SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL PLACING FIXTURES.

New Zealand.

Takapuna J.O. Summer January 29 Tauranga J.C. Meeting January 2!) & if* Wellington lI.C. Summer February 1 and 2 Marlborough Races February 13 and 11 'Dunedin J.C. Autumn...February 21, 22, and 23 Wnnganui J.C. Autumn March 6 and 7 Takapuna J.C. Autumn March 17 Hawke's Buy J.C. Autumn March 17 and 18 Taranaki J.C. Autumn April land 2 Auckland R.C. Autumn April 11 and 15 Canterbury J.C. Autumn April H and 15 Australia. V.R.C. Autumn March 1. 6, and 8 A.J.C. Autumn April 12,14, 16, and 19 • S.A.J.C. Autumn May 10,15, and 17

To Correspondents.

Rkader. —Mata won the Dunedin Cup two yeura in succession. 1878 and 1879. The latter year he carried 88t 91b. M.D.—Mormon's time for tho Champion Stakes in ISM was 6.38. First KJnff and Commotion won their respective races in 1878 and 1883 in 5.26. A.B.C.—No. Foul Play was offered for sale at Buckland's on January 6,1882, and passed in. Ho waa afterwards taken to Giaboruo, whero he is at preßent located. A.R.—Noramnby, engaged with 6st 81b in the Wellington Cup, is by Day Dawn out of a Traducer mare. In tho last A.R.C. Autumn Handicap he curried 7st 71b. Fishkbman. — Wheatmeat is by Melbourne from Wheatshoaf (imp), by Thormanby from Greta, by Voltigeur from Mountain Flower, by Ithurlel from Heathsrbell, by Hay Middle ton from Maid of Lune. H.R.—Next week.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

On Friday next the third big event of the season —the Wellington Cup—comes up for ■decision, and from present appearances it would seem that it will provide a very fair contest. So far there has been no speculi tion on the event to give an idea as to owners intentions, but the next few days will probably throw some light on the matter. The names of those at present left in the race, and the imposts they will carry are as follows : — st lb st lh Welcome Jack .. 9 0 Tim Whifflcr ..8 0 Salvage* .. ..8 13 The Poet t .71 Mischief .. ..8 8 Normanby ..6 8 Vunguard.. ..8 7 Refrigerator .. G 5 Leonatat.. .. 8 1 Miss Juan ..Go t Inclusive of penalties. Vanguard and Welcome Jack divide the honour of favouritism for the event, and I must say that in the field opposed to them both have a tempting appearance. The former is reported to have put in some ex cellent work lately, and Welcome Jack was also in first-class form when he left here on Tuesday.co that if each " speel," the sporta men of the Empire City will see a great struggle for their money. The one whom I think the best of the pair will find a warm opponent in, is last year's winner, Mischief, who has 21b less than she carried on that occasion, and there can be no doubt about her being run out, for she belongs to one of the truest sportsmen wo can boast of. A gentleman who had a look over the daughter of Albany and Malice a couple of weeks back informs me that she was then in first class nick, so that backers should not forget to keep her on the right side. Both started and ridden out, Salvage can have no ghow with Wel come Jack, nor yet do I care for Tim Whirller with Sat in the company he will meet. Excepting Leonata, the others can havo but little chance, and although the cace is nearly a week off, I do not think I will be far out in reiterating my last week's opinion that tho wires will flash Yahoxjxru or Welcomk Jack as the winner.

The Summer Meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club takes place on Tuesday, and although holiday-makers have a surfeit of amusement provided for them on that day, the "sport of kings" will doubtless hold itn own, and the efforts of the Club be re warded with a large attendance. With the exception of thoT.J.C. Handicap, the several ovonts of the programme) have filled up well, and there is every prospect of some good racing and closo contests. My selections for tlio principal events will ap)>ear in Monday's issue.

Although thero were too many hack races in the programme for the majority of people, the Onehunga Meeting on Saturday last furnished a pleasant after noon's sport, and those who predicted that the proceedings would be of a " crooked " nature were very far out in their reckon ing. Being in pretty fair form, and having Alick Sutherland's services. Fish woman showed her superiority by getting home first in both the Cup and Publicans' Purse, but her wins were not welcome to one of the Southern metallicians,Mr Snider, who dropped close upon L2OO during the afternoon. In the Hurdles, Messrs Lyons and Blaikie hadaturn with Woodpecker, who defeated Shotover by about a length, and the latter ?ho\ved promise of better things. Lie is by Dead Shot, and was purchased at Buckland's by Mr Lennard a couple of months back. Barbary ran very indiffer ently in both tho event under notice and the Consolation, and thero can be little doubt that ho is an exceedingly common animal.

