RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

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

The anti-Chinese movement is a sign of the times in Australasia. Instead of waiting until the Mongol nuisance has assumed alarming proportions, these vigorous young communities seem determined to nip it in the bud, and hence we hear of proposals for £100 poll-tax on arrival and £10 residential tax per annum on every Chinaman who is accorded the privilege of living among Us, with further disabilities in the shape of denial of civil rights, compulsory, cleanli ness, &c. To anyone who knows a tithe of the evils that follow in the train of the almond-eyed Celestial these restrictions will nob appear at all unreasonable ; but I was hardly prepared to find that in New Zealand the feeling against the Chinaman was so strong as it has recently been proved to be. A weekly paper in Wellington actually finds that it pays it to devote its whole energies to a crusade against "John "arid all his works—vegetables, tea, and China fancy goods included. But it is in Otago that the hostility to the thrifty natives of the Flowery Land has reached its most acute phase. Some time ago I noticed that a Chinaman was convicted of thefb ab bhe Supreme Court, and on his lawyer making application for the benefit of •the First Offenders Probation Act! to be ex tended to John, the judge declined to enter tain the application on the ground that the Legislature never intended that it should apply bo Chinese !

So far good ; the judge may have been quite right, although some people will wonder how he came to know so accurabely the intention of the Legislature. But this week a case has come before the Supreme Court at Dunedin that seems to elucidate the plan on which the just judge proceeds. The telegraphic report summarises it thus : —'• John Mathieson for assaulting and rob bing a Chinaman, was released on probation for twelve months, and ordered to contri bute weekly instalments towards the cost of the prosecution." Nob being a Judge of the Supreme Court, " Zamiel " is nob in a posi tion to dogmatise on bhe intention Of the Legislature; but I would venbure the random assertion that they never meant the provisions of the statute to apply to such nagrantoffences as assault and robbery. But it was only a Chinaman who was robbed, and that. Isuppose.makesall the difference ! Otago has no need of an " Anti-Chinaman" newspaper. Is nob bhab the delightful land where nobody has a chance to get on unless he calls himself Macgregor, or Me Whiskey or MacSnuffie, or some such euphonious patronymic? On the principle of "set a thief to catch a thief," the Otago Scots may be trusbed to get rid very speedily of the " yellow agony" when they tackle it in earnesb.

Seriously, it seems to me that this First Offenders Probation Act places a tremen dous discretionary power in the hands of judges and gaolers. As in the case which I have cited, it gives a judge power to punish assault and robbery by inflicting a light fine, payable in weekly instalments, so that the poor dear robber may nob be harrassed in any way ! While tho .inferior courts send a man to gaol for allo\ -ing his cows to graze on the highway, the highway jobber has only to make an appeal to the *lemency of the Supreme Court Judge and he is safe from the contamination of prison life! There's a Screw loose here, and one that niay lead to an alarming increase of serious crimes by " first offenders " if a firm hand is nob kept upon it. It seems to me that New Zealand s "faddy" law-makers have got ahead of their times and have introduced a law fitted for Utopia only.

As to the prejudice against Chinamen, I am glad to n'nd that it ifl not shared in by at least one colonial institution. Among the certificates of merit lately presented by the Royal Humane Society of Australia were two to Geo. McLeish and John Quinlan, for having risked their lives to save five Chinamen, who were hemmed in by floods on the Goulburn River, and would have perished but for the help afforded. Those bigoted newspapers that howl against the Chinaman should stand abashed oefore the cosmopolitan spirit displayed by this society which, I may add, gives rewards nearly every year to Maoris for saving the lives of Euro peans. As for the action of McLeish and Quinlan, it is above all praise, and should effectually silence those who blatantly assert that the working men of Australia hate John Chinaman with a perfect hatred. If Quinlan and McLeish had been afraid of the indus trial competition of the Chinese, they would not have endangered their lives to^save five of their rivals. But then these two men were heroes; it is only cowards and Curs who cry " Down with the Chinaman !"

We still go from homo to get news, dear reader. Turning over a recent issue of the Melbourne "Age," I came across a bibof rare information regarding New Zealand affairs. You will remember that when Sir Geo. Grey was down South on his " stump ing" tour lie became so seriously ill that he was unable to deliver an ad dress at Dunedin, and he returned post haste to Wellington and placed himself under medical care. Well, the New Zea land correspondent of the "Age" gives a most preposterous version of the affair. He says that a letter was inserted in one of the Dunedin newspapers hinting thai, some ugly personal questions would be asked, and it was to evade this unpleasantess that the plea of indisposition was set up ! The writer throws out many oblique hints and innuendoes — re marking that it was very peculiar that Sir George, setting forth with the avowed object of discomfiting Sir Robert on his own ground, Bhould have beat such a hasty retreat from the enemy's citadel. Bui. the writer, in his wondrous zeal, quite "o'erleaps himself and falls oh the other side." He forgets that politically Sir George Grey is a knight Ham.pmretmrvi reproche, and that the sole stigma in this transaction (supposing the writer's theory to be true) rests upon the miserable tool who allowed himself to be used in the way of trumping up gross personalities to serve political ends. And if the threat of asking unpleasant questions and throwing out scurrilous hints was made in the interests of Sir Robert Stout, it is satisfactory to note that it utterly failed in its purpose perhaps it contributed in, no small degree to the ex-Premier's rejection by the electors of Dunedin Eaat.

