SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES,

New Zealand.

Takapuna J.C. Summer January 29 Tuurauiju, J.C. Meeting January 29 & 30 Wellington 11.C. Summer . .February 1 and 2 Marlborough Kaces February 13 and 14 Dunodin J.C. Autumn...Fobruary 21, 22, and 23 Wanganui J.C. Autumn........... March 6 and 7 Takapuna J.C. Autumn.. .;...■ March 17 Hawke's Bay J.C. Autumn March 17 and 18 Taranaki J.C. Autumn.. April 1 and 2 Auckland R.C. Autumn April J i nnd 15 Cuntorbury J.C. Autumn Aprilll and 15 Australia. : ■V.R.C. Autumn.. : March 1, 8, and 8 A.J.C Autumn ■ .April 12,14,16, and 19 S.A.J.C. Autumn May 10,15, and 17

To Correspondents.

Tjteatre.—The Wanganuimare Hippona was got by Day dawn from Zillah. G.M.—First King beat Chester in the Champion Race and V.R.C. St. Loger of 1878. ' Wanganuite. — Ravcnsworth was got by Touchstone, Ho died at Wanganui on March

27. 187 S. .;. ••;••; Suimcribkr. — Tron'ton is entered for the Champagne Stakes, run at the Canterbury Autumn Meetina in April. J.G The St. Loger is run on the first day of the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, the Australian Cup on the second day, and the Champion Race on

the third day. OoimsTATJC.—Sir Hcrculee, the sire of The Harb, was by Cap-a-pie, by tho Colonel, by Whisker, by Waxy. The English Sir Hercules

was by WJialeboiie. A.8.—1. Commotion will carry Sst 51b in the Champion Race; Martini -Henry, Archio, Warwick, and Off CSHour, 7st 121b each. 12.

The race is run on the Bth of March; X.Y.Z.—Clarence started In the Hurdlo Race at the Takapuna Summer Meeting of 1881. He

waapulled up at the second jump, owing to

the bad state of the course. F.L.M. (Ponsonby).—Mischief carried Sst 101b in tho Wellington Cup last year, and covered the two miles in 3.41 J. The year Foul Play won it was run in 3.371. which is the fastest time yet recorded for the race.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

Out of the good nomination of thirty-eight for the Wellington Cup, the final payment has been the means of dwindling the number down to ten, and out of the lot it is ques tionable whether more than seven will see the post. With 9st Gib, or 41b less than he had in the Auckland Cup, Welcome Jack's show of appropriating the event should be a particularly rosy one, and judging from the large amount of strong work that he has been doing at Ellerslie of late, it would seem that it is to be his journey. The opponent I think the son of Traduoer and Miss Flat will find most danger in is Vanguard, the only representa tive that tho Grip Lodge party have now left in the race. He cortainly did not succeed In getting home first in the attempts he made in tho C.J.C. Handicap, Canter bury Cup, and Christchurch Summer Cup during the 1882-83 season, but his sterling performances in each are quite sufficient to make me think he must have a great cay in the event under notice, and it must not be forgotten that he will have Bob Ray's polish on him. Mischief too is well worthy of attention, and her stable companion Loonata on hia running this season cannot bo overlooked, especially if the chosen one. Of course there may be many changes before tho Ist of February, on which day the race is run, but my present idea is that either Vanguard or AVelcome Jack vill be returned tho winner.

During the time the yearlings belonging to tho New Zealand Stud Company were located at Buckland's on Wednesday morn ing, I dropped in to have a peep at diem, and a nicer collection perhaps it would be difficult to clap eyes upon. Of course, the oentre of attraction to the many spectators ■who were present was the much-talked-of colt out of Onyx. With the exception of his head, he is a perfect gentleman in ap pearance, and has a beautiful middle piece, very powerful quarters, and a good set of timber under him. The colt out of Bergere I was much taken with, and be has some rare galloping points, while the young fentlemnn out of Realisation, although a it on the small side at present, should de velop into a good one. The lot altogether numbered ten, all of whom were got by Musket, and they were safely shipped during the afternoon. Captain Walmsley and J, Chaafe were in charge, and they arc oxpocted to arrive in Sydney on Monday next, thus leaving seven clear days 7 before the sale, which takes place on the 28th.

