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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
and does not include sharp chances to are practising 4 or 5 times a week the members Ficket-keepers and marvellous catches in the of the Hongkong Club never dream of such a slips, which sometimes come off in a thing as practising shooting, and only go near miraculous way. In the County matches the ground when they are to play & match. Middlesex were the worst offenders in "dropped This is not enough, and if the Club XI wish catches" with 8 matches played and 32 catches to win the Shield again they must go do vn to missed and Notts were pretty bad with 14 the ground 2 or 3 times a week and practico in matches and 35 catches missed-this easily front of goal. accounts for some of their defeats. In one week at home 49 catches were missed at a cost of 1,439 runs, and it will be interesting to see what each catch dropped costs in the forthcoming: Cricket Week."The above figures show at any rate what Hongkong may save in the way of runs to the other side if they practise fielding and consequently do not miss the catches.
I find I made a mistake when I said last week that in racing here "fractions of an inch counted in favour of the horse as regards height." That is not the case; but at the last meeting animals measuring 14 and 15, etc., etc., were put down as 14 and 15 hands res ectively. It appears that in this Club there is only an allowance in racing Walers of 3 lbs. an inch and fractions of an inch (as is right) count in favour of the horse as far as weight is concerned. But it gives an erroneous idea to the members and the publio if a pony measuring 14 bands 15/16 inch is put down as measuring 14. hands only. Of course the allowance of 3 lbs. an inch when racing Walers, English, and Arab ponies is not enough, as in India (the home of pony-racing) the allowance is 3 lbs for every quarter of an inch and even that allowance will seldom bring a 13.2 and 14 hands or a 14 hands and 12 together.
VETERAN.
VICTORIA RECREATION CLUB WATER CARNIVAL
sure
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[September 28, 1901.
in having Mrs. Hastings here to give away our prizes, and I am sure it is exceedingly kind of her, seeing that she only arrived in this Colony a few days ago from England, and must therefore have a groat many matters to attend to. (Hear, hear.) But as all of you who have been any t'me in the Colony know, Mrs. Hag'ings has always evinced a very great interest indeed in the proceedings of the Victoria Recreation Club. I will now call upon her to give away the prizes. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
Mrs. HASTINGS then gave out the prizes to the following winners—
FIRST DAY-THURSDAY, 5th SEPTEMBER. Half-Mile Championship of the Colony.-1, A. A. Alves; 2, N. H. Alves.
Two Lengths Handicap.-, A. M. Roza Pereira (Senr); 2, M. McIver.
Plunging.-1, Humphreys; 2, Loureiro.
A.
A.
Four Lengths Handicap.-1, N. H. Alves; S. R. Moore.
Four Lengths (Army, Navy, and Polica.-1, Sergt. Major Wiseman, R.A M.C.. 2, Private W. Roberts.
If the recent annual aquatic sports of this Club were a success, the water carnival on the 21st iust. was even more prone:need in that respect. The day was warm enough to canse the many hund- reds of spectators-if we include the ladies-to watch with an envious regard those disporting themselves in the cool waters of the swim- ming pend. The prizes won at the sports were to be given out at the close of the day, and everyone who could possibly be present, attended to be in at the death" to hear the speeches, or rather remarks, that were to be made, and to see what rewards the winners got for their prowess. The stand was crowded till not even standing room could be had, the lighter moored immediately opposite--- from which the white-uniformed band of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers discoursed enchan ting music was also crowded, and so, too, was the lightly-built wooden bridge construc- tion leading from stand to barge, which creaked and groaned in ominous protest against the weight of the scores who leaned ovor its weak-looking rail to watch the sport in the water below.
•
In looking through the Rules of the Hong- On Saturday the card showed nine events, but kong Jockey Club the other day I was surprised the balloon ascent." to the disappointment of to find only Bules as regards the constitution many, did not come off, perhaps a rather for, of the Club! All the rules us to weight, allow-tunate thing, on the whole, for the "æronaute," ances racing, etc., are printed as bye-laws on Professors McChiney and Von Kopperjockmsun. the first sheet of the Race Book printed for each | for the balloon was small, and could not well Meeting, and I presume therefore a new member have been expected to act rationally under has to hunt up some old race book before he the burden of passengers with such appella- can gain any knowledge of the rules of rucing, tions. There were a two-lengths handicap. a allowances, etc, in force in this country? It tab race in fancy costume. an egg-and-spoon seems odd in a place like this and in Shanghai race, a two lengths (leap-frog) race, a greasy that all the rules of racing, etc., etc., are not all pole competition, a high dive, a blindfold race. incorporated in one book. And how is it that and a tournament, in which two rafts carrying Hongkong and China generally are not racing each ten men were propelled from opposite ends of the pond till they touched, when a battle royal ensued, the winning party being that which had the greatest number of sur-
the • fight
No competitor succeeded in walking the length of the greasy pole, and the live duck secured in the box nailed at the end of the pole remained, ju blissful ignorance of the fate it had escaped, for when a competitor reaches the box the duck goes into the pond and bas a rather rough time of it at the hands of the swimmers, who strive each to be first `to reach the bewildered bird.
under one set of rules?