That was rather a back-handed compli ment paid to the " Old Colonial Hand " by Mr Malcolm Nicoll oh Saturday last, when he congratulated Mr Connell 6n life ability to be " serious as well as ridiculous." Con sidering that Mr Connell had just suffered .» crushing defeat, it was but natural that he should be laughing on the wrong side of, his mouth. Many of the other defeated Cftrididates reversed the process -*■ they began in eapiesfc, and ended by making themselves ridieuloua by fchoif childish complaints of " treachery " and so. foffch. A notable exception is 3HfrCrarratfc,oriedf the rejected ftewtbn ; caadlis>t6s, who coßsolfid himself with the whimsical reflection that 9 bad been offered Kifed hfti mmp^i

another seat than a Parliamentary one—a " back seat!" That isn't a bad joke for a man bo make who is assisting ab his own funeral!

##* * * * » 4 .4 " Zamiel" likes Karangahape Road ! There is a business-like earnestness about the traders in this rising thoroughfare that one does nob see in any other portion of the city—nob even excepting Queen-street, with its colossal banks and insurance offices, and its proximity to the shipping. The crowds that assemble in Karangahape Road on Friday or Saturday evening come to buy, and nob to promenade, and the business people, realising this, make a bold display of tneir goods, and by means of blazing gas lights, plenty of advertising in the Stab, and a brass band every now and then, no doubt keep on getting richer. Even the undertakers are infected by tho general desire to do business at all hazards and make a brave display of their gruesome wares. In all these establishments

" Coffins stand roun' like open presses," and no doubt, if public opinion would allow it, these pushing tradesmen would enable me truthfully to quote the last line of the couplet—

" An' show tho dead In their last dresses." Many of the windows are adorned—save tho mark—with " wooden jackets " to suit persons of every age and degree, the gaps being filled up with delicately-embroidered shrouds and other habiliments for bhe dead, whilemebaltrimmingsandhideously-painted wreaths and crosses are also to be seen. To "Zamiel's" mind there is something outrageously vulgar and repellent in these displays, and if the tradesmen of Karanga hape Road would take the hint and consult the feelings of asthetic Aucklandere, they would nob suffer from a business point of view. It was just the other day that a funeral undertaker had the execrable tasto to advertise his business in the announcement of an addition to his family. I half expected that the notice of the birth of a son and heir to the "Al Funeral Undertaker" would wind up with the admonition—"ln the midst of life we are in death, there fore buy your coffins at our establishment!"

*** * * * ♦ * * The union of bhe Bible and Beer if a small matter compared with the very deckled rapprochement that has lately taken _ place between Burns and the Kirk. It is not long since the Auckland Burns Club gave a concert on behalf of St. David's Presby terian Church, and this week the same secular organisation has been giving a bene fit performance at Remuera on behalf of the rich and " jahitai'ty " congregation of St. Luke's. Just fancy ! The author of "Holy Willies Prayer" and the "Merry Muses" taken at laHb to the bosom of the "Kirk "that he so often and so virulently assailed ! We live in an age of progress, dear reader—an age of wonderful develop ments and surpribing changes ; but it would be wrong to pass without comment such a portentous phenomenon as bhisi It seems to me that the Kirk has decidedly the best of the present arrangement, by netting a ten pound note at the expense of the Burns Club occasionally. I am in formed that the Club is as prodigal in its fjeneiwity as any poet oopld possibly wish. They gave £50 to the Dunedin Scots without hope of getting iiny return, and it is nob likely that any of the "Saints" of Auckland will devote a col lection to help the club's funds. The Club; meanwhile, is borrowing the Kirk's method, and has to send round the " plate" at its weekly meetings. A good idea of recipro city might be for ono reverend gentleman to danco the Highland fling to the piping of A'brother Clericus for the benefit or the Burns Club ! This would draw as good a house as would the suggested prizo tight between Messrs Browning and Ewingbon on behalf of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Good old King Thakombau, of Fiji, has caused about as much stir since he died as he did when alive. His whole life and habits have lately been inquired into at great length by Mr Justice Kerford and twelve jurymen at Melbourne, in their endeavour to arrive at a decision in a rather comical libel action. The case arose in this wise: That journaiietiq "Vagabond," Mr Julian Thomas, de clared in the course of a lecture, or "conveyed inferentially" tho idea that " King Thakombau became an exemplary Christian after the losh of his teeth and the ruin of his digestion ; also that he died in the odour of sanctity and a dirty blanket!" Now, that was a decidedly "odorous" re mark to make, even inferentially ; but as one can't libel the dead, Mr Thomas was perfectly Bafe. But the " Wcaloyan Spec sator," bolder than tho " Vagabond," uttered a libel on a living man, by declar ing that " the man who can make such a statement is utterly unworthy of credence and confidence." It plainly accused the " Vag." of " mendacity," and ventured the opinion that he was " further off from truth than when he was a boy."' For this Mi- Thomas claimed £2,000 damages, alleging that the attendance at subsequent lectures had decreased because of the publication of the libel. The defendants pleaded veritas and justification, and they proved up to the hilt that Thakombau had good teeth, ap petite and digestion after he became a Christian, and that the blanket which hedied in was as clean as soap and water could make it. The Wesleyan paper, however, was held guilty of libelling a live man ; but the jury only allowed a farthing damages and no costs to the injured Vagabond."