Mr Percival's adjustment of the weights for the principal events of the Takapuna Jockey Club Summer Meeting appeared on Monday last.and of course there has been the usual amount of grumbling, but for ray own part, I don't think there is much to complain about. Fishwonmn and Yuba Bill appear to be about the best off in the Handicap, and although Chandler has been well looked after in the Steeplechase for hi» recent successes, it will not surprise me if ho and Christmas again fight out the finish, while just now I Tike nothing better than Woodpocker for the Hurdles.

Mr J. Marshall, whose colours were carried to victory in the Nursery Handicap at the Summer Meeting by the aid of the Mueket—Locket filly Necklace, has pur chased from the New Zealand Stud Com pany a full brother to her, in the shape of a yearling colt. The youngster was to have been shipped to Sydnoy this week, | but £300 offered for him by Mr Marshall was too tempting a . bait, and the Company therefore decided that he should remain here.

The weight for tho \Vaiurahui Oiip, run on the 6th, o f March, havfclnade their ap penr^oe^ but Mr Evett'e work can scarcely "2. criticised, for tho greater number of inoKo engaged are only known to local fame. Added to this, there is the Wellington and Dunedin Meetings yet to be decided, so that at the present time it would be useless to attempt picking out those most likely to produce fee winner. Messrs T. and S. Mprrin have had the '■misfortune to lose this season's colt, foal .got by Musket from Frailty (a full trrother to Trenton). Ho succumbed to an attack 'of strangles one day this week, \ I understand that Mr Q. H. Lushirigton has concluded negotiations for the purchase of the Wanganui cross-country horse Alario, who it will bo remembered, won the Grand National Steeplechase there in 1882. The price paid for him was £200, and. Koss Heaton leaves next week to fetch him up. Mr James Paul has forwarded me a .copy of the programmo for the Taranaki Jockey Club Anniversary Meeting, which takes place on the Ist and 2nd of April.; The added money to be given away dinting the two days amounts to £940, and tihe principal events are the T.J.C. Handicap of 250b0vb., 2 miles, and the Autumn Handicap of I.TOkovs., 1J mile. Nominations for these events, also the Steeplechase, Hurdles, Flying Handicap, and Nursery. Handicap, closa on Thursday, the 31st of January. Mr J. O. Evett will allot the weights. There has been a good deal of wagering over the Dunedin Cup (writes c' Mazeppa "), for which the quotations now are :—Non sense, 100 to 15; July, 100 to 12; Johnny Faulkner and Oudeis, 100 to 9. Mata was was backed for nearly £1,000, at an average of 100 to 2J ; and Lady Emma was sup ported for a fair stake at 100 to 6.

