INTER – PROVINCIAL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 952, 4 June 1908, Page 7

INTER - PROVINCIAL.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) CANTERBUR.. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club last Thurseday, the chairman (Mr. F. H. Pyne) was able to congratulate members on the satisfactory state of the club’s affairs. During the year the club gave £26,700 in stakes, an increase of £1450. Notwithstanding this the profit for the season was £4921 6s 4d, as against £5313 8s lid In 1907, which was Exhibition year. The bal-ance-sheet showed a debit of £5 ss, but against that they had £6OOO on deposit. Two important matters were touched on by the chairman in his address. One was the clashing of important meetings, such as Canterbury, Auckland, and Feilding, at Easter. He

suggested that if by rule of the Conference or mutual agreement between clubs such clashing could be avoided, it would be in the interest of the sport.

Another matter which deserved atttention of Conference was the undue proportion of five and six-furlong scrambles in many programmes. A suggestion made by Mr. Grigg and referred to the committee was that a memorial race should be established, and it will probably find a place on the November programme. Canton and Eurus have returned from their unsuccessful trip to Wanganui, rather the worse for wear. The former was badly knocked about, and will need a spell. Matters are very quiet at Riccarton, the majority of trainers being away at Dunedin.

Canterbury will be well represented at the Dunedin meeting, which opens there to-morrow, over twenty horses being engaged from headquarters, and it will be surprising if they do not capture a good share of the prize money.

Sir George Clifford’s team, including Cannie Chiel, went on after the Oamaru meeting, and Clanchattan has gone down to join them. Cotton took Petrovna, Silkweb, Chief Lochiel and Harvest down on Friday.

Slow Tom and Grandstand are engaged in jumping events, and the latter has been shaping really well in his schooling work. Cross Battery, who won a double at Ashburton, is engaged in the principal events at the Otaki meeting. Taggart took the Stepniak mare North on Thursday. On her Ashburton form she should be very hard to beat.

Among the latest aspirants for for jumping honours are Kelp and Farley Grove, the former shows very promising style, and should develop into a capable fencer. The New Zealand Cup nominations are due to-night, and with their publication sports will have something to gossip over and doubtless lose money over trying to pick the winner.

Speculation as to what would be done with horses owned by the late Mr Stead has been finally settled by the announcement that they will all be submitted to auction during the Grand National week. There are over seventy horses to be sold.