DISCURSIVE DIALOGUES.

SATURDAY EVENING TALKS ON

CUHRENT TOPICS.

NO. 3.

Kowdy Election Meetings-tA Theory to . Account j"or Them— " The old Colonial Hand "—Cheap Advice to Sib Geo. Grey >: —Retrenchment—An Invaluable Go-

j- VERNOR, ETC.

(Scene. — A Public Dining Room. Messrs Selluni (land agent), McCheatem (merchant), and 0 Fleecem (solicitor) seated at supper.)

McCheatem: I say, were either of you, at Aitken ConnelFs last meeting ?

Sellum: Of course I was; it's bette r than a circus to hear the Tactician dsliver

an address,

O'Fleecem: Deliver an address. He hasn't been allowed, as yet, to get further than making a few cursory remarks !

S. : That's rather good—might do for •'Titbits." I'd like to hear your opinion, McCheatem, on the " tactics" of your favourite candidate. What does he mean by all this merry-andrew business ? McC. : Simply to get himself brought into notice; purely preliminary work to the electioneering campaign. He is a stranger, you see, and wants the peoplo to know him.

S. : But wouldn't he be better unknown than to have the reputation of being a semi lu,natic ?

McC. : Not a bit of it. He is a true tactioian, for he knows that the masses, enjoy a burlesque above everything else ', but now that ha has allowed the people to fool him to the top of their bent, he will settle down to serious work.

OF. : Bedad, I believe you're right. I've been to both of his meetings, have studied the subject a bit, and 1 ye got a theory to account for his rowdy receptions. S. : Let's hear it. Q'F.: You know that at election times i there is a superabundance of animal spirits. ; S. : And other " spirits," too ! OF. : Trameat. Let that pass. \ : S. : Down the people's throats, eh ? OF. : Let me get on with my theory. To provide a channel wherein the animal spirits may flow, it has been customary to find some butt candidate—some mark for ■ popular sport; either a half-cracked old codger or an empty-pated bottler-washer to ;-stand up and harangue the people, and be jmercilessly ''chaffed" by the larrikin ela : ment.

McC. : Exactly : I know the fellows you mean.

OF. : Well, no su,cji butt has appeared during this contest.; and so the peoplo by common consent fixed upon the stranger aa a proper mark for fun. S. : You mean that Garrard's good luck is J. A. Connell's misfortune; that the former being a sort of Government employ 6, and therefor© precluded from " standing," the public have seized upon the most likejy man as a substitute.

OF. •. Just so : but they'll find their mis take. Mr Aifcken Connell is a man of excel lent business capacity, honesty, and earnest ness of purpose, and he i S. : Why, you'yo quite an admirer !_ I 'didn'b know you were an old colonial hand. ■ OF. : Look in my eye, sn%, and then ■doubt it if you dare. Talking oi old colo nial hands, I dashed off a little sl^it last night in my office, that just hits off the subject. McC< : Let's hear it.

OF.: Here it is : (ftgducea 3\l^. from his pocket, and after looking 'captiously round to see that no ori© is over-hearingi Breads)—

"THE OLD COLONIAL HAND."

Electors all, come lend an ear. I've something that you'd like to hea.r— A something toat will do you good Far more than work, or drink, or food— 'Tis something great and wise and grand; For I would have you understand . . That rvin Old Colonial Hand ! Chorus.—l cannot help it, no not I, if I could I wouldn ttry; Tor the noblest being ever planned It is the Old Colonial Hand!

I've seen full many an up and down, And once I was in Auckland town With only sixpence in my fob, j But I very soon was " on the job, 1 did not at street corners stand. But very soon got " on the land, For I'm an Old Colonial Hand!

Chorus,

I humped my swag, and ne'er looked glum I knew I still could live-by guru! And now, though Luck has on me smiled, 'Tis still my weakness to get " riled.' You'll find no nonsense I will stand, Op if I do, may I he banned. Fpvl'm an Old Colonial Hand! Chorus.

When Old Colonial Hands I apy I read their history in their eye, Or mark where sweat has left its tracks By running down their honest backs! Just look at me as here I stand Like one that's destined to command; Well, that's the Old Colonial Hand! Chorus.

I am a " JAC " of every trade, Can welld a pen as well's a spade; Can win the hearts of ladies fair, Or land a trout, or ship a mare. Or woo electors, soft ana blana, Till they my tactics understand,— For Ire an CM Colonial Hand !

Chords,

Of earfch I know I am the satt, , But modesty's my only fault; . I'm as religious as can be. And if I use a "big Trig P. My worthy friends will niiclerstana 'Tis but the1 manner si.. •■■ >ul bland. ThatmarkatheOldCo^.. i Hand! Chorus.—Then,voters,let my uopqs be crowned With Paradise, not" lost," but f otfnd; ThoughMinistersa2ainstme''stttiid," 'iov Supp&t tha Old Colonial Hand',

S.: By jove, O'Fleecem, tliat's splendid. Now we know who writes those political rhymes for the papers. OT. : ThWs one thing, M 0 leatem, that I can't make out in ydm- mend, and that is running down Sir Oeorge Grey at such a rate. • McC.: All a part of the taptips, my dear sir. ' S.: "VVell, I can understand his. standing up and bawling about his rriare till nq ifras Sparse; butl can't see that he wasany- Alhue but a donkey to attack Sir. George <srey ip Auckland, McC.: But isn't it the surest way to at tract potipe to attack somebody who is pppu- I»r?' Of course it is, and besides, iflpst people are convinced' that the Tactician sjpofce the. truth about the; Grajid.Old Man, Qply nobody had the temerity to speak it PUt before.

