RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Some write, a neighbour's name to lash ; Some write—vain thought!—tor needful cash; Some write to please the country clash, And raise a din. For me, an aim I never fash— I write for fun.

It is with a sense of agreeable surprise that I learn of the existence of an Extortion Act in New Zealand. To some people this will seem to be rather stale news ; they will be ready to retort that there have been lots of "extortion acts" in New Zealand of late

years. What acts of extortion have not our friends, the money-lenders, been guilty of, nofc to mention the depredations of the whole tribe of allied traders on

human necessities, such as lawyers, bankers aud pawnbrokers? Have there not been acts of extortion on the parfc of gold-mine " doctors " and limited liability company promoters ? Nay, have not all trades and occupations been ac customed to practise acts of extortion, from the " sacrificing " draper to the " lambing down " publican. "An Extortion Act in New Zealand ! Why, (my imaginary in terlocutor proceeds) if there is any country under heaven where extortion is the rule it it is this Zealandia of ours—this Paradise of Slippers —this Asylum for Swindlers - this . ." Stop! stop! You misunder stand me, my dear friend. I mean an Act of Parliament on the subject of " extortion " —tbi ugh why our lucid legislators should call it an Extortion Act, when it is in reality an Anti-Extortion Act, passes my compre hension.

How did I learn of fche existence of this enactment ? Mr Justice Ward supplied the key to unlock the mystery. On Tuesday he had before him a guileless Welshman named David' Davis —(i judge him to be Welsh by his patronymic, and if I libel tho land of Ap Shenkin, Ap Jones and Co., I am willing to take it back)—and His Honor took occasion to remark that David Davis had, by infringing the Extortion Act, rendered himself liable to imprisonment for life; but, in point of fact, he only ordered David to be kept two years in gaol. Whether this was on account of prisoner's previous good character or pre sent delicate health, I do not care to in quire. The point I wish to bring out is thab " extortion " is a crime in New Zealand, and that the extortioner is liable to penal servitude for the term of his natural life —all the same as a wife-poisoner, a defaulting bank manager, or any other AI scoundrel. I invite my readers to rejoice with me in this' glorious fact, which is better fitted to re move the ugly "depression" than a new ■goldlield or a new flax-scutching machine. Remember, all that David Davis did was ItO coerce a friend into handing him a silver watch and chain ; so when your grocer, or butcher, or banker gives you a bad quarter of an hour trying to squeeze the utter most farthing from you, a gentle reminder of the Coercion Act may bring them to their senses. True, Mr Davis enforced his demand by threats of laying a diabolical criminal charge against his victim ; but do nofc the " pushing " tradesmen and merciless money-lenders hold threats of bailiffs, bankruptcy, and imprisonment over ♦your devoted heads ? I am sorry for the martyred Davis ; bufc I earnestly trust that his sad fate will be a warning to the whole tribe of extortioners, and cause them to mend their ways.

* * * " That Haggis and Bagpipes be features at nil Burns anniversary gatherings." That is the cold-blooded proposition that the members of Auckland Burns Club are invited to discuss afc their approaching an nual business meeting. May I, as an out sider, express the fervent hope that they will discuss it wifch a due sense of its gravity and importance ? Tiie two articles associ ated in the motion are prominent Scottish '■features," and they have a cert£iin affin ity to each other, for I have a dim notion that the haggis, like the pipes, has some occult connection with a " bag." To my untutored mind it seems that if Scotland were bereft of her twin " bags "—the pipes and haggis — no thing would be left but a lot of" bens "lochs and heather, with a crowd of natives in short pefcfcicoar.s. Oh, I had forgotten the whisky and snuff! and that leads me to wonder why on earth the " tappifc hen" and "sneeshin' mull" were nofc included -as " features "by the votaries of Burns. The national bard was at any rate as warm an adn irer of " Scotch drink," or " a Hieland gill." as he was of the " Great chieftian of the pudding race ;" bufc I never yet heard that h . admired the bagpipes.

A Scottish friend informs me that he has searched the works of the Bard of Ayr in vain for an allusion, complimentary or otherwise, to the ancient and honourable instrument from which Piper Fraser •squeezes such exquisite music. But then Burns, like my informant*, was only a wretched Lowlander, and was devoid of the appreciative faculty so far as Highland music is concerned. To my mind, the fact that Burns did nofc condemn ;he pipes is proof that he had a politic niiid. if, like the "Sassenach brute" in _je Bab Ballads, he '' could not assume an affection for pipes," he had the good sense to conceal his real sentiments—knowing that if he uttered a depreciatory word his poetic reputation among his Celtic country men would be damned everlastingly. He knew that he might with impunity de nounce " Highland pride, And Highland scab and hunger;" bufc that fche bagpipe was under sfcricfc " fcapu," and must only be spoken of with reverence and godly fear. As I have no end to serve by disguising my sentiments, I don't mind confessing thafc I hold both haggis and bagpipes in special abhorrence —the one being to the stomach as the other is to the ear '' the abomination thafc maketh desolate." And both in conjunction, as " features " of a Burns gathering ! ye gods ! Oh, for a stomach and a " lug " ade quate to appreciate the mighty melody aud the mightier gastronomic treat of such a '• Highlandman'e heaven" as is promised on the 25th of January ! If my memory serves me right, it is a Mr Peace who is to be the champion of these twin bags of mystery. If he is indeed a man of peace, I hope he will in mercy with draw his motion, or some members may be •tempted to cry with the hero of Tennyson's "Maud":— . .

