RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zvmiel.]

Some ■write, a neiphbmr's name to lash; Some write—vain tonight!—for needful cash.; Somo write to please tho country claah, And raiso a din. Por me, an aim I never fash— 1 write for fun.

The near approach of the Christmas and New Year holidays, with their accompany ing saturnalia, suggests a few reflections on the rationale of holiday-making and tho

morale of oar methods of merry-making. Leaving the more serious work of ratiocina tion to others, I would confine my remarks to the aoral aspects a our midsummer madness. Tho turf and the drama arc, as usual, ready to allure thousands into the paths of pleasure —excursion and picnic parties are being organised, tho Christmas goose is being fattened, and people gene rally are preparing to enjoy themselves or " bust." Even the churches have caught tho in-foction, and what with bazaars, Christina" trees, Sunday-school Ft-tcp, and other forms 'of jollification, they seem determined that the devil shall not scoop in all tho dollars that are scattered about so freely at tho festal season. From this it, is plain thafe our clergy still look upon horse-racing and theatre-going as immoral practices ; but instead of sternly condemning' the gambling and mumming, they are setting themselves to sanctify "those methods of money making. Still, there is more of the element of " sport" in risking a pound on the totalisator than in raffling for a kiss from a Sabbath School miss, and 1 fear that the snare of the fancy fair will be spread in vain in the sight of the lovers of gambling.

Might I suggest that our clergymen should adopt the tactics of some of their Melbourne brethren, and instead of running opposition to the races, go out and mix with the people in their holiday-making. 1 f.iuoy how some of the parsons would stare at the sight of " pillars of tho church " taking an active part in tho popular sport. (Several Victorian clergymen went to Flem ington on last Melbourne Cup day, and they afterwards published in the leading evening paper an account of their impres sions. " One of these gentlemen stated that in all his peregrinations he heard nothing that could shock the most delicate ears, or offend the vision of the most sensitive. The people, he said, seemed to be bent on a day's enjoyment, and they were doing it without in any way compromising the national character for good behaviour in all public places. A more orderly crowd of spectators could rarely be found. The gambling spirit that one might, look for did nob prevail. Speaking as a clergy man of the Church of England, he saw no thing that called for severe condemnation, ;and ho had been agreeably surprised at the state of things. He believed that, speaking (generally, the spectators at the Cup were none the worse for their modo of relaxation, and had, in fact, profited by the holiday. He coincided with tho views expressed by a brother clergyman when he said that the vast majority of the people assembled on Flemington Flab would return to their •homes with jusfc the same feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, and no more con tamination,than those whom the omnibuses, lorries and boats would bring back from the scores of picnic and country excursions hold on that day.

It is, of course, impossible to say how far this " clergyman of the Church of Eng land " had been familiarised with the gambling spirit at bazaars and fancy fairs, so that hi.s sensibilities were blunted and he was able to view Flem iugton on Cup Day with a philosophic calmness that I fancy it would bo quite im possible for our Wesleyan and Presby terian ministers to experience when gazing on tho frantic crowd of Luck's votaries fighting their way to tho totalisator. Stll, the example is worthy of imitation. If ministers of the strait est sect of Christians havo been toying with the deadly cobra of gambling, it will do them good to see the vice exposed in all that naked hideousness which they aro so fond of painting. The Rev. Mr Spurgeon, for instance, might get a few additional ideas for his clever lecture on " Luck," and a visit to Ellerslie on Boxing Day might supply other clergymon with material for several stirring discourses. It is very shocking to think, on tho other hand, that the parsons, seeing deacons and their wives indulging in the mild dissipation of hop beer and the little excitement of v :half-crown "sweep" amid such exhilarat ing surroundings, might be constrained to confess that the " sporfc of kings " was nob so very immoral after all. "Zamiel" has .been there, and he has neither been shocked, Inor demoralised, nor "cleaned out." It , would, however, bo most instructive to have the opinions of our clergy on the morality of frequenting race-meetings, founded upon actual experience, and I am ■sure the editor of the Stab would only bo :too glad to publish those opinions, whether they were favourable or the reverse. Will W. Percival take the hint, and send grand stand tickets to the different clergyman.

As another example of how " the Church " is copying the methods of " the world," I note the fact that a Glasgow minister —the Rev. Mr Rattray of Park head Parish Church—on a recent Sunday, after having given previous notice of his intention to do so, read and discoursed upon "Faust," which Mr Henry Irving had been representing in that city. A large congregation assembled, and after a " pre liminary service" of twenty minutes Mr Rattray laid aside his Bible and hymnbook and gave his hearers fully an hour of "Faust." And why not? The congrega tion was doubtless larger than the preacher had drawn before, and the sermon, I feel certain, would be more effective than any dry disquisition on the character of Abraham would have been. Natural history sermons might also be suggested as a means of interesting people in moral truths. The masses of the people, and not the few alone, are now able to find " sermons in stones," and many a man is able to say in the (slightly altered) words of Wordsworth: — " An impulse from a vernal wood 1 Can teach me more of man— Of moral evil, and of good. Than all the churches can!" * * ♦ 't * * * * * Now is the time when benevolent feel ings assert their sway over the bosom, when sweet charity is dispensed to the poor and needy ones, and when the •true philanthropist experiences that it is more bleeeed to give than receive. An iiiuthentic instance of the manner in which 'Christmas bounty is dispensed may prove of value to my readers in these dull times, so :I have pleasure in disclosing the modus opcrandi. A benevolent lady interviews the leading tradesmen, telling them that she has formed ; euch a sweet project for giving the orphan i children a feed of Christmas pudding. She •wants to make a monster of 401b weight, and the butcher at once opens his heart and presents as much suet as is required, with a donation of 5s besides, " to buy ■the other ingredients, you know." Then the lady wends her way to- the grocer, but instead of buying the other ingredients Bhe cadges them, and extracts 5s in cash as well. In due course the children are feasted, and a nion little paragraph appears in the i/aper, chronicling the fact, and giving all the credit to tho well-known»

generosity of Mrs So-and-so. That is how it used to happen ; but one year one of the shopkeepers 'thought ho would make a tew inquiries, and the result certainly threw a new light on the generosity of tho pudding dispenser. He found that tho opposi tion butcher and grocer had boon requisitioned and had given sufficient stuitto make a second 401b pudding and 5s each in addition. It thus appeared that tho kind-hearted lady had secured for her own family a 401b pudding and tl in cash us the result of her philanthropic exertions, while she got all the honour and credit be sides. Verily, benevolence pays, and it might be well if everyone were to lay to heart the lesson of this revelation.

