CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2867, 24 April 1878, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday. At an inquest on the body of the boy Steele, Mrs Steele repented the statement that the deceased probably inflicted the wound himself while throwing the poker into the trees. She said deceased was in the habit of'throwing the poker at her neighbor's ducks and fowls. She nerer saw him use it to knock down haws. Two neighbours said Mrs Steele was in the habit of speaking crossly to her children, but they believed she had naturally a kind heart. They never saw her strike the children. Deceased's sister, aged seven years, said that shortly before the affair occurred he took some dripping instead of cart-greas* to grease his boots with, which: jV'rs Steel* took from him when he went down the garden and soon after she followed him. That was all the girl knew. The medical evidence was to the effect that the wound could not be caused by a blow or by the poker being thrown at the deceasedi as it would have went straight in. It could only have been caused by the poker being shot from a gun or by being fixed or used like a-pick-axe, or which was most likely the cause of the event was the deceased climbing up with the poker to knock down haws from the trees, and falling to the ground, his head alighting on the point of the poker. The inquest was adjourned. The Canterbury Autumn Meetingsecond day's sport—came off to-day. The weather was threatening in the early part of the afternoon, but it subsequenty cleared up, and continued fine through* out. The racing was again very good. The Steeplechase, though there were only two starters, was a pretty race, both horses jumping beautifully, and the result being to all appearance, doubtful, till nearly home. Longlands and Natator were scratched at an early hour for all their engagements, and this must have been a very great disappointment to a large number, aa both had been heavily backed over night, both straight out and in doubles. It is stated that the very hard state of the course, consequent on the recent dry weather, was the cause of their being scratched. The Easter Handicap was a splendid race throughout. Banolf looked all over a winner till nearing the rails, when he ran off the course. The other races require no comment.

Flyino Stakes of 100 soys., sweepstake of 5 soys, weight for age; threequarters of a mile.

May's Templeton (B. Bay) ... ... 1 Mallook's Foul Play, 3yrs (Higgott) 2 Mallock's Nemo, 2yrs (Wade) ... 3 Batcatcher also ran. Bribery, Natator, and Merlin were scratched. Atlantic and York did not show up. Betting: Even on Templeton, 6 to 4 against Nemo and Foul Play, 3to 1 against Batcatcher. At the third attempt a capital start was effected, but Templeton at once rushed to the front, followed by Batcatcher and Nemo, while Foul Play was the last away. Within a quarter of a mile Foul Play came through the ruck, and joined issue with Templeton. They raced into the straight together, and were neckandneck to the rails, when Templeton drew away and won by half a length. Nemo was a good third. Time: lmin 17j*ees. Handicap Steeplechase, of 100 soys, added to a sweep of 10 soys; about 3 and a quarter miles.

Mackey's Mousetrap, aged, list 14lbs (O'Brien) 1 Damson's Iranhoe, aged, Ilst7lbs (P. i McCoy) ... ... 2 Betting: 6to 4 against Mousetrap.. Eclipse was scratched. Mousetrap at once took the lead, and held it throughout, winning by several lengths without once being called upon. Both horses took all the nineteen jumps, including a double. Splendid time. Bmins 24secs. i . Easter Handicap, of 100 soys, added to a sweep of 7 soys; one mile. Malice's Foul Play, 3yrs, 7st 21bs (F.Clarke) ... ... 1 Fraser's Bribery, 4 yrs, 7st 41bs (Clifford) ... 2 Lunn's Maritana, aged, 7st 51 bs (Nicholls) ... .;. 3 Templeton, 9st,Blbs; Ariel, 9st 3lbs; Luna, 6st 21bs ; Oberon, 6sf; and Ranolf, 6st 9lbs; also ran. Betting: Even against Templeton | 2 to 1 against Foul Play, Banolf arid Oberon ; and 5 to 1 Bribery. At the starting post Bribery played up, and Maritana baulked, but ultimately a level start was effected. Banolf and Bribery made the running, Luna going third, and Templeton fourth. On entering the straight Banolf and Bribery still led* with Foul Play creeping up. Nearing the rails Foul Play .collared the leaders, when Banolf bolted off the course. It was a pretty race between Foul Play and Bribery, and resulted in favor of the former by half a length. Maritana was placed third and Luna fourth, but they really came in in the reverse orde/. Time : Imm 4J sees.

Selling Eack of 50 sots, added to a sweepstake of 5 sors; three-quarters of a mile. Mallock's Hanolf, £100, Bst 71bs -. (Allen) 1 Webb's Undine, £100, 7st 31bs (Clarke) ... ... , 2 Fraser's Bribery, £300, Bst 121bs (Clifford) ... ...: 2 Oberon, £300,85t 51bs; Waitaki, £100, sst 8lbs; Picadilly, £100, sst 81bs; and John Storel, £50, 7st 81bs; also ran. Betting: 6to 4 on the field. It was a capital start. Bribery and Hanolf again went to the front, and the others, except John Storel. It was a close race. After entering the straight Undine ran into the third place, and a neck and neck race ensued between Bribery and Hanolf to the rails, when the latter showed in front,

and gradually drew away and won by a | length. Time: lmin. I7iecs. On being I put up to auction Kanolf was sold to May for £165, the club thus getting £65. Consolation Handicap of 40 soys; 1 mile. Kedwood's Ariel, 9.st 31bs (Matthews) 1 Lunn's Maritana, Bsfc (Denworth) ... 2 Betting: 6t04 on Ariel. Maritana led till well into the straight, when Ariel came away nnd won by three lengths. Time : 1 niin 46 seca, A man named Kinsman, a warder at the Lunatic Asylum, when returning from the races, was run over by Dolwood's omnibus, and killed. It is said that no blame attaches to the driver of the omnibus.