August 31, 1901.J
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
SPORTING AND OTHER NOTES. | to have got 6 or 10 couple last Sunday, "but I hear that several men who went out did not get half a dozen shots.
The Gymkhana had a little more go about it than usual, but this sort of entertainment does not afford much amusement, as is shown by the attendance, to the general public, who would no doubt much prefer a second race meeting to be held about the end of September. Surely the sporting element in Hongkong is quite strong enough now to support two meetings a year. As perhaps at first the entries for the September meeting would not be so numer- ous as for the February meeting, the former might be a two days' meeting instead of three.
There would be still time between the two meetings to hold one or two Gymkhanas.
The handicapping at the Gymkhana for the top weights Was fairly good, but the newly imported Esau, the Arab Lancer, or two others might have been let in a little lighter. Favourite Rose is evidently an improving horse, while Loyalist
and one
is
a greater our than ever, and his trainer is certainly going the wrong way to work if he wishes to train him to run a straight race. A horse like this must get used to his jockey, and it is utter nonsense to say that a Chinese boy is the only man in Hongkong that can hold him. Let the horse be properly bitted and I am sure any decent riders, like Messrs. Cruikshank and Pontifex, can hold him, and Loyalist, after being ridden by one of them in a few training gallops and hacked about a little, will get used to his rider and run a much better horse.
The starts on Saturday were dangerously near the starting posts, and the starter should remember that a flying start is not allowed, and if a start takes place the wrong side of the starting post it is no race.
With regard to the coming cricket week. I hear Shanghai have a very strong eleven and Singapore is bringing up a stronger team than they brought before. This does not look bright for Hongkong, as we appear to have no fresh blood, and although we are fairly strong in batting, we sadly need another bowler or two before we can make much of a fight against the strong teams that are said to be coming against us. In tennis we have Pinckney, Hancock, Pontifex, Cox and others to choosA from, and we can certainly hold our own in singles or doubles. I have not heard if any challenges have been sent out by the Golf Club, but the Straits, even with the large number of players they have to select from, will find it difficult to bring up a better pair than Forrest and MoMurtrie ; I hope to hear that challenges for this, the oldest and best of games, have been sent both to Shanghai and the Straits.
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VETERAN.
THE GYMKHANA.
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A SUCCESSFUL MEETING.
As though to make up for the untoward conditions that had already caused the postpone ment of the Gymkhana, the weather on the 24th inst was at its best-not too warm, but with an occasional breeze that added to the pleasantness of the day. The attendance, however, like that on the occasion of the first Gymkhana, was not so good as it might have been, and this is all the more surprising when the excellent nature of the programme is considered. The ladies turned out very well though, and were arrayed in their most attractive dresses, imparting an ad- ditional pleasure to the meeting. H. E. the Governor was in t me to witness the first event,
.193
The next event was perhaps the best of the ] day, from a spectator's point of view. In this the competitors had to line up dismounted- which, however, they did not do-start off, ride round two posts, and finally jump their ponies through a screen. The screen was a large one, large enough, almost, to take in the twelve starters abreast, and hore a weird representation of a huge dragon. Having been set up and flanked on each side by hurdles to keep the ponies from balking, the competitors rode their mounts close up to the "apparition," which, as the screen moved with the wind, assumed motions
Mr.
that to the ponies must have appeared to be None showed fear, those of a living animal however, and the race started. The posts were negotiated, and then in a string the ponies ran On by one, as they reached it, for the screen. they stopped, ears forward and eyes distended, till all twelve were gathered together in one startled bunch. Mr. Cox's mount finally took the leap. and like sheep the others followed through the breach made in the screen. Cox was first and Captain Warren second. and waited till the numbers for the last race
In the seventh and last event, Favourite Rose had gone up.
The band of the 22nd Bombay Infantry, by their excellent performance, gave
was again fancied. The pony was responsible for three false starts, and kept the field the finishing touch to proceedings that can only be characterised as thoroughly enjoyable. Not waiting by his performances. First of all he a hitch occurred. There was no tiresome wait-bolted from the course, then he tried to run the ing between events; the events themselves, in race by himself, throwing his rider before he their nature and variety, were capitally arranged: was turned; and finally he almost jumped the the crowd was a good-natured and appreciative ditch. Eventually the starter got the field Favourite Rose at oucs took the lead, one; and when, lastly, it is remembered that away.
and held it all the way round. attended by other things refreshments-ten and entirely fre, what more, we ask, could be desired Kangaroo and Innocent. Loyalist was fourth
and Croxton last. to complete the enjoyment of the afternoon?
As for the programme, there were seven events to be decided a five furlong handicap, a dogs' race, a ladies" nomination, tent pegging. a small dogs' race, another ladies nomination. and a three-quarters of a milo handicap.
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--were
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Appended are the results, with official times:- 1.—(30 p.m. - FIVE FURLONGS HANDICAP. - For all ponies measuring 14.2 and under. Four to start or the race to be declared void. First prize, $50; second prize, $15. Mr. Gunner's Favourite Rose, 11st 1lb
(Mr. Cox) 1
(Capt. Des Vonx) 2
(Mr. Pontifex) 3 Mr. Master's Esau. 11st (Owner)
Won by two lengths; two lengths between second and third. Time, 1 11 4/5.