The grand old institution of trial by jm-y is apparently fast becoming nothing more than a farce. Every session some now vagaries of juries aro recorded. During tho present session one jury disagreed upon the clearest possible evidence, simply be cause one grim Bible student could not briu" his couseiouce to convict the prisoner unless there was the testimony of the wit nesses upon every point. Tho second jury brought in tho prisoner guilty, and as ho had been previously convicted 10 times ho was scut up for v term that will insure more than o.uo Christmas dinner aC Govern ment expense. Again, in the cattle killing ease preferred against Richard Ifiiekett, somo of the jury sympathised with the prisoner. It is singular that generally when the juror.-; do fjat sympathetic it is a regular- bad hand that they adopt. In thu c;i>o referred to, the prisoner had six previous convictions recorded against him, in addition to which he had once in dulged his criminal proclivities by trying to break from custody. On that occasion this young scoundrel threw some hot "burgoo" in the face of tho warder and then " cut his stick." And yet in the faeo of the clearest possible evidence, as pointed out by His Honor, two jurors held out for several hours and at length only gave way when a recommendation to mercy was added. Fortunately His Honor ignored the rider and sent up tho prisoner for threes years. Of course the jury aro not informed of the previous career of tho prisoner in order that they may not bo prejudiced. Somo people also have a queer idea of ad ministering justice. For instance ono juror was heard to state that if ho was on tho jury in a certain case, nothing would make him bring in a verdict of guilty. Imagine the effect of two such men getting on a jury to try an innocent man, if they had decided that he wad guilty.

Old hands at. tho jury business me now well able to work the thing. For instance, the juries almost invariably retire toconsidor their verdict no matter how clear the evid ence may bo. To the uninitiated this may *epm a useless waste of time, but it in nob so. The jury aro simply removed bo an adjoin ing room, where thoyremain until they learn that tho jury has been empanelled in the next case, then (hoy return into court with their verdict, and not unfrcquontly are ro lioved from attendance for the remainder of that. day. Ono day this weok the jury re mained "considering"' their verdict tor about two hours after they hud decided to bring in tho prisoner guilty. The reason of this was thatthey had been locked up during the adjournment and wanted a grateful country toprovidedinner. Had they brought in their verdict at 2 p.m., they would have been compelled to stay without dinner. In stead of doing that tho foreman returned into court and asked Hit; Honor to provide dinner, as they were not quite determined upon their verdict. Apparently, thoy were quito unanimous as to tho necessity for having dinner. The jurors hud lunch and still remained in seclusion, until a constable, who guessed what- was going on, quietly opened tho door of tho room and said, " 1 may tell you, gentlemen, that it's no good waiting, as no other cases will bo taken to day. You will be free men as soon a« you return the verdict." That being quito satisfactory, tho jury, iv a remarkably short space of time, returned into court with their verdiot.

It is popularly believed that New Zea land possesses the only original financial wizard, but that is a vulgar error, _ In Aus tralia—meaning New South Wales, of cour.se —they have a man who knows how to jnggle with tho spondulics. Everybody knows"that tho New South Wales Bud get, delivered some ten daya ago, disclosod a serious deficit; but everybody doesn't know that this deficit was produced by a process of financial legerdemain before which all the accomplishments known by the generic: term of " Vogelism " sink into insignificance. Tho Minister of .Justice " gave away" liia colleague, for speaking at a banquet given by the Art Society in Sydney last week ho said : -Tho Govern ment might, had they chosen, have pre sented a much hotter balance-sheet than they had. Instead of having;' a deficit of £150,000, there was in reality an actual surplus, but so great had boon the desire of tho Ministry to present to tho country the very worst possible caee in regard to the finances, that they had allowed themselves to show this deficit which was arousing so much criticism." There's a patriotic wizard for you ! A man who can manu facture a deficit in this fashion would be invaluable in the United Htates at the pre sent time. What would not President Cleveland give just now for the assistance of this " Australian " Treasurer in convert ing those thousands of superfluous dollars which he has now on hand into a deficit ?

Men Famous in Youth.

Fox was in Parliament at nineteen. Crom well left the University of Cambridge at eighteen. John Bright never *was at schoo after he was fifteen yeara old. Gladstone was in Parliament at twenty-two, and at twenty-four was a Lord of the Treasury. Lord Bacon graduated at Cambridge when sixteen, and was called to the bar at twenty-four. Peel was in Parliament at twenty-one, and Palmerston was Lord of the Admiralty at twenty-three. Hy. Clay was in the Senate of tho United States at twenty nine, contrary to the Constitution. John Hampton, after graduating at Oxford, was a student-at-law in the Inner Temple at nineteen. Gustavus Adolphus ascended the throne afc sixteen; before he was thirty-four he was one of the great rulers of Europe. Judge Story was at Harvard at fifteen, in Congress at twenty-nine, and Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States at thirty-two. Martin Luther had become largely distinguished at twenty four, and at fifty-six had reached the topmost round of his worldwide fame. Conde conducted a memorable campaign at seventeen, and at twenty-two he, and Turenne also, were of the most illustrious ■men of their time. Washington was a dis tinguished colonel in the army at twenty two, early in public affairs, commander of the forces at forty-three, and President of the United States at fifty-seven. Maurice of Saxony died at thirty-two, conceded to have been one of the profoundesfc statesmen and one of the ablest generals which Chris tendom had ever seen. Napoleon at twenty-five commanded the Army of Italy. At thirty he was not only one of the most illustrious generals of all time, but one of the great lawgivers of the world. At forty-six he saw Water loo. The groat Leo X. was Pope at thirty cighfc. Baying finished his academic train ing, he took the office of Cardinal at eighteen — only twelve months younger than was Charles James Fox when ho entered Parliament. Only ono civilian out of the Presidents of America gained his first election after he was sixty, and that one wap James Buchanan. The chance for the Presidency alter sixty is email, and growing less.