The following are the names of the horses nominated for the Australian Cup :—Mel

bourne entries: Commotion, Hagnet,' Hobart, Astronomer, Ferryman, Victress, Wheatmeat, Santa Claus, Ringwood, Stock well, Lesbia, Attache, Merman, Off Colour, Euclid, Doncaster, (iilma, Chuckster, Navigator, Guesswork,' Conjecture, Camer ine, Aide-de-Camp, Agitation, Pollio, Vergy, King of the Vale, Nicholas, Sardius, Omelette, Le Grand. Sydney entries: Old Gold, Glencoe, Boscawen, Segenhoe, Morpeth, Grosvenor, First Demon, Pell mell, Sweet William, Martini-Henry, The Drummer, Warwick, Archie, Needle. Writes " Beacon ": A good many clever people fancy that if they back in. the totali zator every horse in every race they are bound to win money. I know some who have tried it and failed most lamentably, but of ooarso it cornea off sometimes —when a colossal dividend happons to be declared, which occurs yery infrequently. In order to ascertain whether the game was worth the candle I have this season, as the reports of the various meetings came to hand, care fully compared the dividends paid witli the number of starters in each race, and I find that on the vast majority of meetings a backer of every horse would lose money. It is stated that the gentleman who races under the name of Mr Stubborn has made application te the Canterbury Jockey Club for the value of the Craven Stakes, run on New Year's Day in Christchureh. He claims that his filly, Princess Royal, won that event, although placed third by tie judge. An amusing incident occurred in connec tion with the Hack Steeplechase at the Fielding sports on Boxing Day. A well known local "jock" who was mounted on a weedy-looking animal, came to grief at one of the tenoes. He wn s lying nnderneath his steed, and neither. seemed capable of regaining their legs. . However, some of the bystanders took pity upon them, and gave a hand to assist them in their difficulties, and with their help the: horse succeeded in struggling to his feet, and the pair went on their way rejoicing, without the ignominy of parting company. At the.next fence, however, the steed, thinking probably he had had enough for one day, made a determined stand, and positively refused to negotiate the jump, and the rider reluc tantly left his saddle and put his shoulder to the ience, which he succeeded in remov ing, and regaining his seat persuaded his animal to pass through the gap. All these difficulties overcome, the pair deserved to win the race, but no, cleverer fencers were before them, and they bad to be content with a position very near the last. For the eighth year in succession, Archer heads the list of English winning jockeys, and this time he has beaten even his famous 1878 record oi 229 successful rides. The great jockey took part in 631 races during the past season. He was first 232 times, second 134 times, third 99 times, and unplaced 166 times. Even if he should never mount a thoroughbred again, his name would go down feo posterity as the greatest horseman of this «r a»y age, his feats during the past ten years being ex traordinary. G. Wood oemes next to Archer with 622 mounts and 186 enoeessec, and Fordham, though constantly laid «p, has also had a good seaeon. The "demon's" successes number 77 out of 261 rides.

" Vigilant," of the London •• Sportsman," referring to the victory of Martini-Henry in the Melbourne Derby and Cap, says :— " It is a pity that the staying Toxopholtte horse was expatriated. Talking of the horse Musket, who left some useful stock here, calls to mind one or two incidents in connection with his career. The opening one was when he belonged to:the late Lord Glasgow, and was trained by the late Thom»s Dawson at Tupgill. He was tried to be so very moderate, that the eccentric Scottish earl ordered him to be destroyed, and though it was a dreadful insult to his lordship to have his orders interfered with or his whims crossed in any way, both Thomas Dawson and Tom Chaloner pleaded for the life of the youngster, and Lord Glasgow gave in. The horse livedto win a lot of good races, and for the late Mr Payne he took the Alexandra Plate at Ascot, and carried a big weight to success as a three-year-old in in "the Ascot; Stakes."

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Welcome Jack is to be taken to Sydney shortly.

The V.R.C. Derby winner Suwarrow is for sale. Price, £200.

Leonata has won four out of the fire races he started for this season.

•Martini-Henry is reported to be doing good work at Rnndwirk.

There is a probability of no race meeting taking place st Dargaville this year.

£900 was passed through the totalisator at the Northern Jockey Clnb Meeting.

Envious has been purchased by a well known Aucklauder for stud purposes. Salvage, Welcome Jack, and Clarence leave for the Wellington Meeting next week, the former going on Tuesday. The sum of £4,977 went through the totalisators at the Christchurch Summer Meeting. The Musket — Slander yearling colt, bought by Mr Pilbrow at Mr Walton's sale, has passed into Mr Adams's hands.

" Augur" says that Archie will always find Martini-Henry his master over | any distance beyond a.mile and a-half. The well-known Australian sportsman, Mr T. Chimsido, has roeumed racing, and his horses have been placed under the charge of Mr P. Dakin.

Musket's son Petronel (winner of the Two Thou Band Guineas of 1680) has been put to stud duties at the Dwko of Beaufort's establishment.

Lord Roeeberry was present at the V.R.C. Summer .Meeting on New Year's Day, and the champion Commotion, was brought down and stripped for his Inspec tion.