The To Awamutu races take place on Tuesday noxt. A train to convey Auck land visitrso leaves at 7 o'clock a.m., return ing fifteen minutes after the last race is run.

At the Victorian Club Meeting, the Hon. Wi Pearson's Frying Pan came out in great form. In tho Cup, H mile, with Bst 91b, ho defeated Chuckstef (Sst«3lb), Lesbia (6st lllb), and twelve others, covering the distance in 2.35, and it is stated tliat he could have run it 2 sees, less if he had been wanted. Archie, with Yeomans up, -was among the starters, and cut up very in differently, finishing last. Later on in tho afternoon". Frying Pan was again saddled up for the Bookmakers' Purse, and although ho had to put up a 71b penalty, bringing his weight up to lOst lib, he covered himself with glory by again wiifning, and ran the mile in tho splondid time of 1.425. For the latter evont, Mr Pearson was not aware until the last minuto that Frying Pan had to carry a penalty, and went to scratch him. It was past the time, however, and on being told that he would bo fined, he gave orders for Frying Pan to start, with the result that the son of Bethnal Green and Saucepan gained one of the greatest triumphs ever achieved by a racehorse. The annual sale of Air A. Town'sthorough bred and draught stock was very successful, the total sum realised being about 14,000 guineas. A brown filly by Maribyrnong —Fawn (full sistor to Richmond, Bosworth, Palmyra, Segenhoe, otc), brought the highest price, 1,300 guineas, the purchaser being the Hon. J. White. Mr W. H. Hall gave 950 guineas for a half-sister to the Maribyrnong Plate winner lolanthe, and Mr Chirnside 500 guineas for a Maribyr nong—Silver Belle filly. Several of Grand Flaneur's progeny were submitted— a colt got by him out of Amethyst, which was foaled on July 13, thus putting an extra year on his age, falling to the nod of Mr Wentworth for 500 guineas,and a Grand Flaneur—Noah colt was purchased by Mr T. Brovm for 400 guineas. Mr A. F. Smart secured a King of the Ring— Jessamine colt for 600 guineas, and among the other buyers of blood stock were Messrs Lamond, Kelso, Osborne, Fennelly, and Monaghan. The sires represented at the ■ sale were King of the Ring, Rapid Bay, Maribyrnong, Grand Flaneur, Chester, and ißeauclerc.

In the results of the Poverty Bay Turf Club Meeting telegraphed here, it was stated that Tim WhiiHer had won the Selling Kace of 30 soys, but on looking up the local papers containing the reports of the meet ing, I find that it was an aged gelding called Tim Whilller, and owned by a Mr O'Carroll, who succeeded in getting home first. From what can be gathered, it would seem there was a deal of dissatisfaction among the public at the scratching of Mr Montague Smith's horse for the principal event of the meeting, but the cause is ex plained by the following letter which ap peared in one of the papers:—"To the Editor : Sir,—l hereby certify that I have examined Mr M. Smith's horse, Tim Whiffler, and found him suffering from an abscess in the heel, which completely unfits him for exercise, and in my opinion he waa totally unfit to race to-day, neither will he be capable of doing any fast work for some time.—Yours, E. v. Luttrell, V.S."

