OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 769, 1 December 1904, Page 9

OTAGO.

Dunedin, November 29. The Tahunga Park Trotting Club commenced their Spring Meeting on Saturday last in fine weather. Some fairly interesting sport was witnessed during/ the day, and the totalisator receipts were £355 in excess of last year, whilst the sum of £63 was received in bookmakers’ fees. The principal saddle race was won by Moutere, a brother to George L., in smin 12 3-ssec, and \ erity, a daughter of Vancleve, won the principal harness race in smin. The well-bred Embrace, by Almont —Cling, by Vancleve, had an easy win' in the Dash Handicap on Saturday. The Southland trainer, James Lawson, is now handling and educating a filly by Casket from Parvula, and a colt by The Officer from SaJbra, bred by the Hon. J. D. Ormond. It is rumored that Cruciform is likely to be the Yaldhurst Stable’s Auckland Cup rep. The Canterbury horse, King Dick, has been purchased by Mr T. Kett, and is now at work on the Southland R.C.’s tracks.

It is understood that General Election, who won the Ladies’ Bracelet on Saturday, was recently purchased by his present owner for £65. The Electioneer horse acted queerly in the race, ar.<d with a little more experience should soon reduce his present mark of smin 51 3-ssec.

The awarding of the stakes attached to the Criterion Handicap to Petrovna has given universal satisfaction. On Friday night last the well-known wrestler, H. Pearce, undertook to throw M. Powley three times in an hour in “Catch-as-catch-can” style for a wager of £25 aside. Pearce only succeeded in downing his man once, and was too Aldermanic in condition to do anything great in the ring. There was a very large audience present, and the victory of the local man was naturally very popular. There was a packed house at the Alhaml.Ta Theatre on Monday night, when three very interesting boxing contests took place. The bouts were eight twominute rounds, with one minute spell, and the first was between J. Griffen and W. Farnuharsor.'. The last-named showed to advantage in the early part of the contest, but Griffen put in some telling work in the fifth round and won the battle. The second took place between J. A. Griffen (Amateur Champion of Australasia), and J. Leckie. The former displayed great work in the rins, and after being awarded the bout declared Leckie was the best man he had ever met. The last bout look place between A. Parker (Feather-weiirht Champion of N.Z.) and C. Griffen. The pair were very evenlv matched. Parker assumed the aggressive and displayed more science than his opponent, but in actual fighting honours were even. At the conclusion of the eight rounds between these men the referee requested them to box another round, and at its conclusion awarded the contest to Parker. The three battles furnished the greatest exhibition of boxing that has ever been seen in Dunedin in one night, and although the contests were supposed to be brought off under the Ama-

teur Rules they were in reality decided a la Marquis of Queenst'arry. It is rumoured that J. Griffen intends abandoning amateurism and contemplates joining the ranvs of professionals, and with that object, in view leaves shortly for Australia.