AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 82, 15 April 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

GISB OENITES IN AUCKLAND. [Special to Times.] Auckland, Saturday. Among the many Gisbornites at the A.R.C. Races to-day was the Hon. Jas. Carroll, who took quite a keen interest in the proceedings. SPORTING.

St. Ursula, winner of the big race of the day, the Autumn Handicap, of SOOsovs., was ridden by a youth named Abbott. Jim Buchanan, of Gisborne, declined to ride St. Ursula, owing to a previous engagement to ride L. D. Nathan’s Beddington. The latter being scratched it was most unfortunate, and I consider the ■popular young Gisbornito was deprived of the honor of placing the big event to his credit. Bluejacket, with Joe Sceats on his back, was made a warm favorite for the Autumn Handicap. He looked rather on the big side. Sceats also rode Lady Avon to victory in the pony event.

A HUBBUB. Great excitement prevailed when the result of the Grandstand Handicap was announced. Zealous, Rosella, and The Needle wore supposed to have finished in that order. It appeared almost a dead heat between Rosella and Zealous, with The Needlo only inches away third, but the Judge, Mr Hutchison, S.M., gave his decision in favor of The Needle. The public hooted the Auckland Magistrate for his unpopular decision. Of course, it is difficult for the public to study the angles and finishing points from the grand stand, and the judgo is supposed to have these advantages. From the Press stand, where a splendid opportunity is presented to witness the finish, the general impression was that Zealous and Rosella had finished in front of The Needle. The Hon. James Carroll, from tho Press stand, was of opinion that Zealous had won, and tho Hon. James is a fairly good judge. lam not surprised at tho public hooting in the manner that they did. This samo race last year resulted in a dead hoat. HURDLERS FALL. Cannongate and Nor’-west both fell in the hurdle event to-day. A singular thing, too ; this is tho first time during these two champions’ racing career that they have come to grief over the sticks. A SENSATION. A very unpleasant sensation has boon caused in town by a report that Mr 11. Johnston, Managing Director of the Kauri Timber Company, is missing. This assumption is scarcely correct, seeing that the Auckland directors were advised by their colleagues in Sydney that Mr Johnston was there on Thursday last. Nevertheless, developments that have taken place since his departure have led to a serious charge being preferred against him. Three years ago, Mr Johnston was appointed Managing Director of the Kauri Timber Company. This was for a period of three years, aud the time having expired, Mr Johnston loft last week for Melbourne to meet the Board of Directors there, with a view to tho renewal of his engagement. Up to the time of his departure there was not the slightest suspicion of anything wrong, but facts that wore disclosed immediately afterwards led the Auckland directors to the conclusion that there wore serious discrepancies in tho accounts. These are understood to represent between £2OOO and £3OOO. Communications have passed by cable between the local directors and the board of directors in Melbourne, and it has been left for the latter to ?akc action in the matter.