Of. ; There's something ipthat. iM/c.C. : I tgl| you there's everything m ; Jt. Sir George would occupy a, far higher 1 place in pecpje's estimation if he retired • Hrom politics and devoted his time and ; talents tp those' duties which he ia pd , eminently qualified to dbcJiWge in ;the social,' artistic and literary i-wprld. As a leader pf public opinion of Parliament he wpuld .be a greater and more beneficent power in the colony, especially as he would be free from -# suspicion of having a hankering'after fi&pe. As a popular leader lie is-unsof- I(assable; as the leader of a popular as sembly he is nowhere. ' S.;: But as a Governor h,e is perfection. He is at heart an autocrat, and if he were. -given the position of dictator he would .pretty nearly realise. Caflyle's ideal of »a I Qenevolenb despot; '< Q'F.: You're right, and he showed the j people of South Australia bow tO carry out ; retrenchment when he was Governor 1 of tnat Crown Colony. Sw^pt the whple ■ AugeaßßtftbleUkfi a Heroules.and tmm i me public expenditure ift a single year to *«rt ft Q f W hat jt* halbieT *

■ McC. : It would seem that he's the man for Galway-I mean .for New, Zealand.at the present time. Would it iiot be. possible, «iven now, to carry out Sir Bartle Fvere's idea and have a Dictator for New Zealand ? Sir George Grey and a Council of a dozen could manage our affairs nicely, don't. yon think ?

Q.F. : Of course they could ; but the people—o, the people—they have got their rights, you know, and they must have two of Parliament, an army of useless officials, and an expensive ornamental figure-head of a Governor with all the para phernalia of a vice-regal Court, while the omnipotent people toil and slave to keep it up! S.: Oh, but our present Governor is very useful and affable, and all thab sort of thing.

MoC. : But is he worth UO,OOO a year ? S. : Well, I'll just give you one example of his. tact. He went recently to open the Exhibition at Wanganui,, you know* and he found himself ill the delicate position at the banquet of being supported by two politicians who are at daggers drawn, yet he managed to steer clear of giving offence. Here's the full report of his remarks on the occasion as it appeared in a local paper. {Reads from aorap of paper). " Mr Mayor and citizens, I must confess at the start that I find myself in a position of very great difficulty. Difficulty not so much arising from the fact that my friend Mr Laird is Mayor, or that I see so many citizens around me, but because I have on tny right hand a member of one Govern ment (Mr Bryce) and on my loft a member of another Government (Mr Ballance), {laughter and applause) and I feel myself m a great diticulty as to how 1 shall deal with these matters. I might say with Capt. McHeath, " How happy could I be with either, were t'other dear charmer away ;" or with Lord Beaconsfield, who in the House of Commons, after being tremendously attacked by Gladstone, said —" I don't know what would have happened if there had not been this piece of furniture between us " (loud laughter). His Worship the Mayor and myself have the honour of occupying the position of the furniture (applause). You don't know on this occasion what we have prevented (laughter.) The fight that would have faken place would have been something to carry down to posterity, and your children's children. They are both citizens, or very neaily so, qf Wanganui, and in that respect I hold them both to my bosom (applause). It is the part of a Governor, more or less, to occupy the position of bottleholder (loud laughter), and I occupy that position on this Occasion. X toko credit to myself for hayingj prevented, a battle royal in your ] presence, and I am sure your gratitude will be due tq me for that fact (loud |aughten)" McC.: The Governor is also among the tacticians ! I had no idea he was so witty. OF. : Bedad, I could be as witty on Jess than LIO.OOQ a year. If that's the qualification for a Governor, let's get the editor of '* Titbits " into the job at once. Even Garrard could act the part of " bottlo nolder " in a masterly manner 1 McC.: That was a masterly allusion to the furniture — a bright recognition of humour from the brain of our Governor.

OF. : Yes ; the furniture was wooden, of pourse—-hence the recognition, S. (with mock solemnity): I wooden't have thought that of you ! (All rise, laughing, and leave the pre mises, )

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

July 28 -ss Grand National Steeplechases.— Entries, June 23; weights, July ai; accept ances.'July 1&

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

BomeO.—Belle carried list 21b when she won the Great Northern Steeplechase last year.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Hippona.]

Considering that each year the Summer Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club has Resulted in loss, one would have thought the powers that be would see fit to alter the date when arranging their programme for next season. Such, however, is not the case, for although the gathering is again reduced to one day, they have the 2nd of January, a date which., of course, must always be the means pf deterring at least on© or two Southern owners from paying Auckland a visit. When we see the leading turf insti tution of the colony year after year de liberately clashing with the big meeting of a Metropolitan Club like that of the A.R.C., what can we expect from minor racing clubs ?

The Committee pf the Auckland Racing Club are now pushing on the wprk of the pew tan gallop at Ellerslie with all possible speed. It is expected that it will be com pleted about the middle of August. Ml1 D. McKinflon tells me that his mare Brown Bose, who fell and was badly injured ■tvhile running in the Tradesmen's Plate at the A.B.C£ Autumn Meeting, ha? not yet thoroughly recovered. Her racing career is therefore at An end, but she will be avail able for stud duties.

Mr B. Blaikie received a letter from his partner this week stating that Too Soon and Queehie h,ad a beautiful passage across to Sydney', but both contracted slight colds. The pair must be reckoned as well treated in all of the big Spring handicaps. I notice that all the Sydney papers have eulogistic notices of Mr LyPtiS in their sporting j;o}u.mn.B.

