SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTUPvES

New Zealand.

Henderson's Mill Turf Club March 17 Hawke's Hay J.C. Autumn March 17 and 18 Taranaki J.C. Autumn April 1 and 2 Takapuna J.C. Easter Meeting April 5 Auckland R.C. Autumn April U and 15 Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 11 and 15 Papakun Races April 23 Takapuna J.C. Winter Meeting May 21 Australia. Hawkcsbury R.C. Autumn April 3 and 5 A. J.C. Autumn April 14.16, is. and 19 S.A.J.C. Autumn May 10,15, and 17

Dates or Nominations, Entries and Accep tances.

Nominations Papakura Cup and Hurdles April 10 Nominations Takapuna Easter Meet ing March H

To Correspondents.

J.C. (Helensville).-Yes. A Lover ok the Tukf.—Grand Flaneur was got by Yattendon from First Lady. Header —Henderson's Mill Races take place on St. Patrick's Day (17th March). There is some ground for your misconception, as the date was fixed for the loth, but latterly was altered back to the 17th. Inquirer. —Stockdale won Mile Handicap, at Waifga Wagea, in lm. 11A3.; Trump Voss, A.J.C. Summer Cup, one mile and a haJf in 2m. 379.; DarriweU, Melbourne Cup, two miles, in 3m. 30js.; First King and Commotion, Champion Stakes, three miles, in sm. 20s.

THE DUNEDIN AUTUMN MEETING.

[By Hifi'on'a.]

In the early part of last month I determined to visit the scene where such equine celebri ties as Lurline, Mata, Templeton, and Sir Modred had gained some of their turf laurels, and departing by the Union Steam ship Company's express steamer Takapuna, it was not long ere my destination was reached. Arriving at Dunedin on the night that the final payment for the Cup was to be made, I at once made my way to the sporting rendezvous, the Royal Exchange Hotel, with the expectation ot seeing a good assemblage of owners and plenty of speculation, but beyond a largo crowd o f bookmakers from all parts of the Colony vigorously calling the odds, the proceedings were of a most quiat nature. On inquiring the cause from s*reral veteran sportsmen the next day, they assured me it was owing to what they termed the obnoxious machine. "Yes," said one who in hifl time owned one of the best pieces of horseflesh that ever looked through a bridle in New Zealand, "I assure you it is the quietest Cup we have ever had, and very different to the time when the totalisator wag not in force. Now an owner is unable to back his horse, and if the various clubs persist in running the machine, the days of racing are doomed in this country." On Tuesday, speculation was equally dull, but during Wednesday matters livened up by Vanguard being brought into the market on account of a good gallop he had done in the morning. The Hon. W, Robinson, however, put in an appearance at the betting room that night and knocked him out, quietly backing Nonsense for all the money he could get, only some £1,200 or £1,400, I believe. Beyond this, there was no betting of any note, and had the Hon. O. McLean, who was present, desired to have accepted s's to^ 1 about Lady Emma, he could have been accommodated for a very large amount. Before commenting on the racing, I may mention that on the Tuesday afternoon along with Mr \V. H. Taggart and Mr J. Fleming (two stewards of the Dunedin Jockey Club), Mr Sydney James (secretary), and Mr F. G. Whetham ("Beacon"), I was driven out to the Forbury for the purpose of inspecting the racecourse. Anything more pretty than the surroundings could not be wished for, and the Dunedinites can congratulate them selves on having the best appointments of any leading New Zealand Club. Their members' stand, which has a raised lawn in front, is a most comfortable structure, and an uninterrupted view of the racing can be seen by all without the slightest difficulty. Inside the enclosure too, everything is very conveniently arranged, among other things a narrow strip being fenced off so that the jockeys and their horses can in no way be interfered with while weighing in and weighing out; the time of the races is officially taken and put up with the placed horses after each race is run, and there is also a carriage paddock where members can take their wives and families to a'eoni fortable nook for luncheon. The ladies are also well provided for, there being a build ing specially set apart for their convenience. The course at one time was a complete swamp, but now it is nearly all that could be desired, and the running track, which is left handed, measures exactly one mile round. Inside it is an unrailed ditch for the purpose of holding the water until it is taken away by a windmill pump, and it was in this ditch that Sou-wester (who at the time had the inside running) unfortunately got one of his feet, or I think Lady Emma would never have been returned the winner of the Dunedin Cup of 1884.