"Is it >• c» or War? Better War—loud War

by 1 nd and by sea— "War wit a thousand battles and shaking a hurdred thrones!" #_* » * * * • »

Ther*. is a good story going round—and yon needn't "tell it to the marines," for thirds hardly an old salt around the wharves wan does not know all about it. Once orpi i a time, not long ago, so runs the story, il re was a vessel, and her owners and her > .ptain, all bound on a voyage, perhaps I iiad better not mention where, and keep out of trouble if I can. Oue skipper is enough for any ship, and so said the master of this stately craft, but the owner, it is just whispered you know, evidently thought otherwise. The navigation of the ship, therefore, became a rather intricate matter, and led to frequent disputes. Indeed it led to angry words, and ifc is alleged thafc one of the owner's having altered the vessel's course from thafc laid down by the skipper the latter became exceedingly wroth, and threatened to put one or both of his em

ployer's io irons if they " dared " to inter fere with the navigation of his ship. Things grew lively on that ship, and in due course the voyage came to an end, the skipper resigned 'tis said, and nearly every other officer was changed. There is a sequel to the story, but I am not awarded the privilege of telling it yet. It will, how ever, be placed before my readers at the proper time.

Ifc does not require the ability of a Cap tain Edwin to predict a severe political storm on or before t;,e approaching polling day for fche general election. The excitement with which thecontest was commencedin the various districts appears to have abated somewhat, but the battle is being quietly and determinedly fought out behind the scenes. Just at this particular moment " the experiences of a political canvasser" would prove of the greatest interest, and " How We Beat the Favourite" would, no doubt, prove excellent reading after the elec tion was all over and the smoke had cleared away. Political canvassers come across somo strange scenes and some strange people in their travels, and it if scarcely possible to cretfat the stories which are related at the periodical meetings of committees. I am assured on excellent authority that the residents of one particular locality have ac tually banded themselves together and ap pointed one of their number to do the best he can wifch either candidate. This man represents fifty-six voters, which he says are to be had by either candidateat 10s per head, and he'll see all of them d before a single vote is polled unless his terms are agreed to. This is somewhat startling in a closely contested election, and it is very gratifying to know that the candidates in that particu lar district.being " all honourable men," are very unlikely to accept of any such oiler of support.

" Ten acres and a cow " was the tempt ing bait held out to secure the votes of English agricultural labourers at last general election. In New Zealand we have not got to such a deptli of corruption ais to bribe people with a bogus offer of a fancied boon ; or, more correctly, the electors are too wide-awake to be deluded by any such humbug, But, if 1 can credit what a cor respondent says, a very neat thing in prac tical bribery is being woi keel in one of the suburban electorates. A candidate sends a quantity of hay to each voter that keeps a cow, and calling in a day or so afterwards mentions in an bff-hond way that he had a lot of hay on hand and was giving ifc away among his friends. He never hints that he would like the recipient's support at the poll, but quietly remarks as he takes his leave —" Of course, you'll vote for my op ponent !" " All flesh is grass," and " the grass withereth" rapidly in deference to the load of hay ; a mark is made opposite the voter's name, and the candidate feels sure of his honest support. A Scotch say ing has it that—" Ha'e " makes a deaf man hear ; which may be parodied to read —Hay makes an unwilling voter go to tho poll!

ST. JOHN'S EVE.

Ancient as Well as Modern Nations Light

the Fire of Joy.

Thk Irish believe that on fche Eve of St. John the souls of all persons leave their bodies and wander to tho place, on land or sea, whei*e death will overtake fche body. In England, it was an article of faith that a person Who sat up fasting all night in the church porch would sec the spirits of all persons who were to die during tho year come in their proper order and knock at the church door. On a certain occasion it is told that one of those who watched fell asleep so soundly that lie could not be awakened, while his spirit, in the interim, passed his companions and asked admission within the church.

Maximus Tauricensis, who lived about the year 400, is the first who mentions the festival of St. John the Baptist; but from the remotest antiquity, says Mrs White (1850), Baal fires had blazed on the eve of the day since sacred to the saint, and the practice continued when its meaning passed away, and is even still retained in certain countries.

With the ancients, according to the learned Oibelin, it originated in a simple feu de joie kindled the very moment the year began ; and the most ancient year we know of began in Juno. It afterwards became a religious ceremony, attended, on the part of the Ammonites and Druids, with even human sacrifice ; and just a shade of those terrific usages may be traced in the French regal ceremony—probably as old as the monarchy—called " Le feu de la St. Jean." when a certain number of cats and a fox were annually burnt in the Place de Greve.

"One cannot," says the author just now quoted, in his "Allegories Orientales," "omifc to mention those sacred fires kindled ab^ufc midnight on the very moment of solstice by the greatest part of the ancient as of the modern nations. The people danced around them, and some leaped over them, and each, on leaving, took away a firebrand, while the remains were scattered to the wind, which, afc thesamc time that it dispersed the ashes, was thought to expel every evil."

VIENNA'S SPERGELD.

A Peculiar Law Existing in the Austrian

Capital,

There is a peculiarity which Vienna shares in common with all Austrian towns. At 10 o'clock the streets are deserted. Scarcely will you meet a solitary soul. A law authorises the portiere or concierge to levy a tax of 10 kreutzers, called the spergeld, on any person leaving or entering the house after that hour. Thus the spergeld obliges you, when you are invited to a party, to pay 10 kreutzers on leaving your own de partment, 10 more for yourself and your servant on entering your host's house, the some when you leave ib and the same on re entering your own.