Writes " Warrior" :—On the Bth of Sep tember,lSß3, the " Melbourne Australasian" published four columns of sweep advertise ments on the Cup, of the value of L 214.872. What became of all this money nobody knows. But the public are certain of one thing, and that is we have seen the last of the bogus sweep promoters in Victoria : — Diamond, Albion, Maraquita, Victory, Centaur, E. J. Thompson, Thomas Bentley, Occidental, Bonanza, Eldora, the Novel Oracle, Orient, and a couple of score of tin potters have shut up shop, and made tracks to fresh fields and pastures new; but Progress, edicts G. L. King, alias German King, alias Adolphe Behrens, has had the audacity to see the fun out. Of the L 214.572 mentioned above, Behrens pub lished circulars and advertisements stating that his Melbourne Cup sweep of 1883 would be worth Lb',ooo, divided among the follow ing :—First horse, L.1,500 ; second, L6OO ; third; L 300; starters, L 800; non-starters, LSOO ;95 prizes worth L 2.000. Thi3 vaga bond, as proved in the City Police Court on Friday, at the time he was fooling the public, had scarcely sufficient capital to pay his printing bills. Mr Call, who was on the bench, said he was determined to put down the sweep business. I had a look at the prisoner, and a? usual he turned out to be a foreigner, an old German, who ought to have known better than impose on ser vant girls and Melbourne larrikins. The police sustained the charge preferred acainst Progress, alias King, alias Behrens, namely—that ho unlawfully established a lottery entitled the " Progress Sweep." He had been fined LlO in March last for a similar offence. The Bench was of opinion that the "Progress Sweep" was a down right swindle, and imposed the highest penalty allowed by law, LIOO, or three months' imprisonment. Behrens-cum-King having no "sugar," was obliged to go to gaol, where I hope he will be better em ployed picking oakum and cracking dia monds than he was at the sweep business.

THE BETTING MARKET.

The following are the quotations for th« Wellington Cup :— lO'i to 50 agst Vanguard 100 to 40 Wolcome Jack

100 to 25 Mischief 100 to 25 Tim Whiffler 100 to 20 Salvage 100 to 15 Leonata 100 to 10 othcra

Betting has already commenced in Mel bourne on the Champion Stakes. Com motion's owner, tho Hon. W. Pearson, opening the ball by taking 3,000 to 1,000 about him, and before the books were closed, the son of Panic was backed to win 9,000 at 3to 1. About Martini-Henry 5 to 2 has been booked to money, but 2 to 1 is now the best offer. For the Newmarket Handicap, Segenhoe has been backed to win 6,000, at 1,000 to 30. The quotations for the Champion Stakes are :—

2 to 1 affst Martini-Henry (off) 3 to 1 Commotion (tk) 6 to 1 Off Colour (off) 6 to 1 Navigator (off) 10 to 1 Le Grand (off) 10 to 1 Archie (off/

CONDENSED ITEMS.

£1,874 passed through the totalisator at the Onehunga Meeting.

Lady Emma and Lady Evelyn are now in work at Dunedin.

Mr J. Marshall's two-year-old filly Neck lace has gone into Chaafo's stable. Mr Pilbrow has engaged R. services for the rest of the season

Derritt's

A level hundred has been taken by an Aucklander that Martini-Henry wins the Champion Race. Wheatmeat, the Queensland crack, is said to be getting rather too much work at Flemington. Nominations for the principal events of the Taranaki Jockey Club Meeting close on Thursday next. Despot, who vn- po greatly fancied for the last Melbourne Cup, is all right and in work again. Leonora and Escopeta have been scratched for all engagements at the Wanganui Autumn Meeting. The Hon. G. McLean's Matanaka and the two-year-old Korari —Malice colt have been added to the list of geldings.

Gorton's brother, Lyric, continues to win races in England, his latest success being at the Manchester November meeting.

Sir Modred's legs have become so trouble some to his trainer of late that he cannot work him for fear of breaking liim down completely. At a meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, it was decided to increase the stakes at the Autnmr. i.leeting to LI,OOO. The Timaru Cup is to be increased to L 250, and the S.C.J.C. Handicap to L2OO.

Mr Joseph Thompson (" The Leviathan") was entertained at a dinner the other week by tho Victorian Club on the eve of his departure on a visit to England. He re turns in time for the next Melbourne Cup.

Salvage, Welcome Jack, and Claroneo were shipped to Wellington by the Taka puna on Tuesday last. Mr Hlbrow left Barbary behind for the North Shore Meet ing, and he is being looked after by George Rowlands.

The famous Irish horse Barcaldine has been sold by Mr Robert Peck to the Countess of Stamford, and will make his debut at the stud next season at New market. Barcaldine retires from the turf with an unbeaten certificate, and his best performance was in the Northumberland Plate, in which he carried 9st 101b to victory. The once-celebrated Wanganui horse Astronomer has coinetoasad fate. .Recently he was found lying in a shocking condition through excessive riding, and with the blood exuding like sweat from the pores of his body. Tho unfortunate animal had been ridden all over the country, and left by tho roadside, an object of .commiseration on the part of many beholders. A great many changes have taken place in several leading Australian stables lately Besides Hales severing his connection with Mr De Mesfcre, Moore has left St. Alban's stable, and Gough has been favoured by Mr Smart, and will ride his best cattle in future. Huxley has gone into Mr J. Monaghan's stable, and Colley will, as in the past, continue to harness Mr Tom Brown's mounts. Power still sticks to Mr Dakin, and O'Brien has been thrown into a good thing by securing Mr D. S. Wallace's mounts, while Trahan will in future be Mr S. Barnard's head jockey.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY AC'JVKON.)

