WAKATIP JOCKEY CLUB.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 62, 2 December 1863, Page 4

WAKATIP JOCKEY CLUB.

A meeting of the Club took place at M'GaVs Albion Hotel, on the 30th November. Present —Messrs Gordon (Chair), Bracken, M'Gaw, Welsh, Allerf, Elliot Carey and Manders. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. After some discussion it was decided upon that the election of the officers be the first business transacted. % Upon the motion of Messrs M'Gaw and Welsh it was resolved that the number of stewards be seven. Proposed by Mr Bracken and seconded by Mr M'Gaw—"That Mr Morton be appointed starter." Carried. Proposed by Mr M'Gaw, and seconded by Mr Welsh—"That Mr Rees be appointed Judge." In consequence of an informality, it was found that Mr Rees was disqualified, not having sent in his subscription before the 24th inst. The rules were examined, but no loop-hole admitting of the appointment, under the circumstances, could be found. Universal regret was expressed by the members present, and a hope indulged in that Mr Rees' active co-operation as an officer of the Club might yet be secured. Proposed by Mr M'Gaw, and seconded by Mr Welsh—"That Mr Bracken be Clerk of the Course." Carried. The following gentlemen were then proposed as stewards, viz.:—Messrs Richmond, Callaghan, Melody, WeUh, Gordon, Elliot, M'Gaw, Carey, Allert, Powell, Bradshaw. Upon a ballot being taken, it was found that Messrs Richmond, Allert, Gordon, Elliot, Welsh, Callaghan and Powell were duly elected. The difficulty of appointing a judge was again discussed, and it was finally carried that Mr M'Gaw be Judge. Proposed by Mr Elliot, and seconded by Mr Carey—"That one race each day be only open to all horses." An amendment was moved by Mr Welsh, and seconded by Mr Manders—" That the several stakes be left open to all comers, except the Miner's Purse, Packer's Purse and Purse, which shall be confined to district horses under stipulations laid down by the stewards." Amendment carried. Proposed by Mr M'Gaw, and seconded by Mr Bracken—" That W. H. Morton Esq. be President of the Club." Carried. Proposed by Mr Carey, and seconded by Mr Welsh—" That Mr M'Gaw be Vice-President." Proposed by Mr. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Manders—" That the re be five races each day." An amendment—" That each dav's races shall be only four " —was carried. A large amount of routine business was transacted ; various members were appointed to assist the Hon. Sec. in obtaining subscriptions ; and the Club, at 11 p.m., adjourned to Allen's Hotel, Frankton, at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The reports showed that the Club was rapidly improving in numbers and funds.

The existence of gold in the sand on the Moeraki beach, and also in the creeks and gullies has long been known, but little attention has been paid to the fact. For some time a few men have been prospecting the district, with varying success, in some instances excellent prospects being obtained. Last week one man brought to town and sold 17 ounces of gold procured from one of the gullies in the district. We have been favored with information through a reliable channel that good gold has been struck at a place only four miles from the Government township of Hampden. An old experienced miner having had his attention drawn to the auriferous nature of the sand on the beach at Moeraki followed up the creek, and further inland found the reef cropping out and the gold becoming heavier. In company with a gentleman on whose property the gold was found, he washed out some good prospects, varying from £dwt. and upwards. Several miners are on the ground, and making as much as half an ounce per diem each. We are told the weather is exceedingly fine, and there is plenty of wood for every purpose required, and there is abundance of water about a mile off. The diggings are on the private property of Mr Hopkinson, who has allowed the men to dig on favorable terms. Provisions are cheap and easily procured.— Daily Times.