At a mooting of the stewards held on Friday afternoon it was decided to post-one the Handicap advertised for Sator-fay and vive the Consolation Hunt instead. Of course, this decision was arrived at in consequence of the heavy state of the ground, and as the Handicap is the prineipal cross country event of the season, it was thought"a pity that it should come off under such unfavourable circumstances, especially as there was still a fortnight to run before the season closed. I trust that when the next date is fixed, the weather will be more propitious.
The meet for the Consolation was near the boat house at the back of Mr. Mac-Keuzie's house, where a fair number of would be consoled ones was collected. As all winners, both ponies and riders, were excluded in this Hunt, some well known faces were wanting to complete the usual picture. Amongst the starters I noticed the following, who have been riding regularly through the season in these Contests. Ar, Ubert on White Velvet, Mr. Taumeyer on Dandolo, Mr. Iuchbald on Bec Sale, Mr. Wilson on The Major, Mr. Wingrove on Spotted Tail, Mr. Nichol: son on Tonado, Mr. Hart Buck on Ronin, Mr. Dunman on There-you-are, Mr. Townsend on Astrowmer, ft. Gray on a brown griffin, Mr. Ruttonjee on Monarch of the Glen, Mr. Galles on Side Drum, Mr. Anton on Fitzroy, Messrs. Atkinson, Daeth, Sharp, Wilson and some others.
The jambing commenced almost immediately after the start, and led, for the first i casson, over the two deep cut on the right of the riding road; at scend one several horsemen came to two of them getting a thorough ducking and some others being unable to persuade their steeds to attempt the jump. Amongst the unfortunate ones was the rider of Tornado, who lost so much time in getting over the obstacle that he had to follow the paper as best he could alone; and as there Were numerous checks, it was no easy task, Eventually, when he succeeded in reaching the ruck, it was only to find that he was disqualified by having cut off a corner.
spor was laid more sparingly than has' case lately, the: di ing that this, the last hunt of th should be a paper hunt and not a steopl chase. The result was most satisfactory, as the field were continually being thrown together, the jumps were numerous and good, and although the crack cattle were absent, I doubt if they could have nego-tinted the leaps in better style than did several who were out on Saturday.
After a rather in-and-out course on the land, & sharp bust led to the bridge at isle, Dandolo and the disqualified Tornado leading alternately, After crossing the Jessfield Road th became very hot, as it was apparent that the run in had fairly begun, Dandolo managed to go the lead again and maintained it for the greater part of the way; Tornado, Fitzroy, Astronomer, Monarch of the Glen, and Spotted Tail being in close attendance. This order was preserved until about half-a mile from home, when Dandolo uvfortunately overshot the paper twice in quick succession, letting in two or three of the ruck; amongst them, There-you are, Fitsroy and The Major, who took bron lena although Tornado led until the last jump, when he pulled up, for reasons already given. Mr, W. Dunman on There-you-are eventually won, Mr. J. Wilson, 2ud, on The Major, Me. Tau-meyer on Dandolo, Sed, Mr. Galles on Side Drum, 4th, Mir. Inchbald on Bec Sale, Sth, Mr. Jones on a Grifin, 6th. Fitzroy came to grief at the Inst jump but two, when the rider of The Major upset both the former pony and his mount; the latter nevertheless re-mounted, but had no time to pick up and had therefore to content himsel€ with the seventh place. Owing to the very heavy going the ps all came in in a very distressed c ion, which I think will fully explain the' feeble attempt that was made to clear the last jump, the majority running through it. he only exceptions were Side Drum and Astronomer, who both took the obstacle in good style, Owing to the heavy rain which came on just before the start and continued more or less for the rest of the afternoon, there were very few spectators at the finish. all in the Health Officer's report, there is one that appears of considerable importance to many people:—What accommodation does the Hospital afford to small-pox patients Tu the working account of the Governors for the past year the following item appears—For rent of China houses used as small-pox wards Tis, 100." If the Governers in their successive visits have lately been satisfied with this division of the hospital, few persons who know anything about the matter will place much reliance upon the utility of their general supervision, There are not enough rooms in the ward and those we have are too small and badly ventilated.
Having called attention to the subject perhaps others more competent will suggest remedies, Twenty-five per cent, of the number of cases troated last year terminated fatally and that proportion has very nearly boon maintained lately. Suraly this fact speaks volumes by itself, Tam, Sir, Yours respectfully, A.B, Shanghai, 15th Feb.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.