Athletics.

Eight Hours Demonstration Sports Jan. 20 Temperance Societies Sports Jan. 29

Aquatics.

Rowing Association Regatta

March

Auckland Intercolonial Regatta January 29 Edward Hanlan v. Elias Lay cock or tlic next best lnun in Australia, £1,000 a-side, before March 31

Bicycling.

Auckland Club (rendezvous at Service's, Karangahape Road). St Helier's Bay Jan. 26 Waitemata Club Runs (starting from Park Gates, Princes-street). Raglan, near Papatoitoi Jan. 26

CRICKET.

January 26.—Our Boys v. United, Excelsior v. Gordon. Otahuhu v. Wost End (atOtahuhu), North Shore v. Auckland, Parnell v. Na tional.Standard V. -Herald."Kden V. United 2nd, Went End 2nd v. Auckland 2nd, Gordon 2nd v. Excelsior kind, Ponsonby v. Our Boys 2nd,

February 2.—Auckland v. West End, Excelsior v. United, South End v. Alpha, Otahuhu v. North Shore, Gordon v. West Knd 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. Excolaior, Auckland 2nd V. South End, Excelsior 2nd v. Sefton, Our Boys v. Gordon, Otahuhu v. North Shore, Parnell v. " Herald," Eden v. Grammar School, Stand ard v. Avondale.

February IG—Auckland V. United, Grammar School v. Excelsior. Our Boys v. South End, West End v. North Shore, Avondalo v. United 2nd. Eden v. Ponsonby, Herald v. , Sefton v. Standard.

February 23—Auckland v. United, Otahuhu V. Excelsior (at Otahuhu) ; Our Hoys 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 v. North Shore, West End 2nd v. Wavurlcy. Avondalo v. Edun, "Herald" V. Our UuyA 2ml. 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 Knd 2nd v. Eden. Standard v. Waverley, "Herald" v. , Gordon v. Ponsonby.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H.C.—Our correspondent enquires : " Was ever eight miles done in a walking match within the hour? Yes. Griffln walked 8 miles 172 yards within the hour at Lillie Bridge, Octo ber i, Itßl, in a match with Franks.

The determination of the Regatta Com mittee to make the champion schooner race a handicap event has been strongly criticised on all hands, and it would be well for the supporters ef the idea to abandon the ridiculous position which they have assumed. Nothing can be more deceptive,as a rule, than expectations formed regarding the performances of sailing vessels, and how the handicappers intend to deal with vessels which they have never seen under canvas is beyond my compre hension. Handicaps, however near the mark, are bound to give dissatisfaction on all sides, for obvious reasons, and charges of favouritism are almost certain to be made, and to result in the withdrawal of some of the competi tors. It has always been understood that this contest is one for deciding upon the actual merits of the vessels, and holding out a meed of honour to the schooner which shall prove herself champion. Test of speed and weatherly qualities was originally the object of the race, and it can scarcely be said that the pleasure erf the spectators wa3 considered when it is remembered that the course is outside the harbour, and beyond the view of the public. The effect of the present determination will be to lower the contest to one in which miserable old rattle traps will have an equal chance with the best vessel in the port, and the honour of holding the champion flag, which has so eagerly been contested in the past, will no longer produce a struggle when the once coveted trophy is as likely to fall to the lot of an old, worn-out tub as to the prettiest modelled and fastest boat in the port.

The wicket-watering is still embraced by Canterbury people as a good excuse for the loss of the interprovincial match. Mr Wilding, captain of the Southern team, writes a very gentlemanly letter to the Auckland eleven, explaining that none of his men had anything to do with the petty and miserable little paragraphs and sneers published there, and he also published a letter in one of the Christchurch papers, in which he states :—"lt is quite true that the wicket was surreptitiously watered during the night. Ac to whether the re sult of the match was thereby influenced is a matter of opinion on which cricketers would probably differ in a candid and friendly manner. To put the matter clearly before the public, I wish to state that the Canterbury team are unanimous in their conviction that neither the Auckland eleven, nor the ground-keeper, nor anyone officially connected with the match, connived at the unfair and stale trick which was played. But one opinion was expressed by Aueklanders and by ourselves—that it was the work of some betting scoundrel pecuni arily interested in the result of the game."