Some of the statements made during the trial were rather amusing. One worthy missionary declared that on one occasion he. saw Thakombau chew a "leathery bivalve," which was as hard as indiarubber; at another fcime the converted king tore off part of the rind ot a sugar-cane with his teeth, and again he had. bitten through a piece of cocoa-nut synnett in witness's presence-neither of these acts being considered inconsistent with Chris tian profession, but rather, I imagine, as meritorious exercises on the part of the re claimed cannibal. The most comical re mark was made, however, by Dr. Madden, counsel for the defence. He said that Mr Thomas jvas in the habit of speaking sneeringly of the Wesleyan missionaries, and instanced his remarks on the Rev, Mr Baker (not Shirley). This Mr Baker was according to Dr. Madden, " beloved by all the Wesleyan missionary body,and he went where no other missionary dared to go—amongst the cannibals in one of. the islands of Fiji. The chief of these people received him peacefully, but, taking advantage of his back being turned, dashed put his brains' with a club. This was a very painful incident to all the Wesleyan body, but Mr Thomas had dared to make a joke upon it. Mr Thomas had described Mr Baker as a mere fool, who foolishly went 60 the island against the advice of others, saying that he was protected by God. Mr Thomas said that the chief argued that if Mr Baker were protected by God a blow on the head from a club would not hurt him, but if he were not he was a liar and deserved to be killed. The con sequent^ was that Mr Baker was killed. This statement conveyed a shock to the minds of the Wesleyan body, who know it was utterly antl absolutely false, and they intended to attack Mr Thomas for it, but refrained. When, however, be said this Jast thing about King Thakonibaii they brttught him up, standing by publishing the alleged libel." It Strikes me as particularly funny that the Wesleyansshould have tamely submitted to the s.O:called joke attheexpense of a biave rate&ioriaryj and should have |fljfneh|S out s6 sftfbrigly in defence of an old ".Sing' of th#' Cannibal Islands "—or r&thei iii defence of his organs of mastica tion and digestion I

The latest journalistic craze in Auckland is the adoption of head-lines, many and big, for the articles that are daily served Up to the reading public. This is an American fashion, and may be accepted as a ei<m that Auckland fs . "going a-head and has "real live" newspapers at last. I can't say that I dislikei tho innovation (long reading of bhe bTAK has accustomed me to crisp news and live head-lines); bub why should bhe sensational titles not be made to apply to local news as well as to the twaddle of French fortune-tellers or the scarcely less vapid " prophecies " of political correspon dents at Wellington ? When sensational ism is the order of the day it is a pity to overlook any choice morceaux. There was that tea-meeting, for instance, to which Mr Withy treated his supporters. How bhe public would have been " fetched with captions like these : " Withy's Littlo Sym posium," "Political Tea-Fuddling,' ''Pastry and Politics," "Muffins and Cheers, "AScratch Programme," ebc, etc. Then there was the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery to dilate upon. Why, oh why, was that splendid chance for sensabion missed ? How fascinating the report would have looked headed after the following fashion : " Sonsie Presbyters in Session,' " The Minutes Confirmed," " Devotional Exercises," " The Moderator Presides," "Rejoice, Maidens of St. David's," "A Young Parson frae Bonnie Dundee, " The Rev. Runciman Declines a Presby terial Visit," " £15 for Avondale." I trust the papers will allow no more of thfcse chances " like sunbeams to pasp theni by," but will go on " improving " the occasion— when it presenbs itself.

Now that the political campaign is con cluded, the day of reokoning has arrived. Some of the defeated candidates are nob a little surprised at the modest bills for ex penses that are being presented by some of their commiltee men and canvassers. In one instance a rejected one estimates his loss at about £300. It is marvellous the number of " political agents " who manage to get a living by means of continually at tending to electioneering matters. When the elections come on these beings are in clover. Then it is that they rejoice in a clean shave, new hat, and unlimited " booze " and cigars. At such times they are always in a hurry, probably to give one the impression that they are earnestly working in the interests of some particular candidate. They are always in possession of sonic mysterious information which guarantees the return of their candidate, and can always be roliod upon to give the latest intentions of all Cabinet Ministers. In fact, they are as big a nuisance as the book, sowing machine* and insurance agents.

