262:
temperature was lower it was far more agreeable than on the first day for spectators and less trying for the riders and ponies. The attendance was again good, and notwithstand- ing the small fields there was some good racing. THE FOHKIEN CUP; value $100; second pany to receive $25; for all China ponies; weights as per scale; winners at this Meeting 5 lbs. extra for each race won, entrance $5. One mile and a half. Mr. Twomen's Kilroy, *160lbs.
Mr. Min's The Ancient, +163lbs.
(Mr. Andrus) 1
(Mr. Keay 2 *5lbs. extra. +5lbs. extra. The appearance of a race was maintained for the greater part of the distance, but Kilroy me in an easy winner by 9 lengths. Time 8:321 THE MIN STAKES; of $5 each with $50 added; for Foochow and Amoy subscription ponies; weights as per scale; winners at this meeting 7 lbs. extra, of two or more races 10 lbs. extra. One mile.
Mr. H. P. White's Hermit, 155lbs
Mr. Dorset's Sea Breeze, *165lbs.
2
(Mr. Andrus) 1
(Mr. Morrison) Mr. Westfield's Desperation, 155lbs.
(Mr. Keay)
3
*7 lbs, extra. At the start Desperation was left, but quickly paught the field and the three ran well to- gether to the mile post. Here Sea Breeze went out and took the lead but was passed before reaching the Joss-house by Hermit and Desperation. On entering the straight Desperation's saddle shifted and the jockey lost his stirrup, a swerve outwards at the same time putting him out of the running, and leaving Hermit to come in an easy winner by two lengths. Sea Breeze came up fairly well at the finish. Time 2.214.
THE LOTTERY CUP; value $100; for all China ponies; weights as per scale; winners at this meeting 10 lbs. extra. Entrance $5. Once round and a distance.
Mr. Westfield's Beggarman, 158lbs.
(Mr. Keay) 1
Capt. Hope's Himalaya, 155lbs....
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
| Kilroy still led, but Toledo had assumed second place and The Ancient third, leaving Millstream behind, where he remained. In this order they ran until after passing the 1 mile post when Toledo was ridden ont and took the lead from Kilroy. The result, however, was by no means certain then, for Kilroy was going strong and well and coming down the straight looked as it he might yet catch the judge's eye first, but if was not to be; Toledo proved himself the better pony and won by three lengths. The Ancient was a bad third. Time 2.50.
THE WELTER PLATE; value $100; for all-China ponies; weights 11st. 7 lbs.; non-wingers at this meeting allowed 7 lbs. Riders who have never won a race allowed 7 lbs.; entrance $5. Three quarters of a mile.
Mr. Dorset's Sea Breeze, 16
1
2
3
Capt. Hope's Himalaya, 161 lbs. (Mr. Andrus) Mr. Westfield's Beggarman, 161 lbs.
(Mr. Keay) lbs. (Mr. Morrison) This was a very good race. To a good start Himalaya took the lead with Beggarman and Sea Breeze in close attendance, and in this or- der they continued to run, Sea Breeze alone losing ground. The race home was most excit- ing, as Himalaya and Beggarman appeared to be running neck and neck as they passed the stand. In the end Himalaya won by a short head. Time 1.391.
Kilroy Himalaya The Ute Toledo Sea Breeze Beggarman
PLACED PONIES.
The Ancient... Hermit Millstream Nagilooh Desperation. Spindrift Ranger
***
1st 2nd 3rd
2
2
1
14
INHONG-HOO-HO | R
2
0
1
13 8
1st 2nd 3rd
PLACED RIDERS.
2
Mr. Andrus
7
3
"
Keay..
3
4
Von Tanner
2
FJ
Morrison
1
"
"J
Hughes
(Mr. Von Tanner) Beggarman went to the front on the fall of the flag with the favourite waiting closely on him up to the 1 mile post. Here Himalaya took the lead but coming down the straight Beggarman was ridden out and came in the winner. Time 1.36.
The STAND STAKES; of $5 each with $50 for the first pony, and $25 for the second pony; for Foochow, Amoy and Hongkong subscrip- tion ponies; weights as per scale; winners of one race at the Meeting 7 lbs. extra, of two or more races 12 lbs. extra. Three quarters of a mile.
Mr. Barney's The Ute, *1621bs
(Mr. Andrus)
(Mr. Morrison)
Mr. Dorset's Sea Breeze, †165lbs
1
2
* 7lbs. extra. † lbs. extra. Sea Breeze showed the way round to the top of the back straight when The Ute colours were seen to go to the front. It was a good race down the straight but The Ute was not to be passed again and won. Time 1.42. THE CONSOLATION CUP; value $100; for all bona fide beaten ponies that have run at this meeting, and not won a race; weights as per scale; entrance $5. One mile. Capt. Hope's, Himalaya 158lbs...(Mr. Keay) 1 This was a walk over, all of the other ponies entered having been winners excepting Ranger, who was too lame to start.
THE CHAMPION STAKES; of $10 each with $50 added; a forced entry for and open only to winners at this meeting, optional for the winners of the hacks and Consolation Cup; winners of two races $15 extra, of more than two races $25 extra; weights as per scale. One mile and a quarter. Capt. Hope's Toledo, 1611bs...
