164
for want of water. We have now about a fort- night's supply, but, as it now promises rain, I have no doubt that, before our present supply is exhausted, we will have more rain. Owing to the dry weather, there is a good deal of sick- ness about.
WM. BIBBY, Mining Manager.
THE FOURTH GYMKHANA
MEETING.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Capt. Loveband's The Friar 375 11st....
7lbs.
...(Grayson) 4 Mr. Graham's Waler Egerton, Scratch...
Saturday afternoon was moderately cool and so the fourth gymkhana meeting, which had
been postponed on account of the excessive heat, was held under very favourable circum- stances. A large number of spectators, includ- ing His Excellency the Governor and Major General Black, assembled in the enclosure and they were rewarded with a capital afternoon's sport. As usual, the arrangements made by the officials were excellent and the programme was gone through in good time. In the fourth event, a steeplechase, an accident occurred which might have had serious results. Mr. Grayson was riding Artaxerxes and at the first obstacle the pony shied and threw the rider, who was hurled into the ditch. Mr. Grayson happily escaped with only a drenching of ditch water. The last event provided considerable excitement and was undoubtedly the best race of the day. During the afternoon the band of the Rife Brigade supplied the following items of music -- March.... Hoch Habsburg"
Overture.
Valse..
Selection.
Intermezzo,
**
Zanetta
་་
"The Cloister "
Doris
17
"Marie
.Kral .Anber Prout
Cellier Williams Delbruck
12st. 7lbs.
(Owner) 0 Mr. Master's Major, 270 10st. (Long) Mr. C. H. Thompson's Pegasus 875, 11st.
10lbs. Mr. Potts's Sub-Griffin
(Owner) ( ..400, 12st.
(Owner) 0 Mr. W. Jackson's Touchstone 440, 11st. 7lbs. (Owner)
This proved rather an uninteresting race, the chief feature in it being the speculation as to where Egerton, scratch, would be placed. Mr. Graham's horse certainly raced in good style, but he only managed to come in sixth. The winner was pumped on passing the post. SPECIAL PRIZE; each rider may be nominated by a lady, whose name should be handed in by him at the time of weighing; first nominee past the post at the finish to win. The special prize awarded in the distance handicap was won by Mr. Jones, who was nominated by Mrs. J. J. Francis. DOG RACE; first prize, $10; second prize, $7; third prize, $3; post entries free. Con- ditions. The dogs to be held by a string 100 yrds. from their nominators or masters; each to be "slipped" on the word "go." The first dog to his nominator or master to win, The nominator to provide the “alipper.”
Sergeant Frost, R.A.
1 Mr. Forbes
3
Private Redshaw, R.E. Bagler Spice, Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Private Dillon. Private Harse, Mr. Plinston, Mr. Webster. Surgeon-Captain Edye, Private Brown, Private Duggon, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Davis also sent dogs for competition.
This race, a novelty in gymkhanas, was very Rousing, although rather short-lived.
STEEPLECHASE; over the steeplechase course as selected by the Committee; first prize, $50; second prize, $20; third prize, $10; five to start or no third prize. Mr. Whitehead's Kingscote, 11st. 10lbs......
(Mr. Boden) 1
Valse..... Visions D'Amour
The following is the list of officials- Patrons--His Excellency Sir William binson. K.C.M.G., His Excellency Major-Ge neral Black, C.B., Commodoro G. T. Boyes, R.N.
Committee-Mr. R. Alexander, R.B., Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving. Mr. Hart Buck, Capt. Bur- ney, R.A., Mr. M. Grote, Mr. V. Cæsar Haw. kins, Mr. T. F. Hough, Capt. Loveband, A.D.C., Mr..J. McKie, Mr. A. S. Manners, Mr. G. C. C. Master, Mr. C. H. Nugent, R.E., Lt. Col. The O'Gorman, D.A.AG., Capt. Radclyffe, R.B., Commander Tunnard, R.N., Hon. T. H. Whitehead.
•
Capt. Loveband's Xerxes, 11st. 12lbs. (Owner) Capt. Burney's Baccarat, 11st. 10lbs. (Owner) Capt. Loveband's Artaxerxes, 11st. 7lbs....... (Mr. Grayson) Mr. Salmonds Q.C., 11st. 3lbs. (Owner)
5lbs. Jockey allowance.
2
3
At the first hurdle Artaxerxes refused, Judges-Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving and Hon. T. swerved, fell, and threw Mr. Grayson into the H. Whitehead.
ditch, but fortunately he escaped injury. Xerxes Handicappers. Mr. Hart Buck, Mr. T. Fled for some distance, but was overhauled by Hough, Mr. M. Grote.
Starter.-Capt. Burney, R.A. Timekeeper.-Mr. J. McKie.
Clerk of the Scales.--Mr. R. Alexander, R.B. Hon. Treasurer.-Capt. Radclyffe, ton. Secretary.-Lieut.-CoL The O'Gorman, D.A.A.G.
Kingscote, who led until the last water jamp, where he stumbled. Xerxes overtook him, but Mr. Whitehead's pony shot ahead again and won by three lengths, Baccarat being third. MILE HANDICAP; first prize presented by the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving; second prize, $20; third prize, $10; five starters or no third prize. Dr. Noble's Grey Leg, 11st. 6lbs..
NOVICE HANDICAP; first prize presented by the Hon. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G., second, $20; third, $10; five to start or no third prize.
(Mr. Jones) Once round.
