The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-14 00:00:00

'ME SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1864.

Naval and Military Intelligence,

THE NAVY.

The America, targetship, at Portsmouth, is having
two 61 inch armour plates bolted on her sides, for
an experimental day's firing outside the harbour,
most probably on tho Horse or Dean Shoals, in the
vicinity of Horse Shoal Fort, with the Armstrong
7 inch shunt gun. The Duke of Somerset is expected
to be present. The gun will be mounted on board
the Stork gunboat, and the firing will be carried out
under the superintendence of Capt.A.C. Key, C. 8.,
commanding her Majesty's gunnery ship Excellent.
It is with regret we learn that Capt. C. P. Coles,
R.N., has been compelled by the state of his health
to repair to Ventnor, Isle of Wight, on short leave
of absence from his duties in Portsmouth dockyard.
The Thunderer, old sailing liner, lately used as a
target ship at Portsmouth, is in No. 3 dock of that
yard, where preparations are being made to cut her
down to her orlop deck. This accomplished, the
deck will be strengthened and converted into a
permanent platform, on which will in future
be erected butts of the usual kind, and on
these butts will be laid the armour plates under
trial. Under these conditions greater certainty as to
the uniformity of the strength in the "backing" of
the plates can be arrived at than is now possible in
merely bolting the plates on the side of an old ship.
The Thunderer's platform is, however, only an in-
termediary measure, as it is intended, as soon as it
can be arranged, to test the armour-plates on shore
as targets and plates are tested at Shoeburyness.
It is understood that the Admiralty have decided
on constructing by contract five more screw troop-
ships after the designs of the Himalaya. As the de-
signs for these vessels must be furnished from the
Admiralty to the builders, we trust that no such
" improvements" as were introduced into the de-

signs of the Orontes will be introduced in any of the
new vessels, but that the new vessels, if built, will be
as nearly] as possible simply copies or the cele-
brated troopship. The Orentes, it cannot be for-
gotten, was designed at the Admiralty as an " im-
proved" Himalaya, and now she is in commission
and at work she has become famed for the absence
of many of those excellent qualities in the posses-
sion of which the Himalaya stands pre-eminent.
Mr. E. J. Reed, the Chief Constructor of the
Navy, visited Portsmouth dockyard yesterday.
The iron-built screw steam troopship Adventure,
2, Capt. Chas. L. Waddilove, appointed to embark a
detachment at Plymouth for conveyance to China,
arrived in the Sound yesterday, and was boarded
officially by Commander Ay len, the Queen's Har-
bourmaster. In consequence of the unhealthy state
of
.some of her crew she left Plymouth about a
week since for a sanitary cruise. Up to sunset last
evening she had not communicated with the shore.
It is, however, understood that no indication of any
special disease remains among the crew, of whom
there are on the sick list only six, the ordinary pro-
portion to a ship with her complement.
The fo.lowing appointments and promotions have
been made at the Admiralty :—James B. Haines,
master, additional, to the Indus, for the Brisk;
Charles Prickett, master,additional, to the Ctfmber-
land, for the Clio ; Charles R. Chamberlain, chief
engineer, to the Cumberland, for the Scout ; Stephen
H. Moore, paymaster, to be Secretary to Rear-
Admiral the Hon. Charles Elliot ; Charles H. J.
Collings and Charles N. Drew, assistant-paymaster,
for secretaries' clerks, to the Bombay; Alan G.
Grey, clerk, additional, to the Wellesley ; Charles
W. Aylmer, nominated to a naval cadetship ; John
Leeson, of the Indus, Thomas G. Punnott, of the
Warrior, Thomas J. Warburton, of the Hector, and
William Bryan, of the Hogue, for the tenders, pro-
moted to first class assist.-engineers ; John R. Har-
vey, of the Rosario, J. Tapp, of the Jason, Charles
B. Hargrave, of the Foxhound, Thomas Halton, of
the Trident, and E. Wimshurst, of the Bacchante,
promoted to acting first class assistant-engineers.

by the provincial chambers of tie recommendation of the
Imperial Government he should propose an interim divi-
dend 22 per cent.
The Hon. Major VEREKER stonded the motion; and it
was carried.

The declaration of the interimdividend was then agreed
to, and the meeting was adjournd till the 28th of June, a
meeting in the meantime to be held to authorise the raising
of a sum not exceeding £75,006 fir the completion of the

line; such resolution to be confimed on the said 20th of
June.