These political quidnuncs have many duties to perform. One of their principal duties is to attend the meetings of rival candidutes and keep yelling out " What about " Tho space of course is filled by tho name of their particular candidate. If a "row" occurs, the agent's yells and hoots may always be relied upon. When his employer holds a meeting, the agent then situ near the middle of the hall in order to start tho applause and hiss down any counter demonstration. Ho is not a pleasant individual to sit near, as tho genuine article generally reeks with the fumes of tstalo beer and tobacco. There is ulko an unpleasant Impression that soap anil water aro scarce at hin residence. On the day of election, ofcourrjo, hecomes out in all his glory. Towards the close of the poll ho usually gets very hoarse and some what inebriated. At times -also he becomes abusive. Should his candidate be defeated, then he hurries over and shakes hand with tho winning man, telling him that although he had worked against him it was merely a question of bread und bnttor, and that ho alway« wished to see him returned at the head of the poll, It is really sur prising that this class of individual can get employment, for surely sensible men can nob expect this objectionable evolution of tho hustings to have any real influence with tho bulk of tho electors, who are presumably respectable men. I hope that in the coming session some action will be taken to rid tho public of this nuisance.

Some good stories anent the late election are still going the rounds. Ono candidate lament!) that a very ardent supporter in validated his vote in the Ponsonby election by writing across the back of his ballot paper, " The Peacock is Dead." The paper was accordingly thrown out, and if the polling had been a very little closer than it was tho perpetrator of tho joke might havo had tho poor satisfaction of knowing that his little bit of fun actually put Mr Peacock at the top of the poll. As matters eventuated, it didn't signify at all, and he has only to regret that all his trouble went for naught. It is also stated that in more than one electorate numbers of voting papers were thrown out because the numbers had been torn off the corners under the impression that " no body could find out how we voted." Those who acted in this silly fashion got their wish, and more, for nobody had any desire to know how they voted, for their votes were simply not counted.

A Smart Boston Saleswoman.

One of the visitors to a prominent Boston millinery establishment the other day was a lady who was evidently seeking an article of headgear that was both neat and cheap, but who, thinking it would be derogatory to her dignity to state exactly what she de sired, consumed the time and the patience of the saleswoman by her inspection of nearly every hat or bonnet in the place. She had one invariable comment as she re turned each article to the saleswoman, that it wag " too decided," whatever that might bo. At length she paid, with an air of extreme condescension and in the same unintelligible phraseology: " What I would like to see is one of those nondescript nothings—yojn know what I mean." The saleswoman had not the remotest idea of what was meant, but, disgusted with the trifler and her monotonous comment on what had been shown her, replied ironi cally : " I am sorry, madam, I cannot suit you, but we neither deal with nor in non descript nothings; on the contrary, our goods and our patrons are all very decided. V

Gushing Girls.

The gushing girl is the nineteenth century production. She giggles from the time she opens her eyes in the morning until she says amen at night and puts her fluffy little head on the pillow. She says "thanks awfully" for " I thank you." She thinks the grand lugubrious music of the " Stabat Mater" too sweet for any thing. A kitten with its eyes as yet un opened, the Niagara Fallß, and Mr Glad stone all are " just top charming and lovely for any earthly use." Her adjectives are. all in the superlative. She will gush over a pumpkin, over her sister's new baby, over a doggerel rhyme, over everything; she se<Ss, everything she hears, 6ver everybody she knows. If she is here to-night she will say of me as she does of the weather-—as she/did of her new bonnet—thai) I'm eitheir 1' simply grand "■ or " simply horrid."

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

October 15-Onehunga R.C. Spring Meetlug October 22-Pakuranga Hunt Club Races November 8 9, and 10. -Canterbury Jockey NoiembWand 12.-Auckland Racing Club's November 26-Takapuna SpringMr• ing November 30and December 1.-Wellmgton R.C. Spring.

DATES OF PRINCIPAL AUSTRALIAN RACES.

Caulfleld Cup.—October 15. Final payment, °vffirian Derby.-October29. Finalpaymont, Melbourne Cup.—November 1. Final pay ment, October 23.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Wager.—Tho cross-country horse, Clarence, is

a bay in colour. H.M.-The lamest field that ever "J«tod for the Melbourne Cup was 35, in 1886, Wlien

Sheet Anchor won. F.K.W.~The throe fastest Melbourne Cups were by Sheet Anchor, 3min. 29Jsoe.; Mar tini-Henry, 3min 30Jsec.; Darriwoll, 3rnm. 3O3sec.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By HipyoWA.]

It can now bo said that we are almost in the thick of the excitement over the big Spring events of the Victorian turf. This afternoon the Caulfield Guineas is to be decided, in which it will not be surprising fco hear of the victory of Hortenso or the Hon. J. White's selected. Among the other items of the day's card is the Caulfield Stakes, run under weight-for-age conditions, and as a number of cracks are engaged, in cluding Trident, Dunlop, Niagara, and Cranbrook, some fresh light may be thrown on forthcoming events. Next Saturday the Cup comes up for decision, for which the final payment of lOsovs is duo on Tuesday. There is every prospect of an unusually large field seeing the post, if we can rely on all accounts, and the race bears the usual open appearance. Silvermine, the runner-up to Ben Bolt last year, will, it is quite evident, be warmly served up by the time the flag drops, and as he has proved himself to be possessed of lots of pace, his impost of Bstßlb (should not stop his winning. Vol cano is a very brilliant animal, and I have it from more than one source that he will win. On some of his form he reads re markably well with ?st 111b, but he has been anything but a consistent performer. I fancy that Cairo will see a short price before the flag falls, and The Levite is a candidate for whom I have a particular liking. Lara's chance is also thought very highly of, The dangerous Kingston stable have a good pair in Meteor and Mozart, and which ever is backed is likely to require a deal of beating. Recall, who carried 7st 71b to All Gold's 7st in the Bagot Plato, may prove dangerous ; but my fanes' of the lofc, if in the betting during next week, are Cairo and The Levite.