Nothing is yet known as to whether or not the Tasmanian cricketers will visit Auckland during their New Zealand tour. They were to have left Hobart for the Bluff on Thursday, and it is intended that they shall play against Otago next week. Financial difficulties will, in all probability, prevent tho Association from taking the matter up, but there is still a likelihood that an offer will be made to the visitors by some leading cricketers. There is no reason to believe that the Tasmanians would prove stronger than our own men, and if they were to come here a very close andexcellentmatch might almost bo predicted. In view of the possibility, our men should endeavour to get into form.

Tips for the Demonstration Sports will appear in Monday evening's issue.

There wore fourteen Domain wickets engaged for this afternoon on Thursday.

" Actit'on's" tips for the Auckland Re gatta will appear in Monday's Star.

The new whaleboat building by Bailey for the Wnitemata Boating Club is to be called the " Waitemata."

The Parnell Rowing Club's whaleboat is to be rowed in the Auckland Regatta by a Thames crew.

The bowling of the two Lankhams was terribly destructive to the Ourßoys'wickets on Saturday.

Ponsonby Cricket Club has been re-formed, and hopes are entertained that the future will be more auspicious than the past.

It is expected that a Tauranga cricket team will come to town to play a series of matches shortly.

The Auckland Cricket Association are out of pocket in connection with the recent visit of the Canterbury cricketers.

It is stated that it was the offer of a L 35 prize that first induced William Beach, the Australian sculler, to try his luck on the water.

Matthew Scott, an oarsman of great power and finish, died at the Station Hotel, Gateshcad, England, on Nov. 10th, in the 4Sth year of his age.

Tho United Canterbury Boating Club has been wound up, and the surplus funds handed over to the Christohurch Regatta Club.

"William Beach says he has rowed harder for a 5s prize on the lUawarra Lake (Illa warra is the place that claims him) than lie ever did on the Parramatta Kiver for LIOO.

Stafford has been showing good batting form since his return, and his average now stands well up in double figures—somewhere about the fifties, I think.

Logan is building a 6-ton yacht for Mr Brooks, of Waiwera; also a 20ft rowing boat for the Islands, and a lifeboat for the schooner Eastward Ho.

The Naval Brigade's new pinnace has been out in the harbour several times during the week. The members are very much pleased with her.

Mathieson, who visited Auckland with the last Taranaki cricket team, is proving a very valuable member of the Auckland Club. He has a very good batting and bowling average already.

Elias Laycock has so far recovered from his late accident that he is able to venture on the water, and daily indulges in a short spin, preparatory to going into a course of training.

Shakespeare, who has been bowling so ■well tor Auckland of late, and who promises very fairly as a batsman, is a recent arrival in the colony, having come here in the Doric.

Whangarei is expected to send a team of cricketers to town about a fortnight hence. I am told that the Northerners can muster a good eleven, including Easton, who played against our representatives in 18S2 at either Oamaru or Timaru.

Hanlan has declined to arrange the Trickett match until his arrival in Sydney, when he will have an opportunity of seeing what effect the voyage and climate will have on him. He is now expected by the next steamer.

Tom Farquhar's new outrigger, built by Swaddle and Winship, came out by the Aorangi to Lyttelton, and was transhipped to the Taiaroa, which arrived here on Tues day evening last. She is the prettiest boat of her class yet seen in the water here.

The Waitara Rowing Club at the last moment backed out of the whaleboat race. This seems a great pity, when they were so sure of winning it, and there appeared such a good prospect of their being beaten. The Auckland crews are all in good training.

Bubear has replied to Wallace Ross, late of St John's, N. 8., now of Pittsburg, U.S., and articles have been drawn up and signed. Ross allows Bubear ten seconds start, and the race, which is for L2OO a-side, comes off on March 10th.

George Bubear, the English sculler, has accepted the challenge issued by William Elliott, ex-champion of England, and the men are matched to row over the Thames championship course on Jan. 28th, for L2OO a-side.

