TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4923, 3 January 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Tuesday.

Grand Stand Handicap, 100 sovs., with a sweepstake of 5 sovs.; 11 miles.—Ariel, 1 ; Tommy Dodd, 2 ; Isaac Walton, 3. Tui and Medea also ran. It was a capital race, the whole of the horses passing the stand in a line, but here Ariel, Isaac Walton, and Tommy Dodd let out, leaving the others well in the rear. Ariel then forged ahead easily. The other two had a neck-and-neck race for second place. For the Hurry Scurry, Mignonette was first; Potentate, second. Steeplechase : Perfume, 1 ; Butcher Boy, 2 ; Islesman, nowhere. Auckland Plate: Ariel, I;,Danebury, 2 ; Sprig of Shillelagh and Fanny Fisher colt scratched. Selling Kace : Tommy Dodd, 1 ; Skylark, 2 ; only two ran ; betting, two to one on- Tommy. Stewards’ Plate ; McGee’s May Moon, 1; Isaac Walton, 2; Fallacy, nowhere; betting, even on Fallacy, who slipped up at the turn for home

when half a length behind the winner. Consolation Race : Gainsbro’, 1 ; Don, 2 ; Tui, 3 ; Medea also ran; won easily. The Hack Race finished a good day’s sport. Owen McGee wins about £IOOO in bets and stakes ; Walters wins nothing; Kay only landed two or three small events.

At the Supreme Court to-day, Judge Gillies in his charge to the Grand Jury commented upon the practice of magistrates committing persons for trial where, if cognizant of their duties, they would not do so; and he condemned policemen bringing prosecutions in cases where the public interest did not render it necessary. He censured the practice of policemen improperly extracting admissions from prisoners with a view of obtaining evidence for the prosecution; and commented upon one extraordinary case, in which the prisoner had made admissions, then had been made to sign them, and at the magisterial enquiry the prisoner was placed in the box and sworn as to the accuracy of his own confession. His Honor said such evidence was entirely inadmissible. Draper, for the embezzlement of money of the Bible Book Depot, and on four charges of forging receipts, was convicted and sentenced to eighteen months. The other cases to-day were unimportant. Napier, Tuesday. About five o’clock on Sunday afternoon the house of Mr. Wood, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Waipawa, was struck by lightning. The electric fluid entered the building, making an opening in the roof and side of the wall. It entered the room where two children were at tea, and struck Wood’s daughter on the foot and Wood’s stepson on the chest, killing him instantly. The girl is only slightly injured. Wood was in the conservatory, and was knocked against the wall by the shook, but was not injured, though the paper on the w&ll was scorched. Sir Donald McLean has been very unwell the last few days. Dunedin, Tuesday. The Caledonian gathering, which commenced yesterday at Kensington, was attended by about 8000 people, and was the most successful ever held in Otago. The day was fine, and all the events were well contested. The principal item on the programme was the Caledonian Handicap, of three distances, namely, 150 yards, 300 yards, and 440 yards, and for which prizes amounting in the aggregate to £76 were offered. The competitors included two well-known Ballarat pedestrians, Bignell and Sanson, who visited Dunedin as members of the Fire Brigade team. The race was a very close affair, and resulted in Bignell being declared winner, with Mr. McPherson second, and IN icholas third. The best time was 150 yards, in 16secs.; 300 yards, 34Jsecs.; and 440 yards, 56Jseos. The Mile Race was won by Burke, an Otago man, Brooks being second, and Sanson (of Ballarat) third. Time : 4min. 54Jsecs. The Two-Mile Walking Race was by no means equal to previous years, and was won by Carr. Time ; 17min. llsecs. The Caledonian Society’s sports were attended to-day by about 6000 persons, and all the events were keenly contested. The principal event was the Dunedin Handicap, won by Burke, of Otago, with Sanson of Ballarat second. The champion belt for wrestling was won by John Tyson, with Thomas Fothergill second, a Maori named Robertson being third. The Palmerston races came off yesterday, with the following result ;—Maiden Plate— Stormy Petrel first. Palmerston Cup—Rob Roy. Selling Race —Steamer, Ladies’ Purse —Rob Roy. Novel Race —Malabar. Trotting Race—Tommy. Palmerston Handicap—Glengary. Poet Chalmers, Tuesday.

Arrived ; Avaona, barque, 115 days from London, with 1200 tons of cargo and eight passengers. She is consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Company. —Ship May Queen, 105 days from London, with 1500 tons of cargo and twenty-four passengers. She encountered a terrific cyclone in the Bay of Biscay on the 28th September. She lost her bulwarks and crosajack yard. The sea filled the deck and washed away the live-stock. Thence, she had fine weather with strong breezes till the 7th December, when she met with a terrific westerly gale, and had to go under close-reefed topsails. The mate, Francis Godolphin Boise, while loosing the foretopmast staysail was washed overboard, and no traces cou’d be found of him. Next day Captain Tackell, while asleep, was hove out of his bunk, and fractured his collar bone. Passed a body in oilskin clothing on the 9th. Made the Snares on the 27th ult. Encountered a heavy northerly gale for 145 hours, and lost the port bulwarks. Detective Dalton, of the London police, arrested a cabin passenger named Jackson, charged with the embezzlement of £9OO, the property of the Colney Hatch Company. A bank draft for £450 was found on him. Jackson was accompanied by his wife, who is encicnte. Great sympathy is displayed by the passengers for Mrs. Jackson. Invercargill, Tuesday.

