LATEST UNPUBLISHED.

Kumara Times, Issue 736, 7 February 1879, Page 2

LATEST UNPUBLISHED.

[PKESS AGEXCt.j THE FIRE AT GHRISTOHURCH; OHRiSTCUL'Rcrr, February t". A destructive fire occurred last night on the premises of Saunders(merchant), Sargood Son', and Ewen (warehousemen), and A. Louisson (merchant). A strong breeze was blowin" at the time The losses ine estimated at ahoufc .£30.000. The following are the insurances \-w Zealand .£SOOO ; South British, .£.IOOO ; Liverpool and London, £100(1; Standard-, .£-1000 ; Colonial, £IOOO. WELLINGTON RACES. \VKM.r\aTox, FVhruarv 0* Itutt Park Stakes— l)6 sovs." One mile. Eight entries ; but only Bribery and Sannterer cuius to the post. The following were scratched :—Fishhook, Diver, Expectation-, Rata, Merlin, Doneaster. The lead was taken by Rrihery, but S-.lunterer would not he shook oft", and there was Utile dilferenee until the riln in home, when Bribery had it allhisowil way, winning hands down l.y* sik lengths. Time* 1. niin, of) sees. Fl iiig Staki-s—oO snVs ; Tine" Quarters of A mile. Eleven entries Tlie following were scratched :—-Maritana, Lady Eden, dampbdlo, and Diver. A capits-l race; RatcAtcher, 1 ; Opawa; 2 ; Ex. ectation, 3. Sailor, and DmirAster Also ran. 'fin? greatest attendance during the day wis between three .md four thousand. Th- (t v.'i-nor w.is .in iVo ,1 l)|\ absent. • Colonel Wliitmoit iiud Mr

Sheehan were present, There was a bight wind all day, and much dust, but little rain, February 7. The Derby.—Owe mile and a-balf.— Merlin, 1 ; Dundee, 2. There was some difficulty in petting a good start, Dundee being fractious. Several 'false starts occurred •; hnt at length Merlin got off with a big xh»,rt, Dundee being apparently taken by siTrprise. On passing the Stand the first time Merlin was several lengths ahead ; hut when about half round, Dundee put his best foot forward, aucl an exciting race ensued. Coming to the straight Merlin led about, a length-, and Dundee plied the whip vigorously, The run up the straight to the Grand Stand was very exciting, the fanciers of Dundee thinking he could do it, but it was not to be, Merlin clearly leaving the whip hand of him, and, despite all Dundee's efforts MeVlin won by an easy rteck, being held well in h&nd all the" time. Time, 2 niins. 27 sees.

Hurdle Handicap.—Grey Momus, 1; Agent, 2 ; Eversley, 3. Wellington Racing Club HandicapLaertes, 1 ; Ohawa, 2 ; Lady Ellen 3. Time 2 mins. 45 sees. A grand race.