Writes " Sir Laungelot" :—Kay has been Creating a bit ot a flutter among the stables at Rlccarton, owing to his evincing a desire to purchase more than one good horse, pre sumably with'a view to an Australian cam paign. He asked O'Brieh to put & price on Sextant, but the proprietor of the Race course Hotel declined to sell. He, however, gav<3 Kay the offer of |tose apd Black, Gipsy King, and Hermitage for 1,200g5, or (Gflgsy King alone for 700gS. No deal, how eVer, was struck. Ray also made overtures to Mr Robipson for Enfilade, but again failed in his |ni§sion.' 1 learn from Melbourne that Niagara, has. been pretty consistently supported for the Y.tCC. Derby at 100" 16 ft. % qf Anteros is fjaid tp be iookmg reinarkabfy well. In fionseque^qe of Mr Cooper havine purchased staftles in Sydney, Niagara will shortly" be. taken over there to, undergo his prepfuration with the other niemberp of Foulsiianj's teani. " Sydney P4pprs state tfcii Aberqorn is thqu'eht tope best pusi ness of the Hon. JT. yvhite'a team for the V.R.C. Kerby, Svhile 7 to I ip takep abotit Niagai^. Cranprpok a^d Qfirtyon are <(\xatys ok 10 fy h , In last week's issue of the " Chrißtphurch Weekly Press" "Hermit" contributes an interesting article giving particulars of the occupants of the Bon, .W» Robinspp's stables- I condense the following anept the principal memberp.of the team t-j-Silyer Prince waa the first I looked at, a»d as the naghas been the subject pf a gopd deal of heated controversy, I wag glad of. a phance to interview him in the stable. If he is a bit on the leg, the timber underneath him is good enough and looks like wearing well, while his propelling powers, as exhibited in his thighs, are really first.class. Whether he is, or will be, a great weight-carrier may be doubted, but he should be master of a reasonable racing weight, and he has no heavy top hamper to tire him. r He is a light hearted gentlen:an, and it takes the jboy who ji^ae. biro all his time to 'sU«k to the saddle >yben be in

dulges in a fty. of kiclcirjg. His owner qannot growl at the weight apportioned to Him in the Melbourne Cup. At the same time I should nob recommend publio backers to rushh,im into the market, as the team have not yet left for Australia and may not go oyer for Borne months, if at all. Meanwhile, however, the" horsp looks as Well as, possible, ans his races in Dunedin showed he possesses speed. I had never seen Thunderbolt stripped before, and as the horse has had a very long spell from raoing. I was hardly prepared to find him so forward in condition. He is as strong Us a house, and certainly if he does Buffer frpm any leg or foot infirmity, I failed to discover it. The horse's legs appeared to me to be as clean as possible, and no one could help being struck with his good looks and general quality. Enfilade is, as we aH know, a very big one, and now he has got some of the lumber off of him has not the calfish appearance which I had noticed previously when Seeing him on the course. Disowned did not strike me as having grown a great deal m height, but he has grown thicker, and would weigh considerable if placed on the scales. Chain Shot, the brother to Thunder bolt, is of a different type from liis relation. Ho is taller without being leggy, and is also long colt. He is fairly well grown, but will stand coming up in the" Wither a bit yet. Taken all round, his legs are as good as they make them, his thighs and arms being particularly fine, while his feet are good shaped ones. "Report says he is a good mover in what work he has done as yet, which of course is not much, and has been confined to going slow. The man who has got an equally well-bred one and a better looking one is to be envied, but I doivt know where to find him. Engage ment is a really well-made filly on good short legs. Her muscular development when wound up for the fray promises to be enormous, but in spite of differing from good practical judges, I incline to the idea that pace will bo found to be her forte. Her coat hardly looked as if she was as for ward as some of her stable companions, but still she seemed in the best of health, and is undoubtedly a good doer, in fact a glutton.

The Canterbury Jockey Club programme for next season is now before the racing public. With the present depression hanging over the colony the Club have wisely, I think, seen fit to reduce the qdded money, and comparing the total with that of last season I find that LB.IOO iB to be given away as against L 9.425. The programme for the big Spring Meeting only shows a falling off of LSO. on the three days, the first day's stakes being LSO less, the second LI 00 less, and the third |400 more. The Summer Meeting is reduced to one day, and L 970 is given as against L 1,945 for the two days last geagon, while the added money at the Autumn Meeting is reduced from L 2.400 to Of this sum no less than L2OO has been taken off the Great Autqmn Handicap. I learn from Sydnoy that Mr A. Mosa secured quarters for Mr Drake's team of horses at the Racecourse Hotel, situated about 20Q yards from the Randwick train ing ground.

Somo months back Mr William Bailey, of Ballarafc, purchased the Tasmanian two year-old colfc Silverton (by The Assyrian— Silverthread) for 800 j?uineas ami a further Consideration provided ho sported the blue riband of the Victorian turf on the last Saturday in October. Good judges-declare that Silverton is far and away the best two year-old ever seen in Tasmania, but news to Ijand states that he has developed a curb. The recent wet weather seems to have been conducive towards tb© production of these ♦' objectionable excrescences " (says a Mel )ourne scribe), for Trenton at Caultield, and ?ravo, Sir Launcelot, and Silverton at Bal !arat, have all been blistered therefor. loweVer, after a slight respite, this quar tette are all exercising again. Mentioning Trenton reminds ma that that doughty warrior is evidently getting into Al trim again, for whilst oxerdsing lie got rid of his rider and covered a merry Newmarket distance ere ho was secured again.

''Mazeppa" writes:—Ore 'dit that the punedin Jockey Club stewards' reply to Mr Stead's letter asking for particulars of Jackson's disqualification, was not at all of a penitent or apologetic character, ample reasons being set forth in justification of the punishment.

Deaoribing a recent visit tp Mr D. O'Brien's stables at Riccarton, " Hermit writes: Sextant shows up as a great fine colt with a capital shoulder and back, and his quarters particularly well rounded. He sjtands straight behind, as do many good horses. But with all Sextant's good looks, there js an indefinable something about the colt I do not like, and though we all know he can go a rare pace, yet that short cuts will be his best game I venture to think. As he looks now Sextant is carrying a fair amount of flesh, but none top much for the season of the year. Whether his destination is Melbourne or not I do not know, but whether he goes or stops I shall expect to see him pick up a good race or two during the spring of the year, though a Cup race may be beyond his powers. Gipsy King, who is also looking Veil, is a useful sort, with a character for honesty, and I should not be surprised if at the end of the season he has not brought as much grist to the mUi as the stable crack. He looks like one of the wear and tear sort. Hermitage, who with 7et 71b is nob badly in in the New Zealand Cup, has lost the care worn lqpk he had during a great part of th? Jast two seasons, and with some flesh on his ribs and a coat like satin,show6decided signs of improvement. He, is Still sound pn his }egs, and may yet repay his followers gome pf the money lost over him.