Arrangements have been concluded by which Donald Dinnie will give exhibitions of his skill in the principal towns of Aus tralia under the management of Mr J. Pickerggill, and in connection with the panorama.

It is expected that the first prize in the champion schooner race will be reduced to LIOO next year. Some people consider that by giving L.150 the Committee merely encourage speculators to have vessels built with the one object of carrying off the prize, and thus commanding a ready sale.

Dewes appears to be improving in batting form every week. He is cultivating the science of defence to some purpose, and last week played a good innings for half the century. Better defence and less of his old habit of "slogging" will make a first-class batsman of him.

A wrestling match, Graeo-Roman style, between Miller, of Melbourne, and Donald Dinnie, will take place at Melbourne. The former has deposited L 25 towards a match with Matheson at hammer-throwing, and he challenges Hudson, the wrestler, to meet him in five styles of wrestling.

The United Club would do well to keep their eye on Johnston, who was last man in on Saturday. He showed really good batting form, cutting and driving prettily, and making a better offensive and defensive exhibition than many of the eleven who had preceded him.

It was intended by the local cricketers to present W. Lankham with a bat on the Domain Ground this afternoon in recogni tion of his really splendid bowling in the recent interprovincial match. The trophy bears a silver shield suitably inscribed by Teutenberji;. Lankham well deserves the recognition of his talent.

R. Harrington, the soi disant champion of New Zealand, competed in two events at the annual Bluff Regatta, on Jan. 2nd. He stroked the Riverton crew in the out rigged fours, and was successful, and also carried off the pairs with Boniface. I notice that Braddon, the well-known footballer, was one of the winning crew in amateur fours, rowed in inrigged boats.

I have received the following from E. Donovan, the light-weight champion of Auckland, dated Cambridge, January 18 : — "To the Editor: Sir,—Would you kindly in form those interested, through your columns, that my weight, instead of being 12st, as represented by one of your contemporaries, is now lOst 31b, without a day's training. This I can prove by two witnesses. I am prepared to meet any light weight in Auck land at 9st 101b for any medium sum. Address: 'Post Office, Cambridge.'—l am &c, E. Donovan, Light-weight Champion of Auckland."

The idea of sending a Hew Zealand foot ball team to Australia next season is likely to be carried into effect. From a Southern contemporary I learn that the Otago men have already warmly responded to the pro posals of the Canterbury Union, and we are glad to say that both Auckland and Wellington have virtually given in their adhesion. A great inducement to send a team over next season is that the Queens land players -n ill then be in Sydney, and a series of intercolonial matches can pro bably be arranged without much difficulty. The task of making the necessary arrange ments has been entrusted to Mr Sleigh.

Perhaps the best display of hatting by a locnl man on the Domain Ground this season was that by Yates on Saturday. Playing a long and steady innings, he put together 67 runs by really sterling cricket, his cutting, driving, and leg-hitting being really admirable. Towards the close of the innings he was evidently desirous of scoring quickly, and putting one up, was gladly held in the slips. lam sorry to see that nothing has been done to recognise his services in the interprovincial match. There is, however, every probability that he will this season take his club bat for the highest average, and also the bat offered by Mr A. E. Whitoker for the biggest aggregate score.

Hanlun has had a new boat built by llud dock especially for his colonial trip. She is called "Old Friends," and is fitted with the Campbell slide, the shell of which is of metal, and, instead of babbit being used in the grooves, a metal or combination of metals is introduced, which does away largely with friction. Another now feature in the rig of the boat is the moving of the rowlock-pin ten inches, bringing it on a line with the sculler's heels, and allowing greater power at the finish of the stroke. This will necessitate the use of longer sculls, and the champion thinks he will be able to row faster than ever with the change of rig.

The Waikato cricket team returned quietly home this week after a lamentable series of defeats. Peace to their ashes. Wretchedly weak in bowling, and not even passable as a country team in batting, I wonder that they ventured to come to town at all. Their temerity in desiring to play the Auckland representatives is refreshing when it is remembered that they would not even make a decent team with which to oppose the Gordon Club, let alone a good first eleven. However, it is evident that Waikato is improving, seeing that very few years ago an eleven went to the wickets at Hamilton with the object of getting 52 to win, and were all disposed of for nil —not even a bye being recorded.