This spergeld gives rise to some curious fashions. Thus the theatre and opera begin early, and the performance is timed to end at 945 o'clock. If it lasts longer nearly the whole audience rises and hastens away to be home in time to save the spergeld. Cafes are emptied at that hour, the trains are crowded as the last moment of grace arrives, and even the rubbers of whist at the clubs are interrupted. It grows into such force of habit and is such an accepted fact that, except under exceptional circum stances, you do not think of incurring the debt.

May Need Them.

" Now, John, if you are going to that fish ing excursion to-morrow morning I sup pose I had better pack your valise to night." Thus spake Mrs Brown to her liege lord and master. " Yes, dear, I wish you would, for I make an early start," he replied. "Train leaves at seven, you know."

" Very well, John, I'll do ifc at once. What shall I put in it ?" "Let me see," replied Mr Brown, thoughtfully, "lira, well put in that jug of whisky I had sent up to-day, two boxes of cigars, a bottle of brandy, a dozen lemons, one or two tin cups, and—and— let me see—some lemons ! I've forgotten something, I know. Oh, yes ; put in a couple of bottles of that old sherry." '* Yes ; anything more?"

"No, I don't think of anything afc pre sent. Oh, -hold on ! I guess you'd better put in my fishing tackle and a flannel shirt. I may need them, you know, "

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

September 24 - Otahuhu Racing Club Spring September 29 and bO.-Geraldme Racing Clubs

September 29-Napier Park Racing Club Spring

]\_G«iiiflf_r Octobers and 4.—Havvke's Bay Jockey Clubs

OctobefA22-Pakuranga Hunt Club Races November 8 9, and 10.-Canterbuiy Jockey

Clubs Sprine. ~ , . ~ November 9 and 12.-Auckland Racing tlub s Spring.

DATES OF PRINCIPAL AUSTRALIAN RACES.

Hawkesbury Handicap.-Sept. 10. Final pay ment, Sept. 9. _, A.J.C. Derby.-Sept. 17. Final payment, Sept.

Great Metropolitan Stakes.—Sept. 20. Fina. payment, Sept. 0. (Am (fed Guineas.-Oct. 8. Final payment, October i. _-. , Caulneld Cup-October 10. Final payment, October 11. , ,„ ,^. , . Victorian Derby.-October29. 1) inal payment, October 28. ~_,-, Melbourne Cup.—November 1. Umal pay ment, October 23.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By HiproNA.]

There is no more successful trainer in onr midst than E. Kelly. At the present time he can boast of having the strongest all round team under his charge in Auckland, and it was with feelings of pleasure that I had a look over the occupants of his commodious training establishment during the week. Foul Shot, the Auckland Derby hero of 1886, has grown and developed into the handsomest horse we have in training. He is looking the rery picture of health, and with his " record " to re commend him, it is only a matter of being sound and well at the post for the son of Musket and Slander to .annex a decent race or two during the coming season. Foul Shot has been in work about seven weeks. British Lion, the four year-old son of Leolimis out of the Traduccr mare Spritsail, has wintered well, and he is a vastly improved horse in every way. He shows signs of having done a lot of work. Lady Norah is an6ther member of tho team that has improved. She has grown upwards slightly, and lias both thickened and furnished. Tetford has been on the sick list since December last, but he wa s put in work again this week. His enforced retirement was due to getting cast in his box, and subsequently, to make matters worse, he injured one of his hocks. Tetford is now apparently quite sound again, and in nice condition to undergo a preparation- Cinderella, looking big and healthy in her coat, was also put in work this week, and it is quite evident the needed spell she has been treated to has done her good. The least-known of Kelly's charges among the elder division are Paddy (Teddy Ynille's full brother) and the three-year-old colt got by Musket from Lady Mary, who has bo.n lately honoured by Lhe name of W. E. Gladstone. Paddy is a rare-shaped one, and, compared with Teddy Yuille, shows much more [lower. One could nob wisli to feast his eyes on a hotter-looking bit of horseflesh, than \V. E. Gladstone. He has every essential point that makes the perfect racehorse and combines size and power with ifc. The son of Musket has nofc been seen in public with the silk up, owing to his hocks giving uorne trouble last season, but he is now as sound as could be wished. The two-year-olds Kelly has under his care are Patchwork, by Piscator —Patch, and Man Friday, by Robin son Crusoe—Charity. The first-named is a plain, strong-built colt. He is backward owing to having been taken up late, added to which he bruised the frog of one of his feet, necessitating his being stopped in his -work. On the other hand, Man Friday bears evidence of having done a lot. of work. He stands just about 14.3, and is a beautiful -bay in colour, without showing a speck of white. In conforma tion, he can be described as one of the "big little-' tribe, and gives one the im pression ot' being a very game colt. I have no hesitation in saying that so far as ap pearances go, he is one of the best-shaped and most promising bwo-ycar-olds that I have seen this season. The remaining oc cupants of the boxes are Huntsman, who is looking particularly well, and the plater Octopus. Kelly's charges all give evidence of being- well looked after, and the sur roundings of the stable were a pattern of cleanness.

The A.J.C. Derby is run at Randwiek on Saturday next. Never previously has the event had such an open aspect, and a great battle may be expected between the best of the Hon. J. White's stable, and Niagara, and Matador.

From what I hear, nothing is ye* definitely fixed wifch regard to Lady Norah and British Lion being taken to Christ church for their New Zealand Cup engage ment. It entirely depends on the way the pair shape during the next four or five weeks.

