 | LOCAL HISTORY |
In August 1888 Reefton becomes the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lighting. This was powered by hydro electricity generated from a dam and dynamo organised by a public company.
A tramway links Sumner with the city.
Oscober 3 - NZ Natives team plays first game in UK.
 | RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB
In January 1888 the Canterbury Trotting Club was formed and conducted its Meetings at the new A & P Showgrounds at Addington.
Also in 1888 there was a move by the Lancaster Park Cricket Company for the Trotting Club to assume a separate identity from the Cricket Company.
Most Clubs racing at this time were proprietary Clubs with the operating profits going to the promoters.
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB |
1888 PLUMPTON PARK RACING CLUB: Thurs 9 Feb 1888
[Per the 'Star's' Pigeon Express]
The Midsummer Meeting of the Plumpton Park Racing Club was held today. A strong nor'-west wind was blowing at the commencement of the proceedings, but the attendance was fairly good, the special train from town being well filled.
The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press:-
MAIDEN TROT, of 20 sovs. No weight under 10st. Open to all horses that have never won any public money. Two miles.
Mr W Page's b g Double Hill, aged (W Scott) 1.
Mr H Gilray's b m Jane, 4yrs (Bourke) 2.
Mr H Piper's b m Violet, aged (Owner) 3.
Wanda, Rose, Physic, Jenny and Jubilee also started.
Double Hill went to the front immediately the word was given, and Jane and Violet, his most formidable opponents, repeatedly breaking, he won easily by ten lengths.
Time 6min 45sec Totalisator dividend - £4 10s.
Credit: Star 9 Feb 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB |
1888 PLUMPTON PARK RACING CLUB: 17 April Meeting
[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]
The weather was again favourable for the racing at Plumpton Park this afternoon; but although the special train from town conveyed a fair number of visitors to the course, and the road was tolerably well petronised, the attendance when all told, is only a moderate one.
The course, much improved by the late rains, is in good order, and it seems likely that there will be some interesting racing during the afternoon.
-o0o-
The following days paper carried the results of seven races, two of which were trots, their results were noted as:-
The First Handicap Time Trot - Narrow Gauge, Gipsy, Blue Gown.
Second Handicap Time Trot - Lunatic, Tommy, Blue Gown
Credit: Star 17 Apr 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB |
On September 14, 1888, the CANTERBURY TIMES reported a court case involving Mr C Hood Williams, owner of Sultan, a winner at the meeting and to whom £28/10/- was due. Mr Williams sued a Mr P Campbell, who had been listed in the official race book as a steward and thus culpable to pay the stake.
During the case it was learned that Mr Bell, Secretary also of the Plumpton Park Coursing Club and the Island Bay Racing Club in Wellington (it was in recess at the time) had approaced Mr Campbell to act as a steward on the day.
Others in that capacity were a Captain Bell, Mr E S B Bell and Mr George Cutts.
On September 20 Judge Beetham found against the owner, Mr William, and ordered him to pay costs of £6/7/-, saying he had no claim against Mr Campbell.
"You entered into an agreement with Mr Bell, not Mr Campbell, and did so with your eyes wide open," said Judge Beetham.
The judge's decision aroused considerable controversy and the CANTERBURY TIMES was moved to comment: "It is a pity Judge Beetham was not better acquainted with the customs of the racing world in such matters."
The Plumpton Park Club then went into recess. It did not operate at all in the seasons of 1888-89, 1889-90 or 1890-91.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
| RACING HISTORY LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB |
In 1888 there was a move by the Lancaster Park Cricket Company for the Trotting Club to assume a separate identity from the Cricket Company, to pay a rental for the use of the grounds and become a Club whose sole aim was the promotion of Trotting. The shareholders of the Cricket Company ceased to have any say in the management and in 1890 the Club was controlled entirely by Trotting enthusiasts. In that year (1890) the principal Officials of the Club were: Stewards, D Barnes, C Louisson, V Harris, G McHaffie, J Perkins and L Wilson; the Starter was C O’Connor and the Secretary, A I Rattray.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compile by D C Parker
| RACING HISTORY LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB |
1888 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB AUTUMN MEETING
[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]
The Autumn meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club was held today. The weather being fine, there was a good attendance. The course was in good order except at the turns, where the recent banking improvements have hardly consolidated. The following are results:-
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. Two miles.
Mr C Dixon's gr m Patience, 6yrs, (Day) 1.
Mr G Burke's b m Jane, 4yrs, (Owner) 2.
Mr J Dewey's b g Jimmy, 5yrs (Edwards) 3.
Hero, Physic, Hard Times, Esau, Lioness, Blossom and Pet also started.
Patience and Jane trotted together for half a mile, when the former began to draw gradually away, and won easily by ten lengths.