THE BETTING MARKET.

JDocal backers have indulged in a good bit of gpeculatiiori "oil the Melbourne Cup this week. Among the lines written fiave been 400 to 10 Top Soon, 2QQ to 5 Spade Guinea, 206 to 4 Nolsbn, SOQ-tp 15 Trident, 10Q to 4 Trenton, 20Q to 6 Silver Pripoe, 100 tp 3 'Frisco. Silvermine, and Abjier, and, 10Q tp % Thunderbolt and Industry. For the New Zealand Cup, 100 to 10 each-have been Written against Silence, Jjelson an 4 LQchie.l, and 100 to 6 Artillery.

From late Australian papers I learn that eince the weigh tp appeared for thq Mel )x>urne Cpp fiumerqus wager's have been noted. Trident has been installed the first. favourite. Aftor 1,009 to. 40 had been taken and wanted he advanced; to 100 tp 5, at which price £,QOO was pencilled to him. Silvermine is looked Upon ac being well in, and as ha has not had % very severe cani paigrt in his resent careefj a Rood deal qf attention is centred in him; LQOQ.tq #6 has been taken and wanted, and IQ,OOO to 500 was offered in one hand, but le,d to no business.. Silver Prince is aleq regarded with great* favour. Thousands to 40 have been taken to the amount of 10.000, whjja^ hundreds to 5 are offered. Matador has been booked at 2,000* to 80, and" the same price is still obtainable. The quotations aiei—Melbourne Cup: 100 to 5 Trident (tk. and pff.), 100 to 4 Silver Prince (tk. f.), 100 to 4 Matador (tk. and' offered),' 100 to 3 Silvgrmine, 100 to 3 Bravo, 100 to 2 Meteor. TJ)e declaration of th^ weights for the Nesw Zealand Cup did not lead to any very great amount of speculation in the South. In Chrjstohurch, Maxim are quoted favpurfyps at 1(X) to lCj each, Lpehiel, Beresfprd, Artillery, and Si]encp cpming i>gxt at IQO to 8. In tiunedinj a few hours after the appearance of the weights there were backers of Lochiel wiling to take 100 to, 8, and' Maxim had friends' at up to 100 to, 6. frvyq hprses monopolised the atteptipp of the public." Tfye ruling prices there are; t] XQO tq 7 Lqehiel, Beresfqrd, and Nebjon, JQti tq 6 Artillery apd Maxim, too to tffifflg; ml^mmmm

The Melbourne and New Zea land Cups.

OPINIONS OF THE NEWSPAPER

SCRIBES

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

From what I learn from Sydney and Mel bourne, privately and otherwise, the general opinion appears to be that Trident, Meteor, and Silver Prince are the three best-treated horses in the Melbourne Cup. Below will be found condensed the opin ions of the leading newspaper scribes : —

" Augur " (of the " Australasian ") opines that the winner will come from The Jewel, Bohemian, Lord William, Bravo, Silver Prince, Menotti, Bedouin, St. Paul, Bow-, motib, Master' Jack, and Moorebank, and of the lot; he likes Silver Prince best. " Vigilant " (" Melbourne Sportsman") thinks Bravo is unquestionably' the best treated horse in the handicap, and winds up a long article by selecting Bravo, Trident, Abercorn, Silvermine, Kitawa, and Lord William as the best half-a-dozen. " Early Bird," of the " Sydney Keferee," selects Silvermine, The Jewel, Abner, Kitawa, Crossfire, Hortense, Abercorn, Matador, Yabba, Moorehouse, Niagara, Meteor, and Peeress. "Nemo" writes:—Of the top weights Trenton and Trident promise to have the most to say ; while with Bst Abner must be one of the hardest to beat, for he is one of the improving sort, has no end of pace, and is hardly likely to be troubled by such a reasonable impost. Crossfire, Cairo, Frisco, and The Jewel are also well in ; and Bravo, Lord William, Matador, Cairo, and Meteor havo not been imposed upon. " Hermib" (" Sydney Sportsman") says : -^•1 am decidedly of opinion that the top weights will this year again bake a deal of wiping out, and of the trio at the head of the lisb I incline most towards the chance of Tridenb because he has youth on his side. If Bravo keeps sound he will be worth back ing, but that remains to be seen, and amongst the middle weights I see nothing so promising as Meteor. Writes " Martindale" ("Town and Country Journal"):—l think that Trident holds all the top weights safe. Ringmaster at Bst 31b has got off lightly ; and Bohe mian's party cannob grumble. The same may be said of Industry, Dunlop, Kibawa, and Bravo. This last-named horse has been let off, and Mr Barnard has altered his opinion since he last handicapped him for the Australian Cup. Recall is also fairly treated, while Meteor has got off very lightly. From 9st down to the end of the lisfc there are several untried ones which may be dangerous on the day, but those which may have a show are Enfield, Phaon, Aberdeen, Emerald, Algerian, Silverton, and Fernandez. My picks of the lot are Meteor and Bravo. " Tristan " gives his opinion of the handi cap thus :—At the first glance Trenton seems to have a great chance of winning the Melbourne Cup with Osfc 91b ; and it is not improbable that for the third year in succession he will make a bold bid. Trident, 9st 81b, is Bure to find plenty of backers among the public, who believe thoroughly fn a good horse. Isonomy and Disowned seem over-weighted. But Silver mine. Bst 31b, may break the long spell of ill-luck which has followed his owner's fortunes. Bravo, 7st 91b, must be ac counted well in. Hortense, 7sb 71b, Aber <jorn, 7st 71b, and Matador, 7st 41b, are evenly handicapped, and may turn out the best of the S-years-olds. Bub danger may be appreheuded from the dark division, which boasts of a number of well-bred, un performod youngsters, notably Enfilade, Colenso.Peabpdy, Carlyon, Australian Peer, Cranbrook, The Tinman, Playboy, Plenipo, and others, with the excellences of which rumour h.as. a long time, been busy. Little is known of Enhold, except that he is a gon of Andover, and a good-looking cus tomer. Bub both he and The Queen may yet turn pub good investments. '«New Warrior " (Sydney "Daily Tele graph ") writes :—From Bst> upwards there are 17, and while nothing appears so harshly treated as Silvermine, Bst 31b, the best in on paper appear to be Sheet Anchor and Arsenal,Bst 81b, and Grace Darling, Bst 21b. Between Bst and 7st, Ben Bolt, 7sb 121b, All Gold, 7st 101b, Frisco, Tfefi 31b, and Meteor,7st 21b, are perhaps best in, the last named more especially, and among the others those which appear to be most leniently treated are John, 6st 131b, Enfilade,6st 121b, Phaon,6sb 111b,Aberdeen, ost 91b, Burrilda,6st 81b and Fernandez, 6st 4lb. Hortense and Abercorn are handi qapped at 7st 71b each, which is in effect 51b in favour of the latter, but all those who saw the former victorious in the Mari byrnong Plate will not be disposed to find fault with the official adjuster. Among tho cracks of his age Niagara is perhaps the most healthy looking with 7at 31b. The Adelaide scribe " Trumpater " says : Meteor ia a well handicapped horse at 7st 21b, and I fancy this colony may have something: to say at the finish with Afflu ence, Weitworth, and Discovery. If Tot hill can get Affluence right by the day I qhall certainly keep him on the right side. A former owner of this colt tells me he is a wonderful stayer, and one of those good winded horses that can be got fit on a lighb preparation. Wentworth may not be sufliciently seasoned to show to advantage at two mile 3in November, bub I believe John Hill has got hold of a useful animal in Discovery, and at 6sb 7lb he has been thrown into the handicap. Reviewing the handicap the Melbourne correspondent of the " Otago Witness " Writes r-^-None of your Hortenses, or Aber i corhs, or Matadors,orNiagaras,or Sextants, or Moorhouses for me. I stand or fall by the following two-and-twenty, just about the Bame number thab I struck it plumb centre in for "Melbourne Punch" this time last year :•—Trenton, Nelson, Fryingpan, Silvermind, The Jewel, Grace Darling, J)avidi Crossfire, Bravo, Thunderbolt, Mozarfcj Remus, Phaon, Krupp, Dividend, Whakawai, Escutcheon, Bedouin, Tranter, Bangle, Pakeha, Bowmont.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Southern papers to hand this week show that the handicap for the New Zealand Cup is generally condemned. A writer who appends the signature of " Vaga Apis" to. his letter gives,, in the cor respondence columns of the Christchurch Weeklies, as his opinion that " a more miserable exhibition of handicapping never left the pen of iiny jmndipapper or Committee. I append briefly the remarks of the various writers :—