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

Decombcr22-HlkiirangiJookoyCub. . December 26, January 3, 3- ; Aucka ß u Racing Club Summer Meeting.-General entries, Do- DecombwSfi and 27,-Northcrn Jockoy Club, December 26-Hawke's Uay Jookoy Club a liox-

])ecenUufr26-Pukokoho Racing[Club Mooting. January 2-Cantcrbury Jockey Club's Summer

Meeting. _ , _ January 21-Pluiupton Park Rue.es. . January 23 and 26-Isltuid Bay Racing Club February^, 1— Wellington llaeing Club's Sum mer Meeting. . «, ~ February 23, 24,25—Uuncdm Autumn Meeting.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G.P. (Freeman's Bay).—The totalisator tickets issued on the last Auckland Cup wore Hi 0 «'h both insldo and outbido-tho paddock, iho totals ol! both machines were put together.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Jliitona.]

Yjsstkwday was .1 busy day amongat horse-ownersjon account of the acceptances for thi) Racing Club Handicap, Derby, ami the general entries for tho minor events o tho A. i:.C. Summer Mooting becoming duo' Tho Hat will be found in another portion of this issue. During the week there has boen somo good, useful work got through nb Ellerslic in tho mornings, and tho arrival of Sextant and tho steoplechaKor Isaac lias lent an additional interest to tho pro ceedings. O'Brion has Sextant looking well, and next week wo will no doubt have tho pleasure of seeing him nlaek ened out in earnest. Tho hoii of Robinson Cntsoo is a Huo-looldng horse in point of appenranco. Nelson gets through his work in good style, and if the ground is firm and dry on Cup day, 1 shall expect to see him run ono of his best races. 1 don't think that Chaafe has tho Derby or Cup winner amongst his lot, but the veteran id determined that the louts .shall not «cc any j fast work performed by them, for ho is at it j before the .stars arc oil' the sky. Both j Antelope and Baliata aro doing well, and the pair should annex a raco or two at thu meeting. 1 hear that when Mr D. O'Brien was at Wellington, on hi.-i way up to Auckland, ho j received a telegram from Alv Stead ofluring him £2,000 for .Sextant and Gipsy Kiujf. Mr O'Brien did nob consider the sum aulli-1 cicnt, and, I understand, ho replied to that eifcet.

The New Zealand Stud Company havo had a catalogue issued f^iviny full partieu* lava of the yearling** to be ofl'orod at tho forthcoming Balo osi tho 4(h of January. It is expected that thoro will bo soino lively competition on tho day for neveral of tho lots thnt'aro to be submitted.

From Melbourne I learn that -Mr F. F. Dakin has deemed ib ndvtmiblo to give Silver I'riniro n «poll, and with thirf objoot tliu .son of A uterus—Sylvia has beun K>nl to the paddock. News from (lie wuuo quaitcr alwo states that Hardius hits so Inr recovered from luh mishap in the Mel bourne Cii]i that lio lias boon turnedoul for a spell. Mr Wtil tern's animal sale of yearlings takes pluco at L'npakura during the ruce carnival week, but tho date is nofcyotdofinitely fixed. Thero will bo eight youngster* (submitted, viz., bay oolt by Torpedo—Yutberina; buy filly by Tornoclo —Rosarina ; brown colt by IngomarFunny Fisher ; bay filly by Inproinnr Hipporina; bny filly by lngomar —-Fishgirl; brown filly by Hippocampus - (hand Duchess ; black filly by Hippo campus—Slander; and a choatnut filly by Loolinus—Venus Transit. lam told that the draft arc well-grown and in excellent condition.

Tho following aro tho acceptances for i ho Summer Cup, 1& milo, run nt Randwick on Boxing Day :—Algerian, 9ut 71b ; Silver mine, 9sb 51b; llorioydew, 9.sfc 31b; Spade (Juinea, 9sfc; Pasha, Bst 121b ; First Chester, 88fcl01b; Molonion, Bab 41b ; Cardigan, Bsb lib : Ben Holt, Bst 21b ; Yabba, Bat j Loich hardb, 7st 121b ; Crowifiro, 7sfc lllb ; Kitawa, 7«b 91b ; Acme, 7at 71b : Ravonsworth, 7st 71b ; 'Frisco, 7st 51!j ; Fraud, 7s t 51b ; Touch stone, 756 31b ; Burrilda, 7st 31b ; Enigma, 7t>t; First Flanour, 7st: King's Own, u.-'t 121b; Upper Cut. 6*b 121b ;Sorolla, 6sb 101b; Allandalo. 6nb lOll> ; Vespflßia, 6afc 7H>; Emerald, (»t TII *: ('cores*, 6st 71b ; Tho Queen, 6.*t 51b ; Bonnio Pooh, 6st 51b ; Kosobud, 6st 3lb.