" Cup morning " broke as if the elements would not be propitious, but as it wore on all fears were set at rest on that point, and on the second day the weather was equally delightful, but a change came o'er the scene on the third, and the races were ran in a steady down pour of rain. This was much to be regretted, as it spoiled the attendance and deprived those who did not care to brave the elements from witnessing the best sport of the meeting, for mostly every event turned out to be a surprise, and the finishes were most exciting. The means of reaching and returning from the course by either the railway or tram on each of the three days was excellent, there not being the slightest, crush or confusion, and the arrangements were indeed a strong contrast to those we Aucklanders have to put Tip with on similar occasions. And now a word as to the racing. The scene on the course and stands as the horses were taking their preliminary gallops previous to the start for the Cup was indeed a sight I will not forget, and although the finish for the all-important event was not a close one, it was a real genuine fought-out battle. Three-quarters of a mile from home, amidst great excite ment, shouts were raised that Sou'wester •would waltz in, but his partizans raised the cry too won, for a few seconds later, when cutting down the leaders, he slipped and got one of his feet in the ditch that is inside the running track. At this point Lady Emma then succeeded in getting a clear lead of the field, but Vanguard being let out got on even terms with her, and the pair raced together for a short distance, when the son of Traducer and En Avant showed that he had a weak spot, and turned it up. July then came to the rescue, and by this time Son'-vyester had again got well on his legs, and was coming very fast, but neither of the pair could get up to Lady Emma, who won with a lot in hand. It was a rare bit of bad luck for Sou-westers party that he met with hia mishap, for it was the opinion of all those who witnessed the race that he must have won ; and the opinion is con firmed by the easy way in which he ran over