"Mazeppa" writes: — Looking at the matter fairly and squarely, with out biap, \ must confess that I am rather disappointed with the handicap as a wftqle. To select a dozen of those best treated I pick the. following :--Nelson, Dis owned, Artillery, Silence, Lochiel, Hermit age, Ma^im, Captain o<Sok, Gipsy King, Rjyulet, Marion, TBritish Liori. " Senex " (*• Christchurch Weekly-Press") likes beat the chances of Nelson, Thunder bolt, Loshjel, Forester, Fail1 Nell, Hermit age, Maxfm, Sextant, Tit Bit, St. Clair, Gipsy Kihg, Ruby, Lady Florin, Derwen ter, and Betesford. il Sir Launcejot" picks twelve to furnish the winnei 4, viz., Nelson, Artillery, Silence, Lochiel, Lady Norah, Torrent, Hermitage, Sextant, St. Clair, Gipsy King, Lady Florin, and. Derwenter. The '♦'Canterbury Times" sporting correspondent considers Nelson, Thunder bolt, Artillery, Lochiel, Fair Nell, Torrent, Sextant, Ruby, Enfilade, Too Soon, Silver mark, Archdpke, Tfpredo, and Beresford, as thfe baker's dozen'that have reqeive^ the most lavourftbj§ troatrawt $ iU MMsm

the handieappers, and . if required to pick it in three he should name Nelson, Locbiel and Torrent, with a strong apprehension that Beresford would upset his calcula tions.

" Beacon" contents himself by stating that the weights for the New Zealand Cup have been fairly well received in Dunedin, and concludes for the present by giving the opinion that if Mr Stead does not win the race he ought to. " St. George," Christchurch correspon dent of the "Otago Witness," writes:— Beresford is again ab 6st,. and though he is in a measure a dark horse he is sound and has greatly improved, and is the best treated horse in the handicap. Of course we are liable to all sorbs of developments and breakdowns during the next four months, but at present I think the winner will come from Nelson, Silence, Lochiel, Administrator, Torrent, Hermitage, Ruby, Silvermark, and Beresford. I include Lochiel, Administrator, and Torrent on the presumption that they will stand prepara tion ; and to pick the winner at once, I would certainly choose Nelson. The Dunedin correspondent of the "Referee" says:—The impression of the old sports and best judges here is not very favourable towards the handicap. Silver Prince, with Bst 81b, is unquestionably badly used, and there is a feeling of un animity on this point. Lochiel is as favour ably used as Silver Prince is harshly teeated ; in fact, the opinion here is that all Mr Stead's horses are allotted fav avourable imposts, while Artillery and Silence are also well dealt by. " Flaneur" (" Wanganui Yeoman")thinks one of the following dozen will be returned as winner, viz—Nelson, Lochiel, Maxim, Sextant, Gipsy King, Rivulet, Bangle, Ruby, St. Swithin, Enfilade, Lorraine, and Galatea.

"Phajton" ("New Zeaiand Herald") picks Nelson and Silence as the best treated, and "Hippona"(AucklandStab), Silence, Nelson and Lochiel.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

The Levite is said to be the most forward horse in training at Flemington. Christchurch Tattersall's Club hold their race-meeting on the 16th December. At the Curragh meeting in May, the Spring Hurdle Kace was won by a son of Ingomar, carrying list 41b. Mr Stead's mare Marion has been sent across to Sydney on a visit to Martini-

Henry.