A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET CRA'EN MEETING.

Wednesday is generally a by( day at Newmarket, and
this Craven it was no exception tothe rule, only five events,
with an extempore match betweer. Wee Aggie and Victoria
Cross, won by the latter, being or the card, The once im-
portant race for the Column Stakes this year brought but
three to the post, Sir Roger, a very neat-looking colt of Mr.
Merry's, who was after the race rude a warm favourite for
the Two Thousand Guineas, wincing in the commonest of
canters. Mr. Payne's Olivia easily disposed of the Lady
Hawthorn filly in (lie 50 Boys Sweepstakes, and the Sub-
eription Plate proved the good thing for Lord Glasgow that
the betting foreshadowed. A goof race between the three
placed for the Handicap was decided in favour of Jessie,
who ran a very game mare, by a head.
The Derby Trial Stakes, so called, we presume, from the
lusus a non lucendo principle, seeing there was only oue
Derby horse, the Count, in it, was chiefly interesting from
the appearance of Mr. Naylor's greater miler, Carnival,
who, despite his weight, was made a warm favourite at 6 to
4. On breasting the hill, however, he pulled up lame, and
the issue was left to Light Bob and the Count, between
whom a very fine race ensued, Fordham landing Lord Glas•
gow's colours for the second time to-day by a short head.
It was intimated this morning to the representatives of
the various journals that they would not for the future be
admitted into the Jockey's-room in the Stand, where they
have been in the habit of going for points of information on
a race, not easily attainable, at Newmarket at least, from
their own unaided resources. The head-quarters of the
turf have never been remarkable for any particular courtesy
towards, or recognition of, the press as a body, and just
now the relations are nm- or the most amicable
thial. Ems fresh regulation uncalled-for towards a body of
men who are merely seeking to do their duty to the public,
and, so far as we know, not intruding upon the confidence
that should subsist between the employer and the employed.
Match—both 3-yr-olds, Bst each, T,M.T., £5O,

Mr E. Brayley's Victoria Cross (Fordham) 1
Mr Mansfield's Wee Aggie (Perry) 2
Betting-3 to lon Victoria Cross, who made the running
into the cords, where he was joined by the non-favourite,
the pair finishing a close race home, the favourite winniag,
with nothing to spare, by a neck.

The Column Stakes, Stalies, 50 soya each, h ft; for 3-yr-olds; colts
Bst 71b, and fillies Bat 41b, 31b and 51b allowed ; R.M.

7 subs.
Mr Merry's Sir Roger (31b), Bst 41b Covey) 1
Mr Savile's Privateer (31b), Bst 71b (J. Mannj 2
Mr C. Alexander's Mirage, Bst 41b
Betting-9 to 4on Sir Roger.
The favourite, on the lower ground, made the running to
the bushes, when he had both his horses beaten, and
cantered home the winner by 10 lengths. The winner was
backed for the Two Thousand immediately after the race at
5 to 1.

Sweepstakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for 3-yr-old fillies, Bst

101 b each. T.Y.C. 5 subs.

Mr Payne's Olivia (H. Grimshaw) 1
Baron Bothschild's Lady Hawthorn filly (Wells) 2
Mr Naylor's Audacieuse (Challoner) 3
Betting—Even on Olivia, 6 to 4 agst Lady Hawthorn
filly, and 3 to 1 agst Audacieuse.
The three ran abreast for the first 100 yards, when the
favourite took a slight lead, which she retained to the end,
and won by a length ; a bad third.
Subscription Plate of 50 sovs for 3-yr-olds and upwards.
Weight for age. T.Y.C.

Lord Glasgow's Senorita colt, 4 yrs, Bst 12Ib (Fordham) 1
Mr T. Taylor's Nebuchadnezzar, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b
(S. Rogers) 2
B .ron Rothschild's Evelina, 3 yrs, 7st 7ib (J. Daley) 3
The following also ran :—No Name, Shakspere, Oscar,
and Gemma di Vergy,
Betting--2 to 1 agst the Senorita c.,11-, 3to 1 agst Eve•
line, 5 to 1 agst No Name, and 7 to 1 agst any other.
No Name on the right, with Eleanor at her girths, made
the running for the first half mile, when they were headed
by the Senorita colt and Evelina, who came on in company
to the cords, when they were joined by Nebuchadnezzar,
the latter taking the second place half way up, but failed
to react the favourite, who won cleverly by a length
and a half. Two lengths divided the second and third ;
Eleanor was fourth, Oscar fifth, Shakspere sixth, and No
Name last.

Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sous each, for 3-yr-olds and
upwards. D.M. 14 subs.

Mr H. Joice's Jessie, 3 yrs, 6st 41b (J. Grimshaw)
Mr Perry's The Principal, 5 yrs, Bst 41b.... (W. Boyce) 2
Mr J. Osborne's Mantrap, 3 yrs. Est (Carroll) 3
The following also ran :—Nebula, Mrs Somerville, Hip,
polyta, Battaglia, Junius, and Wee Aggie.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Mantrap, 4to 1 each agst Jessie and
liippolyta, 6 to 1 agst Mrs Somerville, and 10 to 1 agst
Junius.

Junius, in company with Jessie and Hippolyta, made
play to half way in the cords, when Junius was headed by
Jessie, who in a few strides after was joined by Mantrap
and Principal, the three running together to within a few
strides of the chair, where the latter came with a rush and
headed Mantrap, but failed to reach Jessie, and was beaten
in the last stride by a head, half a length separating the
second and third, Junius was fourth close up, Nebula was
fifth, and Wee Aggie next.
The Derby Trial Stakes, of 50 sous each, h ft, with
100 added; 3-yr-olds, 7st ; 4-yr-olds, Bst 101 b; winners
extra, with maiden allowances. Last 1i mile of B.C.

14 subs.
Lord Glasgow's Light Bob, 4 yrs, Bst ........ (Ford ham) 1
Mr Night's The Count, 3 yrs, Gst 101 b (Loates) 2
Sir J. Hawley's Woldga, 4 yrs, Sat 31b ...... (Thomas) 3
Count F. de Lagrange's Jarnicoton, 4 yrs, 88t 101 b
(A. Edwards) 4
Mr R. C. Naylor's Carnival, 4 yrs, Sst 101 b
(Challoner) 5

The betting opened at 7 to 4, but shortly after 5 to 2
was laid, and at the close 6 to 4 agst Carnival, 100 to 30
apt Light Bob, 7 to 1 agat Jarnicoton, and 10 to 1 agat
Woldga.
Light Bob, in company with The Count, made play,
closely followed by Jarnicoton, Woldga, and the favourite,
to the turn of the lands, where the Frenchman went to the
front, and carried on the running to the site of the old
Duke's Stand, where he was beaten, leaving Woldga
slightly in advance, but who was headed half way up the
hill by the Count, Light Bob, and Carnival; the latter in
a few strides after gave way, leaving the two to finish the
race home, Light Bob getting up in the last stride, and
winning a fine race by a head ; a bad third. Jarnicoton
was fourth, and the favourite,
who was pulled up some
distance from home, walked in lame.
LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE.
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
10e. to 30 agst Fillo d l'Air (taken)
6to 1 agst Sir Roger (taken)
10 to 1 agst Paris (taken)
1000 to 60 agst Master Richard (taken)
CHESTER CUP.
100 to 8 agst Change (taken)
100 to 7 agst Little Stag (taken)
30 to 1 agst Lord Zetland (taken)
DERBY.
7 to 1 eget Scottish Chief (taken)
20 to 1 agst Forager (taken)
13 to 1 agst Coastguard (taken and offered)
MIDNIGHT BETTING.
CLARET STAKES.
2000 to 590 on Lord Clifden agat Rapid Rhone (taken)
THE TWO THOUSAND GUINEA STAKES.
sto 2 agst Fill° de l'Air (off-3 to 1 taken freely)
100 to 14 agst Sir Roger (taken)
Bto 1 agst Paris (offered—take 10 to 1)
100 to 15 agst Lord Glasgow's lot (taken freely)
16 to 1 agst Planet (offered)
20 to 1 agst Copenhagen (offered)
20 to 1 agst Master Richard (offered)
20 to 1 agst llollyfox (taken)
20 to 1 agst General Peel (offered—take 25 to 1)
25 to 1 agst Durham (taken)
DERBY.
7to I agst Scottish Chief (offered)
100 to 8 agst Coast Guard (taken)
14 to 1 agst Cambuscen (taken)
15 to 1 agst Birchbroom (offered)
20 to 1 agst Prince Arthur (taken)
25 to 1 agat Historian (offered)
25 to 1 agst Paris (offered)
40 to 1 agst Ackworth (taken)
50 to 1 agst Blair Athol (taken)
100 to 1 agst Master Richard (taken)
SCRATCHINGS.
Filth Biennial Stakes.—Splitvote colt, Beatrice, The
Gunner, Gamuzo, Achmet, Aracan, Knight of the North,
Souveraino, Glowworm, Slattery., Boatswain, Debden, Har-
greaves, Newchurch, Pratique, Stockbroker, Lady Evelyn
colt, Water Kelpie, Bceatia, Onesander, Newamenger,
Kinsman, Gladstone, Thais, Escape, Singapore, Curacoa,
Leotard, Petersham, Roly Poly, West Wind, Ordeal, Deers-
wood, Mogador, Lord Warden, The Ranger, Saccharometer,
and four who are dead.
Sweepstakes of 50 Sovs.—Caryopbyllus and Union Jack.
Sweepstakes of 25 Soya.—King Hunchback and Tour-
terelle.
Sweepstakes of 20 SOvs —Benjamin.
Asks Produce Stakes.—Lord Adolphus, Revival, Blue
Pill, Cymba filly, Lady Lurewell filly.
Sweepstakes of 100 Sovs.—Forager, Lady Lurewell filly.
Sweepstakes of 100 Sovs.---Orlando colt and Bearing Rein
(dead).
Claret Stakes.—Carnival, Armagnac, and Carnace.

