SECOND DAT FRIDAY.

Southland Times, Issue 902, 19 February 1868, Page 4

SECOND DAT FRIDAY.

Rain having fallen abundantly during the night, the road this morning was in a state to render the ride out anything but pleasant, Heavy jdwwwe W© also

frequent during the forenoon which considerably damped the ardour of pleasure seekers. The attendance on the ground was consequently not nearly so numerous as on the first day, although the principal events of the meeting were included in the latter half of the programme. The Grand Stand was, however, rather better patronised than it was yesterday, the tickets having been wisely reduced to half-a-crown. The Hurdle Eace being the first on the card, I found them erected when I arrived, they did appear at all formidable obstacles but were, under the circumstances, quite sufficient to try even a good horse. The course was in a wretched state. The rain not having had time to penetrate far into the earth, formed simply a muddy paste on the top of a hard under crust, admirably adapted to make horses slip. Towards noon the weather cleared off pretty well, and near the close of the day the course was in rather better order, though still dreadfully heavy. About one o'clock, the bell rang to weigh, when it became a question whether, considering the dangerous nature of the ground, the hurdle race should be run just then, but the owners of the horses expressing their willingness to start, the stewards agreed to let the event come off at once. Four horses were entered for this race, but Black Peter having been scratched, reduced the competitors to three, of whom, Idle Boy was certainly the favorite. Comet was also well spoken of, provided he took kindly to his leaps, but his known sulky temper told against him in betting. The other horse, Terror, appeared to be but little known, but being ridden by his owner he also obtained supporters- Mr Swale acted as starter, and got the horses well, away at once, Terror leading over the first hurdle in good style. Howell's horse came next, and went over beautifully. The Comet also came at his leap, and rose to it willingly enough, but struck heavily, and rolled over and over, landing his rider slap into the middle of a large muddy pool, fortunately without more serious injury than a dirty jacket, and a little mud in the eyes, Lambert mounted him again, and went after the others, but the brute refused every leap and was wisely taken off the course at the third hurdle. Eor the first round Terror maintained his position, Idle Boy a safe distance behind, and both taking their fences well. After passing the Stand Howell put his horse out and gradually crept past Terror, leading over the last hurdle and wining as he liked, Terror having come to grief at his last jump through slipping as he landed. "Williams was fortunately unhurt, and rode in none the worse of his spill. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. Of 40 soys. Open to all horses. Two and a half miles, over ten flights of hurdles. Mr H. Howell's b g Idle Boy, aged, lOst (Howell) 1 Mr E. B. Williams b g Terror, aged, 9st 71b (Williams) 2 Mr Pollock's -b g Comet, aged, 9st 71b (Lambert) 0 Some good racing was expected for the next event — the Town Plate— as six good horses were entered, and not a little dissatisfaction was felt when it became known that the field was reduced to three, through the scratching of Traveller, Arab Eobber, and Firetail. The race was looked upon as lying entirely between the brown mare and Harkaway, the latter being decidedly placed first, while Skyonian was an outsider. A good start was made at the first fall of the flag, Merrimac rushing off with lead, the bay next, and Howell's horse tailing off. There was some very good play between the first two, during the first mile, but before coming to the stand, Bradley's horse came to the front, and passed with a good lead. Through some mistake as to the distance, Lynch pulled Merrimac up, and, although started off again at once, she never had a chance of coming up with Harkaway. Skyonian was nowhere, although he ultimately took second place, having pulled up wonderully, and passed the mare before coming into the straight run. Merrimac was walked in. Her backers were deeply chagrined at her behaviour, having expected much better from her after her success of the previous day. Ido not think she could possibly have gained the race, but certainly but for the missapprehension of her jockey she would have made it much more exciting, and not allowed it to go a gift to the Tokomairiro horse. TOWN PLATE. Of 60 soxs. Open to all horses ; 3 miles. weight for age. Mr Bradley's b g Harkaway, aged; lOst lib (Laverty) . . . 1 Mr Howell's eh g Skyonian, aged; lOst lib (Howell) . . .'2 Mr Pollock's brm Merrimac, aged; lOst lib (Lynch) . . . S For the Ladies' Purse three horses ran, but it was little of a race from first to last and was won easily by the favour, ite, a very pretty little chesnut mare frort the Popoturia stables, Lady of the Lake