Mr P, J. T&ncred* b! the Wairarapa, suffered a severe loss at Marton-Rangitikci, his promising young horse Odd Trick having broken his fetlock while running in the Mar ton-Hang it ikei Handicap, and he had to be destroyed; in consequence. ... ' ■ Mr A. F. Smart is.now the owner, of Navigator's- half brother Coir. -After the colt returned to,.Sydney,, Mr, Smart had a look at him, and * believing him to be thoroughly sound, gave Mr De. Mestre 1,000 guineas for him. ..-.., . . ~ ' t ', ■ Last.year the Canterbury Jockey' Club came out some £270 to the bad on the' New Year's Day, Meeting, but this year, owing to a cutting down of the stakes and the revenue derived through an increase of £1,000 passed through the totalisator, the loss is estimated at not over £30.

At tho settling over the late race meeting of Sydney TattersalTe Club, Mr John Thompson, the Victorian bookmaker, who intends in future to reside in New South Wales, stated his intention of presenting the next cup to be ran for at Tattersall's Meeting in 1885.

Disgusted with the manner in which Koh-i-noor has been performing, his owner has sold him for the small Bum of 75 guineas, and he goes into Mr R. Sevior's stable. Koh-i-noor is by Pisoator—Topaz, and at one time gave promise of developing into a first-class performer. Thanks to Tristan and Wild Thyme, M. Lefevre heads the list of English winning owners for 1883, with £20,727. IText in order comes Lord Falm,outh, £18,425 ; fol lowed by Sir F. Johnstone, £17,658; Mr Robert Peck, £16,783; Duke of Hamilton, £12,695; and Mr L. de Rothschild, £11,386.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS

(BY ACTION.)

Athletics.

Eipht Hours Demonstration Sports Jan. 29 Temperance Societies Sports Jan. 29

Aquatics.

Rowing Association Regatta March Auckland Intercolonial Regatta January 29 Edward Hanlan v. Elias Laycock or the next best man in Australia, £1,000 a-side, before _Xarch 31

Bicycling.

Auckland vjluu (rendezvous ac services, Karangahape Road). Otahuhu, via Onohunga and Mangare.... Jan. 19 St. Heliersßay Jan. 2fl Waitbmata Club Runs (starting from Park Gates, Princes-street). Otahuhu, returning via Pamnure Jan 19 Raglan, near Papatoitoi Jan. 26

CRICKET.

January 19.—Our Boys v. United, West End 2nd v. Excelßior, West End v. Otahuhu, Excolsior 2nd v. "Herald," Avondale v. Edon, National v. West End 3rd, Standard v. United 2nd, Waikato v. Auckland and North Shore Combined.

January 26.—Our Boys v. United, Excelsior v. Gordon. Otahuhu v. West End (atOtahuhul, North Shore v. Auckland, Parnell v. No tional.Standard v. '\Herald,"Eden v. United 2nd, West End 2nd v. Auckland 2nd, Gordon 2nd v. Excelsior md.

February 2.—Auckland v. West End, Excelsior v. United, South End v. Alpha, Otahuhu v. North Shore, Gordon v. West Bnd 2nd, Sefton v. " Herald," Auckland 2nd v. Eden, Standard v. National, United 2nd v. Our Boys 2nd.

February 9.—Auckland v. West End, United 2nd v. Excelsior, AucWaud 2nd v. South End. Excelsior 2nd v. Sefton, Our Boys v. Gordon, Otahuhu v. North Shore, Parnell v. " Horald," Eden v. Grammar School, Stand ard v. Avondale.

February 16—Auckland v. United, Grammar School v. Excelsior. Our Boys v. South End, West End v. North Shore, Avondale v. United 2nd, Eden v. Ponsonby (off), Herald v. , Sefton v. Standard.

