can be put in the same category being Baron Marlin, the only judge on the Bench in the history of the Turf who can be designated an owner of racehorses. The latter gentlemen, like Lord Russell, first saw the light in the Emerald Isle, and in 1884 he defended the action, as junior counsel, for General Peel to the amount at stake for the Bine Riband of the Turf, which had been credited to the four-year-old, Running Bein, which undoubtedly was one of the biggest swindles of all time. The Goodwood Cup in 1856, just after the Crimean War, fell to Rogerthorp, who defeated a hot favjurite in the stalwart Fisherman, the time-honoured Yellow Jack occupying his usuiil position of “ clerk.” Fordham had the leg up on the winner, but although the Calendar put the ownership down to the astute Mr Harry Hill, it was an open secret tbafc Baron Martin owned half the colt. The Turf at all times can ill afford to loose such magnates, but never more so than by the demise of the late Lord Chief Justice of England, one ot the meat singular coincidences with it being that he died on the anniversary of his wedding day.

Seahorse and Labourer wera rccatched for the New Zealand Cup at. nine o’clock on Juesday morning.

Now that Seahorse and Labourer are out of the New Zetland Cup it 1< oks as if the three favourites, Record Reign, Malatua, and Sant Ilario, would come to a still shorter price. The strength of the field is n>w a subject of much conjecture, and I hwe already heard of speculation on the actual nu nb.sr of starters. The certain runners, bar accident, seem to be Record Beign, Milatui, Tortulla, Fuhnen, Mbs Delaval, Sant Ilario, ujin Djin, Skobeloff, Nobility, Hengist, Materoa, and Huku. Strathnairn has been running very indifferently, and he will have to show his trainer far better form before he can be considered to have any chance. Ideal appears to be the m <st fancied of the rfon J. D. Ormond’s lot, but we shall have to wait until the next payment! before knowing whether the Hawke s Bav owner will start one. There is also some doubt about Mr Donnelly’s pair, Autaia and Kahuwai. The latter is well-spoken of, but is practically untried. Scottish Ministrel will run at Wanganui next week. Hit form there wil l phow Ted Cutts what sort of prospects he has in the Riccarton race. Mr Stead’s three year-olds, Fielo Rose and La Notte will most likely go out. Ben Farely has been doing nothing to warrant any support being given to him, and Dundas is another whose recent training has been of a very disappointing nature. Conqueror is reported to have broken down hopelessly, and I believe there is not much chance of Hohoro being taken down to Cnristchurch. It can hardly be expected that the field will number more than a dozen, and I shall not be at. all surprised if less than that number of starters line up before Mr Piper on the eventful day.

In Paris, more than in any other city, perhaps, it is proved that the utility and pecuniary worth of a horse do not cease with its life. There are places appointed for the receipt of the carcases. After the horses are deposited, the hair of the mane and tail is cut off, this weighs about a quarter of a pound, the skin is then taken away, and is disposed of to tanners and used for various purposes, the shoes are sold as old iron, the feet are cut off, dried and beaten, in order to make the hoofs come away, or are left to putrefy till they separate of themselves, when they are sold to turners, combmakers, manufacturers of ammonia and Prussian blue. Every morsel of fat is picked out and melted, and used for burning by makers of enamel and glass toys, greasing shoe leather and harness, and manufacturing soap and gas. The workmen choose the best pieces of the flesh to eat, preferring those about the head, and sell the rest for dogs, cats, hogs and poultry. It is also much used for manure and making Prussian blue. The bones are § disposed of to cutlers, fan-makers, ■' etc, and often made into ivory black, and also c casiorally serve as fuel for melting the fat, and for manure. The sinews and tendons are sold to gluemakers, the small intestines are made into coarse strings for lathes, etc, or serve as manure.

