CHRISTCHURCH

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2210, 17 April 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH

[from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

When I wrote in my Inst of giving you ni3 r impression in this letter of the into C.J.C. Autumn meeting, I had missed the number of the “ Times” which contained your sporting reporter’s remarks on that meeting. Having since read them I fully endorse all he says, and must express surprise after the result of the match in the Flying Stakes between Lc Loup and Mata, that the latter should have been asked to concede such a lump of weight to the former in the Timaru Cup. Most of .your readers will be aware that the Flying Stakes was a weight for age race, both horses being similarly weighted (9st,) Mata merely racing the usual 3lb gelding allowance. The wretched start by which Mata jumped away a length in advance, lost the big horse at least two lengths before he could get on to his feet, thus compelling him to race from the start, while the leading horse was without unusual effort gradually improving his pace. Lc Loup’s extra exertion brought the horses together at the turn into the straight, hut lost him the race by a short head at the post. As it was the result showed there was not a lb difference between the horses ; and Mata being asked to concede 211 bs to Lo Loup when next they met, was, to say the least, a very eccentric request, There arc some who will say there is a great difl'ercrencc between throe quarters of a mile and a mile and three quarters, and that this extra weight was justified by this difference in distance; but they forget that Lc Loup, with Bst 71b up, won the V.R.O. Handicap in Australia, one mile and three quarters distance, heating such horses as Tidal Wave and Colima. There are four horses I shall ho anxious to see put together in the next big handicap; they arc Lc Loup, Mata, Camhallo, and Foul Play. I may then have a word to say about them.

As your reporter truly said, the working of the totalizator on tlic course gave “ unbounded satisfaction.” To my mind it is a splendid invention, and, ns people will bet, cvciy person investing in the totalizator has a start for his money, and and without risking a fortune, can back his judgment. Besides, should he win, he gets his money promptly, without the accompanying dose of blackguardism which winners have occasionally to put up with from other rpiartcrs. If I had only a liking for the totalizator before, an incident which came under my own observation in the saddling paddock at tiiis meeting would send mo head over cars in love with it. A good old sport, who, in the early days, had made some of the best handicaps ever seen in Canterbury, and who had been absent from here for a few years, turned up the first day in tiro paddock. The old gentleman had been looking on the wine that is red, and a few of the Canterbury men whom he addressed laughed otf the ridiculous wagers he wanted to lay on tiro Great Autumn Handicap. When next I saw him he was surrounded by a few human vultures, who “ sow not neither do they spin,” but manage withall to live on the fat of the land and dress in the best of broadcloth, and before his friends could interfere, they had booked bis absurd odds to the tunc of £BOO, tire old man at the time being so drunk that he could not make even a mark on the piece of paper on which lie was endeavoring to write down his wagers. In a few minutes of course it was all over for him, and the “ beauties” were congratulating each other on relieving the ancient pigeon of a little of the legacy which they had learnt (and tin's was a fact) has recently been left to him. That night one of his immediate friends residing in your district was telegraphed for, and as soon as possible reached Christchurch, but not before tiiesc harpies had induced the old man to sign and hand them promissary notes for the full amount. When the friend from the South learnt all the circumstances he interviewed these gentry, and gave them—as he is well qualified to do—a bit of his mind, and his opinion of them generally. They, however, were masters of the situation, and nothing would move them. The Timani races intervening gave the old gentleman a short respite, for the presence of the leechps was required in that direction. A happy thought about that time struck a few people here who did “ not” go South, and while three or four at the Timaru meeting wore consoling themselves for the discomfort of getting wet through, with the prospect of the harvest there was in store for them on their return to town, the old man—thinking of them also—with the assistance of one or two friends— Tolled up his swag like an Arab, And as silently missle’d away by the good ship Waimatc from London. The arrival of Saturday’s express train from the South caused the re-ap-pearance of these “ lilies of the valley” at the hotel whore they had left their prey, but ho was nowhere to bo found. In a little while the true state of things leaked out, and then having congregated they held a taugi over him, during which the oft recurring name of the “ departed ” one was to be plainly heard, but always preceded by an adjective, the dead and living languages having evidently been ransacked to furnish the peculiar variety and large supply during the “ lamentations.” lieturuiug to the

totalisator, had this old goose only speculated at it, his total loss on the four events of the day, would have been a more fraction to what his losses actually were (on paper), and had he won, there would have been no fear of his bets being disputed. Having closely watched the working of this machine, I am very glad to learn that the Victorian Racing Club are holding a special meeting to consider the advisability of having the totalisator legalised on the courses in that colony, and whenever I hear of a racing club refusing to allow it on a course under their control, I shall bo forced at once to the conclusion that some of its members are horseowners, whoso interests arc not antagonistic to those of the bookmakers.

The trennial session of the general Synod of the Church of England has opened, and brought with it large additions to our clerical dignitaries. These gentlemen arrived by the liotomahana yesterday, and had nothing wl tever to do with the long trip made uy that steamer, as was variously remarked. The detention was owing simply to the vessel haying experienced very heavy weather on the run down. Business has only started at the Synod yet, but before they get far I am in hopes they will provide me with food for a paragraph or two. The ruling topic just now is the alleged “ducks and drakes ” our Drainage Board have lately been playing with tenders for large contracts sent in to them. I have the whole of the facts generally known, at my fingers ends, and a fact or tw'O more, but as a public meeting is to be called to consider the matter I shall hold what I know in reserve for a little while.