his field in the Stewards' Plate later on in the afternoon. After this, on account of the severe gruelling he got in the Cup, he went right off, aid although his D.J.C. Handicap chance on the second day looked a real good thing on paper, he failed to gain a situation, anclhe was afterwards withdrawn from all events at the meeting. In appear ance Sou-wester gives one the impression that a bit of weight will not trouble him, but he is not an over -weli-made horse. Perhaps the best conditioned animal that stripped in the race was Lady Emma, and she reflected the greatest credit on her trainer, J. Keane, who it will be re membered, was at one time in the employ of the late Mr John Smith. She is a remarkably handsome and compact mare, standing about 15.3, and displays great strength all over, but unfortunately the stable did not gain so much by her victory as they deserved. Many of the public, however, were thrown in for good sums, by whom she is idolised. This is owing to the fact that there iB no " waiting " in the Hon. G. McLean's stable, and when the pretty Zetland spots are seen out they are certain of an honest run for their money. In the D.J.C. Handicap, it was thought that the daughter of Vattendon had too severe a task set her to get home with Bst 131b, but once the field were in the straight, the issue was never in doubt. In the Marshall Memorial Stakes, w.f.a., on the third day, however, ."lie met a foeman worthy of her steel in Tasman, who succeeded in beating her easily, but previous to the start the fol lowers of the New Zealand Cup winner were rather dubious of the result, and failed to put down their pieces on him. The excite ment throughout the running of the race was intense, it being looked upon by the spectators as an equine match between Otago and Canterbury. Although it was thought that the "white jacket, black and gold belt" of the Hon. W. Robinson would have a good innings at the meeting, it was not until the third day that it showed in front. In the Forbury Handicap, Vanguard treated us to the best race of the meeting, and his running throughout the three days went to show that he cannot get beyond a mile and three-quarters, up to which dis tance he has a lot of pace. He is a leggy customer in appearance, and is too narrow in front for my liking. Nonsense is a ehapely-looking chestnut with a lot of good points, but the Grip Lodge party have a j>erfect brute in Master Agnes, who bolted in eauh event he was saddled up for. I may mention that amongst those who ran in the Forbury Handicap was an old friend of the Dunedinites in the shape of Mata, who has been in retirement for the last 2J years. The poor old fellow was distanced, and ufter he returned to the paddock there were expressions of regret that so good a slave should ever again have been started, and a Christchurch sport offered to pension him off for the remainder of his days. In the Maiden Plate, Mason and Vallance ran a tlirec-year-old gelding called Youth, got by Totara from Lady of the Lake, but he wants time. He is a fine big horse with a beauti ful set of legs, and may some day be heard of. Taiaroa, who is a big, muscular horse, showed in the events that he started for he is not to be despised in any com pany, and the Tim WhiiHer—Lapwing five year old Theuge should win a big race if ever he gets thoroughly well, or good looks go for nothing. Even with such an impost a3 Ost olb, Hippodamia was outclassed in the leading events, but when she got amongst her own company in the Consola tion, with the good impost of Bst olbs, she showed them a clean pair of heels. With the exception of Hercules, the horses that competed in the jumping races ■were of a poor description, and it was no disgrace for him to be defeated in the Steeplechase (or, more properly speaking, " big hurdle race"), for he was conceding the winner Kararea 441b, and had the ground been dry I think he would have won. Of the two-year-olds that figured at the mooting, Lady Evelyn, King of Clubs— Waterf-prite colt,, and Albany—Wave filly, the former was ky far the best, and she had an easy win in the Champagne Stakes, but in the .handicaps she failed to give the weight (o the King of Clubs colt, who is a well put together, big-boned youngster, and shows great weight-carrying powers-. He should furnieh into a first-class three year-old, and his bVeeding is exceptionally good, he having all Darebin's lines of blood in ihis pedigree. Lady Evelyn is much the same stamp of a filly as Gretna Greien, and has splendid quarters and very intelligent head; but the Wave filly, although having many good points, does not show sufficient quality. Amongthet^iros represented—Yattendon, Tubal Cain (: King of Clubs, Perky n Warbeck, and Python were the most successful, each claiming two winners, but strange to eay^ all were gainodbythe same representative ; and Traducer, St. Albans, Albany, Goldisborough, Hippocampus, Flying Dutchman, and Hercules had one each. In the matter of jockeyehip, the local horseman, J. Cotton, carried off first honours with four wins, and his victories were in such important races as the Cup, D.J.C. Handicap, -Champagne Stakes, and Steeplechase. Dorritt scored three, Purdham and Brow n two, and W. Butler, Sheenan, Waddell, ' O'Connor, M. Allen, Thompson, Ross, ancV Myers one each. The last-named, whose first public appearance it was, is a dwarf 19 jyoars of age, and he can scale 4st. 61bs. I

All the officials of tiHo Club worked hard to make the gathering \a success, and with the exception of the unpleasantness on the first day through Mr Denver resigning his position as judge, everything passed off smoothly, and gave the greatest satisfaction to all. In concluding thesfe notes, I cannot refrain from returning my* thanks to Mr Sydney James, the hardwonking Secretary, Mr F. G. Whetham ("Ottigo Witness"), MrT. G. Walker ("Saturday Advertiser"), Messrs Mark and Albert Cohe >n ("Dunedin Star"), and Mr Wansey ( " Canterbury Times "), for the hospitality : and courtesy shown towards me during my' visit, and I trust that on some future occasion we may again meet to witness the equin>e battles at Forbury Park. ;

NOTES BY HIPPONIA.

