Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2492, 16 March 1881, Page 3

threatened lynching on the MELBOURNE COURSE. The third day.of the V.R.C.’s Autumn Meeting was productive of an exciting scene on the Melbourne course. It seems that Mr Long’s colt Grand Flaneur, after winning the Leger was scratched at the eleventh hour for the Australian Cup much to the disgust of a large number of the sporting fraternity who had backed him heavily. On the following day, Saturday, March 5, Grand Flaneur ran for the Town Plate, The “ Argus” says :—Mr Long’s colt cantered*round with the two others at their own pace, and in the run home drew slightly in front, and won, comfortably by about a length. Mr Long’s victory was not received with favour by some of the occupants of the hill, who vented theif displeasure in a series of very unmusical bootings. A counter demonstration was attempted by a few persons on tbe flat, in which some officials of the club very ill-advisedly joined. , Mr Long may be considered to have committed an error of judgment in not scratching his horse for the Aus tralian Cup when he decided not to run him, but such an act no more justifies the discreditable threats of personal violence, .which a few persons on the hill so feely uttered against him on Thursday and Saturday, than it calls for the applause of the members of the club. It is to be hoped that this is the last time we shall hear of threats of lynching uttered on the Melbourne course against an owner of horses merely because he does not take the public into his confidence.

The ship Marlborough passed the Otago Heads,. this forenoon. A dust-storm this afternoon rendered the streets decidedly disagreeable. Fortunately the water supply is getting nearer town. Several contracts have just been let, and Mr Dobson informs us that, the mains will be in full flow, and a good pressure all over Timaru in about six months. We learn that the members of the late Fire-Brigade withdrew their account at the Bank this afternoon, and the money has been re-lodged to the credit of the trustees appointed. The Mayor, however, has expressed his determination to contest the right of the ex-brigadiers to their library and torches. No fewer than ten race meetings take place to-morrow in different parts of the the Colony. - They are exclusively country meetings. Those in proximity to Timaru comprise the Pleasant Point races and the races at Oamaru. Special train arrangements have been made for both events. The approach to the wharf at the Breakwater is nearly completed. The earthwork from the shore to the timber is neatly walled up with concrete. Already the Breakwater is becoming a popular place of resort especially after working hours in the evening, and when the approach has been finished, it will doubtless be used more freely as a promenade. Two of the jurors named John Smith, and John Scott, summoned on the criminal case Regina v. Gaffney, failed to put in an appearance, at the District Court this morning when called, and were, fined 40s each, in default. With regard to Scott,Constable Stanley informed the Court that he had seen him this morning, in the dim distance, making off in the direction of Kakahu. We take the following opinion by <•' Augur ” of the “Australasian” of March 5, which may prove of material assistance to Racing Clubs, in the matter of assessing the value of a stake. “At the Benalla race meeting last week the stewards compelled J. Morrison to put up a penalty which he had no right to carry. According to the conditions, the winner of any race value 75 sovs. had to carrry a penalty. At Wangaratta, Cardsharper won a race for which Morrison received 75 sovs., but as he paid a sovereign to go to the second horse, the stake, according to the V.R.C. rule, was worth only 74 sov., and as there was also an entry fee of a sovereign, it was according to the English rule, worth 73 sovs. only. I believe the stewards took a legal opinion on the matter. It was about as valuable as the decisions of Judge Cope aud Judge Skinner, in the Wyndham and Baroa cases, both of which were reversed by the Full Court; and' had Morrison chosen to run without the penalty, the probability is that the three judges would have upheld him,

The Eev. J. Buller will deliver a lecture at the Wesleyan school room, Bank street, to-morrow evening on the subject of his home trip. Special Announcement.—New Winter Drapery.—Wobd and Smith beg to announce that they have opened a splendid assortment of Autumn and Winter Drapery, comprising an immense lot of Maids’, Ladies’, and Children’s Jackets and Ulsters, at exceptionally low prices. New Millinery. —Shepherd’s Buildings, Main South Eoad, Tftmrn. — [Advt.] The ex-members of .the late Fire Brigade will hold a farewell ball in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street on Tuesday evening. Public sympathy goes a long way, and we have no doubt the ladies and gentlemen of Timaru will turn out in full force on this occasion. As a contrast to the shabby conduct of thr Timaru Borough Council, •we may ment'on that only the other evening a request for boots See., made by the Asliburton Fire Brigade to the local Council was met with the utmost promptitude, the members of the borough readily acknowledging the value of the Brigade and the right they had to every possible encouragement. St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated tomorrow by a variety of sporting events. The"old show grounds will be the scene of an athletic festival for which all the best running,- walking, and jumping talent in the town has entered. There will be plenty of music and other refreshments to enliven the proceedings, and in the afternoon a baby show will be held in a pavilion. The latter, has been prepared in anticipation of a strong amount of competitors, being estimated to accommodate about 500 one-year-olds. A select Committee of matrons will perform the important functions of judges,and as already announced, in order that strict decorum may be maintained, the band will perform soothing music during the proceedings. The trophies, we learn, will be delivered in the evening to the successful competitors at the Theatre Eoyal by Mrs Walter Bill. For continuation of News see fourth page.