Shanghai, 15th October, 1887.
Tudges—Messrs. Mackenaiz, Mysvncu and Nozt.
Starters—Dlesers. Dusx and Buncovse. Time-Keepers—Meessrs. McLeop and Scuvr-FENHAVER, Committee—Messrs. Cannaway, Harwoon, Harr Box, Hasken1, Jensex, Joes, Porvos, Starkey, Munier, Sroxes and Vixay.
The S.A.C. may fairly be congratulated upon the success of Saturday's fixture. Despite the rival attractions of the Yacht Race and the Cricket match, the Athletes commanded what was probably the largest attendance ever present at thir sports, and the several contests were watched with more than ordinary interest. The ladies assembled in force, and by their presence enlivened the proceedings and stimulated to greater efforts the numerous competitors. As to the sport itself it can only he said that the performances were, in several items on the card, of a higher standard than had hitherto been achieved: by the members of the S.A.C. and their previous records were beaten in more than one instance. In almost every case the men bore evidences of successful training, and three or four very promising griffins were brought out during the day. The shortest throw of the cricket ball was better by about 20 yards than the best perform ance with the leather Jast autumn, Mr. Bruce Robertson, fromseratch, winning with the very respectable shy of 101 yards 4 inches. The100 yards race record of last year was also broken by 2/5ths of a secs. by Mr. Harris, the winner on the last occasion, who more completely eclipsed himself and other competitors later on inthe long jump. There were five entries for this event which was spiritedly contested. The best actual distances jumped were Harris, 19 feet 6 in., Macray 19 foot 4 in, Jackgon 19 fent 3 in. which with the handicapping, brought the respective figures up to 21 feet, 20 feet 10 in, 19 fect 9in, Thus Harris has won by a jump never before accomplished, in public least, in Shanghai, Some of the uninitiated public were entirely at a loss to know why Porter was made scratch in this event, after seeing the respective per formances of the others. But with this exception the handicapping was excellent and the judges, the time keepers and star= ters did' their' work most satisfactorily. of Mr. Mybury greatly missed, and his niatter of general regret. The pole jumping was not nearly so good as ther in the number of entries ights cleared. There was else a marked falling off in the number of juveniles entered for the minor items; and some of the well known old events such as the Menageri Suck, Three-Legged Races fell thro were omitted, more genuine athletic the Steep: lechase, for instance, being substituted in their stead. This last was a great success, us far as the spectators were con cerned, and caused much amusement asthe successive steeplechasers came to grief in the ugly water jump. Only one, Macray, finished with dry clothes, but those who were unfortunate took their duckings with commendable good humour and pluck. The policeman, Murphy, who won the mile walking race from scratch is to be eongratuluted and deserved the applause he got.
under M. Vela sympathetically song, i Life is not a Happy bert and Sullivan's well known
One," during this contest. Mr. Harris carried off the lion's share of the prizes, including the Ladies' Prize, a handsome gold cross which was presented by Miss Porter with an appropriate little speech to which the youthful and blushing champion suitably Teplied. The other prizes which were of no small intrinsic value were gracefully distributed by Mrs. Claude Rees at the completion of the programme, when hearty cheers were given in return to the ladies for their presence and patronage. The Town Band layed a good selection during the day, and helped to enhance the proceedings which were altogether characterised by an amount of "go" quite cheering to- witness, and in conclusion, it only remains to be said that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.