According to the Melbourne papers, both of Mr E. Mitchelson's pair of V.R.C. Derby candidates, Tranter and Whakawai, are performing satisfactory work. None of the Hon. W. Robin son's horses are entered for the minor events of the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, and the early risers at Randwiek all pronounce the team as being very backward. one tout states that he cannot bring himself to believe that Silver Prince has the slightest chance of winning tho Melbourne Cup. Trenton is reported to be looking well, though fche blister on his off hind hock makes it look unsightly, and Niagara gives evidence of being in capital form. Silver mine and Matador are described as pictures of condition. Abercorn has thrown off all signs of his soreness, but if all accounts are true, Cranbrook is now troubled to a slight extent with the same complaint. Referring to a recent morning's work of the Hon. J. White's Derby representatives, " Marten dale " writes : —Carlyon appeared to have fche better of my big Derby favourite, Cran brook. The way the latter struggled and fought out the finish impressed me with fche idea that he had much fche worst of the weights, and that he is a right good game animal. Trident did well over a mile and three-quarters, but Abercorn suffered a defeat from Aberdeen. But in this instance also I think the Derby favourite was penal ised.

The Hawke's Bay Guineas, which is run next month, gives promise of providing an unusually exciting contest. Mr G. G. Stead proposes to send Maxim up from Christchurch to take part in the race, and with Bangle and Lady Florin likely to see the post, the Club will probably have no reason to regret subsidising the race with the good sum of 300sovs.

Mr W. Walters informs me that Rosarina (the dam of Rosebud) has dropped a filly foal to Nordenfeldt, and Fanny Fisher a filly to Somnus. At Sylvia Park, Aida has produced a colt to St. Leger.

One of E. Kelly's patrons is a most en thusiastic Home Ruler aud admirer of Mr Vy. E. Gladstone, and to show his admira tion of the " grand old man " he has named his Musket—Lady Mary colt after the English statesman. I may mention that thecolt was selected by Mr Henry Redwood, the Father of the New Zealand Turf, on be half of his owner from the batch of year lings submitted at Sylvia Park in January, 1885.

A correspondent asks me whether I know a sweep promoter in Sydney who signs himself J. F. Miller, Box No. 1, King street, Post-office, Sydney. His reason for inquiring is simply on account ot a num ber of circulars having been sent to Auckland this week, presumably by tho above individual. I may state that I have never previously heard ot an Australian sweep promoter of fche name of J F. Miller. There is fche old-estab lishedand genuine J. J. Miller, whose address is York Hotel, King-street, Sydney, or Box 787. The similarity iv the names points to the'conclusion that thereissomethingwrong, and I would advise my correspondent to make further inquiries in Sydney as to the genuineness of the consultation referred to. In Christchurch, Lochiel and Torrent now divide the honour of favouritism for the New Zealand Cup at 100 to 12 each, Nelson comin-*-next ab 100 to 10. Artillery, Fair Nell, Gipsy King,and Hermitage are quoted at 100 to 8, and a point less can be had about aSextant and Maxim, The Derby is a dead-letter so far as sfcraighfc-out wagering is concerned.

I am glad to hear that Brigadier is to get a chance bo distinguish himself. The suc cessful local bleeder, Mr W. Sommervilie, has decided to put a couple of his mares to the son of Musket.

Advices from Christchurch ahenfc fche doings at Riccarton state that Nelson has improved slightly, and Cutts his been en abled to treat him to one or two good gallops. Stoneyhurst has been confined to -Wry moderate work, and there is reason to think he will not stand his preparation for the New Zealand Cup. A rather unfortunate mishap is reported to have hapnened to Artillery. The colt was being treated to his daily exercise on one of the roads at Riccarton, when by some means he pub his foot on a loose stone, and the consequence was a fall. On arising from the ground ifc was found that. Artillery had sustained a nasty scratch on the oil knee, and a slight abrasion of the near one. He had also cut himself slightly above tho near eye, but no further injuries of any im portance could be discovered. The colt Was got home as soon as possible, and Butler hopes the slight interruption to his work which must necessarily take place will not prevent his New Zea land Cup preparation being satisfactorily ac complished.

Australia's crack horseman, Thos. Hales, was lately married to Miss Bladder, daughter of the proprietor of the Fulham Park stud in South Australia. Hales during a lengthy career has-earned more distinction than any jockey on the colonial turf. During his three and a-half years' connection with the Hon. James White's stable he has carried the blue and white jacket 143 times, and rode no less than 61 winners, representing a total value in stakes of £32,127. Of this sum £13,194 lbs was won last season.

The Waikato stallion parade takes place on the 20th of September. Ingomar and Cap-a-pie are to travel that district this season.

Both two-year-old races run in New South Wales during the present season have been won by Mr A. E. Cornwell's lilly Lady-in-Waiting. In Tattersall's two year-old race Steeltrap, by the Drummer from Emery, got home in front of Lady-in- Waiting ; but a protest was entered against the race on the ground of it being started on the wrong side of the post, und it was ordered to be run again, with the result that Lady-in-Waiting won. With tho Hon. John Ealcs (the New South Wales stud master) rests the credit attached to breeding this smart lilly, Lady-in-Waiting having been foaled at Duckeniield Park and sold at the April sales as a yearling to her pre sent owner, Mr Cornwell, for 75 guineas. She was got by the well-bred Henchman from Dolly Varden (dam of Spoilt Child and Rapid)) by Now Warrior out oi Black Sal, bj Cossack.

The second forfeit in connection with the Caullield Cup has left 74 horses in. There were originally 110 nominated. The acceptors are

In the race for Sydney Tattersall's Tram way Handicap, the Queen was a red-hot fivourite. Mitrailleuse was also in great request at 5 to 1. Rocket made all the running with Allandale till well on towards the distance, when both died out and Mitrailleuse looked like winning, but she also tired, and Glen Elgin, bowling along in the centre of the course, had his opponents in great trouble in a few strides, and got home a comfortablo winner by two lengths from Moorbank. The judge, Mr Olliffe, didn't place a third, but Mitrailleuse occupied thafc position.