In the controversay over the scratching of “ Old Olo’ ’’ Mr H. 0. White had not the whole of the press writers against him. “ Ranger,” of the Sporting and Dramatic News, was always on his side, and in taking leave of the case he wrote: — “It will be noticed that there were several disappointing incidents in connection with the race for the Liverpool Cup, and the victory of Skopos has been described as ‘ unpopular? Mr H. C. White, the owner of that horse, scratched Old Olo’, as is well-known, after she had become a favourite, so that certain speculators, who had backed her in the hope of making a profit for themselves, were furious when Mr White interferred with their game and won with his other candidate. Dennunciations of his conduct seem to be inspired by gamblers who have lost their money. Ordinary visitors at Liverpool, as representing the public, were not angry when Skopos won. I Some jbacked him on the course, and had, indeed, reason to rejoice when he won what was undoubtedly a lucky race. What might have happened jif jMaluma lhad stood up, andjthere bad been less ‘ skittling ’ so far as some of the other competitors were concerned, we shall, of course, never know. Meanwhile, Mr White has the laugh of those who tried to forestall nim, and now he writes that he ‘desires light and leading ’ We do not think that even professional backers can teach him much, whilst he has already given them a lesson.”

Of the sventeen foals at Wellington Park, ten are colts and seven are fillies. The Hon iffegh Mosman’s three-year-olds Hengist and Formula, leave for Napier to , morrow (Friday). Major George’s brood mare The Maid, by Ki- g of the Ring—Maid of All Work, has foaled a fidy to Nelson. The Maid is one of the mares on Cyrenian’s list \ Mr Dan McLeod’s brood mare Farera, by Cuirassier from Albatross, on Tuesday morning foaled twin colts to Oyrenian. The mare had a very severe time, and both foals were born dead. Bobadil will probibly have a few mares this season, but Mr C. F. Macdonald has arranged to lease him for racing purposes from Mr F. 8. Grimwade, and the little brown will be put into work again at St. Albans after the V.R.C. Spring meeting The death is reported from Ravensworth, near Singleton of the thoroughbred bo’se Stockwell, by Henchman, from Lady Lilliard, who was a good performer, wii.ning among other rac?s the Epsom Handicap of 1888. At the settling over the Spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club on Mor day it was announced on behalf of Mr W. R. Hall, the owner of Reviver, who won the Metropolitan Stakes, that he would give £l,OOO to the funds of the Children’s Hospital. The announcement was received with ringing cheers. Mr Robert Cleveland reports the following business during the week on the New Zealand Cup ; _5OO to 5, Vo ley ; 400 to 12, Beddington ; 100 to 5, Nobility; 200 to 16, Military. Caulfield and Melbourne Cups : 500 to 1, Geo. Frederick and War God ; 500 to 1, Horace and Haufbov ; 500 to 1, unnedah and War God ; 500 to I|, Sagac ty and Seahorse; 500 to I|, Cornquist and Seahorse; 500 to 2a, Corr.quist and Severi'y The Auckland Trotting Club has appointed Mr F. W Edwards to be handicapper and starter to the Club. The Club could hardly have made a better selection, for Mr Edwards is one of the most popular all-roun i sportsmen in the colony. He has acted as starter before, and certainly carried out the duties in a thoroughly efficient manner. ? s regards the handicapping, Me Edwards is such a qualified racing man that he should have very little difficulty in framing equable adjustments He certainly has the confidence of owners, trainers, and riders, and he assuredly possesses the esto-m of the public. Therefore the Auckland Trotting Club is to be congratulated upon the appointment. Mainl v through the instrumentality of that good horse, Paul Prv, Lochiel heads the list of winning sires at the A. J.O. Spring Meeting, with five races to his credit, four gained by the son of Busybody, | and one by Lord Olieveden. The only other sires to gain two representatives were Hotchkiss through Lancaster, and Korowat and Metal through Myosotis and Centurion with a race each. Hautboy, however, placed two races to the credit of Hautßrion, and Banfurly, a similar number to the credit of Eiridspord. The progeny of the following sires won one race each : — Pilgrim’s Progress, Clan Stuart, Trident, Bill of Portland, Far Niente, Pacific, Nordenfeldt, Lennox, Bengal, Carbine and The Swell. At the time the sporting men were going to Sydney for the Spring Meeting of the A.J 0., special rates were made for Catholics attending the Conference, says “ Woomera.” Some of the sports, not too pronounced in visage,-managed to squeeze in as belonging to the faithful. But when it came to a double-eventer, whose face is as well-known in Melbourne as the Town Hall clock, the line was drawn. “ Veil, Ido call that mean; you let all the other fielders in at half price and sthop me!” “Yes, but you see, we don’t know them; they may be going to the Conference; we know you are not, Mr Ishmael.” “Vot, me not going to a gonference ? Ain’t I, though; I’m going to a four-days’ gonference at Randwick to help improve the breed o’ ’osses, now then.” But his cup of bitterness was even then not full, for he had the misfortune to lay a minor cleric 20 to 1 Am pier in the train. The annual sale of the Elderslie Stud yearlings will take .place during the -ew Zealand next November. Then Mr J. F. Reid will sell through Messrs Pyne and Co., the wellknown Christchurch auctioneers, twenty-one yearlings sired by Stepniak and Gipsy Grand. Amongst the youngsters to be sold are a fullbrotber to Tolstoi and Bomanoff— both winners of the O.J.C. Welcome Stakes —a full-brother to Nantes a half-sister, by Stepniak, to Goldspur, a half-brother, by Gipsy Grand, to Spider, a colt by Stepniak out of Britomarte, the full-sister to Euroclydon, and a colt by Stepniak from Fire cross, by Patrol out of Crossfire, a sister to the Melbourne Cup winner, Arsenal. Year by year Mr Reid’s yearlings command higher prices, and there is no doubt that the Oamaru-bred youngsters are strong and hearty, as well as being especially well bred. This season we shall see the first of the Gipsy Grand young-ters on the racecourse. From what I remember of the juveniles I saw when I visited Eldersdale nearly two years ago they ought to bear out the high opinion found about, their sire.