The weather has been highly favorable for the holidays. Yesterday the Caledonian sports were attended by upwards of 4000 people. To-day 2500 people travelled by excursion trains. The majority went to the Bluff to see the regatta there. The 6,30 return train from the Bluff consisted of fortyeight carriages, and was drawn by two engines. Christchurch, Tuesday.

The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened to-day. Judge Johnston in his address congratulated the Grand Jury on the lightness of the calendar, and proceeded to refer briefly to the four cases on the list. In speaking of the charge against Thos. Hester Dribbs, for stealing post letters, he said it was very desirable that the present system of using only the common locks for letter boxes should be discontinued, and that the very best locks obtainable should , be adopted. Norman Evans, for perjury, was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude. Thos. Hester Dribbs was found guilty of stealing post letters, but sentence was deferred pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on a point of law raised by counsel for the defence. The same prisoner was then charged with having dies for the manufacture of counterfeit coins in his possession. The defence set up was that prisoner, who was a jeweller, used the dies for making lockets. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to three years penal servitude. LYTTELTON REGATTA. Christchurch, Tuesday. The following is a full description of the Champion Sailing Races at Lyttelton Regatta yesterday : THE CHAMPION SAILING RACE, For trading vessels under 150 tons. Cutters and centre-board vessels not allowed to compete. Open to all-comers. First prize, £IOO, and Shaw Savill’s cup, value £25; second, £lO. Time allowance, lOsec. per ton. XXX, ketch, 21 tons, Clark, Lyttelton .. .. 1 Belle Brandon, schooner, 05 tons, Ohlson, Auckland „ • • • ■ • •, • • “ Transit, schooner, 38 tons. Hooper, Auckland .. 3 Sarah and Mary, ketch. 41 tons. Cuff and Graham, Lyttelton •• •• **." ** * • Minnehaha, schooner, 80 tons. Smith,-Auckland .. 0 The start was effected at 12h. 21m. 525., Belle Brandon being to the windward, Minnehaha next, and XXX third. Forging just ahead, the Sarah and Mary went away to leeward, and was soon out of the race. The four kept well together, Transit showing fine sailing qualities, and weathering on the other boats. Minnehaha was first about, both Transit and Belle Brandon, however, weathering on her later, mailing a short tack. The Minnehaha in endeavoring to pass to the windward of the Island City, fouled her, and was unable to get about and was therefore out of the race. When the vessels again showed in sight the Transit was leading well to windward, XXX and Belle Brandon close up. The wind, however, broke with the two latter vessels, and the Transit increased her lead, whilst XXX weathered on Belle Brandon and took second place. Transit was first to pass the reef at 4h. 55m., XXX at 4h. 59m,, and Belle Brandon at 4h. 59m. 30s. The wind was very changeable, varying from N.E. to N.W. The Belle beat XXX in running, but could not overhaul Transit which was first round Parsons Rock'; coming up again to the reefs Belle was second, and the ketch last, but being admirably handled and the wind falling very light, she managed to round the reef before either of her opponents, and under Captain Whitley’s charge the Lyttelton boat came in a winner at 7h. om. 355.. amidst loud cheers

