COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 229, 9 December 1874, Page 2

COLONIAL ITEMS.

DUNEDIN.

November 30. Thebe was splendid weather for the races to-day, and a large attendance. Kildare being the only entry for the Hurdle Race, walked over. Maiden Plate—King Philip, 1; Miss Alfred, 2 ; Miss King, 3. King Puilip won easily by half a length. Time, 2 min 31J secs., being the slowest time in which the Maiden Plate was ever run over the Forbury course. St Andrews Handicap—Kathleen, 1; Envy, 2; Faughaballah, 3. In the Selling Race the favorite was scratched. A good start was made, and. on a second attempt, Miss Alfred, jumping off with the lead, and May Queen slicking at the post, the race up the straight lay between Miss Alfred and Miss King, the latter under the whip, Out the former won rather easily by half a length, Gamester making a bad fourth. Spring Handicap: Mabel, 1; Verbena, 2 ; Right Bower, 3. The Trotting Race was won by Polly Green, with Maggie second, and Magic third. December 4. The Guardiaa has a strong article on the Mabel case. It says, the public will properly resent Captain Hutchison’s insult, and will abstain from subscribing to the club until it has purged itself of contempt in the only' possible way, by the expulsion of its officer. It is scarcely to be supposed that the club will stop short of the only legitimate conclusion to the course now entered upon. They canm t well avoid proceeding further, and nothing but the exercise of the most determined vigilance and remorseless exclusion of shady men will enable them to maintain even the present dubious position. “AUCKLAND. November 28. Mr. J. 0. Mobbin, grocer, has become bankrupt, with liabilities amounting to £22,500; assets, £15,500. Mr. Thomas Russell leaves to-day, per Mikado. He proceeds to England with a view of making arrangements connected with a permanent mail service. Mr. William Cleaver Robinson succeeds Mr. Weld as Governor of Western Australia.

The railway officials waited on Mr. F. B. Passmore, Superintending Engineer, and protested against the reduction of a shilling a day in their pay. Wages now are for porters 6s; and guards, 7s per diem. Mr. Passmore-refused to comply with the demands of the employees. Mr. Morrill’s creditors have met, and the trustees reported in favor of an assignment to them to wind up the whole estate, which was agreed to. The estate is expected to yield 10s in the pound. It is stated on good authority that Sir James Fergusson will succeed Lord Northbrook in the Governor-Generalship of India. December 4. The arrangements have been completed for the Governor's reception by a joint committee of the General Government, Provincial Executive and Mayor. The programme is simple and unpretentious. The Governor will be received on landing by the Ministers, the Provincial Executive and civic dignitaries. There will be the usual salutes, Volunteer guard, carriage procession. It has been raining heavily all day. The holiday is spoiled. The races were moderately attended. There is a general feeling that Mr. J. Watt’s Rangi should have been declared the winner of the Maiden Plate yesterday. Undoubtedly Lough Neagh went inside the post, and should have been disqualified. The stewards’ decision iu favor of Lough Neagh is unaccountable. From a real sporting point of view, the races were rather poor. There was too much engineering, holding horses, &c. The prices charged for entrance to the course and stand were most exorbitant, and people were much dissatified. There was a large assemblage, but not so many as expected. The Maiden Plate was won by Lough Neagh. The winner is said to be owned by Mr. Balance, of the Wanganui Herald. but was run by Mr. Walker, of Wanganui. He won on account of a feather weight. The jockey was only five stone. The Cup was a miserable race. Tambourini cantered quietly behind, until seeing that Guy Fawke’s could not win he came up hand over fist, and came in first in a canter.

Selling Race. —Lnrline and Toi raced from the start, but Toi appeared to have little chance. Lurline won easily. Hack Race.—Raupo, 1; Dick Turpin, 2. The Provincial Plate. —Premier, 1; Glenary, 2; Princess Mary, 3. The Provincial Plate was the most spirited straightforward race of the day. Every rider appeared to try to bring his horse in first. It was a weight-for-age race for all bona fide settlers in the province. Entrances to the racecourse were very indifferent, but the course itself and accommodation were very good. HUTT? December 4. The races have commenced. There was a steady heavy rainfall at an early hour this morning, which kept on increasing until at 11.30, then changed to a southerly burster. Very few people at the races. About the time of ringing the first bell four stewards met and agreed to postpone the races till 12 to-morrow, which caused intense dissatisfaction amongst the people, who hooted the stewards. NAPIER. December 3. Andrew Bachelor, ferryman at the Spit, was drowned to-day whilst working his ferry-boat. In attempting to get clear of the warps attached to a steamer alongside of the wharf he was drawn into the water and sank, He rose twice, and sank again. A boat put off, but too late to render assistance. Deceased was aged 25 years, was married-, and leaves a widow and family resident at Onehunga, from whence they were about to come and join him. Deceased was a steady, hard-work-ing man. BLEN 111 EM. December 3. Bishop Redwood arrived to-day, and

was met at the Ferry by a large numbei of persons, including his mother am. other relatives. An address from the ladies was presented, and he then came in to Blenheim and proceeded to St. Mary’s Church, where he received an adIress from the clergy. In his reply he referred, in affectionate terms, to his mother, who was present. PORT CHALMERS. December 3. William Gibbs, one of the three men who were obtaining ballast at the quarry, Gilmour Point, was killed this morning oy a fall of stone. His body was horribly mangled. CHRISTCHURCH. December 4. Madame Arabella Goddard's concert is nightly crowded. There was a great furore on Wednesdy night and last night, the hall was crammed to suffocation to hear “ Home Sweet Home.” GRAHAMSTOWN. December 4. The Advertiser publishes a telegram and a letter, will; translation, from Te Momianui to Mr. M‘Lean, relative to theOhinemuri business, inviting the Native Minister to come down and talk the matter over. He says : —“ Do not listen to what has been said by the European Mackay, who is like a snake wriggling in the grass. When he comes to the leg of a man he turns up and biles him. Come up while matters are clear. If you come when matters are disturbed it will be difficult to set them right. The Advertiser further reports that Te Moananui has said there will be fighting, if natives persist in selling Ohinemuri, between them and the natives who do not want to sell.