Keuolvo, the winner of Liu* fiawkesbury Summer Cup, loft the post friondloss nb 10 lo 1. It is paid he lms been om: of tho most iii-nnd-out innnors Now .South Wales can boast of. Ono paper staten that Mr \V. Lyons's horso Figtroe was going better tlian anything elso in tho raco after round ing the turn, but ho shirked it at tho finish and got no nearer than third. 1 gather from " Martindale's" Rand wick training notes that tho Auckland-bred pail' Rosebud and Kingh'sh aro in really good form just now. Troitfcon it* being worked in neck sweaters, and Niagara is getting through easy tasks. After no ond of disappointment.-? tho Bal larafc horse Recall, by The Drummer from Croobotto, has contributed something to wards his expenses by winning the Ballarat Cup of 150sovs. from a field of live moderate?. Ho was ridden by Power, and his starting price at the post waa 5 to 1. The death is announced of tho thorough bred stallion The Diver, by Maribyrnong from Gwendoline, winner of the Wagga Oup and sire of Grace Darling. It appears that ho was performing stud duty at the Decameron stud when he fell heavily and sustained injuries which resulted in death. Mr A. Town has also sustained another loss in the death of two more of his yearlings, a bay filly by Sardonyx from Maria having died from influenza, while another by Young Bnowden out of Hamlet's daughter Telescope succumbed to lockjaw.

Mr H. Oxonham has parted with Teddy Yuillo to tho Sydney sportsman, Mr S. R, Kennedy, for lOOsovs. The son of Anteros and Atalanta goes into M. Kelly's stable, Redfern. Referring to tho raco for tho Hawkewbury Selling Plate on tho 3rd inst, which Teddy Yuille won, a Sydney scribe writes:—"The favourite, Teddy Yuille, and Paladin finished bo close together that the jud^e was unable to separate them and a dead-hent was returned. In tho run-off the pair remained locked together from the jump, and after a desperate finish Teddy Yuille won by a short head."

A recent visitor to Mr John Crozier's breeding establishment at Geelong Bays that the celebrated sire St. Albans has for a year past .suffered so from rheumatism that he has fallen away very much and could only be put to a fow mares this season. Ho is said to be more like a horse in full training than a sire doing stud duty.

A STUD STROLL IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE HON. JAS. WHITE'S BREEDING ESTABLISHMENT AT KIRKHAAI.

[By Hipi'ona.]

There is no Australian that follows turf pursuits who is so well-known and co much respected in Auckland as tho Hon. James White. His namo is almost a house' hold word amongst us, for ifc was through his purchasing Martini-Henry when a year, ling from the Now Zealand Stud Company that Musket's fame was first established in these colonies. Martini-Henry's brilliant performances in tho Melbourne Derby and Cup at tho time wore tho talk of the hour bhrbughouii Australia, and from that period. wo became famous, and Auckland took rank as the head-quarters of

