HAWKE’S BAY NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1158, 20 June 1912, Page 11

HAWKE’S BAY NOTES.

(From 1 Oar Ovvn Correspondent.) NAPIER, June 17. .Mangaroa, one of the choice lots from a betting point of view for the New Zealand Cup, is looking in fine order’ at the present time. 1 should say that the racing days of Maku are over. The black gelding is now running on Te Mahanga station. It was here he first saw the light, and when I saw him the other day he was moving very short and scrappy behind, and in addition his near fore fetlock joint was much enlarged. Mr T. H. Lowry has leased Merriwa to F. Davis, who has the son of Merriwee under his control. Merriwa has not done much lepping dur-

ing last week, but previous to that he had been displaying a lot of proficiency over the obstacles. A. Wood is moulding into shape a younger full-brother to Dawn. He is a well-set up gelding, with lots of power and quality apparent in his conformation, and on his appearance should have a prosperous period ahead of him.

The foal full-sister to Evadne has been christened Lady Fulda, and the yearling full-brother to the brace has had the cognomen of Sir Mosley bestowed upon him. Eocene and Daybreak, the two-year-old fillies that are the guidance of J. McLaughlin, are being rested. Both have bloomed out considerably since they were last seen out on the racing trails. Mr A. F. Douglas has purchased Golden Loop, and the chestnut gelding is now one of the members of J. M. Cameron’s team at Hastings. Cameron has also lately added to his band of workers by the inclusion of St. Elmn, who is a half-brother by St. Ambrose to Mahutonga, Kopu, Mere Mere, and Mangaroa. St. Elmn

is also the property of Mr A. F. Douglas, and for some time .past has been having a holiday on the estate belonging to the Douglas Brothers. Bobrikoff is one of the regulars at Napier Park. So far the black champion has not been asked for a sample - of his best, but, judging by the solid fashion in which he is hitting out, he would not experience a severe task in reproducing some of his very best at short notice.

Mr T. H. Lowry has claimed the following names for some .of his coming two-year-olds:—The Hague, bay filly by Stepniak—Peace; Landrail, bay filly by Grafton—Langrel; Blackguard, black colt by Royal Fusilier Gossip (this youngster is a half-brother to Bobrikoff); Meddite black colt by Royal Artillery—Quieest; Solfano, bay colt by Soult— Monoquil; St. Francis, bay colt by ban Francisco—Miss Gladys (this colt is a full-brother to Seal Rock and half-brother to Gladsome.

Corazon is not going along any too e 1 and it is more than probable that the chestnut gelding will be an absentee from the courses for some time to come. His full-brother Bravest is making a good showing in his work.

D. Watt, the trainer-jockey, got a bad smashing through a horse kicking him the other day, which caused a broken collar-bone and a fractured J h a T.. He ’ how ever, is about again, out it will be some considerable time ere he will be able to get into harness again.

B. Nicholls, who in years gone by used to follow his profession of trainer at Hastings (he at one time n a<j a team in work for Mr S. IT Goilan), is back again in the “Bays.” For several years he has been training on the other coast of this Island, but owing to the sudden death of his wife last week he decided to seek a change. Nicholls has got a chance of following his business here, and will now make his home in these' parts.

Mr A. Paape, the organising secretary of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, has of late been addressing meetings of members and sympathisers in the movement. Last Monday he addressed a meeting here, anld after giving ’a hicid, forceful speech as regards the aims and aspirations of the League, a motion was carried to the effect that it was desirable that a branch of the League be formed in Napier. Mr H. F. Logan was elected president, and Messrs W. Plowman and H. B. Lusk vice-presidents. Amongst those who attended the meeting were several of the kill-joy battalion, who aired their views upon the question of the formation of the branch, and, of course, it goes without saying that they were opposed to the proposal. These people got badly beaten when the motion was put to the meeting, tor the Mayor, who presided, gave the result as 35 for and 10 against. After this defeat the purists did not wait any longer, but left the place. The main opposer to the motion was the Rev. Blamires, who is known by some as the “Sporting Parson.” I am of the opinion that the name is the greatest misnomer that was ever bestowed upon a man, for there is not, judging by his speech, one speck or atom of that fairness that is always associated with men who are termed by their fellow-men “sportsmen.” I used to reproach myself that I was not fortunate enough to> be on speaking terms with the rev. gentleman (I had never been introduced to him), but after the way that he spoke and played for effect the other night, I am more than pleased that he and I are strangers. How little charity and spirit of fairness dominates some of these Churchmen. Because some do not see eye to eye with us, or think in the same parallels, then they condemn with bitter, acrimonious words everything that their fellow-men do, forgetting that a man or men can have different ideas from them and still be honourable, fair citizens. A glance at the men who support sport in the Dominion reveals the fact that in the maj'ority of instances they are above reproach both in their public and private walks of life.