. The latest foalings at Wellington Park up to yesterday —Wednesday—were : Hazel, by Nordenfeldt—Ouida, a colt to Oyrenian; Lady Harriet, by Hotchkiss —Pungawerewere, a colt St Leger; and Dunoon, by Bundoora—Roseneath, a filly to Hotchkiss. Information has reached Melbourne from India to the effect that Merloolas in August won the Colombo Cup, one mile, beating other Aus-tralian-bred horses in Reduvni and Gnullo. In the Turf Club Plate, run at the same meeting, Merloolas was beaten by Gnullo, with Redavni third, but Merloolas next day proved his adapt- ' ability as a racehorse by winning the six fur ! longs race. Yesterday (Wednesday), after Mr Upton had stated that‘the fact that he was a director of the Gas Company was an insuferable difficulty in the way of his becoming a candidate for the position of Mayor, Mr Alfred Kidd leceived a requisition asking him to reconsider his decision not to stand. Mr Kidd will give his answer to-day (Thursday) and there can be little doubt that it will contain the welcome intelligence that he will allow himself to be nominated for the position. Major 1 ond held out a golden bait to Mr Winston Churchill to secure him for a heturing tour in the United States in the forthcoming autumn. He offered him (writes Mr Lucy in the Sydney Morning Herald) a lump sum of £15,000 paying all his travelling expenses while on tou . As lan Maclaren, Anthony Hope, and other popular Scotch and English novelists can testify, Major Pond is an exacting taskmaster. Once delivered into his hands, with the contract duly signed and sealed, the lecturer had to work like a galley slave But his captivity is gilded by all the comforts ami luxuries of train and hotel life the resources of civilisation have developed in the United States. Even with occasional delivery of two lectures a day, with a I railway run between the two halls, £15,000 is pretty good p y for a winter season. Mr Churchill has, however, suddenly become accustomed to high rates of remuneration. Since his escape from captivity with the Boers his remuneration as special correspondent of the Mo ning Post was fixed at £lOOO a month, which beats the record. Many years ago General Augustus Sala, travelling for the Daily Telegraph, mentioned that he had the treatment of a prince and the wages of an ambassador. Neither he, W. Howard Russell, nor Archibald Forbes in the heyday of their fores and fame came anywhere near young Churchill’s mark in the matter of wages.