(Mr. Von Tanner)
1
Mr. Twomen's Kilroy, 155lbs. (Mr. Andrus) Mr. Min's The Ancient 158lbs...(Mr. Keay) Mr. Dorset's Millstream, †152 (Mr. Morrison)
+3lbs. over.
2
3
0
From a good start, the field went away in the following order: Kilroy, Millstream, Toledo, The Ancient. On first passing the stand
-Echo.
TIENTSIN,
Clow∞,
14 13
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Tientsin, 16th March, 1898. Tientsin in these days of political crises is as newsless as the North Pole. Router gives us the reverberation of the thunder fulminated so ably by Dr. G. G. Morrison in Peking. About a fortnight after decisions are made and events occur in the capital we begin to get corroboration as the important items of news Your cor- percolate through to lower strata. respondent is often in a position to get early information of events known to the higher local officials; that he does not get this in. formation now is due to the fact that they them. selves have not got it.
Never before in my time has so keen an interest been taken in foreign politics by the average Chinaman. This is largely due to the very liberal education now given by the Kwo Wen Pao, the new Chinese paper which makes & specialty of reproducing the opinions of the European and American Press. En passant it is worthy of notice that the frank utterances of this very ably conducted journal have attracted the adverse notice of the Russians and of the Tsungli Yamen. Just as likely as not this is a consequence rather than a coincidence. This improvement in in telligent opinion has had no effect in action. Although three years have elapsed since hostili- ties ceased, Northern China has no way what ever recovered from the paralysis sequent on Japan's victory. Wang Wen She in his character of Director of Coast Defence has done nothing to remedy the disaster of 1894. Port Arthur is as defenceless as Peking, and men and material are in as hopeless a state of in-
AL
the
| April 2, 1898,
efficiency as ever. The bureauorats in th capital are looking around for a victim or a scapegoat, and would like to find one in Wang; but he can justly claim impunity for failing to make bricks without straw.
Wang Wen Shê as a matter of fact has shewn himself within the limited field of his opportunities a very capable official. He is an extremely open minded man, and has gained the confidence of natives and foreigners alike by his courtesy and enterprise in new direc- tions. It says much for the intelligence of great Chinese officer that after a lifetime of absolute ignorance of foreigners and their ways he can gain their confidence and esteem after s year or two's intercourse. His Excellency has come splendidly forward on the Peiho improve- ment scheme, and it is not his fault that the works are not now begun. At the very moment when the scheme was ready for approval, it was discovered that the taxation of the shipping to meet the charges of interest and redemption on the loan raised by the foreigners was against the treaties; consequently the whole thing is hung up till a means can be devised of clear ing this difficulty. In the meantime Peího goes on with his self-strangulation. Tientisn can hardly be called a seaport at present.
was
After a phenomenally mild season, during which the river was only closed for a few weeks, the navigation was re-opened a fortnight ago. Winter, however, came back with a snap; drift ice accumulated in the bends, gradually jammed itself
up till a solid masa ten feet think formed, totally stopping all traffic. The greatest block on record has been seen at Tongku and the Bar. Thirty-one steamers and one sailing vessel were waiting at one time for lighter and wharf ac- commodation. Yesterday the ice-boom broken and we now hope to see trade resumed.
It is now fully anticipated here that if the river does not improve the steamer companies will move their wharves and godowns to Tong ku. Our one great joint stock affair, the Taku Tag and Lighter Company, has resolved in the presence of river difficulties and diminishing dividends to raise its freights some 25 per cent. The railway is credited with the policy of reducing its tariff to similar figures, with the notion of really competing for the traffic.
The new German Concession has been bunded and is about to make a start. Progress, too, is steadily maintained in the British Municipal Extension, the regulations for which are now awaiting the Minister's approval. They are in every way a great improvement on the costive legislation which obtains on the old Settlement.
Our winter socially was very quiet. Tientsin is getting too big for the old family like style of amusement. An epidemic of measles pre- cluded private festivities, and the mild weather sadly interfered with the skating. On the other hand polo and gymkhanas took a firm hold of the community. Great disappointment has been felt that our enterprising neighbour, Mr. J. M. Dickinson, had such ill fortune in his sporting pilgrimage to Hongkong. Stray Shot is ready a grand pony and we all regret that Hongkong
was not convinced of the fact.
Training has not yet begun. Our next event in the world of sport is the opening, on Easter Monday, of the splendid pavilion presented by Mr. and Mrs. W. C. C. Anderson to the com- munity. This handsome building is probably the finest thing of its sort in the East. We hope to persuade Sir Claude and Lady Mao- Donald to grace the occasion by their presence.
AB
The mere rumour of Prince Henry of Prus- sia's approach threatens to produce an epi- demic of an obscure and occult sickness among our officials. The heads of departments are between the devil and the deep sea. heads they will have to wait on His Royal Highness; they know they will be sat upon in Peking if they do so; if they don't, and com- plaints are made, they are more certain still that they will be cashiered. The most curious thing about all this is that among the less responsible officials there is growing up a strong feeling of contempt for Peking and all its works. People speak openly about outting off their quenes and those of your readers convers ant with Chinese history know what this im- plies.
It is quite true that the governing caste is gravely talking of removing the capital away from the seabord. Si-Ngan-Fu, the provincial
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