TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2851, 19 March 1888, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

Shocking Fatal Accident. Chbirtohurch, Monday, Yesterday evening Michael Murphy aged nine years, the son of a laborer, was accidentally killed while playing underneath the Montreal-street bridge. A companion, named Pearson, pushed him against tho abutment of the bridge, and he struck his head, dyius in five minutes, Daring Robbery. DuNEDBf, Monday. A daring daylight robbery was perpetrated in Crawford Street at six o'clock on Saturday evening. Two men have since been recognised and arrested, named Charles Anderson and James McGrath. They set upon a young man, named William Slattery, struck him with a gin bottle on the left temple, and rifled his pockets of eleven shillings and sixpence; but Slattery, who was not unconscious, managed to retain hold of his purse, A servant girl in the New Zealand Restaurant, looking out of tho back window, saw the whole affair, and raised an alarm. The men decamped, but from the description given by the girl, were since arrested, Both men bear indifferent characters, and had been drinking together. The injur) to Slattery is severe, and he wasremoved to the Hospital,

The Mail Steamers, Wellington, Monday. The Alameda, with English mails ol 22nd nit., lett San Francisco for Auckland on 10th instant, three days late. The Mariposa, which left Auckland on 27th ultimo, with homeward mails, arrived at San Francisco on 17th instant, one day before contract time,

Suffocated in a Coal Mine, Wellington, Monday, The Minister of Mines has received a telegram from Clyde, stating that James Sreetsham, aged 27, was suffocated in a coal mine belonging to Buckley and Bookman at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning. He descended the shaft to ascertain the depth of water. After being below a few minutes he was being hauled up by his brother when he fell out of the bucket, He made a second attempt to ascend, but again fell. The depth of the shaft is 35 feet.

A FATAL RACE. Five Jockey's Smashed up. Bulls, Monday A sad fatal accident occurred at the Sandon Hack Races on Saturday. In the Flying Race, 19 horses started, and at a nasty dip in the course one stumbled and fell and brought foui others down. Three of the jockey's were badly bruised and severely shaken, but escaped comparatively unhurt, Of the others a boy named Costello, 16 years old, was unconscious for two hours, and is hurt externally. Hall, 14 years of age was unconscious for one hour, and has his left arm broken. Another boy, McKenzie, 14 years old, sustained concussion of (he brain, and diet) 12 hours after, None of the horses were injured.

Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting. Saturday, March 17th. President ; Mr T, E. Chamberlain; Hon Treasurer: Mr A. Elkins; Judge : Mr A. W, Cave; Starter : MrT. Parsons; Handicaffer; Mr J. 0. Evett; Stewards : Messrs J. Boss, Wm. Lowes, W. B. Buick, E. R. Welch, J.. C. Vallanoe, E. Chamberlain, and G. H. Yates; Clerk of Scales : Mr J. Harding; Ci,erk of Course : Mr W. lorns; Timekeeper ; Mr Jas Muir, Notwithstanding the fact that faultless weather favored the Autumn meeting of the above Club, on St Patrick's Day the attendance was not by any means up to expectations. One of the principal causes for this was undoubtedly due to the meeting falling on a Saturday, a day on which it was unreasonable and almost impossible to expect business people to close up. There could not have been mqre than 800 visitors on the course (faring mj \