I see that the Shanghai Race Club have passed a resolution against any but bona fide members vivors when of the Race Club racing at their meetings. This excludes honorary members from taking any part in the racing itself, which was not the case until the resolution referred to was passed. It was found by the Shanghei Race Club that it was often very unsatisfactory to allow persons to run ponies, who were not bona fide members of the Race Club. I certainly think that the Shanghai Club has passed a very sensible resolution, as horse-racing is a pastime
where disputes are constantly arising. and moreover considerable sums of money are often dependent on the result of any particular point which has to be decided by the stewards, affect- ing, too, persons other than the disputants; and therefore it must be far better, if possible. to put all the members of a Racing Club on exactly the same footing. As far as I can see there is no special reason why any Racing Club should be anxious to have a large number of honorary members--it
must certainly be against the pecuniary interest of the Club to do so, and out in the East none could object to paying the small amount which is asked for entrance fee and subscription. I would suggest that the Hongkong Jockey Club give this
で
matter their attention.
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was over.
At the conclusion of the caruival everyone
Two Lengths Handicap. -1, N. H. Alves; 2, H. Lammert.
SECOND DAY-FRIDAY. 6TH SEPTEMBER.
Championship of the Colony (200 yards).—1, N. H. Alves; 2. A. A. Alves.
Swim Under Water.-1, A. Humphreys; 2, M. A. Razak.
Boys Race (11-15).-1, E. L. Alres; 2, J. Reberio.
Team Race.-A. A. Alres team Names- A. A. Alres (captain). F. M. Roza Pereira, R. Henderson, F. D. Bain, S. R. Moore, G. J. V. Jorge. Jr.
THIRD DAY-SATURDAY, 7TH SEPTEMBER. Running Header from Springboard.-1; A. A. Alves; 2, F. Jorge.
High Dive-1, A. A. Alres; 2, F. Jorge. Ladies' Nomination.-), A. A. Alves; 2, A. J. Mackie; 3. N. H. Alves.
Water Polo.-Winning Team÷A. E. S. Alves (captain). A. Loureiro, A. Humphreys. F. M Roza Pereira, F. D. Bain, C. M. S. Alves, R.
Henderson.
Consolation Race.--A. E. S. Alves.
awarded to winner of most points in non- Championship of the Club (a special prize handicap events). Presented by Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C.-A. A. Alves. The prize was a very handsome silver cup.
WATER CARNIVAL.
Four Lengths Handicap,-1, N. H. Alves; 2, S. R. Moore.
Tub Race-C. E. Alves. Best costume, E. R. Miller.
Two Lengths (Leap Frog).-Parnie and R. Lapsley.
Ladies' Nomination.-1. M. A. Razack; 2, C. M. S. Alves; 3, H, Seth.
Blindford Race.-A. Humphreys. Fgg and Spoon Race.-J. H. R. Hance. hurried to the gymnasium of the Club, large team. A. Alves (captain), C. E. Hance, F. Water Polo Challenge Shield :-Winning and airy, where the presentation of prizes was to be made by Mrs. Hastings, wife of Comman-D. Baiu. N. H. Alves, A. Humphreys, R. Lap- der Hastings, the Colony's Postmaster-Generalsley, F. Jorge. The winners received a gold and the Club's worthy chairman.
badge each, and hold the Shield for one year. At the upper
end of the gymnasium was a table on which were exposed the various prizes won-a beauti- ful and costly selection of gold and silver ware, comprising cups, badg, s, cigarette-cases. silver-mounted walking-sticks, and other nick- nacks. Placed on the floor and leaning against the table was the handsome, glass-encased silver Water Polo Challenge Shield of the Club, the face of which bore the inscription ·Presented | by the community, to be competed for annually by naval, military, and civilian water-polo teams. Instituted 1898." Mr. A. A. Alves, whose prowess in the water gained him The Football Club opens the season with the quite half-a-dozen prizes at the recent `six-a-side matches next week, and I hope these sports, captained the team which games will bring out fresh talent. The Club first year's competition, and again had has several old players to start with and what that honour this year. On the table, too, they chiefly now require is a good back to play was a handsome case containing a present of with Russell and a centre forward who can get silver ware to Commander Hastings, the nature goals. The weak point of the Club has always and purpose of which are explained later on, been in front of goal-the forwards are faster Without unnecessary delay the distribution than any other team and have no difficulty as a of prizes was proceeded with. rule in getting more than their share of shots The Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C., who was at goal, but owing to want of practice cannot chairman of the Club during Commander get the ball through. To be able to shoot goals Hastings's absence, presided, and, in introduc. is, as in most other sports, all a matter of prac-ing Mrs. Hastings, said Ladies and gentlemen, tice, and while the members of the other Clubs we are very fortunate indeed this afternoon,
won the
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Second team (silver badges): --L.-Cor. Hol- land (captain). Corporal Hogg, Private Roberts, Private Collins. Private Gregory, Private Mouk, Private Andrews.
This concluded the prize presentation ceré- mony, and the CHAIRMAN, addressing Com mander Hastings, said-Captain Hastings, it is my pleasant privilege this afternoon, on behalf of the members of the Victoria Recreation you in recogni. Club, to make a presentation to tion of your very valuable service as chairman These services are very highly of the Club appreciated indeed by the members of the Club, especially in view of the fact that you were chairman at a very difficult time indeed, when the old building of the Club was knocked down to make way for what, I believe is technically though somewhat libellously called “Naval Works Extraordinary." (Hear, hear.) The thanks of members ara also due to you in particular for your advocacy of the claims of the Club. when the Naval Yard reclama- tion is finally made, that a corner should be found on that reclamation for the Club's new premises. (Hear, hear.) In that project you have met with consistent support from the president of our Club, II.E. the Governor, and