SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 84, 13 April 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACINC FIXTURES. SEASON 1914-15. April 14—Reef ton J.C. Autumn. April 1-1 and 17—Wellington R.C. Autumn. April 14 and 17—Avondale JC. Autumn. April 15 and 17—South Canterbury J.C. Autumn. April 21 and 22—Manawatu R.C. Autumn. April 30 and May I—Hawke's Bay J.C. Autumn. A.J.C. AUTUMN MEETING. United Pbbbs Association. Randwick, April 12. The weather was line, and the going good. The attendance was fair. Racegoers were surprised that Mountain J Knight was elected to run in the Place Handicap in preference to the A.J.C. Plate, in which Ulva's Isle was engaged. The New Zealander was installed f,s favorite, and justified his selection, MacLachlan scoring easily. Don Q., Bercola, and Forest Prince were engaged in the Steeplechase. Forest Prince, ridden by Moon, put up a great finish. The A..1.C. Plate proved a K ood thing for Ulva's Isle. Results :-

vßous Handicap, of oOOsovs., one mile and three furlongs.-—Giru 8.7, 1; Toast 7.7, 2; Royal Rufus 7.(i, 3. Fight started. Won by one length and a quarter. Time, 3min 24£sec. Place Handicap, of 75050v5., one mile and a quarter.—Mountain Knight 8.8, 1: Necktie, 7.3, 2; Taunter 8.0, U. Eleven started. Won easily by two lengths. Time, 2min lo^see. Second Steeplechase, of 500sovs., about three miles.—Torone 10.8, 1; Forest Prince 11.13, 2; Icon 10.0, 3. Nine started. Won by a length and a half. Time, Gmin 40Jsec. A.J.C. Plate, of 2000sovs., weight for age, three miles.—Ulva's Isle 9.0, 1; Sir Alwynton 9.2, 2; Frasa 9.5, 3. Only starters. The order was unchanged throughout. Won by two lengths, with Sir Alwynton fifteen lengths away. Time, omin. 32isec. Second Nursery Handicap, of 750 sovs., one mile.—La Penna 6.12, 1; Westcourt 9.1, 2; Lineage 7.6, 3. Fifteen started. Won by a head. Time, lmin 41 if see.

Final Handicap, oi' 600$OVS., nine furlongs and 100 yards.—-Charleville 8.0, 1; First Principle 8.0, 2; Hush'money 8.5, 3. Twenty started. Won by three-quarters of n length. Time, 2inin.

The Stratford-owned Bercola ran fourth in the Second Steeplechase at R.andwiek yesterday. SPORTING NOTES. (By Cicero.) The Wellington Racing Club received good acceptances for their autumn meeting, which opens to-morrow and concludes on Saturday. As winners at Ellerslie. Riccarton, Wairarapa, Feilding, etc., meet in contest, the divi-dend-payers will be hard to sort out. The programme will open with the Hack and Hunters' Steeple, for which event Leapuki and Merry Guy will receive solid support. Nita jumps "big country" well, and may beat the pair. A number of good hacks will face the starter in the Silverstream Hack. Ararat and Kaminohe are a likely pair, as both have shown recent form. Balboa must take beating in the St. Leger. . The Plunket Nursery Handicap will bring forth a field of fast youngsters, and as the "draw" for position is a big (actor in the decision of five-fur-long races at Trentham, one must be prepared to see the best of "good things" defeated. However, Hygenias and Taringamutu are brilliant, and should run well forward. The class of horse engaged in the Thompson Handicap is well up to tln> standard of former years. Pavlova, who heads the handicap, has not raced for three mouths, but is certain to strip fit, as the Porirua team are all well forward. Chortle ran two sterling races at Riccarton, and is sure to lie in the fighting line. Ladoga won the race under review twelve months ago, and should be the hardest to beat tomorrow. He finished within a length and a half of Emperador in the Great Easter Handicap, and, carrying 9.1, ran that brilliant mare Warstep to a head in the Great Autumn Handicap, run in 2.33 3-5 (a really good performance. Sauci and liinaldo are good performers, whilst Hoy has run a number of splendid races, and appears to hold all the lighter weights sale. Ladoga, Hoy and Chortle should provide a stirring contest. Despite his Ulbs penalty, Flying Start should carry most money in the Challenge Stakes. The Railway Handicap will be very difficult to pick, since the top-weights have failed to strike form. Downham, Bimetor, and Belasco are nicely placed.

Veroneal (8.12) has caught it "hot" in the Tinakori Hack for her win at Masterton, and, despite her great reputation, might have got off a few pounds lighter. Client and Goldbearing have handy weights, and may take a hand in the finish.'