Time - 6min 24 1/2sec. Totalisator - £3 10s 6d.
HANDICAP TIME PONY TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. Height 14 hands or under. Two miles.
Messrs W & C Kerr's blk m Tiny, aged, 30ses (W Kerr) 1.
Mr W Horner's gr g Shakspere, aged, scr (Day) 2.
Mr G Mitchell's b g Toby, aged, 30sec (C Kerr) 3.
Billy, Yankee Tom, Miss Polly, Bantam and Nelly also started.
LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 50 sovs; second horse to receive 5 sovs out of the stake. Three miles.
Mr C Hammond's b g Jumbo, 5yrs, 25sec (A Cox) 1.
Mr J Farrar's b g Billy, aged, 35sec (Owner) 2.
Messrs W & C Kerr's b g Wait-a-While, aged, 10sec (W Kerr) 3.
Cock Robin 15sec, M N 40sec, Tommy 40sec, Jenny Cook's 40sec, Jenny Clements' 45sec, Bess 45sec, Money cannon 55sec and Whalebone 60sec also started.
SELLING TROT (in saddle) of 25 sovs. Selling allowances. Two miles.
Mr B Edwards' ch m Madcap, aged, 20sec (Edwards) 1.
Mr W Cavanagh's blk m Black Bess, aged, 20sec (Owner) 2.
Mr Joseph Parkin's ch m Jess, aged, 20sec (Owner) 3.
Never Mind 20sec, Physic 20sec, Jubilee 20sec, Tomboy 20sec, and Fidget 20sec also started.
Credit: Star 31 March & 2 April1888
| RACING HISTORY LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB |
1888 LANCASTER PARK TROTTING CLUB: May Meeting
Handicappers: The Handicapping Committee; Starter: Mr C A Calvert.
The May Meeting of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club was held this afternoon. The weather was dull but fine, and at the commencement of proceedings the temperature was just what could be desired for the business at hand. The track looked in good order, but it was expected that the late heavy rains would prevent anything like fast time being made in the harness events.
Early in the afternoon there was only a moderate attendance on the ground, but this was largely augmented as the day wore on, the Challenge Trot proving a great attraction. This race which is a novelty in New Zealand will be found fully reported in our latest edition, but it may be stated here that it was conducted on orthodox American principles, and the Park authorities are entitled to a good deal of credit for their enterprise in introducing the event to their programme.
The following are the results received up to the hour at which we went to press :-
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs; for horses that have never won any public money; weight not less than 10st. Two miles.
Mr J Dewey's b g Jimmy, 5yrs (W Kerr) 1.
Mr J Hall's b g Our Nag, aged, (Murfitt) 2.
Mr H Paul's b m Sapphire, 6yrs (Munroe) 3.
Rose, Shuttle, Jane, Blossom, Orient, Symphony, Don Pedro and Misfortune also started.
Jimmy at once shot to the front, and going in good style, had the majority of his field in difficulties before half the distance was covered. Our Nag made a determined attempt to catch the leader in the last round, and both broke. They were soon set going, and Jimmy won by twenty yards. Only three finished.
Time 6min 6 1/2sec Dividend - £2 18s 6d.
NOVEL RACE HANDICAP TIME TROT (Harness) - Billy Dunn, Megrims, Shuffler.
BIRTHDAY HANDICAP TIME TROT (Saddle) - Narrow Gauge, Tommy, Gipsy.
CHALLENGE TROT (Harness) - Daisy, Plunger.
SELLING TROT (Saddle) - Corah, Never Mind.
LANCASTER PARK HANDICAP TIME TROT (Harness) - Shamrock, Dexter, The Rogue.
HANDICAP TIME PONY TROT (Saddle) - Brown Jo, Tiny, Fedora.
Credit: Star 19 & 21 May 1888
| RACING HISTORY NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB |
1888 NEW BRIGHTON RACING CLUB: TROTTING MEETING
[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]
Starter and Handicapper - Mr S P Andrews.
The Trotting Meeting of the New Brighton Racing Club was held today. The weather in the morning was overcast, and a drizzling rain falling before the commencement of the proceedings, the attendance was very small. The course was in capital order, and the arrangements as good as usual. The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press:-
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. No weight under 10st. About two miles.
Mr J Munro's ch m Kelsie, aged (Owner) 1.
Mr J P Horner's b m Gipsy's Warning (Owner) 2.
Mr T Lynskey's b m Banshee, 6yrs (Owner) 3.
Scot and Welcome Jack also started.
Kelsie went to the front immediately the word was given, and never being headed won by 300 yards.
Time 6min 53sec. Totalisator - Inside (£1 tickets) £37 16s; Outside (10s tickets) £7 4s.
