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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1248, 16 January 1883, Page 2

j The Hawera paper says : —A cow belongi ing to Mr Robert Baker, of Mangorei, has given birth to a bull calf weighing, when dropped, 1021bs. It was 2 feet 11 inches round the chest, 2 feet 11 inches high from the ground to the shoulderand 3 feet 3 inches in length from the ears to the insertion of the tail. Such a scene as that which happened in the “ Birdcage ” at Newmarket previous to the commencement of racing on Thursday, says “Truth,” was never before witnessed on a racecourse. Martini and Narcissa were telegraphed as starters for the ‘Subscription Stakes, and Wood, the jockey, was, in his scarlet jacket and cap, ready for orders. But he came in for a “ wigging ” instead from the Dowager Duchess af Montrose, who followed him across the enclosed, enjaculating in a loud voice, “ How dare you weigh contrary to my orders? Y’ou knew that we had decided not to run any horses to-day I We will not endure such abuse as wc have been subjected to in the papers !” Turning upon Sherrard, her trainer, who came up at the moment, the duchess “read tne Riot Act” to him in similar terms, and, bursting into a paroxysm of tears, fairly broke down. Leaning forward on the rail w’hich provides a passage for the jockeys and trainers to the the weighing-room, her grace cried piteously; whereupon Sir George Chetwynd came to the rescue, and conducted the duchess into one of the open saddling-stalls, away from the public gaze. On recovering composure the lady insisted upon Martini’s number being taken down ; but on being informed by one of the Stewards that such a step would necessitate their fining Mr Crawford £5O the horse was allowed to start. His succes added fuel : to the flame, as did the subsequent defeat of 1 other Bedford Lodge favorites that day. ' When on Friday Macheath was bowled over I by Apriana, the contrast in Mr Crawford’s and Mr Holdsworth’s popularity was shown by such a hurricane of cheering as might have been heard at Sefton Lodge, on the other side of Newmarket, where the Duchess of Montrose passed that day in retirement i instead of visiting the heath.