SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 93, 16 November 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

FIXTURES. Xov. 22.—Ashhnrst-Pohangina R.C Xov, 25, 29. —Takapnna J.C. Xov. 29, 30.—rFeilding J.C. STRATFORD RACING CLUB. A meeting of the committee of the Stratford Racing Chib was held on Tuesday, when there were present— Messrs W. H. H. Young (chairman), H. E. Abraham, W. J. Morrison, A. Stewart, and J. H. L. Stanford. Apologies for absence- were received from Messrs W. P. Kirkwood. W. R. S. Brewer, and F. Mackay. It was decided to advertise for a handicapper for the second day’s meeting. The coifpiittoe arranged to meet at the conrsctii ub 2 o’clock on Thursday to select a site for the new number board. j Messrs Young and Kirkwood were appointed the committee to make arrangements for the sale of privileges of the refreshment booths. Messrs H. F. Taylor (Midhirst) and J. O’Neil! (Ngaere) were elected members of the club.

NOTES, On Tuesday evening in Christchurch two trotting “heads” were discussing the day’s racing. After tho form had been thoroughly reviewed and 'the sinsdoif the respective drivers wore being ‘elaborated, one remarked in a hiisltec) toni?'tb‘ai faddy hr!sited with portent: “I, the, hottest thing I’ve ever seen on a racecourse.” His companion eagerly inquired regarding the affair, and received the reply, “Tho grandstand on fire.”

There is one man now in Christchurch with a grievance against his backbone. He was out at Hiccartnn on Wednesday in a contemplative mood and ;; poor day. Thinking over things, he suddenly unfolded his great T'dfsif! : I‘fh'go Friedlaiider had a horse lulled hnlfhe' first day and won the New Zealand Cup with Ardenvhor, and 0. D. Greenwood had a serious mishap with Splendant and won the Stewards’, and after the burning of his store in Invercargill J. I’. Thomson won the New Zealand Trotting Onp with Cathedral Chimes. “Now,” he went on, “A. W.' Rutherford the

younger lost Encore yesterday, and lie haijj Furling "in tliis race—it’s'a certain^'— gods have supplied all the portents.” But he allowed himself to: be put on to something that couldn’t lose,’ and you who know the size of the Furling dividend can appreciate the dimensions of the Contemplative One’s grouch. It was such a tine piece of reasoning!

i The man who answers the telephone in the Christchurch Evening News Office has come to the conclusion that the only thing people really take any interest in this country is known as “sporting intelligence.” Hence he has prepared the following ode:— THE RULING PASSION. The telephone tinkles—Oh, who can it i he ? Who wants to ask something important from me? The world is at war, death roams o’er the earth, Of terrible news there is never a dearth. Our hopes flutter down and our hopes flutter up— And the voice at the ’phone asks us, ■ “What won the Cup?” The grand stand is burning right down to the ground, And all sorts of rumours have spread all around; They say. in the that people wore slain, And never will go to the races again ; But the voice at the ’phone, though it sounds quite dismayed, Merely asks “if the next race will be long delayed.” Presidential elections are held in the States, And the cables are fraught with political feats; Australia has clinched out conscription to-day, And the Empire is feeling—well, not at all gay ; The Huns have done things at which the blood curdles, And tbo bloke at the ’phone asks us “What won the Hurdles?” When Gabriel is blowing his ultimate blast, And the sheep and the goats arc assembling fast, To be drafted apart, to their judgment to go. To perpetual bliss or long aeons of ■ IVlii*. 1 Ere I rush out to take up my own humble place, Fll have to tell someone “what won the last race.”