Mr D. O'Brien has refused an offer of 1,200 guineas for Sextant during the week. This colt stands fully sixteen hands. Master John and the Indian horse Metal were scratched for the Melbourne Cup on the day after the weights appeared. A local backer, who does not generally throw his money away, took 300 to 3 about Nelson for the Melbourne Cup on Saturday night last. He offered to go on at the price. The bookmakers all wore Jubilee medals, in the form of a medallion with a portrait of Queen Victoria affixed, at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club and Town and Suburban meetings. Afc (Jnristchurch, Mr E. W. Roper, Hon. Treasurer of Tattersall's Club, has been presented by the members with a hand some silver centre piece, in recognition of his services to the club. The presentation was made by Mr Stead. " Asmodeous," the Melbourne scribe, writes : Of the Derby candidates sojourning at head-quarters I like nothing so well as Pakeha, a chestnut colt by The Englishman from True Blue. He is a youngster of rare size and substance, and promises co develop into a racehoi-se."

Isonomy, who is engaged in the Mel bourne Cup at Bsb 101b, showed himself in great form on Jubilee Day, for he won the Adelaide Jubilee Cup under the crusher oflOst.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Act/EOK)

FIXTURES.

FOOTBALL. Senior Cup. July 16.—Auckland y. Albert; Gordon v. Graf ton : Ponsonby v. North Shore. July 23. -Auckland v. North Shore; Albert y. Gordon; Graf ton v. Ponsonby. July 30.—North Shore v. Gordon; Albert v. Grafton ; Auckland v. Ponsonby. August 6.—North Shore v. Grafton; Albert v Ponsonby; Auckland v. Gordon. August 17.—Auckland v. Canterbury. August.—Auckland v. Otago. Junior Cap. July 16.—Auckland v. Gordon ; Grafton v. Uni ted ; Ponsonby v. North Shore. July 23.—Waitemalav. North Shore; Auckland v. United; Gordon v. Ponsonby. July 30.—Waitemata v. Gordon; United v. Ponsonby; Grafton v. North Shore. Second Junior Cup. July 16.—Sehvyn v. Remuera; Waverley v. Gordon ; Rovers v. Waitemata. July 23.—Solwyn v. Rovers; Waverley v. Wai temata ; University v. G,ordon. July 30.—Sehvyn v. Gordon; University v. Remuera; Waverley v. Rovers.

FOOTBALL.

The matches last Saturday did nob give rise to any brilliant play. North Shore found they had no soft thing on with the Alberts, the red and blacks giving them all they wanted. The Shore got over the line two or three times, but were unable to score, and the game resulted in a draw. The Albert forwards played a slashing fame, very last and quick, shiniug in their ribbling rushes ; but the blues were: t&o heavy, considering the state of the, ground, and they.had the best of the play. Grafton, as anticipated, had an easy thing on with Auckland, smiting them hip• and thigh to the tune of Si to nil T. Brown was fairly in it in the place-kicking, line, putting five out of seven shots over the bar.- The ac companying table shows how the clutjs stand now for the! . Senior Cup. ~. 5 |a I 1 1 o I E3 If Grafton .. ~7 6 1 0 77 11 North Shore .. 7 5 1 1 37 12 Pqnsonby .. .. 6 4 1 1 108 7 Gordon ;. .; 6 3 0 3 (37 23 Alberts J :. 7 2 1 4 20. 39 Auckland .. 7 1 0 6 0- • 178 United and Waitemata II." played a very even game out at Epsom, the latter winning by a try, obtained in the last few minutes by Mnlayson. North [ Shore IE had a hard time of it with Gordon 11., but finally,beat them by a try obtained by Farquhar. The score is to be disputed, so the match may be a dniw after all. I was sorry bo hear of an exhibition of temper displayed by one of the blues, and I trust it will not occur again. The match between Auckland 11. was one of the tamest displays of football it has been my lot to witness. The Aucklan ders won by a try to nil. The Graftonians were all at sea in the second spell, and the blues had them penned the whole time pretty well. Once or twice the i winners showed up in the running line, and it was a fine piece of play by young Downey that gave Auckland their score. The following table will explain itself :—- Junior Cup. I i • "2 • tO " CO 5. %.s&■& it m Ponsonby .. 6 6 0 6 40 2 North Shore .. 7 5 0 2 18 12 Auckland .. 7 4 1 2 14 9 Grafton .. ..7 3 2 2 24 9 Waitemata .. 7 2 1 4 13 21 United .. .. 7 115 2 22 Gordon .. ..7 0 16 0 36 The Gordon Ist had a bicnic at the Wairoa, walking over the local ';kickists. The blacks made a world record place kicking. I never heard pi t>etity-six tries wid-omyfdvtf^64ivbefore,';r ■'■:--:

It may be news to Some of my readere to hear that Canterbury does nob play wing forwards in " rep " matches. A fast open game is played, and no chance given to the wings on the other side. The following table shows the positions of the clubs competing for the Second Junior Cup under the auspices of the Auck land Junior Footbail Association :—

Selwyn Hovers

05 . BJ 03 Is <H fll 6 5 10 65 6 5 1 0 72 6 3 12 13 5 2 0 3 63 5 113 i 6 10 4 i 5 10 3 6

University Remuera Wayerley Waiteraata Gordon

The East Christchurch Football Club has not lost a match this season, their record reading 6 matches played, 3 won, 0 lost, 2 drawn, scored 13 points, and they have bad none scored agaiust them. At present there is a match with the Merivale which lias been disputed, bub it can only result in a draw or a win to the E.C. Sydenham comes next with 3 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, out of 5 matches, with 14 points. The Montecilio Football Club, Dunedin, bring out " k'rect cards" every Saturday giving the name and position of each player. A very good idea for the coming representative matches. During the past two years, not a single try has been scored against the Poneke F.C. in Senior Cup contests. The only time they were ever beaten in these matches was when the Athletics beat them last year by a goal from the field to a try.