one time of the day. The heavy rain that fell on Friday night caused the stream (which had to be orossed before reaching the course) to be much swollen and the footbridge washed ; away. The latter mishap was reme- ji died by the Club putting on MrPetrie ] with his break to convey pedestrians ] across from one side to the other. The only casuality occasioned by the I freshet, was the immersion of a juvenile jock, who was riding Hood's Polly, but beyond a drenching the youngster felt none the worse for his unexpected bath. The courso was heavy and slippery, but the time recorded was up to the avorago. From the first to the last race, the events were well contested, and the finishes were close Whilst complimenting the Club for best intentions, we cannot refrain from pointing out one or two defects noticeable at their present meeting, viz., want of punctuality and indifferent starting, Regarding the former the races were anything but punctual, and as a result, persons who travelled by tram had to leave the ground without seeing the last two events run. The advertised time throughout was never adhered to, and the last race whioh was supposed to start at 5.10 p.m was not run till 6.15 p.m. It is to be hoped a little more attention will be devoted in this direction at futuie meetings of the Club.. The position of starter is by no means an enviable one, and for this reason we regret it is our duty to comment upon the unsatisfactory manner m which tho flag fell on more than one occasion last Saturday. The fault might easily be remedied, if, instead of bantering words with jockies when they disobeyed heavy fines were inflicted as was justly meted out in the case of Doige, who was fined 20s for ignoring the starter's orders whilst riding Lady Bird in the maiden hacks. This would have the desired effect. Sergeant Price, with Constables O'Connor and Cooper were present, and with the exception of keeping down a threatened breach of the peace in the horse seizure case Campbell v. Lyons, hud little or nothing to do. This disturbance caused an immense amount ot tun to onlookers, who thronged the fences and stand of tho saddling paddock, in their eagerness to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, every now and then adding to the fervour of the scene, by cheering the respective disputants. During the scrimmage which ensued for possession, the horse and the crowd were hustled from one side of the saddling paddock to the other. Not until the unfortunate brute was stripped of its gerr, and the two peace breakers arrested, were the police enabled to restore order. Fortunately nothing very serious happened with the exception of the destruction of a few coats. Shortly after the occurrence tho two rivals were brought up before one of our local J. P.'s in the luncheon room of the Grand Stand, and remanded to Masterton where the case was dealt with this morning, the horse then beingreturnedto Lyons. From what we could learn the horse Ngarata is the property of Mr Hugh Campbell of Opaki, who gave it into Lyon's charge to break in, and use for racing purposes, the former to receive all monies won for his trouble. M r Campbell, it appears, thought the horse was doing more work than it was likely to stand, so he asked Lyons for possession, which tho latter refused, hence the attempt to take the animal by force, There were the usual games in full swing during the day, but speculation was not very brisk. The outside and grand stand bar under Mr T. Thompson (Masterton), and Mr Cranmer (Featherston), respectively, did a moderate amount of business. Mr A. L. Whyte had the refreshment booths, the same gentleman also provided the Steward's luncheon, which, as usual, gave every satisfaction. The fruit stall was in the hands of Mr W. Vile who had a nice assortment, and appeared to be well patronised. Mr H. Lyon had chargo of the totalisator, in which capacity he gave every satisfaction. With tho exception of Pilgrimage's " divi." of £3l in the St. Patrick's Handicap, no large " hauls" were made from the machine. During the day Mr Pearson's band, contributed in no small measure to the day's enjoyment by the excellent music provided. In the hurdle races there were two or three accidents, but with the exception of Alexander, who had the small bone of his left arm broken while riding Freebooter in the Handicap Hurdles, nothing serioushappened. Mr D. Dixon also met with a nasty accident whilst attending the entrance to the saddling paddock, He was in the act of taking a ticket from a person entering tho gate, when Pilgrimage, who was passing along at the time, struck out and hit him a blow on the leg, inflicting a severe bruise. Although suffering intense pain, Mr Dixon did not find it necessary to leavo his post. Ihe meeting from a racing point of .view was highly successful, and with one or two exceptions referred to above, the programme was carried through faithfully, for which the officers of the Club and their secretary, Mr Mackay, deserve great credit. Appended are the results:

Hurdle Handicap of. 85 sovs; second horse 5 sovs, ljmiles; over hurdies 3ft Gin high. J. Driseoll's Reputation, aged, 9st 91b (Gravestock) 1 J. Leopold's Kangaroo, aged, list 111b (T. Winteringham 2 Mara Te Tail's Pake, Bst 101b

(E. Polling) 3 Freebooter lOst 81b also started/ After a false start, the quartette were got away well together. Passing the stand Reputation and Freebooter'were leading with Pake several lengths behind last. Coming to the first hurdle Reputation and Freebooter took the first jump almost together, but the latter, in rising, struck the fence and fell over, throwingJiis rider violently to the ground. At first it was surmised a serious accident had occurred on account of Freebooter's jockey laying so long before he rose. Mounted Constable O'Connor was soon to the rescue, and a drag haying been procured the unfortunate fellow was brought to the saddling paddock, where, on being attendee! by Dr Milne, it was found he lad sustained a, ftaoturo of thg small,