I clip the following from the " London Referee":— Tan tracks, as conventially pre pared, have lots of disadvantages, not the least being the dust, which affects horses' wind, and the tendency to cracked heels they induce. There are others which need not be mentioned ; those quoted are suffi cient-. Tan laid outside the ground is a mistake, because it is so very much better laid under the turf. Lord George Ben tinck's most useful bin of work, the greafcesfc of his legacies, lies in fche splendid, almost everlasting, course he made at Goodwood by laying or relaying turfs on a good thick ness of tan. I forget for the moment whether he put a couple of layers of turf over the tan or sandwiched the spent bark between the two ; the exact method could very easily be found out. The fact remains that by means of this sort you can make going that will litei ally defy sun, wind and drought. True, the first expense is con siderable, but nothing wonderfully heavy, and it is only the first step that costs. Once properly done, you hive a perfect course that will stand for generations."

Rather a good tale is reported by a Sydney paper. A man up country used to catch his horse when he wanted the animal by rattling some corn in a tin dish. This proceeding always ended in a capture, without any difficulty. Being, however, of an economical turn of mind, he substituted a few stones for the corn. The horse began to smell a rafc, and ifc was nofc always easy to catch him that way. A little while back the horse was wanted particularly, and the man put real corn in the dish and rattled away. The horse suspected another sell and would not come, in spito of the re peated assertions of the owner of " Don't be a fool, so help me Jerusalem it's corn this time, it's corn."

Contrary to the rule with high-priced yearlings, both Enterprise _ and Merry Hampton have turned out profitable invest ments. Enterprise, who won the Two Thousand Guineas, curiously enough, cost 2,000 guineas as a yearling ; and Merry Hampton, the Darby winner, realised 3,100 guineas at the same age. Merry Hampton was one of fifteen yearlings entered for the Blue Riband, for which sums varying from 1,000 guineas to 3,000 guineas had been paid, and whose collective value was estim ated at about 30,000 guineas. It is a re markable fact that, out of the fifteen, Merry Hampton was the only horse which ran in the Derby. On the other hand. Reve dOr who is probably the best 3-years-old in England, not even excepting Enterprise and Merry Hampton, cost comparatively nothing. Reve dOrs dam, Quben of the Roses, was rescued from obscurity by a small breeder, who gave a rick of hay, valued at about L3O, for her. She after wards caught the eye of the Duke of Bean fort, and the result of hor consort with Hampton was Reve dOr, the winner of the One Thousand Guineas and The Oaks.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Mr Carmody left for Sydney this week to try his fo> tune. The late Mr M. Fennelly had his life in sured for £3,000. The price of the " Australian Turf Re gister" has been raised to 15s. Sextant has lately been inquired for in Melbourne for the V.R.O. Derby.

Vespasian (sire of Blairgowrie) was recently sold in Brisbane for 112 guineas. Lord Wilton is in work again at Fleming ton, but his standing a preparation is con sidered doubtful.

The Tasmanian Racing Club have pur chased a totalisator from a New Zealand firm at a cost of £'250.

In the Moonee Valley Cup, run on October 22, Pasha has been awarded Bst 91b, and Teddy Yuille 7st 91b. The withdrawal of Volcano from the Hawkesbury Handicap and Trident from the " Metrop." was a severe blow to Sydney bankers.

The entry for the Epsom Derby of 1889 shows a slight advance on that for next year. The Prince of Wales is a nomina tor.

Mr John Field's Queen Mary has foaled a sister to Sheet Anchor this season. This should be a valuable addition to the blood isfcock of Victoria.

A serious disease, said by the Victorian Government veterinary to be Australian stringhalt, has broken out among the horses in the Moama district.

The Christchurch Middle Park Stud Company's matron Hammock, dam of Somnus and Siesta, has this season pro duced a filly foal to Apremont. Mr Payten, who since his boyhood has been under the late Mr M. Fennelly, has been placed at the head of the Hon. Jas. Whites stable.

Lord Ribblesdale, in an article on " Queen's Plates," in the " National Re view," says that horsebreeding in England is in "a pining condition." July was sold in Christchurch last week for 125 guineas, Mr M. Cowan being the buyer. The disappointing son of Traducer is to be travelled in Canterbury.

A recent isfiie of the " Town and Country Journal " publishes in its sporting columns an engraving of Mr James Paul, secretary of the Tattuiaki Jockey Club.

Although the English St. Leger is not to be run "till September 14th, as little as 2 to 1 in thousands was taken in one hand six weeks ago about Merry Hampton. Tho "Jubilee Plunger," Mr Benzon, has purchased the English racehorse Kingswood for 2,500 soys., and shortly after he won the Victoria Cup abKempton Park.

Mr W. Kelso has disposed of his interest in the racehorse First; Chester to Mr E. Eagei*, and he now occupies a box in fche same stable as the Musket mare Industry.

An English paper says that the Duchess of Montrose has refused 15,000 guineas for the Sefton stud of yearlings, numbering 15, the value set upon them being £20,000.

Halcyon, by Epigram out of Ada, the property of Mr W. Forrester, and a fair performer as a two-year-old, injured himself so severely lately by falling that he had to be destroyed.

The Hon. W. A. Long's Moorhouse was among the starters in Sydney Tattersall's Spring Handicap. He failed to gain a place ; but strange to say, his name did not figure in the betting at the post. The English jockey C. Wood, who seems destined to fill tho late F. Archer's place, had up to fche time of the last mail leaving England, won 83 races for 258 mounts. G. Barrett was next with 63 out of 330.