The Victorian Derby isn't half over, as some people fondly imagine. Information from Sydney this week, which I can rely on, slates that neither Abercorn nor Niagara are as sound as their many admirers might wish. Tho two races Abercorn ran in at Rundwick told on Hint", and after the Foal Stakes he was dead lame. Niagara's trouble lies in the fact that he has a very ugly lump on one of his front fetlocks, and this is quite suffi6iont to interfere with his preparation. With this fact before us, of course it makes the great three year-old race much more open than it appeared to bo some clays back. Among the other candidates I hear spoken of as being the likely winner is' tho Auckland bred colt Tranter, and the Flemington training notes sta(# that he is doing well. Enfilade's running in tho Sydney Derby and Foal Stakes! don t for one moment think is hiatrue form; in fact, he is greatly on the bar side, and the Hon. W. Robinson publicly stated that he merely started the ! colt at Randwick to get used to the crowd, and there would seem to be some truth in it from tho fact that Enfilade is not neg lected among Australian turf speculators. Then, again, there is Australian Peer. He is an improving colt, and his defeat of Tri denb in tho Randwick Plate—admitting that the Hon. J. White's champion was de cidedly off — was quite sufficient to warrant that he has more than an average chance. Bedouin is doing well, and from all accounts the unperformed Jebuaite, an in mate of T. Cpffey's stable, is the beau ideal of a Derby colt. The quiet way he is being nibbled at makes it certain he has shown his trainer a good gallop or two, and there is Moorhouse, the Hon. W. A. Long's much talked of representative. Silvertan, by The Assyrian — Silver Thread, is very highly, spoken of, and possibly danger may eventu ally come from this quarter, while we must not overlook Cranbrook,the Hon. J. White's Second string. As I said above, with Aber corn and Niagara under suspicion, the race is open at the present time. Should the pair, however, strip at the post in their Jtandwick form, the better of the two — which Abercorn has proved himself to be— should win.

Trident's brilliant running at the A. J.C. Spring Meeting last season was the means of paralysing speculation in Australia on the Melbourne Cup about this same period, aiid Algerian's " form " .has had the same effect t lie year. There is no doubt, look ing at the matter from every point of View, Algerian's show in the big Flemington Han r dioap looks a particularly good one, and if all things go well with him, he promises to start one of the hottest favourites on re cord. The vast majority of the Cup candi dates can have ho chance whatever with Algerian on paper form, and it is hard to conceive how any three-year-old can give him 71b and a beating over two miles of ground so early in the season as the first of November. Algerian's party have certainly run the horse in and-out, but there is no doubting the fact that lie has generally won when heavily backed. At Liverpool, near Sydney, a few months ago he ran nowhere, his price in the betting being a long one ; but a few days subsequently, when supported for pounds shillings and pence, he was victorious at Canterbury Park, another Sydney racing tryst. On-the first duy of the A..T.C. Meet ing he started for the Epsom Handicap, carrying 9st, and Went out at 20 to 1, finish ing nownere; but in a field of 14 for the Sydney Handicap, and in which he Was weighted at Bst 101b, all the money down to 2 to 1 was fluickly snapped up and he proved himself a great horse by winning easily. . In the Waverley Handicap, If mile, weigh ied at 9st 61b, Algerian was supported down to 2 to 1, and despite his crushing impost, and the fact that he was blocked twico in the straight, he finished second. The sporting contribu tor of the " Melbourne Sportsman "speaks in glowing terms of Algerian, and in.the course of a lengthy article remarks :—" The sensation with which this horse 'is shadowed arises from the fact that he has been pitch forked into tjhe Melbourne Cup with just five-and-thirty pounds less than the handi cappor would be justified in giving him if the weights came out to-morrow. Tis this fact which has brought the name of Algerian on the lips of all.turfites through out Australia. On paper there is only one horse iq the Melbourne Cup, and his name is Algerian ; and as I ani afraid that many owrters hold the sam* the Melbourne Cup field this timo L '7 to be very muoh smaller than usual;"

Maxim was quite the Hero of the Hawke a Bay Jockey Club Spring Meeting, and the gathering may be summed up as a " bene fit " for Mr Stead. The very easy manner in which Maxim settled his opponents in the three races that he appropriated con clusively proves that his owner is the fortunate possessor of a very brilliant three-year-old, and it is a thousand pities that le was not nominated for the Vic torian Derby, so that he might have thrown down the gauntlet once more to Abercorn, not to mention Niagara, the Australian Peer and Co. Maxim's easy victories will be the means of making him greatly fancied for the Canterbury Derby, and it is quite on the cards that he may march on without impediment by carrying off both the Derby and New Zealand Cup. The Auckland Stud Company can boast of the honour of breeding Maxim, and he Was purchased at their yearling sale in January, 1885, for 220 guineas.