breeding tho thoroughbred in Now Zealand Under these oiroumstaneos, thon_, how could 1 visit Sydney without ronewing my ao quaintanc'o with Martini-Henry at tho Kirkham brooding establishment, not to mention having nn audienco there with Chester, and a stroll through the paddocks which contain aristocratic matrons whose t)rogony have won some of tho greatest of Australian races? Kirkham is situated at tho protby little country town of Camdon, about forty miles from Sydney, and the journey is accomplished by rail and tram. Tho farm consists of 1,000 acres of land, and a portion of ono side is bounded by a narrow branch of tho Nopean. On a prominent site the owner has a splendid mansion erected, and at the timo of my visit ho was having1 tho grounds that sur round ifc nowly laid out, and an elaborate coach-house and stables built. The estate is a splendid ono for the breeding of the thoroughbred, all tho paddocks contain ing luxuriant foed up to the horses' knoes, and there is plenty of water and line shelter provided by English oak trees. All the paddocks containing the mares and foals are sown with beautiful lucerne and prairie •n-ass, and it grows in nioro than abun dance. My timo being limited, imme diately I arrived at Kirkham tour of inspection commenced. The first paddock 1 was conducted to contained thirteen brood mares, with foals ut foot. Copra (a full sister to Trident) had a colt by Chester running at her side, and Uralla was attended by a nico iilly, sired by Mar tini-Henry. Both of these fouls are the first progeny of tho mares named, ami they do credit to them. Percussion, tho Auckland-bred (.laughter of Musket and Sister Agnus, who was purchased by Mr White as a yearling, had a promising colt by Chester at her side. 1 thought Pm-cuk sion to bo ono of the illicit mares in tho paddock, and as who has plenty of good brooding, I think ib is oertain that sho makes her murk at tho stud. Another lino mure i& Tempo, l>y Nomnus - - Whito and Blue, who has a beautiful colfc by Chester, the first of her progeny. I Queenof Nations', amarogotbyMaribyruong j from Britannia, and bought ab Mr ! A. Town.? salo when a yearling, | was nlbo attended by tlio lirsb of her progony living, in (In- shape of .i colt .sired by Chester, An intelligent-looking grey marc is Kathleen, got. by Lord of [Juno (imp.), land who is known to fame an the mother of Monte Christo and Pontifex. Running at her side was a very strong, even-built, colt, got by Chester, who in colour promises to lake after his hire. Supetba, a bay mare (full sister to those celebrities Richmond, Palmyra, Segenhoe, and Boaworth), was ; at Leaded by a uiee filly sire! by Chester. ! A iiiefj-rihapcd marc is Suporba, but at the | racing game she proved a coinploto " frost," for after her owner paying a. groat price for her, sho <lid not win him a race in return. Kaipura is a marc 1 have a great afleoLion fur on breeding grounds, fur she was got by Sylvia's son C ioldsborough out of Maritana. , by Now Warrior out of Mornntid, by Fisher i man. What better oi mure successful ! blood caii you have than this? Kaipara is only a young mare, being foaled in ICSO, j ami at her side aho had a nice (illy* by ! Chester, I liked grently a buy yuro j named l.ily Hawthorn, who was fit toncled by a good-loukiiig filly ;;iivd by Martini-Henry. Lily Hawthorn warf bred in I'nglaiul in 1874, and was im ported to New South WaloH by .Mr White in 1081. She was got by Knight oi tho Crc<sc!Oiit out of Hawthorn Bloom (dam of Heath Bird and Whin Blossom), by Kettle drum out of Lady Alice Ifuwthorn, by Now lninster, and runs back to tho famous mare Alice Hawthorn, so that sho has plenty of stout blood in her voi»n. A bay mure, I'hil lina (dam of Philip Augustus), is one that would recommend herself to notice any where, and nt her side was a lino iilly foal by Martini Henry. Tho other inn res m tho paddock ware Molanie (by Tho Marquis— Art Union), who had a chestnafc colt foal by Martini-Henry : Regret (by The Marquis — liagpiekir) attended by a iilly ioal Hired by Martini-Henry; and Tatters, by Robinson Crusoe Ragpicker, who had run ning at her heels a Chester filly. Those three matrons were purchased by Mr White at tho time of tho disposal of the Tcrara .Stud, and a very promising trio they are. All tho mares in tho paddock were in splendid condition, and the foals strong and hoalthy-lOokicig. None of the mares visited the horse this season, for Mr White adopts tho system of breeding Irom a mare only onco in two years. Crossing over to an other paddock, 1 was introduced to Mr (I. I). Stead's matron Iris, sent across from Christehurch, and who had been served by Martini-Henry. She had a colt ioal running at her side, which blio dropped soon after lior arrival at Kirkhnm. Quietly nibbling tho lucernocloso to Iris,l recognised Lady Vivian, who it will bo remembered was brought down to Sylvia Park on a visit to Musket, ami the result of the union was a lilly named Volley, who is now in training at Mr White's stables at Ilundwick. Lady Vivian had a iilly this season by Martini- Henry, but it died while foaling, and she has again visited tho same horse. Tho other mares running in this enclosure were Amelia (by Musket -L'Orient); Goldfinch (by Kingston—Little John), who claims boing tho dam ot Morpetb, the Australian Cup winner; Tho Alpaca (by Kingston— Lilla); Angora (by Maribyrnong — The Alpaca); Etna (by Maribyrnong — The Alpaca) ; Gymkanah (by Emulation — Gaiety); Wheel of Fortune (by Golds brough — Brown Duchess, full sister to Abcrcorn's dam Cinnamon), and Leonine by Yattendon —Thyra). These eight marcs had this season visited Chester, and tho following lot, who were also grazing in the samo paddock, had been served by Martini- Henry, viz., tho imported English mares Tho Solent (by Favonious—Lady New by) and Rusk (by Brown Bread—Sophia); Mascotte (by Lecturer out of Monte Christo's dam Kathleen); Aveline (by Yqlverton—Valetta); and Brown and Roso, tho property of Mr A. F. Smart. Bidding adieu to this bevy of equine queens, we saun tered to another paddock, where I was ushered into the presence of the two Ches ter colts that Mr White has bred to English time with a view of winning the Epsom Derby. One of the youngsters is out of La Princcsse (Cranbrook's dam), and the other is out of Princess Maudo (dam of Acme). They were foaled at the end of February last, and are consequently ten months old. Both colts are magnificent fellows, and it would bo hard for the most captions of critics to pick a fault in them. Of the two, though,l like the full brother to Cranbrook best. Ho is a chestnut in colour, and is marked with a blazo down his faco. In conformation he is very ovenly made, and has plenty of power aiid quality, with good sound-looking legs and feet. If ever there was a colt Brad like a Derby winner, ib is this one, for La Princesso was got by Cathedral out of Princess of Wales, . tho dam of tho English Derby winner George Frederick, Albert Victor, LoiußO Victoria, and Albert Edward. Tho colt out of Princess Maude is marked with a star and snip, and he has the same strains of blood and any quantity of good racing points. Princess Maude and La Princesse are both out of Princess of Wales, and wore imported from England to New South Wales by their owner. Ib is the intention of Mr White to have theso English-bred youngsters broken in when tho time arrives, and put in work. A short distance from this valuable quartette, was another beautiful paddock which contained six brood mares served in February last to English timo. I am glad to say that the lot appear to havo held, and they aro expected to foal in February next. Tho marcs served are Aberoorn's dam Cinnamon (by Goldsbrough—Brown Duchess) ; Trafal gar (by Blair Athol out of Mosquito, sister to Musket); tho Maribyrnong Plate winner, lolanthe (by Maribyrnong — Rosedale); Malacca (by King of tho Forest—Catinka) j