Mr. Potts's Vagabond, 11st. 5lbs... Surg. Capt. Edye's Planet, 11st. 7lbs............................
(Mr. Master) (Capt. Burney) 1 Mr. Nagent's Armistice, 10st. 9iba.. Mr. Forbes's Simple Simon, 11st. 11lbs.......
(Mr. Boden) (Mr. Thompson)
Mr. Hart Buck's Voltigeur, 10st. 12lbs..... Captain Loveband's Artaxerxes, 12st. Olb....
(Mr. Jones) (Capt. Loveband) Mr. C. H. Thompson's Desespoir, 11st.,8lbs.
2
(Mr. Grayson) 0 Simple Simon bolted as the ponies were get- ting in order and there was some delay at the post. Planet got the best of rather a ragged start and he was followed by Simple Simon, Desespoir being a long way behind. Planet went ahead of his opponents and won in a com- mon canter by many lengths, the most interest ing part of the race being the close finish for second honours, Simple Simon getting home half a length in front of Artaxerxes. Desespoir was a long way behind and he received rather a sarcastic reception.
DISTANCE HANDICAP; first prize, $30; second prize, $20; third prize, $10; fourth to save his stakes; distance, one mile; seven to start or no fourth prize; five or no third prize. Mr. Whitehead's Vicar, yds. 350, 11st: 6lbs.
(Mr. Jones) 1 Mr. Deacon's Throstle... 350, 12st. 8lbs.
(Owner) 2 Capt. Loveband's Xerxes 320,
11st. 10lbs.
(Owner) 3
|
Mr. Whitehead's The Laird, 11st. 4lbs.
(Mr. Grayson)
[August 27, 1896.
“RIFLE BRIGADE BIRTHDAY
SPORTS
The first battalion of the Rifle Brigado cele brated their 96th birthday on Tuesday ing sports at the Happy Valley Unfortun the weather during most of the day was very unfavourable, but late in the afternoon the broke through the clouds and fine weather laste thronghout the meeting. The attenda the general public was not so large as have been expected, but probably the meagre turn out was due to the uncertainty of the we However, the soldiers themselves assembled in large numbers and the whole of the spectators thoroughly enjoyed the excellent sport provided. There were an exceptionally large number of competitors in most of the events, and the Programme was gone through very expeditiously, although the last event was decided in a very bad light. In the blind man's race there an accident which might have proved
was
very serious. The competitors were blind- the finishing post they had to turn round on folded and as they had their backs towards
could. One of the men, Acting Corporal Hall, starting and find their way home as best they made a direct run for the ditch and before he could be stopped he bounded into it. Happily he escaped injury, and he smilingly extricated. himself and joined in the general laughter which succeeded the fears expressed for his safety. All the items furnished considerable interest and amusement, but the children's handicap deserves special mention. This was Ten children, all offsprings of members a very pleasing feature in the entertainment. of the Regiment, competed, and it was a de- lightful treat to toddling along, all with the keenest look of determination to win depicted in their faces. : One of the tiny competitors cried very much after the race was over -be- cause she was not given enough start, and this picture of disappointment very nearly made the cruel starter himself burst into tears. He.
watch the little onea
managed to restrain his feelings and comforted the little one with some sweets and a promise to
be kind next time.
The following Committee had charge of the arrangements.-
PRESIDENT AND REFEREE-Lient.-Col C. H. B. Norcott.
MEMBERS-Capt. R. G. T. Baker-Carr, Lient. S. C. Long, Lieut. G. Paley, Lieut. J H. Thresher, Qr.-Mr. L. Hoey, Sergt.Major Morrish, Colour-Sergt. Finney, Colour Ser geant Lacey.
During the afternoon the bands of the Rifle Brigade and the Hongkong Regiment played many pleasing selections of music.
Details:
100 YARDS RACE. Prizes-$10, $5, $3.
Acting Corporal Hale
Private Green...
Private Bannister
2-
Private Richardson and Priddle also ran.
1
2
A very good race.
3
This was a very spirited race and furnished more excitement than any of the other events. The ponies kept well together right up to the straight; indeed in passing the village they were abreast. On reaching the bend the riders struggled their hardest for supremacy and a keenly contested race ended in a victory for Grey Leg. Time-2 mins. 26 secs.
The date of opening the new port of Hang, chow to foreign commerce has been fixed for' the 25th day of the Chinese 8th moon (1st October). The custom house now being built by Ningpo men is being pushed forward, but will not be completed before March, 1897. In the meantime the customs business will be transacted at the office of Foreign Affairs. A Police station is to be organised and maintained on the same basis as the Ningpo one, under the control of the customs. One foreigner has been engaged as head of the police force, which at present consists of 25 members. Mercury.
The winner soon-got
ahead, but he was closely pursued and passed the tape only a yard in front of Green. Bannister was only a few inches from Green. SACK RACE. Distance, 100 yards. Prizes
$4, $2.
First heat:-
Private Goreham
Private Wilson Private Hodson Second Heat:----
Aoting Corporal Hale Private Allen Private Richardson... Third Heat:
Private Brown... Private Pridde. Private Bryan
~FINAL HEAT: Private Goreham Private Bryan vy Acting Corporal Hale
he rac
There were thirty-six competitors altogethe and as usual there was plenty of fun THREE-LEGGED RACE Distance 100 yard
Prizes $8, $4, $2.
Privates Thistlewood and Bannister Privates Priddle and Loasby Privates Winmill and Goreham
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