February 23—Auckland v. United, Otahuhu v. Excelsior (at Otahuhu); Our Boys v. South End, West End v. North Shore, West End 2nd v. United 2nd, "Herald" V. Carlton, Our Boys 2nd v. Standard, Eden v. Parnell, Gordon v. ,

March I—United v. West End, Auckland 2nd v. Excelsior, Otahuhu v. South End (at Otahuhu), Our Boys y. North Shore, Wept End 2nd v. Waverley, Avondale v. Eden, "Herald" v. Our Boys 2nd, United 2nd v. Parnell, Standard v. Alpha, Gordon v. Grammar School.

March B—United v. West End, Grammar School v. Excelsior, Otahuhu v. South End, North Shore v. Our Boys (at North Shore), United 2nd v. Alpha,"West End 2nd v. Eden, Standard v. Waverley, "Herald" v. , Gordon v. Ponsonby (off).

The opposition which is being offered to th# efforts of local cricketers to secure a lease of the Cricket Ground is injudicious and ill-timed. It would almost appear from the tone adopted by some of the writers that the cricketers are a distinct clase of the community, and that their in terests are opposed to those of the general public, while as a matter of fact they com prise the young men in hundreds of fami lies in the community, and the future citizens of Auckland. It might also be imagined tLat the cricketers intended to shut up the ground, or exclude the public from it, but neither is that the case. Under any circumstances it would be open equally the same as at present to the people, but on ■ the occasion of an inter provincial match the managing committee would very justly be empowered to charge for admission. Some appear to imagine even that thecricketers would pocket this money, but as has always been done in the past, it would merely be devoted to the payment of expenses and the maintenance of the ground. Under the present system, the Committee have nominally the right to charge, and while the bulk of the people cheerfully and willingly pay ten shillings, there are a few, and 1 ani ashamed to say a wealthy few, who can afford to pay but who are too mean to do so, and who hide their paltry snobbiness by a pretence of in sisting on the rights of the people. It is a well-known fact that the working classes in Auckland have always assisted cricket gladly by payment for admission to matches, while a select few in aristrocratic circles,who invariably put in an appearance with a crowd of lady friends,refuse to pay a cent. It is well that this fact should be more widely known than it is. The cricketers have taken what was once the worst part of the Domain, unproved and beautiiied it at a cost of thousands of pounds, and made it the loveliest recreation ground in the colony. There is a large expenditure incurred at present to keep it in order, and surely it is fair that when a match of importance is arranged, the public should contribute their mite to wards so worthy an object. Again, if the cricketers had not taken this spot in hand, and made it "a thing of beauty," no one would have thought of going there to enjoy on afternoon, any more than theyjwould go at present to any other part of the Domain reserve. If the lease is not granted, the probability is that the cricketers will seek a new and private ground, where payment will always be demanded for admittance, and the Domain Ground will then be allowed to relapse into a state of nature, and will no longer be the favourite Saturday afternoon reeort it is at present. We often talk of the necessity of encouragement and facility being given to outdoor exercises for onr youth, and in what better mannea, I would ask, could this object be gained than by securing for our children a cricket ground which might be maintained in good con dition by its own revenue ? ...

''Who watered the wicket?" is a question that is being everywhere asked in connection with the recent iriterpro vincial match. That the wicket was watered there can be no doubt, but it is not known by whom the act was perpetrated, and the local cricketers can scarcely be blamed for the tricks The watering, however, diil.not affect the match as the Southerners would have us believe, and the explanation of this fact exculpates cricketers from blame.' The watering must have been done by someone who had heard that rain was desirable, be cause while the ground within the crease was perfectly saturated with water, the wicket two feet outside the popping crease was perfectly dry, and had not been touched at all. ■ This is really a fact, and it will be seen that as the pitch of. the balls was not affected the disadvantage was on the Auck land side, our men batting on soft ground, from which the pressure of the roller caused water to exude. A wet wicket might have been desirable to prevent Pocock from bumping, but the spot where he pitched was never watered, and was harder on Monday than on' Saturday. It may. be added that the water could not have been got from the pipe in the Domain, as that was locked up, and must have been carried in buckets from the ponds. The wicket had not been tampered with up till Sunday afternoon, when Mr Mumford went to Parncll. On his return across the ground about nine o'clock that night, he found the ground at each'end of thepitch very sloppy, and it was apparent that it was heavily watered^ Had the operation been per form&T'jjy a cricketer, he would have watered the portion of the wicket where the ball would be pitched, instead of the space inside the crease.