THE NATIONAL HUNT AND KILDARE HUNT
RACES.-TUESDAY, April 12.

!ho decline of the Irish turf has long been a subject of
regret among the lovers of racing in Ireland, and if they
have to mourn over it, they have at least the consolation of

knowing that the passion for steeplechasing is evidently on
the increase, and will make up for the deficiency in the na-
tional amusements of a country the natives of which may
be said to be sportsmen from their birth. The present meet-
ing may be fairly designated as "The Great Exhibition of
the Southern Hunts of Ireland," and has had an immense
impetus given to it by the unceasing exertions of the Mar-
quises of Downshire and Drogheda, Lords St. Lawrence
and Naas, as well as Baron de Robeck and Mr. Conolly, all
of whom were present, and in their hunting costume ably
carried out the arrangements of the day and added to the
liveliness of the scene. The course, which is situated a
few miles from Selling, to which place the visitors from
Dublin are conveyed by railway, is the best to be found in
the neighbourhood of Dublin, comprising every species of
fence which a hunter might expect to meet in a day with
an Irish pack of hounds. The attendance of all classes
was enormous, every special from Dublin being crammed
as completely as those of the South-Western and the South
Coast from London on a Derby Day, and the Irish metro-
polis was denuded of cars. The scenes on the road vied
with those with which Londoners are so familiar on the
last Wednesday in May, but happily the fun, although fast
and. furious, resulted in no unpleasant results. The weather
was quite of an Ascot character, and the Stewards' Stand
contained the elate of the Irish nobility and their families,
and the opposite side of the course forcibly reminded one
of Frith's picture of the Derby Day. For the Grand Na-
tional Hunt Steeplechase, the race of the meeting, 26 com-
petitors came to the post, exactly the same number as started
last year. On the whole, the lot could not be considered
equal to those of the late anniversary. The race, which
was run at a capital pace for the first two miles, resulted in
the victory of Caustic, a horse the property of the father of
Irish steeplechasing—the Marquis of Clanricarde, and
which he had hunted at Melton Mowbray a fortnight back.
Forager, who was first favourite, Yellow Leaf, and Blood
Royal were the best prepared of the lot, and did not disgrace
their private reputations, and to them the races throughout
were confined. The success of Lord Clanricarde was very
well received, and it is to be hoped will induce him to re-
new the patronage of the sport, Immediately after the races
a meeting of the stewards was held, and their remonstrances
as to the small amount of support they received from some
of the local bunts were sufficiently cogent to produce the
requisite guarantees for such adequate subscriptions as will
prevent the most popular of Irish sporting gatherings from
being expunged from the racing calendars. The other
events being only of local interest rcquiro no farther allu-
sion, and the details of the day will be found annexed.
Punchestown Plate of £lOO. Weight for age, with selling