The Autumn Meeting o£ the,"1- Victoria Racing Club will be concluded at • Fleming ton this afternoon, and the result o^| the big event — the Champion Stakes — iwill be awaited with no small amount of inte. rest in sporting circles to-night. According to cablegrams received during the week, .Mar tini-Henry still occupies the position of i*\rst favourite, and after the way in which he romped homo for the St. Leger on Satur day laf.tj it would seem that he has lotat none of his Spring form. To overthrow Commotion, he has a very severe task set him, but all of his races have been won with such ridiculous ease that it is impossible to say how good ho is. Navigator cannot be in his best form, or he would never occupy his present position in the betting market, and although the St. Alban's stable have a first-class colt in Off Colour, I don't think that he will be able to get to the head of Mabtini-Henky, whom I shall expect to see score another triumph for his birth-place, and the " blue and white banner " of the Hon. J. White.

As was generally anticipated, the Wan ganui Cup run on Thursday last produced an excellent contest, the winner turning up in Mr Bate's hard-worked little chestnut The Poet. On account of the form he has been showing of late, he was well supported by local backers, but his win was not welcomed by the ring, the majority of whom had written his name pretty freely. It is always gratifying to see a horse belonging to Mr Bate being the first to catch the judge's eye, for no one has ever had cause to grumble at his horses not being run out. The Poet is engaged in the Napier Handicap run next week, for which event he has incurred a 101b penalty, bringinc his weight up to Sst 21b. The New Zealand Stud Company have decided upon holding a sale of thorough bred stock on Wednesday, the loth April, when the following lots will be submitted : —Yearlings : Colt by Musket—Perfume, filly by Musket—All Steel.filly by Musket- Dundee Katie, filly by Cadogan—Titania, colt by Cadogan—Naiad, colt by Cap-a pie—My Idea, colt by Leolinus—Petrol euse, colt by Leolinus — Miss Laura, and filly by Anteios — Lady Mary. Three two - year - olds got by Musket out of Queen Mab, Rangi, and Dundee Katie, besides a three-year old nlly by King fisher —Medea, and several surplus mares will also bo offered, and I understand that all are to be sold without reserve.

By the s.e. Te Anau on Thursday, the two-year-olds Carbineer and Revolver were shipped to Napier in charge of J. Da-.vson, jthe former having been purchased by Mr J. Gallagher, of Taupo, and the latter by Mr T. Bray, of Napier. Both youngsters are entered for several of the events to be run at tho Hawke's Bay Jockey Club Meeting, which takes place on the 17th and 18th March.

The nominations received for the three principal events of the Auckland Racing Club Autumn Meeting show a slight fall ing-off on previous years, but the quality is quite up to the average. The numbers for the laet five seasons are as under :—

ISSO. 1881. ISS2. ISS3. ISSI. Easter Handicap.. 19 23 21 23 19 Autumn Handicap 21 2J 2-1 31 25 Steeplechase ..13 11 12 13 11

Although it is premature to say so, there is every ground for thinking the result of the Newmarket Handicap was a surprise, for up to the Wednesday night preceding the race Malua's name had not been mentioned in the betting. The details to hand state that he won rather easily in lmin. 15|sec, which is the fastest time yet recorded for the race, and he had the respectable impost of BBt 71b in the saddle. Malua is a full brother to Stockwell, and was got by St. Albans (sire of Tasman), out of Edella, by Peter Wilkins out of Resist ance, by Bay Middleton (son of Jersey) out of Diana.

Seventy nominations were received on Saturday night last for the New Zealand Cup, run in November next, which shows an increase of four over last year. The Auckland entries are Nelson, Wapiti, Mac.i, Krupp, and Necklace.

The Adelaide Cup of 2,000 sove. has not filled up near so well a? was expected, the nominations only numbering 68. With the exception of Martini-Henry and Commotion all the Australian cracks are entered, and New Zealand is represented by Mason and Vallance's Salvage, Mr Stead's Ike, and Mr Redwood's Spinnaker.