An Adelaide writer states that Isonomy is looking as well as his enthusiastic well wishers could desire. He is far more for ward than he was lasfc year, and is doing any amount of work and standing it well. A horse called Koshishshebogamogran, was among the starters for the East Riding Hunters' flat race at Beverly, England, on June 22, but failed to gain a place. He was probably overweighted by his name. Kangaroo, by Manuka, is credited with being the biggest winner in Tasmania during the last season. The amount in stakes won was £359. He started a dozen times, and scored eight wins and two

seconds,

Kempton Park (England) shows that a racecourse well managed will pay as well as most enterprises. Nearly £40,000 has been spent in improving the property ; yet it would be hard *obuy one of the original £40 shares for £200, and this is the growth of a little more than a decade.

An American trotting stallion has lately arrived in Sydney from San Francisco in the shape of Doncaster, a handsome son of fche celebrated sire Elmo, whose pedigree on the male side runs back to Prunella (imp.), a blood mare by Comus, the grandsire of Melbourne. Doncaster is nine years old. The Adelaide-owned brood mare Decep tive is dead. She was foaled in 1865, so that she was 22 years old. Deceptive pro duced Tinfinder, one of the most valuable brood mares in Australia, and in addition to the dam of Assyrian, Pawnbroker, Helene, The Israelite, &c, was the mother of Totalisator and Delusion.

The " Sydney Telegraph" says that judging by the consistent suppoit accorded to Algerian for the Melbourne Cup, the son of Algeria is a great public favourite, and will probably advance to a short price in the quotations. He is now almost as good a favourite as anything else. Mr J. B.;Haggin, the Calif ornian sports man, is in great fomt with his teams this season. At the Monmouth Park meeting he won the Hopeful Stakes with a colt named Woden, the Long Branch Handi cap with Hidalgo, and the Monmouth Oaks and a sweepstakes with Frienzi. He was equally successful at the Chicago meeting.

The Latest Parisian Colours.

Indigo—lndigo blue. Leman—Gobelin blue. Mousse—A moss green. Bronze—A bronze green. Suez—Light water green. Dante—Yellowish brown. Vieux bleu—Greyish blue. '_>■.- Santal—Sandalwood brown. Bois de Rose—Light rosewood. Rus se—A darkish yellow green. Acajou—Deep mahogany brown. Marine and Amiral —Navy blues. Eucalyptus—Light bronzy-green. Amandier—Light pea or apple green. Bresil—Red ash or chip logwood colour. Modore—Londres and Loutre, shades of brown. Ezable and' Florentine—Golden yellow browns.

Boa—Heroulaneuin and Carthage* shades of ashen greys.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Action.)

FIXTURES.

FOOTBALL.

September 10.—Otago v. Can erbury,

SENIOR CUP. September 10.—Gordon v. Auckland ; Ponsonby v. A bert; Grafton v. North .Shore. September 17.—Ponso by v. Gordon.

FOOTBALL.

A large number of spectators journeyed over to the North Shore last week to witness the local fifteens and the Gordons try conclu sions. It will be remembered that these two Clubs met on the opening day of the Cup matches, and the Shore boys won. Gordon have improved since then, and among other things defeated Grafton lately, so their backers held high hopes; but they were doomed to disappointment. The Shore forwards were too strong, and wore the Gordons down. Marshall proved that he is now quite recovered by coming through the scrum time after time. Wyn yard potted a beautiful goal, while Maude scored a try from which a goal waß kicked, and as the blacks were only successful in obtaining one try the game finished North Shore 9, Gordon 2. Great rough ness characterised the play, and the blacks took exception to Maude's try. Ponsonby had a picnic with the Auck land, and beat them after a very much cur tailed game by 22 to nil. Grafton beat Alberts by 15 to nil, the red and black only played 12 men, including two ** third juniors," who played as substitutes. The game was not noticeable for any particular brilliancy. The Ponsonby and Grafton Seconds were to havo met last Saturday, but when the teams assembled no ball was to be had. One was sent for, but it came not till close on five o'clock, when the maroons declined to play. Sitting in their omnibus in the middle of the road, they looked smilingly on while the Ponsonbys trooped on to the field and claimed the match. Both sides deserve censure for not having a ball, but the maroons particularly so, as they had done precisely the same thing with the Waitematas the week before.

The Second Junior Cup final was decided last week, and the Rovers have been re turned the winners after a very exciting game. Though at times the forwards showed a total disregard for the spirit of the rules, the players on both sides played splendidly, and their display must have surprised the frequenters of Potter's who had not witnessed them play before. There will never be any fear of football deterior ating here while the junior players play like they did last week. The following extracts from the *' Can terbury Times " by one of the Christchurch team will be. found interestimr, and supple ment the extracts I published last week :— The concourse of people gathered round the guarded field of play and the thronged grand-stand was something we were hardly prepared for. The match, in my opinion, was the most interesting one of the tour.

