GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 887, 14 November 1871, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

The contest on Tuesday last, for the Canterbury Cup of 300 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, caused much excitement, it being a match between the two cracks, Flying Fish, the other acceptor, not coming to the post. Peeress led for the .first mile, when Knottiugly came to the front. In the race home, M'Glashan just succeeded in getting the mare's nose even at the post. Mr Redwood entered a protest for jostling, but it was not allowed by the stewards. The deciding heat Was Won easily by M'Glashan, with hands down, several lengths ahead. It was the fastest race ever run on the Cantei'bury course, the 2\ miles being acomplished in 4 mins., 13 sees. On Wednesday, the Hurdle Rice of 50 aovs. was won by Sir Tattoo ; Patch, the Nelson horse was nowhere in consequence of his refusing Ins hurdles. The Derby Stakes of 150 sovs., was won by Defamation; the Jockey Club Handicap of 120 sovs., by Peeress, and in the Grand Stand Handicap of 100 sovs., Mr .Kedwood scored another win with Lacenfeed. On Thursday, the racing was bad, and it poured with rain all day, The single exception to the inferior running was the Christchurch Plate won by Knottingly, Peeress being second. Railway Piate ; Defamation, 1. Metropolitan Handicap ; Envy, 1. Selling Race; Sir Tatton won in a canter, but on being weighed was found 31b short, consequently Escape takes the stake, Expectati n, 2. Consolation Stakes; Exile, 1. The far-famed Caledonian "appears to be yielding aa handsome returns as ever. A correspondent of the Aucklacd " Herald" wrote on Saturday evening last: —The Caledonian have lodged 21480z., for the week, making a total in hand of 41640z., retorted. This day the specimen leader opened splendidly on the Otago side—eight feet of gold. Althogether 14 cwt. of rich specimens have been taken out since yesterday morning from specimen leader and main run. The main run is opening very rich again—better than for many weeks. The All Nations will have 1000oz., from the stamper boxes. Eighty tons from the Golden Crown gave 119oz. The Kuranui have lodged llloz for the fortnight. The brigantine Swordfish, laden with Australian breadstuffs, consigned to Mr Kobert Levien, arrived at Nelson, on Thursday, the 9th instant, the cargo thus narrowly escaping the newly imposed duties on cereals. A Taranaki paper is responsible for the following:—Some years ago a philanthropist of the Exeter Hall stamp, who came to New Zealand for the express purpose of reclaiming the " noble savages " invited a few chiefs to dine with him. Of course they were treated to many delicacies they had never seen before, and displayed a perhaps excusable inclination to ' go through ' the bill of fare. A young chief who had partaken of nearly everything on the table, had been eyeing the mustard for some time, no doubt thinking that such a pretty paste would taste as good as it looked. At length au opportunity appearing, he reached forth in a dignified manner, took a liberal spoonful, aad swallowed it without moving a muscle of his countenance, but in spite of his utmost exertions, the tears soon Btr'eamed down his checks. An aged chief opposite to him, who had been watching the whole proceeding, leaned forward and enquired what he was crying for. He replied, " I was thinking of my poor old father, who died a short time ago." Soon afterwards the " aged," being unable to restrain his curiosity also solemnly took a dip from the mustard-pot, and swallowed it without the quivering of a muscle ; but his eyes were not at; strong as his will, and the little tears soon trickled down his cheeks. It was now tho young red man's turn. Leaning forward he inquired tho cause of the grief, to which the elderly party replied, "I

was thinking 'twas a pity you hadn't died when your poor father did. Subjoined are the comparative quotations of various descriptions of Eng* lish wool now and a year ago. The prices now are—Lincoln hogs, 26d, do wethers, 23|d to 24d; Down ewes, 21£ dto 22d } Irish hogs, 2Sd, do wethers, 24d; combing Wether skins, 2ld to 22£ d ; carding skins (now making) l7£d to 18d; head skins, 13£ to 14£ d * combing middling noils, 15d to lGd, do brokes, the same proportion as noils; locks (good), 15d to 16d; long lamb skin, 21|d to 22d. The prices a year ago were—Lincoln hogs, I7d, do wethers, 14£ d; Down tegs, 14d, do wethers, 15d; combing wether skids, to 14d ; carding skins (noW making), lOd to 10£ d; head skins, 7d to 8d; combing middling noils, 9-£ dto lOd ; locks (good), 9d 5 long lamb skin, to 13d.