The Dunedin Jockey Club have received 40 nominations for their Champagne Stakes of 1885. Among the sires represented are Maribyrnong. Musket, Rapid Bay, Leo linus, Anteros, King of Clubs, Cadogan, Cap-a-pie, and Grand Flaneur.

In a very interesting history of Tom Hales, published in the " Melbourne Sportsman," the writer quotes the celebrated jockey's opinion as to the best racehorse he had ever ridden. " The best three racehorses I have ridden in a race so far were undoubtedly First King, Grand Flaneur, and Navigator," was his verdict, after a few moment's de liberation. "Each of these colts was a clinker. I know the one I liked the best, ami that was the little black horse, though I don't think there was much to choose be tween the three. '

The Tasmanian Racing CU,l> (Hobart) have decided to increase the added money in the Hobart Cup next year to 1,000 sove reigns, £700 of which, together with the sweepstakes of 15 soys, will go to the win ner, £200 to the second, and £100 to the third.

Mr Allan McLean, of Napier, has en gaged the services of Barlow, the English trainer and jockey, who has been in Aus tralia for some time past. In noticing Martini-H.-nry's performances at the V.X.C. Spring Meeting, the "New York Spirit of the Times'' says:—"The Australians have produced some wonderful colts in recent, ycuvn, notably Darebin and Commotion ; but it is likely that Martini- Henry :s one oi the best colts in the world. He is truly a phenomenal colt, and we can hardly "doubt that if pitted against the best in England or America, lie would prevail, as the merit of his performancesi6tremendous. He hadhis head pulled almost off in the Derby, yet he won in a canter, and in tUe Cup, three days later, with 1031b, he romped away from such tried ones as Commotion, in the fast time of 3min. 3OJsec. There is no doubt about the time, as timing is reduced to quite as perfect a science in Australia as it is Vtere, and the courses are accurately measured."

A feature in the improvements that have been effected on the Hobart racecourse is the electric chronograph, presented to the Club by Mr W. Golding, jeweller, of Hobart, which is erected in the judges stand, being connected with a telegraph wire which encircles the course, and opposite each dis ance post there is a small electric key attach ment for making instant communication with the chronograph, which this sets in motion the instant the horsesstart. Immedi ately the winning horse passes the post the clock is stopped by electricity, the accurate time to the fifth of a second being obtained.

The Eclipse Stakes of 10,000 soys., to be run at the Sandown Park meeting in July, ISS6, has closed with 270 entries. This is 30 short of the stipulated number, but the Sandown Club have, nevertheless, decided to keep the race in their programme. There are 98 foals, 120 yearlings, 42 two-year-olds, seven three-year-olds, and two four-year olds. There are no Australian horses, and the only foreigners are 46 French and S American horses.

"Brickey" Colley has been engaged to take Hales's place as first jockey in Mr De Mestre's stable.

Bales is now at the top of the list of Aus tralian winning jockeys, with n. total of 20 win 6, Nicholson coming next with 19. Batty is a long way ahead of the other steeplechase jockeys, his Tasmanian victories having brought his total of winning amounts up to 11.

I The celebrated English horses Isonomy, Bend Or, and Robert the Devil have ■^few foals to their credit. Isonomy has six Kji.live, all of which arc 2-year-olds. The B)erby winner Bend Or has also six, and R'.obert the Devil a dozen.

CjThe stakes won in England last year amounted to £4O9,SSS, and tho yearlings aneVl foals sold during the season realised no lees,^ than £75,000. A colt, by Hermit from Crvjicible, brought 2,500 guineas, and the aye krage was £237.

I-'he Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap has attracted 67 horses, and the Rowley Mile three /less.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION.)

Aquatics.

Wellington Regatta March Rowing Association Regatta March 8 George Bubear (England) v. Wallace Ross (U.S.), for £400, over Thames Championship course (4J miles) March 10 Tauranga Regatta March 18 Hokianga Regatta March 17 Whangarei Regatta March 17 Coromandel Regatta March 18 Ponsonby Regatta April 11

CRICKET.