HANDICAP TIME TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. About three miles.
Mr J Farrar's b g Billy, aged, 40sec (Owner) 1.
Mr D Barnes' ch g Richmond, aged, 30sec (Owner) 2.
Mr H Piper's ch m Lioness, aged, 25sec (Owner) 3.
Nana 50sec also started.
HANDICAP SELLING TIME TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. The winner to br sold by auction after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Club. No weight under 10st. About two miles.
Mr R Sunderland's gr m Sedgemere Lass, aged, 30sec (Farrar) 1.
Mr Farrar's ch g Dick, aged, 40sec (Hammel) 2.
Mr G Duke's br m Blind Kate, aged, 45sec (Pearce) 3.
Emulation 35sec, Hero 40sec, Minnie 40sec and Locomotive 40sec also started.
HANDICAP SELLING TIME TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. The winner to be sold by auction after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Club. About two miles.
Mr J Munro's rn m Quida, aged, 30sec (Owner) 1.
Mr H Mace's ch m Kate, aged, 30sec (Milne) 2.
Mr R Sunderland's gr m Sedgemere Lass, aged, scr (Mehan) 3.
King Billy 20sec and Cobweb 30sec also started.
CONSOLATION HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 10 sovs. About two miles.
Mr B Edwards' br g Lunatic, aged, scr (Owner) 1.
Mr D Barnes' ch g Richmond, aged, 25sec (Owner) 2.
Dick 40sec, Nana 40sec, Minnie 50sec and Tandy 60sec also started.
Won by four lengths.
Time 6min 45sec. Totalisator - Inside (£1 tickets) £2 3s; Outside no investors.
Credit: Star 25 & 26 Sept 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB |
1888 CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB: November Meeting
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. About two miles.
Mr J Hanson's gr g Roarer, 6yrs, (A J Keith) 1.
Mr J Thomas' b g Native Boy, 6yrs, (J Jardin) 2.
Mr H Mace's ch m Kate, aged, (Milne) 3.
Spot, Hilda, Sonny, Fleurette, Nanki Poo, Duke of Connaught, Fermanagh and Apprentice also started.
HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs; second, 2 1/2 sovs from the stake. About two miles.
Mr G Sharpe's rn g Vanity, 6yrs, 40sec (W Kerr) 1.
Mr J Farrar's cr m Brown Joe, aged, 25sec (Owner) 2.
Mr G Burke's br g Fernandez, aged, 40sec (Owner) 3.
HANDICAP TIME TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs, second horse 5 sovs. About three miles.
Mr H McKay's b m Semolina, 5yrs, 45sec (W McKay) 1.
Mr H Mace's ch m Kate, aged, 60sec (Milne) 2.
Mr R Young's br m Despised, aged, 50sec (Douglas) 3.
HANDICAP NOVEL TROT (in saddle) of 35 sovs. About two miles.
Mr G McBain's gr m Milley, aged, 40sec (Bourke) 1.
Mr J Poff's br g Charlie A, aged, 40sec (Douglas) 2.
Mr E Simpson's gr g Hero, aged, 20sec (Owner) 3.
HANDICAP TIME TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. ASbout three miles.
Mr A J Keith's b g Long Roper, aged, 25sec (Owner) 1.
Mr B Edward's br g Plunger, aged, scr (Owner) 2.
Mr A McKee's rn m Kate, aged, 45sec (Owner) 3.
HANDICAP TIME TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. About two miles.
Mr J Knight's br m Symphony, aged, 50sec (Bourke) 1.
Mr A Bowes' ch g potatau, aged, 35sec (Owner) 2.
Mr H Mace's ch m Kate, aged, 50sec (Milne) 3.
HANDICAP NOVEL TROT (in harness) of 15 sovs. About two miles.
Mr J Jardin's ch m Never Mind, aged, 15sec (Owner) 1.
Mr H McBratney's b g Timbuc, aged, 30sec (Seaton) 2.
Mr J R Walsh's gr g Shuffler, aged, 45sec (Owner) 3.
Credit: Star 26 Nov 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB |
1888 CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB JUNE MEETING
The third meeting of the Canterbury Trotting Club was held at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's grounds, Addington, this afternoon. There was a fair attendance, and the track was in good order.
The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press. (NB - The handicaps are behind scratch):-
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. About two miles.
Mr A Grimmer's blk g Mosquito, aged (F Angus) 1.
Mr F Horner's w m Snowball, aged (Owner) 2.
Shuttle, Lady Emma, Kitty, Bachlieu, Guida, Anger, Wildacre, Sutton, Emulation, Jack, Midge & Pat also started.
Midge and Bachlieu led for three rounds alternately, Emulation looking dangerous. At the fourth turn round Mosquito came out and won very easily by several lengths, the rest pulling up.
