First Day, Monday, 2th April, 1871.
Stewards.—W. Axwexe, Esq., J. Marx-mam, Esq., C. J. Kino, Esq., Barnes Dazias, Fsq., T. B.' Hrcsox, Esq., J. M. Rexcer, Esq.
Clerk of the Course—Fraxx Krxc, Esq.
The first day of the Races has passed off under conditions the most unpleasant as +o weather that could be imagined, for, with the exception of the first two taces, everything was ran in a pouring -rain-] The weather looked heavy and dull, but kept up till about half past two, and visitors were induced, by the fineness of the early part of the day, to come out in considerable numbers—totally unprovided, in many cases, with means to shield themselves from the heavy rain. The masses of Chinese which usually assemble on the road at the points nearest the Course, were drenched and dispersed; and the Belle-vue Stand also became fora time almost deserted. The Grand Stand enclosure had to be left for the unusually welcome protection of the Stand itself, which was crowded most of the afternoon, Few ladies were present, but those who came stayed to see all the events. he races of the day were persevered in to the "end, the heavy rain adding weight to the' ponies and the heavier mud impeding their running. As for the riders, their racing colours were so tarnished and bespattered that it was difiicult to distinguish t/other from which, but they all deserve great credit for their unflinching determination to carry their work through, weather or no. Among visitors and spectators there seemed quite as much interest in the races as on former occasions. A comparison of time with last year's Spring Meeting will show that, taking into account the heavy state of the Course, good running was made. We give the time for 1870 along with that of to-day in our report, appended
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.