CR FREDRIC HOLDS UP THE COUNCIL FOR FORTY MINUTES. Faced with an amount of business such us, probably, has not appeared on the agenda paper during cue whole of the past twelve months, members of the Stratford Borough Council last night talked for forty minutes before they settled down and tackled the work. The Mayor asked whether, in view of the presence of .Mr J. D. Healy, the Council's architect, the Council would first take the business of discussion of the plans and specifications of the new municipal buildings. Cr Fredric raised his voice against such a proceeding. He had minor alterations in the plans to suggest, and he objected to any hurry in such matters.

His Worship pointed out that the plans had been laid on the Council table for three days, and members had had the opportunity of" making up their minds as to the alterations they desired. His Worship said that' if the plans were before the Council for twelve months there would still be alterations made. The general plans were adopted three months ago. Cr Morison said the Mayor had made, a reasonable request. He was quite satislied, if a majority of the Council would do so, to sit at the table all night and go through with the matter: It would be good business. He moved that the Council proceed with the consideration of the plans and specifications of the proposed buildings. Cr Thompson seconded. Cr Predric referred to the long meeting before them, and said that ten o'clock was quite late enough to ,it. They should deal with this business at a separate meeting. The Mayor said he would sit till ;three o'clock if wanted.

Cr Masters said he thought Cr Fredrio should give way. They were losing money every day. The Council should take this business first, and if they ;.()uld not get through the remainder, they could adjourn. Cr Fredric asked how many councillors had inspected the plans during the time they had been on the table. For himself he had spent that day 11 hours on thorn. He wanted the consideration of alterations to come before the building committee and then have a special meeting of the Council.

Cr Masters: They (the plans) have been before the building committee. Why not have the special meeting tonight? The Mayor, to Cr Fredric: The committee have done their work. Cr Fredric said councillors had not taken advantage of the plans having been on the table. Cr Masters: How dp you know? The Clerk said that Cr Fredric was not present at the second meeting of the committee. Cr Fredric said he had got no notice of. it.' ' ; '"'"' 'l'"' \! ' i one meeting but not the adjourned meeting on the following night. Cr Render objected to Cr Fredric raying councillors had neglected their business. He (Cr Reader) for one, bad a good knowledge of the plans. Cr Fredric apologised to Cr Reader. The resolution was altered to read that the first business to be lealt with be the plans and specifications. The Mayor said he really thought that the question of pushing on the work was of more importance than holding the final meeting of the Council that evening. He did not want to push it through, but the Council should consider the plans, and if necessary, adjourn to another nigh';. Cr Fredric said he did not think it mattered if they were put off lot me or even three days. The Mayor: 1 think every day matters. Cr Boon: It moans a loss of €2 to £3 a day. The Mayor: I would sooner have them put through even with a few defects than have any delay.

Cr Fredric expressed surprise th.it His Worship should say such a thing. Tliey had under consideration r,he erection of a building costing £9OOO, which it was expected would last n.'.iny years. It was, indeed, a peculiar thing lor His Worship to say.

Tho Mayor, speaking with setae heat:. What is the use of coming here, and going on like this. Nov, Cr Fredric had the opportunity of being here at a special meeting and. going into the question, hut Cr Fredric was away on liks own business. Mow he comes here, and wants to make objections and go into the whole filiation again. The Council should get along with it. I woull very .much rather put it through with minor defects than delay any longer. As Far as 1 am concerned, there will ho no delay. Cr Fredric said he had attended the special meeting of the committee. The Mayor again pointed out tiiat there were two meetings, and that Or Fredric did not attend the second one. Cr Masters: Might 1 ask Or Fredric why he objects to taking the busi-

ness to-night as well as at any cther t line. Cr Fredric: 1 have uo objection at all. We have a certain form of procedure, and we should stick to it. I think that to stay here all night is not necessary. Cr .Masters pointed out that the matter could be dealt with by a unanimous vote of the Council. Cr Richards said he had moved the /'motion that it be dealt with at a special meeting, but he really did not mean a special meeting in that sense, but at a general meeting. At one stage Cr Thompson strove hard to conciliate Cr 'Fredric, and commenced to read the special committee's report as appeared in the copies on the table, but the question whether this was in order checked him when half way through. After some further general talk, the motion was put and carried, Cr Fredric not dissenting. The time was now 8.10, and the Council, having spent forty minutes in getting a start, settled down to the discussion of the plans and specifications, a report of which appears in another column.