Uralla's dam Moonstone (by Blair Athol— Amethyst); and Episode (by See Saw oat of Tho Inch, an own sister to Craig Millar). Tho throe first-named mares were served by Chester, and the throe latter visited Martini-Henry's harem. After partaking of lunoh in Mr White's house, we inter viowod some of the yearlings, who were scampering about a richly-clad paddock. Four out of tho seven youngsters had been gelded, and tho other three were of the weaker box. I liked most the gelding by Martini Henry out of The Solent, a fine strapping fellow with plenty of length and power, and a promis ing pair aro the geldings by Martini-Henry out of Wheel of Fortune and Rusk. Tho mothers of these three youngsters are Eng lish-bred, and were imported by Mr White. A f;roy colb by Chester—Masootte had a number of good points, and a chestnut iilly by Chester —Cinnamon (full sister to Aber corn) gave evidence in the paddock of being a galloper, while I liked a filly by Cheater out of The Alpaca, tho mother of Woodlands, Etna, Hecla, Bathurat, Aber i'oyle, and Angora. Mr White has alto gether ten yearlings, and the re maining three occupied boxes. These wero a colb by Chester out of Trafal gar ; a colb by Chester — Goldfinch (full brother toMorpethand Aberdeen), and a colt by Martini-Henry out of Malacca, the darn of Sumatra. Thi« latter colt I voted the pick of the basket. A more symmet rical youngster I have not cast eyes on, and iii addition ho possesses tho wonderful .Musket quarters and loins. The inspection of the yearlings being finished, we invade tho privacy of Chester's domain. The great son of Yattendon was looking in splendid health, and after I inspected him in his box, tho rein was removed, and after indulging in some exercise in his nicely-shaded enclosure,'he treated himself to a roll in the sand hole made for the purpose. Chester stands aboul 16-2, and he lias size, substance, bone and symmetry combined. His quarters are particularly good, bub thero is ono thing I don't like about him, and that is his neck, which is short and very gross. However, the proof of tho pudding is in tho eating, and Chester has proved that ho can get racehorses of the highest calibre. His success at the stud has been almost phenomena!,and is only commensurate with his wonderful form when ho was racing, for J find that on looking over some old records that during his career, Chester started 29 times, and he lias the great record of 11) wins, 7 f-eeonds, and 1 third, while lie was only unplaced on two occasions. Our in terview with Chester being ended, steps wore directed to Martini-Henry's harem, ami as I enter it, my hat is raisod i,, the most brilliant thoroughbred that Auckland Can boast of breed ing. Martini-Henry is a remarkably well made horse, take him where you will, and lie has plenty of stylo and character about him. We linger some time over the son of Musket and Sylvia, and 1 express the opinion that he id a better-shaped one than Chester, in which 1 may mention his owner agrees with me. Mr White has a great opinion of Martini-Henry's ability To get racehorses, and for proof of this we have only to look at the great chance he has given tho horse to distinguish himself, for Tio has had some of his very best mares. In a conversation I hail with Mr White he expressed tho opinion to me that the best yearling he had on his farm this season was sired by Martini-Henry. All of Martini's progeny certainly do him credit, for they have plenty of size and bone and show lots of substance. Phil Athol, a son of Blair Athol and Phillina, is another stallion located at Kirkham. He is as big and powerful as a draught horse, but he has never had much chance, the best mares ho lias tiorved being Morok's dam, Jewel, who is a (laughter of Gemma di Vergy and Young Gulnaro, and Cameo, the mother of Toronto, owned by Mr If. Oxcnham. Mr White makes it a practice not to give hia stallions more than eight or nine marcs in one season, and Chester lias never served more than ten. It i 3 also a rule of Mr White to his employees that ho will not havo his stallions dressed further than hav ing their mano and tail brushed out. The proprietor does not believe in "showbusi ness," and he makes the rule imperative. Tho inspection of the stud being com pleted, I was then introduced to a couple of two-year-olds who had been recently broken in, viz., Tyion, by Robinson Crusoe out of Walri'k, by King of the Ring ; and Ensign, by (Grandmaster -Formosa, by Yattendon. Tyron is very evenly made, and has great length from tho hip to the hock, while he has a nice lean neck and game head. His companion, Ensign, stands close on 15 hands and covers a lot of ground, while his leg 3 look as if they would stand plenty of wear and tear. The interview with the two-year olds brought to a close what was to me a genuine treat, and the time I spent at Kirkham will always be looked back to with the very greatest pleasure. T may mention that Mr White's stud groom at Kirkham is Henry Bellingham, and a faithful sor vant he appears to be. Bellingham has re sided on tho estate for over thirty-five years, and has been in Mr White's employ for ten years of tho time.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Actjeojj.)

ATHLETICS.

December 24-Hall v. Murphy (Wellington) Lightwoitrht Championship. December 24-Pickering v. GoodlifFe (sprint) for the Championship of Auckland. January s—Mal thews v. Lams (boxing) for tho Wanganui Championship and belt.

CRICKET.

United scored 180 for six wickets against Auckland A last week. The match was resumed on Thursday evening. Gordon 2nd beat Waitemata. The Brothers Mills divided the bowling honours last week in their match.

Both Jimmy Testro and Arfcy McCormick wore got rid of cheaply last week.

Jack Arneil preferred to watch the Re gatta rather than play for his club. Hardly the thing.

Dan Lynch showed the bepfc cricket; in the Unitod-Auckland match, though ho only scored 27.

A. O'Brien's slow bowling was very effec tive last Saturday, and he secured somo goqd wickets.

W. E. Barton went South yesterday to tako part in ihe Lawn Tennis Tournament at Christchurch during tho holidays.

Beard played a splendid innings of 78, a performance that, ypito of the second-clasa bowling, speaks for itself.

L. Molclrum showed good cricket for his 32 not out last week being especially good on a pet off stroke of his.

J. Cooper and S. Hunter, of tho W. B. C, intend doing the Waikato in a quiet manner during the Christmas holidays. Tesfcro and Jordan both played good innings against Gordon, the former show ing the best cricket and Jordan the hardest hitting. H. Thomas played very stoadily for 21, while R. Whiteaiae stood up and pasted tho bowling all round the field for the, samo number.

L. Meldrum secured five of Parnell's wic kets at a comparatively small cost; J. Down gob two, bub lie proved very expensive; D. Meldrum also gob two and H. P. Kissling one.

iStemson is coming out with a vengeance. Ho was not out, with 41 to his credit, when the stumps were drawn last week, and over half of this score he made in four hits—a seven, two fives and a six-^-twenty t-hveo runs.

Parnell scored 103 against Gordon kit Saturday, to whioh total Gardiner was the chief contributor with 40. Billy played as fine and froo an inningu as over he did, and ho laid the wood in properly when ho gob the chance.