Four started in the first race-Loyalist, Farour- ite Rose, Esau, and Kangaroo, Favourite Rose was most faucied by the backers, Loyalist being | Capt. Warren's Kangaroo, 10st 12lhs second favourite and Kangaroo a bad third. The start was not a good one, but they were Mr. David's Loyalist, 11st 5ibs off with Favourite Rose in the lead. The field tailed out as the Black Rock was reached. a length and a half between each. Favourite Rose was going well, and was nearly four lengths from the second horse, Kangaroo, coming down the 2.-Doa RACE.-For all dogs, largo and hill; Loyalist and Esau were having a good race small. First 88; second 84. No entrance fee. for third place. Entering the Straight, Kangaroo | Six dogs to start or no race, on the outside gamely challenged Favourite Rose, and reduced the gap separating them by & couple of lengths; an equal distance separated Loyalist from Kangaroo, Exau being nowhere. This was the order of running when Favourite Rose passed the judges' box.
Seven dogs, large and small, started in the second event. They were held iu leash whilst their owners ran for the winning post to whistle to the animals and in numerons other ways to encourage their respective pets to get in ahead of the field. When the dogs were finally let A new system of physical culture is described loose the result was most amusing. Two stopped in the last edition of Sandow's Magazine, and to exchange courtesies, whilst a third trotted is set forth in one word-“Vibration." The calmly up the course in evident surprise at the system consists in tensing the muscles and then hurry displayed by the remaining four dogs. vibrating them hard for a minute. That is One of these-an easy second- evidently recog. all, and four minutes of such work every day isnised someone amongst the laughing spectators. guaranteed to give greater solidity of muscle and stopped twelve yards from the winning than any other system, and even increase the post to wag his tail. The race was won by height. To give one extract :-
Mr. Howell's Scamp,
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For the muscles of the lower part of the trunk hold the muscles rigid and vibrate from side to side. As a corrective against corpulence and for reducing the size of the waist this exercise is stated to be far superior and quicker in its results than any other. One patient Dr. Thomas (the discoverer) took in hand was directed to perform this exercise twice a day for two minutes at a time, and in one month she had reduced the size of her waist by four inches.”
The Ladies' Nomination--in which the com. petitors had to line up at the starting point, mount, at the word, their pouies, which had bridles only, then ride rouud a post in the centre of the course, dismount, pick up a fau, and remount—was won easily by the Hon. F. H. May, who had a well-trained and quiet pony under him.
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Mr. Howell's Scamp Drammer Ward's Chinko Chief Stoker Wick's Loot Private Ross's Tommy Bandsman Simonds' Chilian Mr. Wichell's Brownic Lient. Cowie's Pup ..
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3.- LADIES' NOMINATION.—Competitors to up at the starting-point, ponies with At the word Mount," com- bridles" only.
post in the centre of the petitors to ride round a course, leaving same on left hand; dismount at a given spot, there pick up a fan, and then First past the post with fan in hand remount. wins. No one, other than the rider, to tonch his pony after he has appeared on the course. touching the post to be Any competitor disqualified. Six competitors or no competition. Prizes prescuted by Mr. Godfrey Mastor,
1
Hon F. H. May
2
Mr. H A. Macintyro
apt. Des Vocnx. 1. E..
Mr. W. A. Cruickshank
Nominator Mrs. Tooker Mra, Craddock Mrs. Saunders Mrs. Hawkins Capt. Loring. RA Mrs. Palmer Mr. E. Pontifex
Mrs. Master Mr. W. O. Sanders, R.A. Miss Hartigan Mr. M. D. Wall, B.A. Miss Hutchings Capt. S. Jones, R.W.F. Miss B. Hutchings Capt. Warren, R. W. F., Mr«. Retallicʻz 4.—TENT PEGGING. — Two turns each at three pegs. The competitor who carries the greatest number of pegs wins. Six competitors or no competition.
Captain Taylor, 3rd M.L.I. Captain Des Voeux, R.F. Major Williams, A.8.0. Mr. Woodigsten Captain Gwynne, R.W.F. Captain Cadogan, B.W.F. 3.—Small DoGS' BACK-For all dogs be- similar to the first dog race, except that it was longing to sailors, soldiers or police which two confined to dogs (which had to be passed by members of the committee pass as “ small dogs." the Committes as "small") owned by milors, First prize, 89; second, 24." The winner of the soldiers, and policemen. Private Harris' | previous dog race not eligible to start. Six
dogs to start or no race,
The tent-pegging, where the horsemen had two turns each at three pegs, was most interesting and productive of capital sport Some of the Just think of it, all fat men, four minutes' competitors had hard luck one, for instance, work a day to take off four inches of fat, which taking the first two pegs and dropping his must mean a reduction in weight of at least lance at the third, and another having his a stone! It is certain y, if true, a very easy chances spoilt by his pony covering the pegs way for the many people in the East who put Captain Warren showed consistent form, and on more flesh than it is convenient or healthy | in the final heat carried all three pegs, thus to carry to reduce their superabundant fat and | winning. get more enjoyment out of life in consequence, The äfth event, a rues for small dogs, was
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Sport in Hongkong, with the exception of the ordinary games of golf and polo, and the, Gymkhana last Saturday, is rather at a stand. still. A few mipe are down, and one gun is said. Tommy won.
1--Captain Warren. R.A. 2-Captain Loring, R.A. Mr. E. M. Bishop Mr. Cruickshank' Mr. J. Hastings