Ike Hunt will sail the open boat Imp at the Auckland Regatta.

The Naval Brigade's new pinance was launched on Thursday last.

Buckland's winning hit last Saturday was a sight for the gods.

Holmes has sold the 13ft. open boat Secret to Messrs Parker and Sutcliffe.

Lankhams play with United only this season, the Association rules preventing them also playing with North Shore.

Canterbury defeated Wellington in the interprovineial cricket match by 15 runs. The finish was rather close.

Gardner did remarkably well at short stop on Wednesday, taking no less than six Waikato men behind the wickets.

Holland's yacht was turned out of Bailey's shed this weed. She takes part in the race for yachts four tons and under at the Auck land Regatta.

The United Club defeated Auckland in the match last Saturday with several runs to spare. Few victories this season have been more popular.

Denny Holland has been engaged to sail the yacht Muritai on Regatta Day. Mr Street intends to give his vessel a good show.

The Waitemata Boating Club will enter two crews for the senior whaleboat race, and probably two crews for the junior whaleboat race at the Auckland Regatta.

The "Southland National Athletic Society" has resolved to cable to the I'rince of Wales asking him to be a patron of the Society. It wonld thus appear that the Southerners are not deficient in cheek.

All reports of Saturday's matches, in tended for publication in Monday evening's Star, should be sent in before 10 a.m. on Monday, or their insertion cannot be cuaranteed.

Robinson's score of 157 against Waikato is the largest individual one ever made in the Domain, and included hits for a 7 and a6, three s's, and nine 4's. The bowling was very "sick."

Logan, of North Shore, has commenced a new racing yacht to measure about 6 tons, to order of a Waiwera gentleman. She measures 30 feet in length, and will have about 7 feet 6 inches beam.

Some men from the Barrier were round the boating sheds last week with the object of getting a whaleboat built for the Auck land Regatta. They could not get the work undertaken in time, so gave up all intention of competing.

It is now doubtful whether Bailey will build a twenty-feet sailing boat for the Auckland Regatta. He has so much work on hand that he fears he will be unable to get one ready in time. There is also some difficulty about getting a good man to aail her.

The new twenty feet sailing boat built by Bigelow for W. Farquhar, jnn., has been out in the harbour several times dur ing the week. She is certainly the prettiest boat in her class, and sails very fast. I fancy she will be well to the front on Regatta Day.

Bailey commenced a new whaleboat for the Waitomata Rowing Club on Wednesday last. She will be very sharp, and lighter than other boats of her class already in the water. With-a good crew and fairly smooth water she will give a good account of her self.

J. Murray, jun., has announced hi* in tention of accepting Donald Dinnie's challenge for a dancing competition for £100 a side. At the Dunedin Caledonian Society's sports, Murray was first and Dinnie second in the grand Highland reels, in oostume.

At the conclusion of the recent interpro vincial cricket match, the Canterbury took occasion to thank Mr Mumford for his as sistance in arrangement of matches, and in connectiou with the ground. They also gracefully presented him with a tea service as a souvenir of their visit.

The cricket match between South End and Gordon was played in the Domain on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the former, after a closely-contested game, by 3 runs. This result was owing to the splendid bowling of Leahy, who got 8 wickets for 28 runs.

There has been some talk of a swimming match in sprints between W. Kirby and Pulford. Tlje latter objects to sprints, but offers to swim a mile or across to North Shore. He is also prepared to swim on his back against any man in Auckland from one hundred yards to two miles.

At Avondale on Saturday last a slight disagreement arose during the progress of the match, owing to Our Boys playing with several men from other clubs. This was objected to by the opposing side. However, in the future, the Avondale Club intends to oppose the practice with all teams that they play.