Their style of play is altogether different to that seen down here, and there is un doubtedly a method in their madness. The halves do a lot of passing to the three quarters, who are very fast and strong runners. In fact, the back play of the two teams was of a totally opposite description —Canterbury confining themselves almost exclusively to kicking, while Auckland went in for running. It was a very even game, neither side being able to claim an advantage at the finish, although Auck land's three tries look better than our "potted" goal. But the last try should certainly not have been allowed, being gained while some of our team were assist ing Roberts, whoa moment before received the injury to his shoulder from which he is still suffering. Our forwards were better than the Aucklanders', who were slow in packing, and not nearly so good as us in the line-out work and following up ; but their backs made up for what the forwards lost. Francis upheld his reputation as agoal kicker, and besides the goal he scored, on two other cccasions he sent the ball between the posts, once just under the bar, and again along the ground, the ball not rising. Whiteside is still the mainstay of the Auck land hack-play. He has been seen twice in Christchurch, but not at his best. His terrible dashes, picking up the ball while going at full speed, sometimes from amongst the forwards, are most magnificent. He must be seen on the Auckland ground for people to have an idea of his prowess. As a back he ranks far above anything in the colony. Madigan is a thick-set, stiffly built young fellow, weighing over 12st. He is a fast, strong, fending runner, play ing a game similar to Whiteside. Elliott one of the half-backs, promises t*> de-> velcp into a really splendid man. He is a fearless player ; fast and strong. Picking up is his weak point. I might mention that the Auckland backs played in light running shoes. The system of play adopted by us in Auckland is likely to lead to the encouragement of drop-kicking and punting aimong the Auckland clubs. With a good potting back in the centre Auckland would be about the hardest lot in the colony to beat. Their running showed up well, because our tackling was weak; against first-class tacklers and smart forwards it would not be nearly so dangerous."

I think the writer of the above makes a mistake in respect to Conway's try. I notice one idea which pervades the re marks of nearly all the Southern writers about our football. They seem to consider, in the words of one of them, that " the only point of our backs lies in their running powers." Of course this brings up a smile on the face of anyone acquainted with our club play, but any of the Southern visitors can surely put in a word for the splendid defensive qualities our men showed when hard pressed by both Canterbury and Otago. Why, in the Canterbury match, in spite of tho ball being in Auckland's twenty-five fully a third of the time, nothing could be done by the visitors. Speaking in reference to lying on the ball, "Three-Quarter Back" in the "Weekly Press " says :—" If a man will not put the ball down when held, opponents are quiet justified in taking the ball from him or even carrying him with ib. No "official with a regard for the laws would ever discounten ance such a course. I call attention to the Northern failings in this respect, because, from what 1 have heard, about the only blot on the game at Auckland was this breaking of Law 18." E. McCausland has returned in time to take part in the match Ponsonby v. Gordon next week, and he no doubt will make his presence felt. He potted the goal for Hawke's Bay against Canterbury, and I have heard very flattering encomiums about his play down there lately.

ATHLETICS, ETC.

The fifty-eighth contest for the Wingfield Sculls waa rowed on the Thames, over the course between Putney and Mortlake. Five competitors started, including S. Fairburn, the Australian. The race re sulted in favour of Guy Nickalls, Magdalen College, Oxford; T. C. Gardner, Cambridge, being second and W. H. Cumming third. Time: 25min. 23sec. Fairburn did not row the full distance. . Mr S. Hunter has been elected Captain of the Waiteinata Bicycle Club. W. J. Cooper, the professional, has accepted the Lancaster Park Club's terms, and is expected to reach New Zealand m about a fortnight's time. _ _ The race for the Five Miles Amateur Bicycle Championship of New South Wales was decided at the Association Grounas, Sydney, on August 20, the track being heavy from continuous rains. The even

was won by C. R \v„ _ ._, Clu^W.J.C.Ellift'/fte^. second, and E. third. T.P.Je n ff cS«^ foremost position,W 1"? riftJS by 20yds. TimelS» .&*- The following uT*-s^*J teamofEngli snaffi s^ne Xcll ** Ray, C. <~ Wood.TV^Ml Leaver, A. G. L. ___L 3Jj^\ intend visiting thHiJu W-*H_ eiul of August, A3&**rfJ American Champio ns hfJ g »__ 17), and the ftZSP "*fiii» [C 8 (Sept. 24).%^n^iofe jumper. He won X J?^ 1 pole-vaulting in I BB i if WmZ in 1882, at 10ft«n; won in 1884 afc 10ft W_.*?*&*M and in 1886 at"Sft* at£ beaten for years • usually 1 "* a °* W the top of the <^ft?* 5j quently clears lift aT^ffiM-K hoMs the world's b^.CV a^ —C. G. Hood, who WPnMv fk records for 220 yds and fi™^ 4 the fastest amateur uTsft ,'** any distance over IOOy^S > quarter of a mile, hi X &-> » ship meeting of 1834 he *l 7s* beaten a foot by Cowie in in i •$* the 100 yds run, but mo^SSIS him a winner.-. In. Aha n ,^? Tft finished second to cjl S^* sepamtely.inSlse^ftjjjj run, he was beaten a yardbv uJPf 10secs : ,andwonthei'.LSi?&^ Cross is the fastest half-mfc teg the Old Country. In ttm c\ v Ly_ il ;, ™I games of 1886 he iS to^Tffij' 4min 283-sth SS ec,andinfcheChSpy|S meeting was second to Nalder, fiH yards behind, 4min 25 4-sths se<L hf year's Oxford-Cambridge games he tmS mile in 4 mm 25 2 sths°sec, and the ?_C pionship meeting won the _ilein4__t l ee-, . I. n various meeting this year heb half-miles msidelmin 59sec, and wonfe races at that distance in lmin 58 2.sths W and lmin 57£sec.s Leaver, Le MM and Coad are also runners.' Ab the dinner-given "by the gyte Bowing Club to Mr P. J. Clark, on & i turn from England, that gentleman smh in very flattering terms of the exceleit chances a really good eight picked from tin bona fide amateur oarsmen of the poloiiia Avould have against the leading En* clubs. Mr Claris did not give his opinim without) due consideration, and A after having seen the picked eit_ij in the Old Country in training. From his experience of intercolcMii eight-oar contests, and his thoroughhor ledge of the capabilities of leading 5 colbnirf oarsmen, he unhesitatingly arrived at fe conclusion that a picked intercolonial ere» had a "rattling" good show againstidl crews except a combined English eight, Sad even against such an array of the best amateur English rowers in the Old Country, he said he had no fear of our men nofc coming out of the contest with honour to them selves and the colony. The encoumg. ment of such aii excellent authority as ir Clark has had due weight in both Sydney and Melbourne. The matter to brought up at the last meeting of the VicloriM Rowing Association, and it was decided io co-operate with the New South Walta Rowing Association in taking preliminary measures wifch the object of sending an intercolonial eight Home next year. AW meeting last week of the members of the New South Wales Rowing ' Association preliminary steps were taken to bring tie much desired event about. A very interesting cricket match wai played lately in England between Liver pool and Western. The birbthe+s Steel operated on each other—A. 6. Steel1 making E. E. Steel hit his wicket, * H. B. Steel was caught offE.L Steel«; A. G. Steel was "caught E. &H ---bow-1. L. Steeh" - There were -to i the brotherhood engaged in tbepra. Liverpool, however, carried far 100 many guns for their opponents. - • - The half-mile amateur champion wm ming- lace was held at the Welsh:om Hendon, I-ist month. There were to prizes, viz. a silver cup, a gold medal, ana. silver medd'« There were nine entria The holder of the title for last year, I. U Schlotel, was the first to show in front, j lowed by J. Nuttall,-6f Stalybridge, 4J H. Bowden, captain of the AingSg ming Association, "^ "ftS home Nuttall took the lead,> «* with four lengths to W-^g* Schlotel being third, Time,Wmj-M^ The committee in New York fig charge of the arrangements^ r toj* national Yacht Race^ fr W fche famed America Cup, have ann J that the trial races -for tbe.*MJ of the sloop which, should <tmj» assaults of the Scottish yacht » should take place duringtb ,M «gj August or tae.-fiwb f?^,*^ the Mayflower, Puntan,rraeiim,* d and Volunteer.. W^^mm the New York.Chib was^^ pany the yachts during ft**f P Lovers if the noblej-^JJ'U to a treat next Saturday, wu l 9 Martin and Barney Donovan< meet w rf which is the best man Bj*2«* known here ;. each bas figuredm arena before now, and has a J 4 of supporters, so there is bound w bumcer house. _