When the news was cabled bo New Zea land that Teddy Yuille had won the Free Handicap at the recent A. J.C. Meeting, it was concluded that his owner would largely profit by the victory. Such turns out not to be the case, for I learn that the son of Anteros went out absolutely unbacked, his owner thinking Dividendj the runner up to Teddy Yuille, would win, and whom he supported for a bit. To make matters Worse, a stable-lad connected with Mr S. G. Cook, the owner of Dividend, was £utup on Teddy Yuille, his chance of winning* being so little thought of. Such is the un certainty of horse-racing. Mr Prank Osborne, of St. Kildp, Mel bourne Writes asking if I can inform him of the whereabouts of Peter Walsh, who at one time or other was employed in a stable in the Auckland province ? Perhaps some of my readers can supply the information* If so, they can obtain further particulars by communicating with me. The Takapuna Jockey Club drew up the programme for their Spring Meeting this week. The meeting takes place on the 26th of November, when £440 will be given in stakes. The leading events are the St. Andrew's Handicap of lOOsovs and Steeplechase of lOOsovs, and a new departure has been made by making tho distance of the Spring Handicap seven furlongs. During the winter the Club have had the course top-dressed, and the track is now in first-class order.

All tho Australian papers express sur prise at tho slow time the Great Metro politan Stakes was run in. The first six furlongs took linin 2786 C. The pace was then mended; and the last mile and a quarter was completed in 2min lljsec, and the last six furlongs in lmin I.6£sec. Dun lop ran most unkindly all the way. Spade Guinea never was once dangerous, while Phaon was jammed in the centre, and never got a chance. Commenting on the time recorded the " Sportsman ' says if ever there was a falsely run two-mile race in the world,it was the Metropolitan. For the first six furlongs every horse in the race was simply cantering* with the jockeys lying right back in their saddles, wondering why something didn't go to the front and make a pace. The going was good—fast in fact, yet the race took six or seven seconds longer to run than 10 out of the 14 starters could "get the distance in.

The running of Maxim at Napier « certain to completely change the New Zealand Cup betting, and will probably limit the field, as many owners will see they can have no chance of success with Mr Stead's colt in the race. Last week's advices of the? doings at Riccarton state that Cutts is tolerably confident of bringing Nelson, to the post, but the horse's lamepess has ilot yet dis appeared. Artillery has been putting in some good work. Fair Nell has been eased off and.Torrent has lately accomplished one or two good gallops. Sextant and Hermit age still continue to please the touts. Cruchfield is doing good work, and Lor raine, who recently threw a curb) is alßo progressing well.

Mr J. Klbrow's New Zealand Cup candi date, Captain Wheeler, is dead, the cause being inflammation of the bowels. Captain Wheeler was by The Drummer out Of Modesty, by New Warrior, atid was pur chased in Sydney as a yearling by Mr Pilbrow.

" Augur " reports of a visit to th 6 Dow ling Forest stables at Ballarat: Just as we reached Scobie's his string was returning foom exercise, and as they filed from the road into the lane leading to the stables I liked nothing so well as the Tasmanian colt Silverton. There was still evidence of the big curb he threw some time ago, and having been eased in his work for a month in consequence of that undesirable excres cence, he did not look as if he would be ready by theV.R.C. Spring Meeting.

After Abercorn's easy win in the Sydney Derby, the Victorian Blue Riband waij looked on in Sydney as something next to a moral, and he was heavily backed down to 3to 2. The running of Niagara in the Foal Stakes put a different complexion on affairs, and the Hon. J. White's crack receded in the betting to 2 to 1. Describing the race for the Foal Stakes, the " Sydney Referee" has the follow ing :—At the Leger Stand Niagara's nose was touching Abercorn's girth. Both horses answered gamely at every sweep of the whip, and lifted arid forged by Hales and Robertson they bounded oh like kan garoos. Now Niagara's nose was in front, now Abercorn's. Abercorn wins by a neck! But no ; in the last stride Niagara is level with him, and they sweep past the post like a flash of lightning together. Was there ever such a race so gamely run, or so gallantly ridden up the straight ?

♦ Writes " Mazeppa" : On dk that Mr W. C. Cooper, the Australia** owner, has been endeavouring to come to terms with Mr D. O'Brien for the purchase of Sextant; but there is some hitch in the arrange ments.

Mr J. C. Reid Duff&tt, the late owner of Grace Darling, the Caulfield Cup heroine, and other horses, committed suicide recently by shooting himself. It is said that he backed a bill for, a large amount for one of the young Robertsons, who formerly owned The Broker, but who are in the same street as the horse's name im plies, and being unable to meet it when it came due, inflicted the fatal injuries.