. ridden in fine style by Mr E. B. "William^ $ Mr Hill's horse, jockeyed by Mr F. "White [ being the strongest looking animal of the ( three, had also a good many backers. [ Skyonian had not recovered his previous l defeat. The pace throughout was a pretty s fast one considering the weights carried • and the state of the ground ; the distance, i one mile and a half being done in 3min. , 27 seconds. Mr Pollock's mare got inside place at starting and went away , leading ; Play Boy close up and making the running. They lay well together till - within half a mile of the post when Play Boy showed signs of being pumped and fell hack giving second place to Mr Howell, who rode his horse with great judgement, and came up fast on the mare after coming into the straight run. "William's, however, managed to land the filly a winner by three or four lengths. LADIES PURSE Of 25 soys. Open to all horses. One mile and a-half. Welter weights. Gentlemen riders. Mr Pollock's eh m Lady of the Lake, 3 yrs ; 9st 111 b (Mr Williams) . 1 Mr Howell's eh g Skyonian, aged ; 12st 71b (Mr H. Howell) . . .2 Mr Hill's b g Play Boy, 4 yrs ; lOst 111 b (Mr P. White) . . .3 Mr Hamilton's Glendyne, scratched. The next event was the SELLING- EAOE Of 20 soys. Open to all horses. Winner to be sold for 35 soys., any surplus to go to the Race Fund. To be run off without dismounting. Distance, once round the course — heats. This was a gift to Mr Napier's horse, Paddy. Mr Galbraith having scratched Black Peter, the only other horse brought to the post was Comet, who, immediately on starting, bolted in amongst the tussocks, and refused to go further : he was, however, at last coaxed to canter round in company with another horse, so as to give him a chance in the second heat. At the second start he simply repeated his former manoeuvre, with a little additional display of bad temper, and was consequently walked back to the yard. Little "White had of course nothing to do but sail round at his leisure. After the race, Paddy was put up to auction by Mr Osborne ; but there were no bidders. Mr Napier bought him in at £31. The Invercargill handicap, the next race on the list, and the principal event of the season, created a good deal of speculation. Allander being scratched left five of a field, of whom Firetail was the favorite ; being a fresh horse, it was thought he would beat Mr Bradley's horse, who had already run a well-con-tested three mile race. Harkaway had, however, a good many backers ; and the result proved their confidence well placed in the game little bay. The Arab Eobber, Lady Ellen, and Idle Boy stood about equal. At the start the horses got away well together with the exception of Firetail, who bucked a little, and lost some ground ; — he, however, settled down to his work, and rushed up to his horses, leaving Idle Boy behind, when some capital running took place. Lady Ellen also fell back, yielding to Idle Boy. Meanwhile the other three were lying close together, and going at a slashing pace. The grey also lagged after the first mile, and left the running to the two bays, who came on neck and neck to the distance, when Firetail fell back and gave place to the Arab, who now came up and "threatened Harkaway. The race ended in a keen little struggle for first place, Harkaway winning cleverly by half a length, Firetail a good third, and Lady Ellen, who had overhauled Howell's horse at the distance, coming in fourth. This was decidedly the best race run, having been fairly contested from start to finish. Laverty was loudly cheered, as he landed the gallant Harkaway a winner. INVERCARGULL HANDICAP, Of 70 soys., with sweepstakes of 4 soys. each added. The winner of the Town plate to carry 51b extra. Distance two miles. Mr Bradley's b g Harkaway, aged ; lOst 61b (Laverty) . ' . -1 Mr Hamilton's g g Arab Eobber, aged ; 7st 21b (T. White) . . .2 Mr "Wentworth's b g Eiretail, 5 yrs ; 9st4lb (Martin) . . . .3 Mr Pollock's eh m Lady Ellen, aged ; Bst 101 b (Lynch) . . .4 Mr Howell's b g Idle Boy, aged; Bst 101 b (Eobertson) . . -5 The last important event — the Consolation stakes— brought five horses to the post. Traveller, although carrying the heaviest weight, was at once made^the favorite. Arab Eobber, also stood high in estimation, the plucky manner in which he contested the three mile race having raised his reputation considerably. The horses were got well away at the first attempt, and Black Peter, with a featherweight on his saddle, ran away with a strong lead, which he kept till half way round, when Lady Ellen went up and took first place. Traveller and the grey behind, Sultan bringing up the rear. Little "White then let the Arab out, and quickly covered his horses,

