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were all that could be desired. and a good night's sport was enjoyed. Results:
Three Lengths' Handicap-First heat, P. M. Remedios, 48 srce,; second heat, J. A. Lyon. 44 secs; third heat, J. M. Roza Pereira, 483 sees.; ́ fourth hest, A. H. Carroll 48 secs.
fifth hest, J. M. Lopes, 49 secs. Final.1, Lyon; 2. Lopes. A keen struggle at the close. In the early stages the scratch men found they could not wipe off the handicap.
Plunging. Seventeen competitors entered. F. K. Tata, J. Witchell and R. Lapsley were the three best. Tata failed to do so well on his second attempt ard Witchell wou.
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A pleasant interlude was taken up with the antics of two “ladies" and two "gentleman a boating excursion, which resulted in all four struggling in the water.
Running header from springboard-two prizes. One for best, M. A. R. Borza; worst J. W. Bains.
Challenge Team Race. Four teams entered, V. R. C. B," 87th Co.. B. G. A., Hongkong Yacht Club, and R. W. K. The struggle lay between V. R. C. and the B. G. A., the latter starting off with a lead. Bains, however. secured the first place for the V. R. Č.
A polo match between scratch teams, though not on the programme, was introduced at the request of a number of spectators, and proved very exciting.
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Life Saving Race. A big entry. First three' to arrive were disqualified because rescued" assisted. Hatton and Cooper won.
SHOOTING.
The last monthly rifle meeting of the season 1905-6 Right Half No. 2 Company, H.R.V.C., was held on August 26th at Tai Hang. The following were the best cards returned:
Corporal A. J. Darby Gunner H. D. Derwen Gadner H. C. Gray... Gunner F. A. Biden Gunner H. T. Jackman
total.
Han- Net.
dicap. 82 6 67 21 68 18
88.
88 86 70 15 85 71 9 80
The cup presented by Lieut. Nicholson for the highest aggregate of eight out of the twelve monthly shoots was won by Corporal A. J. Darby Scores:-
1 Corporal A, J. Darby 2. Gunner H. T. Jackman
3 Corporal G. Blood
4 Gunner F. A. Bidon
5 Captain Armstrong...
6: Gunner A. F. Warrack
627
664
660
652
625
624
The cup presented by F. Maitland, Esq., for the highest aggregate of three out of four shoots from May to August was won by Corporal G. Blood. Scores ---
1 Corporal G. Blood
264
953
2 Gunner F. Austin
3- Corporal A. J. Darby
251
4 Captain Armstrong
237
5 Gonner F. A. Biden
237
6 Gunner A. F. Warrack....
OOR
THE OPIUM FARM.
BIG DROP IN PURCHASE PRICE.
Tenders for the purchase of the privileges known as the Opium Farm closed at the Colonial Secretary's. Office on August 31st.in As was anticipated, there was a heavy drop the purchase price, so that the Corernment will have to devise other means to raise the $49,000 worth of revenue which will be lost by the acceptance of the highest tender.
The successful tenderer was Lok Yau, the present farmer, and the amount of his tender was $121,000 per month.
On the last occasion when tenders were called his offer of $185,000 per month for the privileges comoted with the farm was accepted by Government. During the year. however, the heary losses which he sustained induced the Government to redmos his monthly payment to $170,000, and even then the business was not flourishing.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
VOLUNTEER TROOP GYMKHANA.
A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION,
[September 8, 1908. Trooper E. G. Ferguson, leading Trooper
Walker's pony 2 Trooper B James leading Trooper Morton- Smith's pony
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Ladies' NOMINATION RACE.-Troopers to Of the most enjoyable events that have taken place on the Happy Valley one was the front of grand stand. Start from a noint be nominated by a lady. Ladies to line up in Gymkhana of the Hongkong Volunteer Troop, indicated, ride up to flag, dismount, and lear which was held on the footbal ground on the 25th August. Two postponements gave tunic with all buttons off, and chain shoulder pony by headrope up to lady, and hand her your the competitors more time to perfect them-straps unhooked, then retire to flag and stand selves in the interesting and exciting events which combined to make an excellent pro- gramme, and when they appeared on the field on
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Saturday, in the pink of condition. they displayed a skill and prowess which delighted the large concourse of spectators. The weather was perfect, and as a result the number of ladies in attendance was larger than is usually the case, the football stand being comfortably filled. H. E. the Governor was present, also Eir Francis and Lady Piggott. Light refresh- meats were served in a marquee, also on the open space fronting the stand, and the gallant members of the Troop, which mustered in full force, neglected no opportunity which could have been taken advantage of to better the good time which they had decided, and successfully, to give their visitors. The West Kent Band, under Bandmaster McKelvie played music la lections during the afternoon, Major Pritchard, R.A., commandant of the And the judges, Lient. Colonel Aitken and, H.K.V.C., carried out their duties to the satis faction of all concerned.
The events resulted as under :--
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Tent pegging by half-sections. Two runs for all competitors, after which judges will call for further runs if necessary.
Lieut. Ross and Sergt. Moxon Troopers Clarke and Hickman Troopers W. 8. Dupree and
R. F. C. Master
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2 3
11.