Bob Yates.is showing some of his old form. Ho scored rapidly last Saturday, and his innings of 82 was an excellent ono, Bob showing some fine forward strokes and clean cuts, and ho made few or no mistakes until a curly one from O'Brien beat him. There was aomo very good and some very indifferent cricket shown on tho Cricket Ground last Saturday. Perhaps tho biggest sensation outside some tflll hitting was the holy show Holland made of Auckland B, who only mustered seven men. Holland made 166, Auckland 9 for six wickets. Moresby was prevented from playing at the beginning of the season, owing to an ac cident in the football field to one of his wrists, but he ia quite recovered now. Last week ho performed excellently for 16 not out, playing a very nico innings, with come fine strokes, including one to fog for five. When Gordon went in to bat against Par nell two wickets soon fell, H. Lusk going first ball, beaten by Angus, while N. Wil liams received his quietus from the same bowler after he had acored eight. L. Mel drum and Moresby, however, put a differ ent look on affairs, and when time was called were not out, with the score at 60. The game was finished yesterday afternoon. The following appeared in tho " Weekly Press " : —I understand that Fowko has re ceived a communication from Auckland asking him to go North next season. I believo that the inducements offered by the Aucklunders are considered satisfactory by the Canterbury wicket-keeper, and that it is his intention at present to comply with the request.

CYCLING.

Major Knox Holmes, eighty years of age, has beaten tho world's record on a tricycle for 25 miles and 30 miles.

Arthur Howard went South yesterday to take part in the Grandlnternational Cycling Tournament on the 26th and 27th inst. Ho goes on his own account. Seven of the Waitemata B.C. went as far as Drury last Saturday, and found the roads very fair. After enjoying themselves immensely, they returned on Sunday. Handyside has obtained Selby's racing machine, and last Tuesday went South by the s.s. Takapuna to take part in the Cycling Tournament at Christchurch as the representative of the W.B.C. The bicycle visitors from Whangarei proceeded to the Thames by steamer this week. They declared that the roads be tween Auckland and Whangarei were very heavy, and'that they had to walk half the distance. There are now seventeen cyclists in Whangarei. The English Champion bicyclists Wood and Brown, who are to compete against the New Zealand champions in a series of test races afc the annual bicycle races at Lancaster Park, on December 26th and 2Tt.li, have advised that they were to leave Melbourne by the Wairarapa on December 6th, and would reach hero about December 14th.

Last week (says tho " Sydney Referee") we gave notice of the performances of Davis, tho South Australian Amateur Champion. The track is the best in the colonies, aiid remarkably fast. Tho re cords are, however, given as correct by all tho cycling people, and will stand as the best in Australia. They are as follows :—

Half - mile, lmin 15isec, being 3-10ths faster than Dvvyer's Australian record.

One milo was completed in 2min 39 2-sth ccc.

Three miles, Bmin 27 l-sth sec, beating his former record (best Australian), Bmin 37sec, by 9 4-5 th sec. Five miles was covered in I4min 27sec, which is 24sec faster than tho best Aus tralian record made by Dvvyer, and is only ssec elower than the best English amateur

record.

AQUATICS.

The Rita and Maritana journeyed to Kawau last week. The latter yacht sighted seven whales.

Logan's new yacht has been launched, and sails splendidly. She is owned by Mr Buchanan, of the North Shore, Vice-Cap tain of the Yacht Club.

Tbe half deckers Pixie, Dixie, and Ariel had a scratch trial of speed last Sunday winch resulted in no decided advantage to any of them.

The Wenona, Albatross, Tawera, Alice, Maratea, Ethel, Dixie, Wanda, and Mas cotte were at Drunken Bay on Saturday. Mr John Reid visjited the yachts on Sunday, and was entertained on board the Wenona.

The finish for second place in the Cham pion Gig Race last Saturday was a very close one. St. George's were leading when fifty yards from the post, when they then slackened down. North Shore came up with a big spurt, but St. George's just answered in time and drove their frail craft into second place by a bare six inches.

Mr Bell, owner of the Thistle, landed in Liverpool on October 21st, from New York, and previous to starting from Glasgow said, in course of an interview, that he had no doubt whatever that the only point on which his yacht was beaten on her merits was going to windward. He believed the prize might still be gained by England, and already Mr Charles Sweet, a Scotchman, living in New York, had sent a challenge and resigned his membership of the New York Yacht Club. He will have a new yacht constructed on the Clyde without centreboard, tbe designer being Mr Watson. The race will probably be run next June.

The Rowing Association have every reason to pat themselves on the back after the successful regatta that was held under their auspices last week. The entries were good, the attendance was splendid, and the majoi-ity of the races showed excellent struggles. Ponsonby had a rare run of luck, as they carried off the Champion Gig Race, also the gig races for juniors and maidens, and if ifc had not been for the hard luck of breaking two sculls when lead ing comfortably they would no doubt have placed the race for Maidens under lOst to their credit also. Their rowing showed quality and that the crews must have practised very hard, while the pace at which they rowed their races reflects credit} on J. McDermott, who acted as trainer to the Club. West End werein a very different position to last year, when they swept the board; this year they have had to be content with one first and two seconds. Their defeats will, I trust, spur them on to re newed exertions, for they have real grit ffl their ranks and their crews do not lack style. I fancy they must have rather underrated their opponents, and partly ac count for their position by that fact. North Shore were successful in the big whalebpat raco in which they again lowered the colours of their old opppnents-thoWaitemata-af tor a very hard struggle. Thiswas the only race the Shore mon could win, but they had ex tremely hard lines. At the last minute, Johnson, one of their maiden and junior crew, could not row, owing to illness, and a green hand had to take his place. After tho first raco thoy saw that with the alteration in their crew they had no show in the Junior Whaleboats and allowed themselves to be scratched. Some skulking blackguard got at their gig previous to tho Champion Race, cutting the canvas open and rendering her unfit for use, so they had to fall back on their old boat—one very unsuitable for raomg in, and this no doubt partly accounted for the position thoy held in the gig races. The tjty Rowing Club rowed in one race--the Maiden Whaleboats — securing third place, and considering tho lightness of the crew they pulled a remarkably game race. The bU. George's crews gave the most surprise.how evor, as they started in b!z races and had one first and five eeoonds, a record secona

newboat^hKLol^,^ o$5W PS gs| struggle for the SL X^* >? ham as umpire, foEA^^fie aunch, butV JrvSr^^fa ! £t° rpquieition ™ «? ** 4* Parke/as judge, and t\ f*A AWn1 starter, gave universal Lthl^^ the manner in which thettSf tl2?> *£ handled in bS^jg^Jk creditably on the skipper r* ftW*