In connection with the races to be held on E.egatta Day, competitors would do well to observe—(l) that all races start punc tually to time, and that competitors not at the starting-post at the time announced will be disqualified ; (2) all races finish on south side of flagship ; (3) in all races three vessels must start or there will be no race ; (4) each vessel in the sailing races to carry a distinguishing flag, not less than 2 feet in the fly and 18 inches in the hoist, which must be kept flying at the main, and shall, in addition, have sewn on each side of the mainsail at the peak a bold black number on white ground, not less than 18 inches long and 3 inches wide in the painting, denoting the number of the race she is en gaged in.

3 The dancing contest which it was thought would likely be arranged between Donald Dinnie and James Murray, the Dunedin champion, has fallen through, Dinnie ' taking exception to the judges who are ' likely to be secured. Murray, it will be remembered, accepted Dinnie's challenge ' for £100. He agreed to dance the High land fling against Dinnie for that sum, and ; suggested that as Dinnie was dissatisfied . with the Dunedin judges, persons to act in i that capacity might be selected from Auck i land, Wellington, and Christchurch, leaving : Dunedin out of the question altogether. This proposal Dinnie refused to accede to, remarking that there was only one man—a ! gentleman in Edinburgh—who could judge his dancing. He agreed to pay half of the expense of fetching that gentleman to Dunedin to judge the contest. Murray, of course, would not agree to such a proposi tion, and so the match fell through. The following were the batting and bowl ing averages of the Canterbury cricket team on their recent Northern tour :— BATTING. Batsman. S ° § ~.S g J I * |J | Loneden .. ..6 .. 187 86 31 #1 Secretan .. ..8 .. 208 119 26 Edser 7 i 73 21{ 241 Million .. ..6 .. 137 117 225 Stevens .. .. G 2 91 35 223 Buchanan 8 1 152 27 21 "5 Wilding .. ..6 .. 106 48 174 Ashbj- .. .. 3 .. id 39 16"l Corfe 2 .. 31 29 151 Dudney .. ..5 .. 61 40 124 Pocock .. ..5 1 46 19 11.2 Cotterill .. ..6 .. 45 26 7-3 Harman .. ..8 1 41 14 62 Chapman .. .. i .. 10 7 2~2 Malct 7 ■■ B 1 1-2 tXotout. BOWLING. 3 I " ■§ § Bowler. 13 -a § -g j; * | « j^j; Ashby .. ..131 9 54 14 312 Wilding .. .. 422 33 17 ■20 B'U Pocock .. ..595 5G ISO 21 8"14 Chapman .. ..371 35 133 14 97 Edser 437 24 240 22 10-20 Harman .. ..80 4 34 1 — Wilding bowled 1 no-ball and 2 wides; Pocock 2 no-balls. Secretan bowled 15 balls for 18 runs, no wickets ; Longdeu, 10 balls for 2 runs.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE MOON

Sec yon benienant light, That, in its lonely flight Kobs night of gloom. We onthebrightcninK Kast. Our eyes with gladness feast, As from the tomb. And when the radiant car Is seen from hills afar, An early dawn; We all entranced admire, A3 brings its orient flre At midnight morn. To us that beauty seems. Lit uo with living beams, A bond of peace, Which parted hearts shall link, Give them of joy to drink, From caro release Though they in distant lands, Jlay not their ardent hands In friendship press. Still, to night's queen they raise. At once their longing gaze, Their love confess. This sweetly radiant liffht, Diapelliri!,' diurnal uu;ht, May teach us too How hopu 'mid darkness sings, For midnight often brings A heavenly dew. W.K.

AFTER-SIGHT.

If I had known that the pipan "Which rang from the leafy skies Was writ by the nameless leader Of choirs in Paradise. My hand would no! have been cruel. My In-art would have shamed the wrong That filled a nest with despairing And hushed an enraptured song. If I had known that the pebble I trampled in dust unseen, Would one day bluze on the forehead Of none but a peerless Queen, Mv foot would have troddon it lighter. Its worth-1 had lived to show ; Alas ! the pearls that are priceless Only a Queen may know If I had known that the tear drops You crushed with a bitter moan Bore up, on their shining pathway. Your heart to the great white throne, My love had solaced your anguish, My reverence bent the knee; But ah! the godliest sorrow Only a God can see.

It is a good rulo always to back your friends and face your enemies. The liberal man will seldom cherfeh sorrow, but the base are uneasy even un«rer benefits. The only hate which we all bear with Christian patience is the hate of those who, envy us.

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, JANUARY 26, 1884.

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