Prior to the departure of the Canterbury cricket!, team Mr Wilding, the captain, ex pressed the opinion that the Auckland ground was a better one than their own at hristehurch. He considered • that our wicket played better on the third day than theirs does on the first day after luncheon adjournment.

A match arising out of the challenge made by V. Hulston, of Christchurch, has now been arranged between that pedestrian and F. Woods, of Dunedin. The match will be for £100 it-side, and the first deposit of £25 -was paid on Friday night. The distances to be run are 100, 200, 300, 350, and 400 yards, and the affair will come off on February 16.

While Mr J. B. Russell intends to present Arneil with a bat, another is to be given to -Lunkhiim for his splendid bowling in the interprovinciftl match. It is strange that no steps have been taken to recognise Yates's and Testro's batting performances. It may . safely : be said that it was, the grand stands mode by these men that; gave Auckland the match, although they do not appear in the brilliant finish.

The following paragraph is extracted from an exchange, and >hould interest New Zealand readers at the.present time:—" The famous Scottish athlete, Donald Dinnie, was arrested in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., on the 11th October, for obtaining money under false pretences. He had agreed to wrestle Muldoon, and woald not go on the stage until he had received in- advance ti's share of the receipts. After pocketing this he refused to wrestle but one bout, which Muldoon won in seven minutes twenty seconds. When he failed to re-appear, the audience yelled and hissed, and called for the wrestlers and F. W. Stechhan,' the manager. Muldoon appeared, and his remarKs were greeted with applause. After a long delay the crowd left very much dis gusted. The receipts were over 1,000 dollars. Early next day Dinnie was arrested and lodged in gaol in default of bOflpßa"

Donald Dinnie evidently does not intend to hide his light under a bushel during his stay in New Zealand. He writes as follows to a Dunedin contemporary :—Sir, —Anent a comparison between Matheson as a " hammer-thrower " with me, I wish to say that I can prove he could not come co near

as 10ft. to a sixth-class man in Scotland, and those interested know what position I have held for the past 24 years. My records in the leading sporting papers are authenti cated, therefore only fools will dispute them; and to prove how I stand with tlio American and Scotch athletes at the present time, I give you the properly authenticated records for the past year done in New York and Edinburgh, by the rules of the North American Caledonian Association, and aleo records done by me at San Francisco (California) in November last: — Throwing 21i.b Hammer (exclusive o£ handle, which is 3ft Bin). Ft. In. New York—Ross 78 0 Edinburgh—Davidson 79 6 San Francisco—Dinnio 89 7 Throwing 16lbSHammer. New York—Ross 100 ■ 2J Edinburgh—Davidson 103 0 San Francisco—Dinnie 113 8 Throwing 12lb Hammer. New York—Ross 116 C Edinburgh—Davidson 118 6 San Francisco—Dinnie 127 10 PuTTiNO.SILB Stone. New York—Ross 36 11 Edinburgh—Davidson 37 3 San Francisco—Dinnie 38 1 Putting 16lb Stone. New York—Ross .. 42 6 Edinburgh—Duffy ' it ■ 5 San Francisco—Dinnie 44 11 Putting lllb Stone. New York—Ross 46 01 Edinburgh—Duffy .. .... .. 46 i 7 San Francisco—Dinnie 48 ' 6 Throwing !Clb Weight. New York—Ross 25 3J Edinburgh—Davidson 26 1 San Francisco—Dinnie 26 7 These records have been all authenticated by the sporting Tress, so cannot be dis puted. Of course my records in Scotland, done some 15 years ago, are a long way ahead of these, only tho above are proof of my position at the present day in athletics.—l am, &c, Donald Dinnie.

THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACTS.

Important Evidence in Favour of the Acts.