March B—United v. West End, Grammar School v. Excelsior, Otahuhu v. South End, North Shore v. Oar Boys (at North Shore), United 2nd v. Alpha, West End 2nd v. Eden, Standard v. Waverly, "Herald" v. , Gordon v. Ponsonby. March IJ, 15, and 17 — Interprovincial match between Otago and Canterbury atlJunedin. March 15—Alpha v. Excelsior. South End v. Grammar School, West End v. Otahuhu (at Otahuhu). Our Boys v. Auckland, West End 3rd. v National. United 2nd v. Standard, Avondale v. West End 2nd, Gordon v. Eden. March 22—Our Boys v. Auckland, Excelsior v. United, West End v. Otahuhu, Waverley v. Excelsior 2nd, North Shore v. South End United 2nd v. Auckland 2nd, Standard v. Eden, Gordon v. Avondale, Grammar Echool v. West End 2nd. March 21, 25—Otahuhu v. Cambridge. March 27—United v North Shore (at North Shore) West End v. Kxcelsior. South End V. Auckland, Otahuhu v. Our Boys, West End 3rd v. Parnell, United 2nd v. Gordon, Alpha v. West En 4 2nd, National v Standard, Grammar School v. Eden.

BICYCLING.

Waitemata Clch—March Bth: To SNorth cote, Xorth Shore, ami Lake Takapuna. loth: Paninure v. Otahuhu. 22nd: Hare and hounds. 29th'. Avondale. via Three Kings. Tuesday, 11th, at 5 p.m.: To One lninga for lea.

The boxing match between Sullivan and Slade in Chicago attracted 8,000 people.

Bailey is building an eighteen-feet open sailing boat for the Islands.

The programme issued for the Ponsonby Regatta on Easter Monday is well arranged, and should give general satisfaction.

It is expected that Hewson and Melville will build another open boat to replace the Transit, which sank in Motutapu passage a few weeks ago.

Several efforts have been made to recover the open boat Transit, whbh recently sank in Motutapu passage, but they have as yet proved unsuccessful.

Bailey's new cedar twenty-feet open boat is now in shape, and has the appearance of a very fast craft. She is very long in the bow, and lias generally very nice lines. The builder is evidently going in to win.

A sailing race between the thirteen-feet open boats Secret and Dot took place on Saturday afternoon last, and resulted in a victory for the former. The race was closely contested.

T. Malone, the Irish sprinter, who arrived from the old country about a year ago, has offered to run any three men in Victoria, three events, viz., 100, 200, 300 yards, the three races to be run off within an hour.

There were seven starters for the two mile bicycle race in connection with the Waitemata Club last Saturday. Laurie was leading, when he fell, and Ashton, 90 yards, got in first, with Down, scratch, 2, and Wiseman, 90 yards, 3.

The yacht Merry Duchess, built by Logan for a Wai-Hera gentleman, was sailing in the harbour this week. She is a very smart little vessel, and appears to be an excellent match for Mr Stone's Tawera. A good race may be anticipated when these two meet.

I fancy the Auckland Rowing Association would greatly improve their periodical re gattas by the insertion in the programme of one or two events for racing whaleboats. From what I have heard on the subject, I am inclined to believe that there would be good competition, no matter how small the prizes were. The suggestion is well worthy of consideration.

The Auckland Rowing Club's new shed on tho dock site does not appear to be such a good thing after all. It is too far from the water, and therefore the difficulty of getting the boats launched is not appre ciated by members. Very little practice is indulged in, and the Club appears to be waiting for something better to turn up. It is intended to secure a more suitable site as early as possible, when members will go into regular training.

The champion bicycle match, for £50, between Mackenzie, ex-champion of the north of Scotland, and O'Donnell, champion trick bicyclist of Victoria, came off at Dunedin last Saturday. The match com prised the distances—one, three, and five miles. Mackenzie won the one mile by a few feet, after a capital race. O'Donnell won the three, and Mackenzie won the fiy« mile by eighteen inches only, the finish creating a good deal of excitement. The times were slow, owing to a strong breeze.