" Augur " has the following concerning a little scene -which occurred at Randwick over the Oalcs :— " There wove four starters for the Oaks, in connection with this race there was a most disagreeable circum stance. When the numbers of the four competitors were hoisted on the board Hales'a name appeared rinder that of Per fume, and as she was considered to be the best of Mr White's fillies, the public readily laid 5 to 4 on her, but a few minutes later it was announced that Hales w«jiß to ride Lava, and considerable dissatisfac tion arose, the general .opinion being that Mr White was desirous of win ning with Lava because she was one of his own breeding. The public then trans ferred their affections to Lava. The matter was not improved by Perfume making all the running to the turn, where her jockey looked back for Lava, who came to the front, and Perfume dropped to the rear; Lava won, and Sumatra, wno was kicked in the jaw by The Charmer, was second. When the horses entered the enclosure the spectators showed their displeasure by hoot ing Mr White,' but as Perfume came^ in so lame that she could scarcely walk, the de monstration quickly died out. Mr White, however, asked the stewards/to inquire how the mistake arose with regard to the> jockeys, and it transpired that the boy who had charge of the numbered saddle cloths asked Boase which he was going; to ride, and was told Lava, and thinking Hales was on Perfume, b.Q told the. man in charge of the telegraph b6ard; hence the foistake.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Onehunga races on Saturday next. Macsiccar^ th> dam- of Mr D. O'Bnien'a Hermitage, is dead. Wai-iti,. dam of Fusillade, has been sent on a visit-to Le Loup this season.

Private advices from Australian residents, state that Messrs Bobinson and Drake's horses are all on the big side. In some Melbourne Cup betting which place ii* Sydney, Silvenmne was; backed to win £10,000 at 100 to 5. More than one backer of horses in Sydney was labelled amori§f! the missing over the recent A. J.C. Meeting. Abercora isaehestnutin colour, with white blaze and two white1 hind feet, and be stands about 15 hands 2 inches. Two wagers of 500 to 26 and 500 to 30 were recently laid against Trident for tfce Melbpurne Gup at the Victorian Club. It "w said that Cran brook takes a girth an inch longer than Algerian. The last named is credited' with an extraordinarily big girth, ■■■■-.• Thio tfeek the short priceof 100 to 10 was accepted^ about the: double of A bercorn and Algerian for the Melbourne Derby and Cvp # , 'Jfh*;mosfc successful sirer afc the A.J.C. Meeting w&» Chested,, whose* progeny car riedoff four races, and ran* dead heat ia< two oth«« • ■'■ Mulfcefc'jj son Stiftpshob won the Gteraldine Cup' with the greatest ease by eight lengths, He afeo appropriated this Geraldine Racing Club Handicap. v Waterwitch, the dam of Natator, has a fine colt foal alongside her this yeai? who was sired by Apremont. She visits Tasuaan this year, The Hon. W. Robinson s lot, comprising Thunderbolt* Silrer Prince, and Enfilade, arrived at Flemington, from Sydney, on September27th. The horses that remain m the Moonee Valley Cup after payment of the first for»/ feit number 67, and among them are Pasha and Teddy Yuillel. The owner of Merrimu has decided to send him to do duty at the stud, and the horse has been struck out of the Melbourne Cup. . v George Goodie, a jockey, washned £10 for passing his ticket over the fence to another man, at Dowlirig forest races, Bat larat. . The Eton. Jajnes White's Perfume dislo cated her stifle in the race for the A. J.& Oaks, and it is doubtful whether she will ever race again. The brood, mare Lilian, dam of First Domdnand TheFeJon, is dead. Shedropped a dead foal io Oatcake, and died shortly after. „ , t ;'■■,,.,■ Dunlop'o jockey broke one of his sbirrup leathers early in the race for the Metrop. His supporters say hewouW have ran very forward but for the mishapl A w*ager of £150 to £100 was laid in Mel bourn© Lately that Trident beat Silvermine in the Melbourne Cup, a stipulation being made thab both were to start. The Diikei of Westminster has af&% creating a sensation in English sporting cifdlesby ridirtg his champion, Ormonde, at exercise oh Kitigsttlere D6#ns. Take Mica (half-slstei? to Welcome Jack) was knocked dtfwii fof 40 guinesasat a sale in Christchurch last week. The Middle Park Stud Company were the purchasers. The Victorian turf is losing an active sup? porter in Mr S, Miller, who has given ia structions to Messrs Yuille" arid Co. to disV pOBe of the whole of his extensive string. .Mr Andrew Town has no less than ten thoroughbred stallions doing duty this season, but Grand Flaneur and Maribyr nong are not at the service of the public; .■ ?. Before he won the St. Leger, Kilwarlin was, sold, by Captain.JMUwhell to Rodneyj a young peer who has lately taken to racing" under the guidance of the capr tain. ■••'-; •'■■■-- ' '■•:- -• :-r : , ir, ■'-■":.:■• According to "Trumpafcor," the collapse of ' Mnomjr was qWet unexpected: trainer does not think Isonomy's, racing days are Over," but he will riot train him any more this spring. '.'..-.'■ The valuable brood nfare La Name, by West Australian - Miss Finch, has died at Morpethville, Adelaide. She was bred in France, in 1870* and was, the dam of Tyropean. A Sydney paper states that had it not been for the splendid way in which young Fielder nursed Cardigan coming up the straight. AoolytewOuid have been hailecL the winner of the Metropolitan. : Mr G. Rutherford's brood mare Princess Royal, who won several races in^the Ash burton and South Canterbury districts, is dead. She wad by Cassivellaunus out of Miss King by Tom JEting- . The trophy which is to be presented to thd winner of the Melbourne Cup takes the form 6f a gold horse-shoe of full size, ani<? will be a most Appropriate souvenir of a triumph in the great handicap. . The Marion controversy has so far born^ fruit that the Punedin Jockey Club stewards, when taking evidence on a pi6^ test At their" iafce Hatiit Club Meeting, in vited attendants of jifoe press,, , t C. Wood; has. clrtt^n still further away from Other English ginning jockeys on fchß flat, find betWoeri M4rch gist land August 6th had won 91 races in 296 starts. G. Bar rett follows with 74 wins for 379 mounts. , In the A.J.C Derby, "Augur" states that Niagara looked full big, but Fonlshany declared "that he was in far Detter condition than most people imagined, and though: not anticipating a victory, he declared that the colt would not disgrace himself. ■• The most successful jockey at the A. J.y.; Spring Meeting was T. Hales, who; placed four absolute "wins to his credit," besides? riding a dead heat. Next to the premier jockey came Fielder, who scored three vic tories. At the Manawatu horse parade lately • a yp.feft'3?«9 te&m- of tfiQs? present ftSvtpfthis ; merits of the respective.; thoroughbreds,: j •which Jes«lted, as follows :-rSomnus,. 34 . points jtorpedo, 27; Tim Whiffler; it*} ,j Rarid^k, 11; Larabauditire, 7; Bedouin, , 4; Prince Charming, 1. , j Although the Hon. James White is again , in possession of a strong team this season, at : doesnotincludeatwQ-year-old;c9nsequ^ntly the Maribyrnong Plate of 1887, will be ] run without the presence of the always dangerous blue and white banner. The trotting match made in Sydney between Mr A. Drake'sNewZealand pony Nap-a-nap and Mr Klelso'e creole, iihe * latter conceding 100 yards start in two miles, was declared aoff,"thfcI owner of ,-Nap- -j a-nap having forfeited. ■ , ' Melbourne papers state that the Sydney jockey Martin Gallagher will carry the Hon. W. Robinson's first colours on every f occasion where he can ride^ the weighte. v Silver Prince will probably be ridden by . Cochrane in the Cup. a^fni t The stakes won at the A.J.C Spring I Meeting amounted to £8,993, of which the j Hon. James White took the lion's *to*b™r C £2,928 10s. Mr James Chambers foUgW \ with jn,Oda'andaffcer.himpain^eßg.. a W. Long, te. Mr A. Drake's choquft totted up to £150. ; n. «i w' a The. A.J.C. Derby was worth £1,1 fh .■ made uo from 75 subscribers, 65 of w^. declarecf £5 forfeits, eight paid «°«gg' and two are in defaultto the <w^g*s? q while the added money- is £500. Mr Cooper received £100 for running second WS^&ddavofthcAJ.C H ? tj^ J at the start for the Suburban Handicap n Jubilee bucked his rider, j/g-g,:^ I Ivory, off, arid broke one of his legs, v^u« I^iihardt and Phaon fell P *^gj I Handicap, and McAuhffe, ible g former, was picked up m an insensio^e "if^Clibborn's sale in **«&*?* Wm. Kelso for 150 guineas.