from the spectators. Transit, which had been • passed by Belle Brandon, increased her lead when close to the winning buoy, and came in second at 7h. 10m. 305., the Belle being 45sec. behind her, but owing to time allowance for tonnage the latter took second prize. CHAMPION KETCH RACE. Open to all comers. Prize, £75, and JST.Z.3. Co.’s Cup, value £25. Time allowance, 15sec. per ton. Secret, cutter, 27 tons, Niccol and Hulme, Auckland _ i Spray, cutter, 9 tons, R. 'Forbes, Dunedin.. .. 2 Annie Ogle, cutter, 17 tons, Hawkins and Cunningham 3 Winona, cutter, 17 tons, G. A. Street .V Q Jimmy Flynn, cutter, 25 tons, Morgan, Pigeon Bay o Fleotvriug, cutter, 10 tons, Lyttelton Club .. 0 A good start was effected at Ih. om. 205., the Secret forging slightly ahead, and after a few minutes taking a decided lead. Off Rhodes Bay the Annie Ogle and Spray were well together, followed by the Fleetwing and Winona, Jimmy Flynn being last. They were a long time reaching the Heads owing to the light and changeable wind. The first to come in sight again was the Secret, a long way, ahead of the others. She passed the reef the first time at 4h. 20m. The Annie Ogle and the Spray were the next to appear, and as it was evident that with her great lead the Auckland boat must prove the winner, all interest centred in the Lyttelton and Dunedin yachts. The Annie Ogle kept the lead to Rhodes Bay, but sbe then had to go about; whereas the Spray, lying closer to the wind, gained a great a dvantage on her opponent, and passed the reef at 4h. 50m., a few seconds ahead of the Annie Ogle. When it came to running - , however, the larger yacht recovered her advantage, thanks to her big squaresail, passing the Spray off ‘ the breakwater just as the Secret made her appearance for the second time round. The Jimmy Flynn and Winona now hove in sight ; but having no chance in the race, retired from the contest. The Fleetwing also followed their example. The Secret passed the reef the second time at sh. 20m, and won amid loud cheers at sh. 20m. 40s. The Annie rounded Parsons Rock before the s pray, and kept the lead till off Charteris Bay, when the Spray got a good lead of wind and headed her, coming round the reef at 6h. 13m., the Annie being one minute behind. Running home, the small yacht kept her position, and came in about 109 yards ■ahead at 6h. 20m., thus taking the second prize. The Annie Ogle third, at 6h. 21m. 30s.

VICTORIAN RACES. Melbourne, January 1. The weather was wet and cold, but there was a good attendance. The Governor was present. HURDLE RACE. A handicap sweepstakes, of 5 sovs each. h. ft., with 100 sovs added. About three miles. Mr. F. C. Goyder’s b h Dalesman, 4 yrs .. ..1 Mr. A. Thomas’s hi g Aaron, aged 2 Mr. P. Glenister’s g g Gaffer Grey, aged .. ..3 TWO-TEARS’ STAKES. King ' 1 Locksley Hall 2 Eawdon 3 Time, Imin. £IOO Plate. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. One mile. The winner obe sold for XOOsovs. Mr. C. Clarke’s b g Topper, aged 1 Mr. W. Yuille, jun.’s bg Po idle, aged .. .. 2 Mr. M. Griffin’s ch h Benham, 4yrs 3 Time, Imin. 48see. MIDSUMMER HANDICAP. A sweepstakes of lOsovs. each, h. ft., with 200 added. For three-year-olds and upwards. One mile and three-quarters. Mr. G. Livingstone’s hi m Barmaid, syrs .. .. 1 Mr. J. Wilson’s b h Rapid Bay, 4yrs 2 Mr. J. Paterson’s hr h Meteor, 4yrs j 3 This was a fine race. Ten started. Timej 3min. lOsec. THE CHAMPION STAKES. Of 25 sovs each, 10tt., with 1500 added. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. Second horse to receive 200 sovs, and the third 100 sovs out of the stakes. Three miles. 71b. allowance for horses foaled north of the line. Entries dosed with fifty-two nominations. Mr. J. Eeid’s Pride of the Hills, by Talk of the Hills, 3yrs .. 1 Mr. E. De Mestres’ b c Calamia, 3yrs, by Maribyrnong .. ..' 2 Mr. Stewart’s Volo, 3yrs 3 Seven started. Time, smin. 34secs. tattersall's cup. Mr. E. Rouse's b m Viva, Gyrs, 7st Glh .. .. 1 Mr. G. Hill’s hr c G. Kingston—Valetta, Sst 41b, 4yrs 2 Mr. J. Tail’s b h Melbourne, Syrs, 7st 121 b .. 3 Fourteen started. A grand race. Viva won by a head in 37|secs. THE CRICKET MATCH. England v. Victoria. , The Victorians scored 105 in their second innings. Horan, W. G, not out, with a score of 47. The Engl shmen made 129. Greenwood made’3B, Emmett 35, Charlwood 23. Victoria won by 31 runs. LATE AUSTRALIAN NEWS. The schooner St Kilda, from Melbourne, arrived at Greymouth yesterday, bringing news to the 23rd, two days later than that brought by the Tararua. The following items are of interest : Melbourne, December 23. The Victorian Parliament prorogued on the 22nd. Sixteen Acts were passed during the session. Sir J. McCulloch and Mr. Ramsay will represent Victoria at the Telegraph .conference at Sydney. An action for seduction has been laid against a well-known Melbourne miller. Damages £SOOO. Sydney, December 23. The Treasury estimates the expenditure next year at four and a quarter millions. The new Electoral Bill provides for an increase in the number of members to 86, with 76 electorates. There has been a great change in the weather throughout Australia, There is plenty of rain now. The commercial and general news is unimportant. Shipping.—Belle, for Wellington, sails early; Arawata, January 3 ; Ringarooma, on arrival of English mail ; Albion, January 17. The Hero, for Auckland, left on December 23. For Dunedin, the Yarrow, Wild Wave, and Mary Campbell will leave early.