AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 56, 7 March 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

TO-DAY’S BIG RACE,

(Special to Times). Auckland, last night.

The V.R.C. will continue their autumn meeting at Flemington to-morrow (Thursday), when the principal event run will he the Champion Stakes, over three miles. There are several conditions attached to the race, one being that unless the race is run in 5 minutes 44 seconds, or under, the added money will be reduced to 500 sovs., and the second and third money to 150 and 75 sovs respectively, but the stewards, having regard to the state of the course, may, if they think fit, at any time up to one hour before the time fixed for starting, vary or alter the conditions as to the time within which the race is to be run. At present there are fourteen horses engaged, among them being Advance. I fancy the winner will come from La Carbine, Finland, or Malster, and as tho first-named is such a splendid stayer, she should just about win. HOPE FOR PRISONERS.

Respecting a letter received from the chaplain of tho Auckland gaol, asking for clemency to first offenders on the accession of His Majesty the King to the Throne, the Government decided to get a list of first offenders and the nature of their offences, to be dealt with at a full meeting of tho Cabinet. This applies only to convictions prior to the accession of the King.

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Messrs Blair and D. Mallott have been rc-appointed directors of the Bank of New Zealand. ST. PATRICK’S DAY ON A SUNDAY. The Government have decided to close the Government offices on Monday, tho 18th instant, St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday. SPORTING NOTES. Tho autumn meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club will be commenced to-morrow (Thursday), and continued on the following day, and from present indications it looks as though the function is going to prove as successful as any held on the picturesquo racecourse. The chief item on the opening day is, of course, tho Wanganui Cup, of 750 sovs, run over a distance of a mile and three-quarters. Eight horses arc left in, the Hon. J. D. Ormond owning the two top-weights, Renown and Ideal. It is hard to say what there is with any very rosy chance of defeating the former. He is certainly given a fair weight with 8.13, but the son of Dreadnought is such a good one that he should prove fully master of it. It is to be presumed that his stablemate lias been left in to ensure a truly-run race. Nobility is by no means a duffer, and has lately proved that ho is in fine form, so that he may be depended upon for a big effort, while Skobeleff has certainly a capital chance. Probably the most dangerous of the others, however, is Dayntrec, and if the grey is only caught in a galloping humor he may be found equal to giving the top-weight a go for it. Howevor, when tho numbers are hoisted I shall expect to hear that the placings are— Renown ... 1 Nobility 2 Ideal 3 For the other events on tho opening day those whose chances strike me as good are the following :

Stewards’ Stakes: Eton or Palaver. Handicap Hurdles: Waiwera or Ngapuhi. Flying Handicap : Jabber or The , Needle. RELIEVING CONTINGENTS.

The Government has been advised to recommend the authorities at the Cape on the arrival of the Sixth Contingent that the Second and Third Contingents be relieved and returned to the colony. In all probability they will come by tho Cornwall.

DEFENCE WORKS. The Cabinet has approved of the ex' penditurc of £2OOO for tho alteration oi the Auckland defence works. SWEATING WORKMEN.

Tho low rate of wages earned by the two gangs of men working in tho Government railway tunnel at Karangahako has been a source of discontent for some time past, and both gangs have now thrown up their contracts. The average earnings of one party for the last month was 4s 2d per day; the other party of men have made a little over 5s Id per day. Considering the dangerous nature of this work, and the rate of wages ruling in the district, it is little wonder the men knocked off. The men working in this tunnel must be assumed to bo first-class men, otherwise they should not be working there. MR PALMER AS PEACEMAKER,

Mr Jackson Palmer, H.M.R., proccodet to Karangahake this morning in coimeo tion with the strike at the tunnel,