ATHLETICS, ETC.

The English eleven which is to visit the colonies next season under the auspices of the Melbourne Cricket Club will include Hon. M. B. Hawke (Yorkshire), Mr T. C. O'Brien (Middlesex), Mr W. E. Roller and Rowley (Surrey), Bates and Peate (York shire), and Attewell (Notts). Probably Messrs J. G. Walker {Middlesex) and W. W. Read (Surrey) will also join the team. This is the team the Auckland Association are negotiating a match with. The next amateur athletic sports are to be held in October.

Laing will not face Matthews yet. His hand is reported to be very bad, yet he defeated Cunningham a fortnight back.

Mr W. J. Pocock, the well-known Canter bury bowler, who was here with the last " Rep " team, has received an appointment in Wellington. A match with the Empire City next season will not be so 6oft now, particularly as Mr W. J. Cotterill will also be playing there. Last Thursday a meeting of the Cricket As sociation was held to consider a letter from Major Wardill, Secretary M.C.C., asking what terms the Association were prepared to offer for a match with the mixed team of Engli&h cricketers coming out under the auspices of the M.C.C. Mr C. F. Bourne, Vice-President, in the chair. It was de cided to offer the ' net proceeds of a three days' match. A letter from the Hon. Sec. of the Auckland College and Grammar School was also read, complaining about the frequent dropping out of clubs for whom matches were arranged, thus com pletely spoiling the season for the stable clubs. This matter was deferred for dis cussion at the general meeting.

FOOTBALL.

The following remarks by " Three Quarterback" in the Canterbury " W 7eekly Press" are well worthy of the careful study of all footballers :■ —An important point, often misunderstood here, is when a fair catch is obtained, and the player has made his mark at the spot where the catch is ob tained, a step or slide forward does not vitiate the catch. "He over-ran his mark" is the cry. But if the mark has been actually made in accordance with Lav? 27, how can the overrunning affect the matter ? Nob a word in the laws sanctions the popular idea on this question. By-the-bye, umpires would do well always to raise their sticks when a fair catch is allowed by them. It is really an appeal that is made to be answered in the regular way.

I have been favoured with the follow ing account Of the Ponsonby F.C.s trip to the Thames by one of the team :— We started from Auckland at midnight on Friday by the fast and furious packet the Enterprise, and having found that all the team were ori board, turned in at once. The journey dov.ii/flb the Thames only took eight hours! and was most monotonous. As there were no ladies on board, four of us appropriated the ladies' cabin, and had the satisfaction of finding that it was directly ove!r the machinery, which, though not fast, worked very laboriously. ' This was a slight disadvantage, but we would no doubt have been comfortable had we been in the habit of sleeping on berths less than 9 inches wide, and in the case of the long men with our legs hanging, about a foot over the ends. Towards morning, when we thought we must have been on board about 15 hours, we were startled by yells from our centre-man, who said he was being devoured. We lined out and followed up the enemy, supposed to be a cockroach; our crack half-back made a try at him, but he dodged him cleverly and did not come back; Soon after this the rest of the team came up from the lower cabin to walk on deck and get warm. They could not sleep for the cola; in fact, one tall forward said *' he did nbt snore a wink." However, like everything else, our journey came tq an end,' and at 7.30 we landed ori the Grahams town Wharf. We went to the Royal Hotel, and after breakfast proceeded up the town. The boys atked us in whispers " which was White^ide ?" and having pointed out to them a little short fellow with bow legs, who had come down with us, he was' directly the hero of the hour. In the afternoon.we drove to Parawai, with banner flying^ the road being lined" with people going out, and when we started the game there were about 500 present. The ground was rather broken, and was very wet and mucky. At the start we had the bad luck to lose Stephenson, who strained his knee. Our skipper (J. Ameil) went back, and we played one short in the forwards. The ball was too wet and greasy to do much parsing, in fact we lost several chances to'score by not being able to pick up cleanly. Our opponents were a strong lot of men, and played a good forward game, Duff being about the pick. Among the backs McGregbr (Captain) undoubtedly played the best, and with some more practice would develop into a real good player. Daldy* and Bucban also played well. As a whole, they play a very fair game, but" sonic of them are rather raw, ahel require to study the rules a little more. Our "nuggets" (2nd fifteen) played a really hard game, and surprised those who had not seeii them before. In the evening the local team entertained us at a, dinner, after which we had the usual toasts and some very good songs by members of both teams. H. Davy " scored well" by a " nate speech " in proposing the " ladie3," the toast being responded to by the " masher" in the Thames team and "our Bob." The latter also " tackled" a ditty, but only got through two verses. Our umpire (C. White), however, took them by storm in the "Mounted Foot Brigade. ?> The fun was cut short by a whistle, and we had to face eight hours in the Enterprise again. On this trip all the bunks had been "collared" before we arrived, and we had to bunk on the seats or floor. We had very little sleep, as our fellow travellers developed a taste for midnight " nap," and a digger bound for town kept us awake singing Salvation hymns. We reached the wharf by six o'clock, having thoroughly enjoyed our trip, and took our leave to the accompaniment of « You Won t go to Heaven tyhw you P&," by the ftforey Sasdig^;' '■'-■

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Garden Operations, July 16.

