THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3438, 27 February 1874, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Tuapeka.—A fine covey of sixteen partridges has been repeatedly seen on the track between Wetherstones and Bungtown. They are fine, healthy looting, birds, and strong on the, vying.—passengers were booked through from Lawrence to Dunedin on Monday last per Mr Lyon’s coach at the rate of 10s per head.— Dr Halley purchased the celebrated race horse Patch last week for the sum of L2B. This horse won the Derby in Christchurch in very good, time some years ago.—The contractors are pushing on with the railway tunnel at Manuka Creek. They have now pierced the rock a distance of 70ft, and find it as hard as ever. — ~Th® man named Drein, who was charged withhaving committed a felonious assault upon a girl of eight years of age was brought up on remand before Mr E. H. Carew on Wednesday. After hearing some further evidence, the accused was committed for trial.—A number of petty robberies have been committed in Lawrence and on the race-course during the meeting. Unfortunately several of the parties failed to give intimation to the police, thereby allowing the thieves to carry on their depredations without let or hindrance. Besides the minor robbenes referred to above, John Kelso was robbed of between forty and fifty pounds, which was abstracted from a drawer where he usually keeps his money and books. The perpetrator °* i ro , er y mus t have, made himself remarkably well acquainted with the run of the stables, as the drawer from which the money Was taken was so constructed as to lead any one to believe, who opened it two-thirds of the wav, that it was out to its full extent. The CTsh was deposited in the back portion of the drawer, which goes far to prove the thief must have been made acquainted with the fact, or that the robbery was committed bv some one who was familiar with the stable. The police have obtained a slight clue which they are most assiduously following up.— A match was run on the Lawrence race-course on, Saturday, between Eambler and Young Leamington, distance Ij miles, for LlO a-side when Rambler won by a couple of lengths. There was a suspicion, which we understand was not groundless, that the rider of Young Leamington pulled his horse to prevent him winning; but parties who lose their money invariably complain and fancy they have been unfairly dealt with. After this match a foot race was run between J. Harris, of local notonety, and Harry Money. Money won the nm heat, and Harris the second. When within twenty yards of the winning-post, in the thim heat, a mate of Money’s called out to him fal ,v backed Harris. Money accordingly fell; but Harris, whose pecuniary interest lay m Money’s winning, fell also, thus spoiling the httle swindle. The judge declared phe match as neither of the competitors passed the post. There was a numerpus attendwPe ,PI talenj:,! j eypry one l(eing nosMsseii pf a dice-pox and a pack of card?, ready fflra gpflie ; but thpre wpfp very few pigeons W WT ftUd'shy, U MS* P°P rt down, gentlemen," met with but little response. We never saw a more blackguard-looking crowd on a race-course before than the so-called “ talent ” who patromsed Lawence this year, for the purpose of ‘Time8 g ’ the pubh ° of their sur P lus cash.—