UNKNOWN.

~■ ..■■ ," - Ss'j *~*srT"-i ■'

January, 18iS3,_'wr .', '"•'"'^^H The altei^ition in ti, e; ., (j , ~"t . J ■'-• < a Committee',fwin five v - ****>& in the right; direction, v /: • to expect th/i nv;B«tiy|||jH ""'"* : * tfve cricket eleven Soi^^™,^'"!* financial position secar?' ei'oi $'-"r-i to charge admisaon (.' th*^^f^ for niae days diiehjg/'ifcgfeg^vj'l make anythinw out of (:e Hatlffi*"! team that is to pay yj \tl for that has boett already fcttiidSji Englishmen are to get ail tie nsksnii Still we have■'ax-joiiyg left andwnl would have visited us two jtuii^i declined to play the seebiad•-«'»«' They have some very g'ood.maifiS &k they mighl ho) ber al "■niaffi-lB a match with them might he.lp wimj raen confidenpe. Then Oigojffiffl and it is high time it wai tiUbityt cannot get them tljo Anoklaild'lJS Assooiafcion ' should i dite wftii;§s A Associations through .us tLo coiiay.j invite »team from Wtv Soati Wil4? iiud even ii ■-■~ *, , hcLteu .tre~^ be able to learn «oethiiig;.fron|i|i and our men would gain coijiJal their own powers, a, thin^thd^s^j raafcclics, but onr expenses would SJ heavy. If it, is deddedfosendateaniiSrtj! very best should be senfn-iefc tie Jart jiaid besides remuneration'fnr vA a otherwise they will DotbeablStofO ■■■'- wrong side pf the ledger thkAi . ■'■' Auckland. ~ year. . * season. ■ „ ' sii^.] Souiii W rales to play; -j : w/>i|S Why should our brothers over l.- • ;uit; their stride betw . pw*";s>: anoes. ... ns a{ie XjW '- ..

THfi AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBEH S, 1887.

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You can't mako ft man a gentleman by, calling him one,* feut sometimes you can please him and carry your point, and that 16 more to your purpose.