The annual meeting of the Royal Albert Hospital at Devonport on the 7th instant could hardly, the "Lancet" says, have been expected to have taken place without a decided opinion being expressed by the governors and subscribers on the effect of the abolition of the compulsory clauses The speakers, including the president (Mr J. Carpenter-Gamier, M.P.), the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe, Archdeacon Earle, Ad miral Sir Houston Stewart, and the Mayor of Plymouth, all testified to the dis astrous results of their suspension. Juvenile immorality had greatly in creased. As Archdeacon Earle graphi cally put it, " the number of juveniles leading an evil course he saw in the streets was enough to grieve the heart of any father," and "contrasted greatly with a year ago." Rescue and prevention are much less frequent; while open proflicacy has become rampant, and the condition of the streets is relapsing again into the disgust ing state which preceded the pacing of the Acts. The statistics which were adduced told the same tale only top plainly. Official returns show that during the five years preceding the suspension of the Acts the average number of admissions into the lock wards was 155.9, and the average duration thirty days; while the first quarter under the present voluntary system gave the average number of admis sions as fifty-one, andthe average duration forty-five days. As immorality had notori ously increased, the amount of contagion spread, and the increase in the severity of the disease can be readily estimated by our readers. The average number of cases of syphilis contracted among the military in the district during five years of the old system was 90. S7 per 1,000, whilst in the first quarter of the voluntary system the ratio had risen to 102.5. In the Naval Hospital at Stonehouse, on the Ist of Sep tember, ISS2, the date of the Admiralty in spection, there were 261 cases, of which forty-fiVe were venereal and contagions, whilst on the day of inspection in this year there were 169 venereal cases out of a total of 426. More striking even than these were the figures mentioned by Arch deacon Earle, showing that in the port of Plymouth in the six months ending the Ist of October, ISS2, 997 cases—277 females and 720 males —were treated, whilst during the past quarter of this year the number was 1,282, of which 91 were'femalesand 1,191 males. We feel quite sure, the "Lancet" adds, that the Acts roust and will be re placed on the Statute Book ; but the injury that will be done in the meantime is incal culable, and is the more pitiable as it is 80 clearly and to such a large extent prevent ible. It will take many years after the restoration of the Act*s before Plymouth can secure that their working will be as efficient as at the date of their suspension. "St. James's Gazette," 16th November, 1883.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE EMIGRANT'S RETROSPECT.

A panorama fair and grnnd. Appears at touch of memory's wand, While I sit fondly musing o'er A letter, from my native shore, Enclosing Scottish Bracken.

Passing before me, clear and bright Scenes that would bless an Artist's sight, A winding verdant lowland doll. Where fair serenity doth dwell Secure 'mong Scottish Bracken.

Noise and din are here, unknown. The stones, with moss, are overgrown, Yon burn that flows its course along. Aye, murmuring its own sweet song, Bedews tho Scottish Bracken.

The Highlands rise majestic, lono. Where all re-echoes, " Natures own> The eagles', rocky eyre1 high, • The mountains flood, and like a sigh Beads c'en the Scottish Brackon.

The solemn tarn, the sombre glen. Perhaps ne'er trod by feet of men; The stoping brae, the dizzy height. That catches first the dawning light, Are clad in ScotWsh Bracken.

Superior seems their air and tnion. Whose lives are passed near such a scene : The stalwart Gael who wraps his breast In tartan plaid, sinks calm to rest Upon the Scottish Bracken.

The noble roebuck, bounding froe. Wears all the stamp of liberty. Roams idly through the summer day, Or gracefully disports in play. Amongst the Scottish Bracken.

Perchance across those lonely moors. The love of sport, the traveller lures. Seen by the red deer, sentry's eye. Who warns the antlered herd that hie With speed o'er Scottish Bracken.

Bright Cora Lynn, whose sparkling spray Gleams liko the Diamond in Sols' ray. Which either Bank, with Emerald sheen, Appears to frame, but cloHer seen Reveals the Scottish Bracken.

His insignificance Alan feels 'Mia scenes like those, and humbly kneels To Nature's God. whose sovereign basi Created Caledonia's Land, And Scotia's lovely Bracken. -, i H.B.

ST?AR, SATURDAY SUPPI^EMI^NT, JANUARY 19, 1884.

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