coining in a clevot winner, by fully I couple of lengths. Eor the Hurry Scurry, five horses were entered, but the race lay throughout between Mr Douglas's Norval and Mr Lawry's Eclipse between whom there was a very good spin. Norval, ridden by Martin ultimately won, but has been protested against by the owner of Eclipse. This finished the programme, and there followed immediately a general rush for home. So far as I have learned the meeting has passed off without any accident worth mentioning. Of course there were a few spills, and collisions, but without serious damage, neither did I observe any riotous conduct. To the Stewards I must acoord well merited praise for the circumspect manner in which they fulfilled their rather arduous duties, but would suggest that on a future occasion they should make an example of some of the jockeys who are always late of pulling out, by starting without them. Punctuality in this respect would save a vast deal of time. I regret to have to notice, before concluding, an unfortunate occurrence which must be a serious loss to Mr Hill. His promising young mare Pashion, who ran well yesterday, was being quietly ridden from the course down to her stables, during the afternoon, when she gave a shiver and fell dead. As she was not entered for anything, no foul play need be suspected; and it is presumed that disease of the heart has been th cause of death. From the New Zealand Gazette, of the 6th inst. we learn that his Excellency the Governor notifies to the Superintendents of the several provinces, that the following pieces of waste land are required for purposes :— A width of a chain of land on each side of the line from, the Bluff to Nelson, via Dunedin and Christchurch. ; a width of a chain of land on each side of the line, in the Province of Marlborough; and the same from Cook Straits along the line in the Provinces of Wellington, Hawke'sßay, and Auckland. Our Campbelltown correspondent, under date, 30th Jan., writes :— The succeßß that has attended the Penny Headings in this town is beyond expectation. The meeting last night was the most approved of aIL The combination of vocal and instrumental music with select readings from standard works perfected the entertainment. The attendance was large, and the satisfaction of the audience most marked. The programme was well drawn, extensive and varied* embracing the following, viz :— Piano— Solo, (Jlee " Massa in the cold cold gronnd. * Beading — " How the Victoria Cross was won." Song— "Ah! death in thee," from HTrovatore. Beading— "The Blind Highland boy." Duett — "All's well." Piano-solo. Eeadings from the " Merchant of Venice," and "Ingoldsby Legends." Gl ee — "Thou, thou, in my heart dwellest." Beading— "The bad boy who did not come to grief." Song— "One-horse shay." Beading— "Number one hundred and eighty six." Piano. Glee — " The Norse national song." The introduction of vocal music into these meetings has proved a great success. This want was felt from the very first and now I have much pleasure in stating that several gentlemen have kindly taken the matter up and will do their best to secure the continuation of the entertainments. From the sample they have given the last two nights, is evidence that with practice they will be first clase. The next readings will take place on Wednesday evening sth February. The Panama Star and Herald of the 24th Dec, has the following :—" Mr and Mrs J. Heine, the distinguished blind- violinist, and his lady, the eminent pianist, arrived in this city per s.B. Golden City, from California, en route to Peru, and have, we are pleased to state, consented to give a musical entertainment, on Wednesday evening, in the Grand Hotel, Mr Hiene iB a true artist, who, by his unexcelled talent has gained a world wide reputation. He has travelled through the United States, Europe, and Australia, and in every place where he has performed the Press have bestowed the highest enconiums on his genius. Beferring to one of his recent performances in San Francisco, the Bulletin says:— "Mr Heine is a master of the violin. His style is scrupulously classical. He evokes the most exquisite harmonies from his instrument— now causing it to wail with sorrow, now to thrill with the ecstacy of joy. The first note -revealed the true artist, and took the sympathies of the audience captive. The last piece, more especially, executed on a single string, was a wonderful piece of instrumentation. M. Heine was frequently interrupted by bursts of applause, and we believe, in every instance encored. Madame Heine is an accomplished pianist, and plays with a firmness jet delicacy of touch quite remarkable," It will be in the memory of our readers that it was reported that a miner named Anthony was missing from Bendigo Gully, Dunßtan district, under suspicious circumstances. We take the following additional information from the Dunstam Times, 15th January :— " On Monday last all the miners of the Gully left work to make further researches; the boat belonging to the Boeky Point Ferry was taken possession of, by permission of Mr Bateman, the owner, and, being well manned, was floated down the Clutha to within a short distance of Cromwell, and the banks of the stream were carefully examined in search of the body of the missing man, but no success attended the undertaking. Sergeant Cassels rode along the river side in sight of the boat, but the mystery is still not cleared up. One affair had created many strange surmises in the locality, and very naturally too. The missing man had a favorite dog, a terrier, and the animal was also a favorite amongst the miners generally, and since Anthony has been missing, the dog has been fed by several of the residents in the Gully. However, at the beginning of last week, the animal was found strangled on a terrace about two hundred yards rom the Gully— the strangling evidently was not perpetrated where the carcase of the anima was found, from distinctive proofs that the dog after being strangled, had been trailed along the ground. Some surmise that a murder has been committed, and that the dog waß strangled, lest he should scent out the body of his maSter.,.However, all such surmises are wild, and timfe only can ©splaiattienon-appeari^o* of poor A&ttigny*-