THE AINOZ.

* who is about returning to W*^ lectured at the Fir6^ n BS D gaccoun»f Francisco, giving an inteiert«| that singular tribe and die mi- , lished among them, j??**^ the »«* m en of the forest, hvinghke J in the province »f »emoro^ of Gaze. They are °f^^heal* with thick hair.heavy^^JJ 0 f ki* and look ferocious, b°. b"* "J', deg«* disposition and J^dWj They number abou £000 dv ing in numbers, ptutiy ttom dp^ from tbe excessive üßa°i^ Ik/ Honor which they V^ZZZcM^I the moon, the sea, tbeir <^ animalsthepai-ticularob] nfl^ tion was formerly the moth* bear. Theytakeacblrom ,j when very yj^rtrS-^KS child in the family, nuisinfe ft {asl fl When it becomes too large d fe «* pet they shu WR m 4£ when ttjfjg a saturnalia, the oeai ' - - aoir_-Z and eaten, each one gett J spiritual lißht untiljW^ tbeir Batchelor, connectedI wicn j translated into their » r tfj .he bay of Neimu-ov^ y *jf rooms, one of wg^of t .toJ .^ li-dous service. \*?JTL. an d coos'"• their effort ha.e> " vert ioift *

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAK, SATUBUAK, SKFTEMBER 10, 1867.

2



st. lb. st. lb. rrenfcon 9 12 Plutarch 7 0 Boneydew ... 9 6 Bonnie Doon ... 7 0 Isonomy 9 1 Solo 6 13 Spade Guinea 8 1.1 King of West ... 6 13 fc'ryingpan ... 8 8 St. Patrick ... 6 13 Silvermine ... 8 8 Escutcheon ... 6 12 Dunlop 8 7 Aberdeen 6 12 flie Jewel ... 8 6 Physician 6 12 Bohemian ... 8 5 The Tinman ... 6 12 Ben Bolt ... 8 5 Richworbh ... 611 Pasha 8 3 Dividend 6 11 Kohai 8 5 Lara 6 11 Lord William 713 Peeress 6 11 Bravo 7 12 Louise 6 11 Crossfire ... 7 12 Menotti 6 10 Mitrailleuse ... 7 12 Lord Cochrane ... 6 10 Volcano 7 11 Oaklcigh 6 9 "Jairo 7 11 Emerald 6 9 [iecall 7 11 Master Jack ...6 8 Zeno 7 10 Fernandez ... 6 8 Yabba 7 10 The Queen ... 6 8 Etufus 7 9 St. Paul 6 8 Mozart 7 9 Bedouin 6 8 rhe Levite ... 7 8 Gadfly 6 7 Moteor 7 8 Lord Allen ...6 7 Niagara 7 7 Whitebait ... 6 7 Impulse 7 6 Rosebud 6 7 First Consul ... 7 5 Dagon 6 6 Harvester ... 7 6 Gasburner ... 6 5 rhe Nun ... 7 4 Too Too 6 5 Phaon 7 4 Rosewood ... 6 4 Remus 7 3 Sydney 6 3 Newmaster ... 7 3 Kitty Fisher ... 6 3 Burrilda ... 7 1 Plenipo 6 0 Pocahontas ... 7 0 West Bourke ... 6 0