I notice that the Ponsonby Regatta Club has decided to have the large yachts sailed by owners or amateurs. The idea is a very good one, and will probably be adopted at future events of a like character. The effect of the arrangement is to save owners much needless expense in employing profes sional yachtsmen during regattas, when the prizes offered may not warrant such expense, and also to induce owners to take greater pains in learning to skilfully handle their vessels.

A correspondent writing from Sydney to a Southern paper says :—" R. Hutton, of Auckland, who distinguished himself in Christchurch three years ago, is here. He was successful' in winning the Hawkesbury Handicap, £40. Being unknown to the handicapper, he was let in with nine yards in 150. Since winning this event, Hutton has been taken down by W. Griffiths, one of the fastest men here. They ran 125 yards, when Griffiths let his opponent see him all the way."

Dr. B. W. Richardson, the well-known English authority on hygiene, at the annual meeting of the Tricycle Union in London, a short time ago, said that in his vacation he pursued 'cycling as a great pleasure and as a greater restorative. He regarded this re creation as one of tho healthiest of all exer cises, and was deeply grateful for the per fection to which the machines have been brought. Ho deemed it best that the bi cyclists and tricyclists should each have a separateand independentorganisation for the protection of their rights and the promotion oftheir interests, seeingthattherewasalarge body of ladies and gentlemen whorvereessen - tially tricyclists and nothing else. His desire was that 'cycling should be not only one of the most delightful and healthy of recrea tions, but intellectually one of the most useful as well.

The sporting writer of a Sydney paper has the following :—"The invincible Hanlan is on his way out here, having loft, it is re ported, on the 15th of February. But what his intentions are when here, is at present difficult to make out. He may row, or he may not—that will depend upon whether he is allowed to have his own way or not in everything. Of course, bo far as Mr Hunt,

of the Oxford Hotel, is concerned, his match with Laycock or the next best man is at an end, and it is hardly prubable that £1,000 will be subscribed even by the most in fatuated friends of our local ecullcra for Hanlan to quietly pocket for a simple row over the champion course. Han lan is by far too wiiy a bird to plump any dollars down to io\v on a course he knows nothing about, so there is little probability of any thing in the shape of a sculling rane taking place until he has been here a month or two. Hanlan has been going in for the show busi ness, so it is very possible that he will do something in that line in New Zealand be fore he comes here at all, and perhaus will confine himself altogether to that means of making money. It pays him very well."

Another Triumph.—Wreck of the Duke of Westminster Aus tralian Steamer.

The steamer Duke of Westminster, of and for London from Brisbane, with passengers and a general cargo, went ashore at Atherfield, Isle of Wight, at about ten o'clock on January 3. Twenty passengers were landed by lifeboats and reported the vessel to be in a critical position. The coastguard, who remained on board some time after the stranding, returned the next morning, and reported that she was lying very awkwardly, head to about west, with propeller gone, and mak ing a little water,and two Government tugs left Portsmouthtogiveassistanceendeavour ing to move the steamer, which they found lying upright on a ledge which is the most dangerous point off Atherfield. All the passengers were safely landed by lifeboat, but the captain and crew refused to leave the ship. The Duke of Westminster is a steel steamer of 3,726 gross tons, was built at Barrow in ISB2, and is owned by the Eastern Steamship Company (Limited). She wa.s floated off the next night by kedges, but the propeller broke, and the vessel was renj dered helpless. Two tugs then attempted to tow her off, but failed, their hawsers parting.

A telegram from one of the surveyors of the Salvage Association on Jan. 4th stated that there had been a slight increase of water since the previous night. In the third hold and the engine-room there are now Bft. of water ; in the fourth 44ft. The sea had been very quiet all night, and pro spects looked favourable. On January 4th the stranded steamer was in about the same position, but having a slight increase of water aboard. Wind south-west, fresh breeze ; thick, rainy. Should weather con tinue moderate the steamer may get off next springs, say in a week ; if then, she will probably be strained and her bottom damaged.