bone of the left arm, anda severe shaking., From this out, although Kangaroo came up fast at the finish, Eeputation maintained the bad, winning by fully a length. Time 3min 91-sthsoc. Totalisator 94; winner 45; Div. LI 17s. Hack Hurdles, 15 sovs, seykjl. horse 2 sovs; once round the couSo; lOst up. A. R. McFarlano's Exchange (T. Wintoringham) 1 W. Mould's Signor(owner) ,„ 2. W. Hirschberg's Leap Year (T. • ■; '>'"■ Wyott) 0 These were the only starters.' TLI3 was an easy win for Exchange, o.ving to the other two coming to grief. On reaching the first hurdle Leap Year failed to rise and stumbled, disposing ot his rider and bolting into the flax, The latter fortuately sustained no further injury than a shaking. This accident was followed by Signor falling at the last two hurdles, but Mould was not so easily to be disposed of, for ' although they both rolled over onjadi occasion, Mould with wonderfOTre- , sence of mind was soon in the saddle again and rode past the winning post amidst a perfect storm of applause. Time 2.51|. Totalisator 98, winner 61, dividend £1 7b. St Patrick's Day Handicap, of 70 sovs, second horse 10 sovs. If miles. U T. Ray's bg Pilgrimage^ed Gst 51b ... (Buckeridge) 1 T. Thompson's gg Little Scrub aged, Bst 121b, (R. Thompson) 2 K. McKenzie's bg Lancer Byrs, 6st 71b ... (Blackburn) 8 Voltigeur 7st 51b, Cupid Gst 121b, Jack Tar Gst, and First Water 7st 81b also ran. Revoke Bst was scratched* After considerable delay the flag fell to an indifferent start, Lancer being left at the post. Pilgrimage almost immediately ran to the fore, attended by Firstwater, Cupid, and Voltigeur, Scrub and Jack Tar lying fifth and sixth respectively. Thin position was held when passing the stand, Lancer being fully twelve lengths hi the rear. After going half the distance the latter commenced to go up and by the time the straight was reached he bad seciirat fourth place. Coming into the strai As. there was considerable excitement the Scrub, Cupid, and Lancer being under the whip, whilst Pilgrimage, who was still leading, gradually increased the gap and came in an easymnner, followed by Scrub, Lancerbemgthird, and Cupid fourth. Time 2.52 i. Totalisator 210, winner G, dividend £3l 10s.

Maiden Hack Race, of 15 sovs, second horse 5 sovs. | mile. Bstup. lor boda fide hacks that have never wen

a race of any description. T. Ingley's Nina ... (Avery) 1 F. Hood'sLord-go-Bang (W. I ang) 2 W. Butler's Highland Mary (R. Hockley)' 3 Seven others also faced the starter. Owing to the fractiousness of some of the hacks, considerable delay whs again occasioned. When the flag fell Nina and Highland Mary were first on their legs, Manu being left standding at the post. The "two former held command to the straight when Lord-go-Bang, who made a desperate effort, succeeded in wresting honors from the mare, but wasjmablj to come up with Nina who w»easiljl. with something to spare. Time Imin 28 8-sth sec. Totalisator 124; winner 8G; Div. £8 2s. Masterton Flying Stakes, of 50 sovs second horse 10 sovs. f mile. P, F. Tancred'sch m Revoke, Gyrs Bst 91b ... ... (Cuneen) 1 T. Thompson's g g Littlo Scrub, aged, Bst 51b, (R. Thompson) 2 T. Ray's b g Pilgrimage, aged, 7st 41b (Peters) 8 The other starters were Lancer 7st 51b, Cupid 7st 121b, and Mariner Gst 71b. The lot were got away well together, Revoke .and Scrub racing almost abreast, until entering the straight, when Thompson on the grey took out the whip, but coming on, the favorite won cleverly by about a length. Time lmin 22 l-sth sees. IG3 on totalisator, GO on winner, dividend £2 Bs.

Handicap Hack Race, of 15 sovs, second horse 2 boys. |()nce round thecourse. For horses in actual use as hacks. I** K. MoKenzie's Othello, 9st SI (Keegan) jfc T. A. Lyon's b g Ngarata, Syrs, Bsfc 41b (Wyeth) 2 F. Hood's b m P011y,4 yrs, 7st Gib ((;. Edwards) 8 Highland Mary 7st 101b, and Lady Bird 6st 71b also ran. Hiue Ra, 7st 121b was scratched. Othello, who started first favorite on the machine, very soon ran to the fore, and gradually increasing his advantage won easily by four lengths, Ngarata beating Highland Mary for second place. Time 2min 28sec. Totalisator 103, on winner 73, dividend £1 ss. Grand Stand Handicap, of 85 sovs, second horse 5 sovs. One mile. P. F. Tancred's Revoke, 9 stone, (Cuneen) 1 P. F. Tancred's First Water, 7st, (Poulson) 2 J. Leopold's Kangaroo, oSfc 121b, (Jang) 8 Lancer Osfc 121b, and Voltigulr 7st 71b also ran. Pilgrimage, Little Scrub and Cupid were scratcliß Revoke assumed the command oiM affairs from the start, and won pretty well in hand by half a length from her stable companion, First Water. Time, lrain 65sec. Totalisator 55, on winner 19, Dividend £2 7s. Hack Race, of 10 sovs. One mile. W. Lucas' The Flower (Wilkinson) 1 • G. Freeth's Right Bower (R. Buckcridge) 2 >,W. Crawford's Speculator (Scott) 8 Susette and Hine Ra also started. Kakapo, who was entered for this event, bolted, and ran about \\ miles before he was pulled in, and on being brought back he again bolted, and the race had to be run off without him. The hacks got well away together, and before the quarter mile post was reached, The Flower was lJfeg, closely followed by Right Bower. From thence the race was confined to this pair, thefilly ultimately coming ' in an easy winner. Time, 2miu Slsec, Totalisator 80; winner 24; «3.