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Dunstan Times, Issue 782, 13 April 1877, Page 3

An American editor, speaking of Spiritualism, says, “ AVe don't believe in any medium except the ‘ circulating medium,’ and that has become so scarce that our faith in it is shaky.” Flattery, observes Locke, is a sort of had money to which our vanity gives currency. It is a blot upon the memory of Alexander that he could be so weak as to be pleased with his courtiers imitating his wry neck.

I DISQUALIFICATION OF FISHHOOK. Tho following account of tho race for the Flying Handicap of 75 sovs,, distance one mile, on the Oainaru race-course, wo extract from the North Otago Times Mr Dolamain’s br f Titania, 3 yrs, Cst 101b (C. M'Clure) 1 Mr Dolamain’s br m Pungawerowere, 4 yrs Sat (Rowland) 2 Mr Stephenson’s br g Rob Roy, 5 yrs, 7 st 2 lbs (Gourley) 3 Mr O’Brien’s b g Fishhook, 4 yrs, Oat 31b also started. Betting ; oto 4 on Fishhook ; even money on Titania ; 2 to 1, Pungawerewere ; 4 to 1, Rob Roy. Mr Dolamain declared to win with Titania. At tho first attempt to start, Derritt kept Fishhook so far in the roar that Mr Shalders would not let them go. Ultimately, the flag fell, when Titania rushed off with the lead; Rob Roy and Pungawerewere in close attendance, but Derritt would not let fishhook go until the others were 1 six lengths away, and going at a quick pace. After the horses had been going a short distance the attention of all on the stand was drawn to the fact that Fishhook was being pulled further behind, until, when the S' com! turn from home was reached, he was fully ten lengths away. Coming into the straight, Pungawerewere challenged and passed Rob Roy, and when tho horses entered the rails, it was'at last seen that Derritt was making a feeble attempt to ride hj ishhook so that he could get on terms with the leading horses. When the horse was let out he commenced to creep up to them at a quick rate, passing Rob Roy about twenty lengths from tho winning post; but before he could got on terms with the other two, the winning post was passed by titania,- Fungawerewere second, a length away ; Fishhook two lengths behind her, ' and Rob Roy a had fourth. As soon as 1 N ishhook passed the post, the people began to cry out “ Swindle ” and “Shame,” and when the horse, rider, and owner entered the saddling paddock, the demonstrations of disapproval were repeated. O’Brien tried to laugh it off, and look unconcerned, 1 but as tho hooting increased he lost his temper, and, rushing at a young fellow (the smallest and youngest in the crowd) commenced to pummel him about the head • in .an unmerciful manner. To their shame be it said that the people present did not 1 interfere for a few moments. O’Brien was s at last prevailed upon to desist, hut if such ■ a thing had happened in some saddling paddocks, the people would have taken O’Brien and chucked him over the wall, neck and crop, and considered him lucky in e caping without a good thrashing. We do not know i what this young fellow did that O’Brien should single him'out particularly as an ! object on which to exhaust his wrath ; but as the young man will probably bring the ! ease,into Court, the public will then be eni lightened as to the cause of the attack, , After the race the stewards held a meeting to consider the circumstances connected with the running of Fishhook in the Flying ' Handicap, the result being that the following resolution was passed That, in consequence of his being deliberately pulled in the Flying Handicap, the horse Fishhook be not allowed to run on the Oainaru racecourse again ; and that the Secretary be instructed to transmit this resolution to all | Jockey Clubs in the Colony, and to request ■ them to endorse tho same.”

The Dunedin Evening Star, referring to the decision of the Stewards, says “ ’Hie publie, almost to a man, support the action of the stewards ; hut a great many are of opinion that the race should have been declared void, and all parties concerned in the transaction disqualitie I. It is known that if all tn the “ swim ” were disqualified, a certain owner of horses and others, particularly one bookmaker, would have thencareer stopped in this direction at any rate.

A telegram from Oamaru to the Daily Times states that Mr O. O’Brien, feeling dissatisfied at the decision of the stewards at the late race meeting, when his horse Fishhook was disqualified, sent a letter to the stewards asking that they would reconsider their decision. A meeting of the stewards took place at the Empire Hotel to consider the letter, when considerable discussion ensued, in the course of which it was pointed out, even though Mr O’Brien could show that lus jockey was to blame, he must be held responsible for the act of his servant. After fully considering the whole matter, it was resolved, “ That this meeting does not doom it necessary to reverse the decision arrived at on the course.”