During the night of Jan. Bth a southerly ■wind sprang up, making attempts at towing by tugs impossible. All the specie has been removed by the Government lighter. The ship is on the edge of the ledge grounded just about the mizenmast, with the bow floating and bumping terribly. There is a heavy ground sea, and she must go to pieces if it continue. She lies about a quarter of mile from shore, but it is impossible to get alongside owing to the heavy swelli AH hopes of saving the vesselnowdepend upon the state of the weather, which is just now rather favourable for the operations.'

Churchgoing out West.

A clergyman in Illinois having heard that a portion of the country was without v the stated preaching of the gospel"—in fact, had had no minister in those parts within the memory of the oldest inhabitant resolved to give a "service" on the Lord's day. Notice was posted up at the cross-roads that preaching might be expected next Sunday in the school-house. Men came from all directions across the prairie ; some on foot, some on horseback, some in wagons, but all with gun in hand, in hopes of meet ing game on the way, and thus combining piety with profit. Passing over the preiimi naries of a meeting thus strange and novel to most of the comers, we find the preacher holding forth on the duty of " observing the Sabbath." when all at once a doc outside set up a terribio y «U. as hounds do in sight of the deer, tor a noble nt*^ had thrust his antlers in sight through the opening wmjU. All at once, as the deer was seen through the windows, there was a rush made for the shot guns and rifles stacked up in a corner, and in less than no time the room was cleared of all save an old man with crutches and the preacher. As long as the old man sat still the preacher went on with his discourse. But the lever of excitement extended even to the lame man, who suddenly gathered up his crutches and made for the door. "Well," said the parson, out of patience, '' this is too much ; it is all in vain !" " Oh, no," said the lame man, as he jerked himsolf to the door, " oh, no ; I think they'll catch him.'

Wounds of Generals hi Action.

A dubious article might be written on the immunity from wound* in action of some generals, and the ill-fortune of others is be coming the billet for a bullet. No com- i mander was ever more forward in the fight- /! ing line than Sheridan, yet he never got a § scratch- Scbobeleff, who many a time went ',» at it with his own good sword, and in his • \m white coat and on his white charger headed -ih every charge with a recklessness that men i' called madness, had as complete an im- / m unity as if he carried the charmed life that if his soldiers ascribed, and was wounded only ~ in the quiet trenche3 by a chance bulleti fired into the air a mile away. Welling-Jt ton was but once hit; the bullet that* carried away his boot heel scarce gave him*? a contusion. Grant was never struck ; no* more was Napoleon. Of Sir Kevile Chami berlain again, one of the most distinguisheaT officers of our Indian army, the saying goet that he never went into action without tii ceiving a wound, and the gallant old rug? has been fighting pretty steadily ever sini;: the first Afghan war. Bazaine was amj to whom Fortune was not stingy in tJ matter of wounds. At Borny- there cai to him the leaden reminder that he Tf mortal, though this time it was buf gentle hint. The fragment of a shela him on the left shoulder, but it had^'s,.-^?, well spent, and because of the protectiil\N' ■ \ the epaulette gave him but a contusiojLj ™ *-C which hehadpain for several days, ospeJv,' when on horseback.—" English Illusfc,.. Magazine." j, t

"Impulse" is running its ninth vfijfi the Princess's, Melbourne. . Kft C'niarini is in tho last -week of hjp? aserie and Circns season at Sydnej^l^ji the form of "Farewell" items h/jong tises a skating carnival and mad to ball on ice. The snow storm ftsf^le riding are said to be so natural! sented that three memberp of the T already eneezed their b/icik')]*ir of 14 Sportsman " learns with inten^ tion that two of theclou n> \mve b, 2? w to death. ' v; |he«

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STAR SATURDAY SUPPIJSfttENT, MARCH 8, 1884.