ATHLETICS.

wealthiest of ***&£,£»*•** >nent"i s 80m ewhafc incenS?^! the young lady has taken *<% . lorn Ray, after winning fteEfl. t i ing Championship of CanU^ffl>: turning home to England WW^W gamed for a six weefs' v L t Z, onllbsf- According to a challenVb t ? e^' Chronicle," Ray U willing"to inmnl^ in the world for £100, bfi, r S™ L. Foley and Jack Bukethfer I have been matched to bo? ixSH cup valued at £200 and the gaH±* In speaking toa representati^BH paper Burke stated that he tborf^i the other could be knockfiS"fe« rounds, and he believes it wffl Vi ** good battle. The match wS^* «al oanuary 21st next, and will bef^Ef Marquis of Queensberry rulef W? & is named as referee in the articles of S* ment. WVIOB Wfljjnsfr' Poor MickMonnock! Hislnct i.«i^ ! dead against him. Only SJSSjj went up Parkes way (NewSouth'ffl and secured a small handicap V?'' minutes afterwards he dropped a£J W beery, clumsy, back block lSffw* who would run Monnock or anvonefc' money The match was mad^and fl short tune there stood on the mark A Bide the New Zealander the sborS chubby Bill Clarke, the Melbonr^r who can do 100 yds. inside lOsec, Of con™ Clarke won and everybody in SydneyVS quiring of Monnock who he thinks i^. best man in the colony. ■: The following quotation from the Sydney " Sporting Life f will prove intgresfL & Auckland athletes .-—Buchanan (the Anok lander), who since his late grand reeordjs entitled to champion amateur heary-weight thrower of Australia, is getting "very popular among our leading athletes. At) the Oakleys Swimming .Cfyb'g'iqnatic sports on Saturday last, be was presented with a handsome trophy for winning the one mile handicap open. This was the event of the day, and proved a very trying as the winner, in spite of his strength, fas s» exhausted that it was with great difficulty he reached the stewards' room. This is tW second big event he has carried off; and we are informed that on January 29th, 1888, h» will undertake to break all Australian re-! cords with the weights atFoley's. Athletics Hall. Buchanan is a photographer by pro fession, and is occupied by one of tie lead! ing firms in our city. I was asked by a\correippn i dontr<M. week whether Joe Bradley had cleared cix feet in a jump at the Thames. I bad coc? siderable difficulty in getting any Qxaofcin-i formation on the snbject, for though fheru' were plenty of sports in the town who re-i membered the jump they would not sweat! to the height. At length I wrote to Mr T. G. Sandes, who at one time was a| great athletic authority at tbe Thames, and1 who took a deal of interest in all athletjai gatherings. In reply to my letter I re< ceived the following from Mr Sandffl:^ " Itis quite true that Joepradleycfeffrcdis* feet at Tararu Sports, Thames, in 1869 or 1870. I measured the height myself j ball as he took a header over the bar and landed on his hands, it was hardly considered jumping, and he was disqualified. Manning won the jump that day at about five feet two or two andabalf inches, I cannoti Bay exactly which." It seems Bradley was but a poor jumper at his best when he jumped in a legitimate manner, and shortly after bis Thames per formance was beaten with ease at all sorts of jumps by X Hunt, Bactus, and I?.B. Cox, in sports held at Ngaruawabia. ' Next Saturday Goodliffe i and; Pickering will run a hundred yards raca:forth championship of Auckland and a stoke of £20 a side, on the Takapuna racecourse. There is bound to be a large attendance if the weather is fine, as the Devonporfc Ferry Company have arranged to sell through re turn tickets for one shilling. To the old sports the race -will bring back recollec tions of the last Auckland champion ship race, the time when Billy Ring poo all the professionals down. The race was run in conjunction with the Tradesmen 8 Athletic Club's Sports that in those days took the place of the Demonstration Sports and were held on the same day-Anniver sary Day, the yearbeing 1879. The wasVyards, and the prize the chang ship and a beautiful gold medal There wai a large amount..of interest in jhe 7Z, for' Ring, tbe.bp^ sp^fg of the Amateur Athlete « ]f obtaiped leave from his c ub to ffM*r the championship; against B? 'J^' f There was a large attendance wqtfyj Sltt ai eSToS^S Sfe in a clpse finish WjJPj first two, Huttpnjust wp^g Fifty yards Talk of yelS? an d he had c^|ff firie y {bem^ the P^^? n f>!f ns T "was the cry as hoarse, "B*ng- Rg» b ub Suttoa cfiffl* Billy e hS a San%n » Ift close a finish as evei 1 saw, r , siastsaid. There I !S3S*«J the decis on ft* g«;f Wr J^dhqat W maintaining *h. at that W Huttpn himself aqkno^^ = bt w had "just beaten hWft ■■ 4K» May the race next Saturday «*-■• , In^leandastruearunonp-

"ROUGH ON CORNS"

Ask huifaias. At ofieiaifiß m *»

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB/ SATUBDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1887.

2