[By HortcsJ [Hortus is willing to answers respondents must give their fi3?L quwfcß. Tv» dresses, though not for pubuS^ *N

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Lecture on Industries R m Tropical Countri^/»s£**bu3 it) «„. was not present at the above w^W^t read a short report, so c^ni^-Wt™ 1 matter you refer to In «f n not \» that Mr Fedcrli said that fe S?rtitS tunities of viewing and inJ&^mwyoXS* of New Zealand.^fS^^fe chmate to his native land m.i^VWK vincing me, Mr Fedcrli» of New Zealand.andinthe^W ho^ta the coldest part of New IcS^/ 13 ™ det^ is thecase.how could any cm^*^ 2 I hope Mr Federli will Kive^EST^SttKii data as to the Particular in^^^ Zealand climate resemblesi iffi 1 one »5 this question of climate iTtne iSa On 6& :2 aflecung the growth of all m^ qUlss or crops, any informationl Mr &. ot *W tribiveon tho subject wilbe of£hcan«» at the present stage of the dison«S ore fcrence to sub-tropical plCaSl*^' elaborate calculations of So YaW "? te« after they are grown. allle Of «iqi Pruning Trees, Apple q^ (Amateur).-(l) You could notdSW prune now. It is better'toiSJ?sF sap is descending than when^ tfs2 hea '» in some fruit trees it will sonn k« ?smß> «4 I saw an almond tree cominefnti i. a m* week. (2) Regarding Bt o T s LfloVfeti« apules on, I think the £&»*!** would be the spy. I think it X E o^' chased in the nurseries in Auckland V knew the name of your fruit St easily purchase the same varS IZ^ the spy. These you Bhon'dbertEhSj at least one year sooner than if»«« ° grafted this spring. Perns-M lyo,l« easy for ypu to obWS mXfc bush. If planted now, and we« LS M a' watered during the summer mZrl^ should do well with youT ttontbs.%

Horticultural Show.

The Annual Camellia Show to be hel<W the auspices of the Royal Horticdtinl Society takes place next Saturday, in a, Auckland Market. As the season advai«, camellia and other winter, flowers ire ? W. ing much better than was anticipafced; mi the coming winter show promises to be tb besb ever held in Auckland. Any persons who have a few good flowers shriild takj them to the Market on Saturday aorjifc where the officers of the Society will be rail? too glad to receive and assist to stage.: k far as I am aware, there is no fee charged for exhibits for competition or exhibition % Society simply rely upon the usual ctan of one shilling at the door to recoup £. penses—not only to recoup, but il posailj to get a surplus. It is only by fa exhibitions being well patronised by «. hibitors and visitors that the real wealth A vegetable products can be enhanced U improved upon from year to year. Agricd tural and horticultural products aid exhibitions should and must take U place before any new country can floßrUh. The late and present Society hm dins their utmost, and the public should Mi. ronise them better. Winter or Best Prosing or Fruit! Trees. The usual winter pruning of the &■ ferent fruit trees must be undertakon, il possible, before, the %ap begins to rise. More pruning of fruit trees is done in ,lto winter than at any: other season, not it the winter inonthß are preferable, Wtlfr cause the cultivator can usually sparetho time better, and from this causejinucli t)i should be done during the summerisleft till 'winter. The best seasons for flt^fo all kinds of fruit and ornamental trees in winter and summer. The winder pruning should if possible take place while the cap of the tree is at perfect rest; tho Eumnra, when the wood is beginning: to get Im The winter pruning has one advantageovs the summer, especially when deciduws trees are to be operated on, and it is tbis that while the tree is denuded ofifcs folup every part of the tree is exposed to viw, and it is then quite easy for the open tor to determine which branches mootl be removed to admit more light and ail to all parts of the tree, what pi want cutting' farther b,ack, and. Iras regulating what was unavoidably ova looked during the summer pruning.,]« pruning, the operator should looS ™ at the general habits and natural shared specimens, for almost every variety, pin quire a slightly different method pf.tw ment. Some varieties [will require to b» thinned out, while others will need M headed back for the purpose pf forcinp greater number of lateral bracches^ Anotier matter which requires attention is, if p» sible, to get the whole head of the tee w balanced, and see that no greater mmW branches are left to grew on one side W on another. If the:trees are young" growing vigorously, very little pruning «v be required, unless such as willbeneedfll to direct the flow of sap into such brawls as are required for making the pennaMjJ structure of the tree. Young trees*; through some cause have tq be, severs;, pruned back, should receive a wrrespt ding pruning at the roots, as witto^ a severe pruning of the head would * tend to promote rapid rank growth, ■]*» would be useless for growing good croj»« fr.uit for some years. Of course, if w iw is'not well balanced, or the branch^ each other, and are otherwise peww^ torted, the pruning knife .must; ,&e» so as to gefi and keepthem f[Wfitt and give free access of I«W.aJ«W" parts of the tree. By allowwff jgjj grow freely and unchecked, merely ejj unruly branches, they are more hkj come into bearing early thani the hj» were severely pruned every year «u~ root-pruning is also Pe ™ectt n J.i! growing trees, aad especially m > !J produce numbers of slender branctej quire more pruning. than the.*J growers ; for by thinning out indtog back we reduce the numbervflf tajj and cause the flow <* »P,£. remain, thus increasing then :jm Pruning when properly prfc mcd operation that is morepriess beneW afi kinds of trees and shrubs. V { J we not only bring them into ttofefe put also in a measure conirog^ forces of the trees, distributing; tgJ through all the various ranufta*Jg,*^ tree, and giving the fruiV ■« fy wood their proper prpPor^^||;i secret of proper Fun, vIS o [ H knowing the hab^ and nature different trees to *9 operand how to produce wood, etc., $?%$% the future use of each ■ vM ■ » branch, and how to f^f^^ti) stances that may arieoj? particular plan" laid down^ W ys d general rules can belaid Wgft Is a guide to the inexpenw^ n(# matted as the particular WP^M sary for each must be determined % J^gW ing to circumstances and the sta,^ arl in while the pruning «b r ef g^ For this reason alone, e p r r e,Sdbe; pruning only \^n^Smf, lowed to touch them. .WfaMtl spoiled through neglect ana m f•■ than from any other cause. {To be CoyiiMiM-)^ • J = ~~*^**^~flVitel o^v The Cautious Farmer.-w?1 W farmer: "Will m: ™®S£fW Farmer: "Will! » Register, sign your name, ub ,y Farmer: - Not much,. f^ m f don'fcgitmeto Wn^Zfrtf,

THE AUORLAHD EVENING STAB, SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1887.

2