Time 6min 18sec. Dividend - £5 3s.
HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs. Height, 14h 1in. About two miles.
Messrs W & C Kerr's blk m Tiny, aged, 18sec (C Kerr) 1.
Mr J Keith's b m Emily, aged, 27sec (Owner) 2.
Mr H McBratney's blk m Maori Maid, 8sec (Owner) 3.
Fedora scr, Little Nell 5sec, Dad 8sec, Hero 10sec, Farewell 10sec, Brown Joe 20sec and Queenie 35sec also ran.
Tiny soon went to the front, Emily and Maori Maid next in attendance. Emily looked dangerous coming up the straight, but broke and was beaten by four lengths, the mare a fair third, the rest beaten off.
Time 6min 33sec. Totalisator dividend - £4 7s.
HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 35 sovs; second hors to receive 5 sovs from the stake. About three miles.
Mr A Grimmer's blk g Mosquito, aged, 11sec (Angus) 1.
Mr T Marr's b m Waikari, 5yrs, scr (J Milne) 2.
Mr D Barns' ch g Richmond, aged, 23sec (Owner) 3.
HANDICAP NOVEL RACE (in harness) of 20 sovs. The winner to be sold immediately after the race, the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds. About two miles.
Mr H Kibblewhite's b g Big Ben, 5yrs, 8sec (Farrar) 1.
Mr J Campbell's rn g Seldom Fed, aged, 5sec (Walker) 2.
Mr C Crooks' b m Midge, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3.
HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs. About three miles.
Mr T Marr's b m Waikari, 5yrs, 3sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J Barker's br g Dexter, aged, 30sec (Cox) 2.
HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 20sovs. About two miles.
Mr B Edwards' br g Lunatic, aged, 47sec (Owner) 1.
Mr J Barrett's ch g Bachlieu, aged, 15sec (Owner) 2.
Mr A Grimmer's blk g Mosquito, aged, 20sec 3.
HANDICAP NOVEL TROT (in saddle) of 20sovs. The winner to be sold immediately after the race, the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds. About two miles.
Mr R Sunderland's gr m Sedgemere Lass, aged, 27sec (Farrar) 1.
Mr V Harris' b g Emulation, aged, 20sec 2.
Mr F Lee's b m Kitty, aged, 20sec 3.
Credit: Star 23 & 25 June 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB |
1888 CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB FIRST MEETING
[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]
The first meeting of the recently-formed Canterbury Trotting Club was held at the A & P Association's Grounds this afternoon. The weather was very favourable, and the arrangements on the ground appear to be excellent, but the attendance was not large at the commencement of proceedings, but increased as the afternoon progressed. The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press :-
MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. About two miles.
Mr J Baker's b g Dexter, aged, (Cox) 1=
Mr G Burke's b m Jane, 4yrs (Owner) 1=
Mr W Cliff's b h Blue Gown, 5yrs (Harrington) 3.
Lady Munster, Miss Small, Jenny, Blossom, Arian, Rose, Bachlieu, Misfortune, Hard Times, Our Nag and Waikari also started.
Jane went to the front immediately the word was given, and during the first round established a lead of ten lengths, Misfortune, Dexter, and Hard Times following in that order. There was little change until beginning the second round, when Jane eased up, and Dexter began to catch the leader. A most exciting race ensued, and Dexter catching the favourite in the last dozen yards made a dead heat, Blue Gown, who broke repeatedly, a fair third. It was decided to run off the dead heat, Dexter winning.
Time 6min 7 1/2sec.
HANDICAP PONY TROT - Sedgemere Lass, Misfortune, Emily.
HANDICAP TIME TROT - Victor, Blue Gown, Gipsy.
NOVEL RACE - Jess, Whalebone, Doctor.
HANDICAP TIME TROT - The Rogue, Wait-a-While, Betsy.
TIME HANDICAP TROT - Blue Gown, Gipsy, Gip.
HANDICAP CONSOLATION TROT - Queenie, Bob Gawn, Hard Times.
Credit: Star 7 & 9 April 1888
| RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB |
1888 CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB MAY MEETING
MAIDEN TROT (Saddle) - Emily, Blossom, Bachlieu.
TIME HANDICAP PONY TROT (Saddle) - Emily, Brown Joe, Shakspere.
HANDICAP TIME TROT (Saddle) - Blue Gown, Wanda, Gipsy.
HANDICAP NOVEL TROT (Saddle) - Double Hill, Zella, Emily.
HANDICAP TROT (in harness) - Jimmy, Jenny, The Rogue.
TIME HANDICAP TROT (Saddle) - Frolic-some, Wait-a-While, Blue Gown.
Credit: Star 12 & 14 May 1888