In this event the number of marks that could be gained for each run was twelve, and the judges could, if they thought a competitor was not riding at a sufficiently rapid pace, dis- qualify him. There were no disqualifications, however. The riders gave the ponies free rein and encouraged them with a touch of the spur. The pegging on the whole was good, and Lieut. Rss and sergeant Moxou deserved their win. Lemon-Cutting with swords. Competitors had to start from the "slope," angage, and make cuts one and two ou the right, slope swords. Each competitor was allowed two runs noless the judges called for a third.
Trooper W. 8. Dupree .. Trooper R. F. C. Master Sergeant G. C. Mozon The hea's in this event were decided on Thursday, so that the number of competitors on Saturday was reduced to five They were Sergeant G. C. Moron, Corporal L. Murphy and Troopers W. 8. Du ree, J. E. Gresson and R. F. C. Master. Three points were allowed for each sliced lemon, and one each for touch, style and pace. Master and Dupree were going strong for the honour of victory which was pronounced in favour of the latter when, in his second attempt, he cut both lemons in half amid great applause,
Heads. and Posts. Competitors had to start from the "slope,' engage," ** assault," out one and point one on the right, cat four and point four on the right, slope swords. Two runs for each competitor. Third runs only for those called for by the judges. Trooper H. E. Hickman Trooper R. F. C. Master Trooper C. H. Blason
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11
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Four posts were erected on the field some distance apart, and on top of each of these was placed a Turk's head. The competitors were required to sever the vegetable while at the gallop. Sergeant Moxon must have been in bad form indeed, for of the four Turk's heads Trooper Hickman, the winner, took three of the four nicely, and was applauded for his effort. Trooper Blason hit three, but his style and pace not being equal to that of Trooper Master, he had to forego sesond place, which was given the latter.
Led Pony Bace. Competitors to ride one pony and lead another (both saddled) over a figure sight course.
Trooper W. 8. Dupree, leading Lient. Bratton's pony
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to your pony. Lady to put in buttons and fix on straps, and when finished to signal to her button it up and book collar, return to flag, then partner, who will double up, put on tanic. tie up headrope, mount and ride round course hadrope to the satisfaction of the judges to to be pointed out. First home with tunic and win.
Trooper R. F.C. Master, nominated by
Miss Master 1
Trooper W. 8. Dupree, nominated by
Mrs Pritchard ?
Trooper E. A. Hankey, nominated by...
Mrs. F. J. Barrett 3 The ladies were expert at attaching the buttons and shoulder straps to their nominee's tunics, and did not keep them long in suspense. Dupree was first past the winning post, hut as his pony was too flighty to allow him to fix the pead rope properly, he lost to Master.
Victoria Cross Race. Entries in paira. Odd number to represent a wounded man, and to lie down at a point indicated. Even number to gallop up to his wounded comrade under fire, assist him to mount behind his own saddle and return to winning post, Troopers G. K. Hall Brutton and W. 8. ..
Dupree (wounded) 1 Sergt. G. C. Moxon and Trooper C. G.
Mackie (wounded) 2
Troopers H F. Hickman and
H. Dowbiggin (wounded) 3 The "heroes had to face a withering rifle fire. provided by a number of the West Kent regiment, gallop Boross the battlefield and bear their wounded comrades to a place of safety. Although the competitors ejoyed the fun the ponies were not so ready to face “ the thin red line." But they did it. After the first volley they took things quietly enough, and the race ended as stated.
Running and Leading race. Entries in pairs. Course rectangular, angles, say. A, B. C. D. Ou the word "go" the even number will lead his partner's pony round course ABC, keeping fagı on his right hand, the odd number will run across the ground from A to C. At C the even hamber will dismount, hand both ponies to his partner, and run across the ground from C to A. The odd number will mount his own pony and lead the other round course CDA, keeping flags on his right hand. At point A the even number will meet his partner. mount his own pony and ride as a half section to winning post, First half section past the post having com. plied with foregoing conditions to win.
Troopers W. S. Dupree and G. K. Hall
Brutton 1
Corpl. L. Murphy and Trooper R. F. C.
Master 2 Troopers C. G. Mackie and W. G. Clarke 3 half the Troop versus the other. Leaders will Balaclava Mêlée. To be competed for by be selected, and they will select the teams by lot. No spurs allowed. Competitors will be provided with dummy swords and cookades, half the Troop blue the other half red. The object of the competition is to knock off your opponents' cockades. Opponents' nonies may not be hit,· competitors must keep within bounds, and retire at once when cookade is knocked off.
The troops in this event lined up as under:— Blue:-
Lieut. Ross (in command), Troopers Clarke, Lenfe. Dupree and Dowbiggin. Walker. Blason. Henchman. Brutton, Stewart,
poral Murphy, Troopers Anderton, Hankey, Red: Sergeant Moxon (in command), Cor- Master, Forbes, J. E. Gressou, C. G. Mackie,
. F. Hickman and Kent
The blues routed the refs in this event by superior tactics. They rode in wedge forma. tion, and split the reds. One by one wearers of the red cooksde wers Isid low until only Mr. Gresson survived, and had to defend - himself against eight of the blues. For three or four minutes he kept his opponents at bay
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