4th, 5th, and 6th May. a, Esq.,. Proust, Es.
charge of Telegraph and Ninnbers:—C." Beorwass, Esq., D.
Brasp, Esy.
Steward in charge of Pari-Mutuel and Totalisa R. Pork, Esq Starters:—F. 1, Es, Time-Keeper Clerk of the Ca Fimst Day, Monday, 4th May, 1896.
After weeks of anxiety, due to the persistent unkindness of the weather, the constant soft rain having reduced' the course on Sunday morning to the consistency of a swamp, we were favoured on Monday, when hope was almost dead, with a really charming day, sunny, but not too sunny, and just warm enough to make the pretty spring toilettes with which the lawn was dotted thoroughly appropriate. There was a very large gathering at the Grand Stand, but the lawn is now so large and the accommodation, now that Belle Vue has been taken in, so extensive, that there was no crowding; while the new Stand at the north end of the lawn, that has taken the place of Belle Vue, was also well filled. All the arrangements under the control of the Stewards went well, though the genial presence of the late Chairman of the Club was much missed, and there was incessant grumbling at the new sys tem of omitting the ponies' numbers from the race books; this was an innovation that was tried in the interest of the totalisator, but it caused so much inconvenience that we do not suppose it will be adopted again. The new totalisator arrangements also caused some misunderstanding, but it was not, after all, an important matter. In reference to the two excellent tiffins provided, it should be understood that the one at Belle Vue is intended for members and jockeys only. The course, although it had been drying since Sunday afternoon, was very heavy when the first race was run, but it improved all the time, and at the close of the day was slippery close to the rails. The fields were in capital condition, though still a little unusually large, even for a first day, and Mr. Ayscough is to be congratulated on his starting, which was generally very good, though the half-mile was rather a straggling start. The number of small stables represented caused more general interest to be taken than usual in the racing, and the wins were very fairly divided, Mr. Ring, who took three, being the only owner who secured more than one prize. Nearly all the wins were greeted with hearty cheering, the victories of Mr. Hopeful in the first race, of the Judge in the Cathay Cup, of Mr, Duplex in the Racing Stakes, and of Mr. John Peel in the last race of the day being especially popular. The intervals between the races were lightened by the music of the Town Band, under the direction of Commander Vela, and the unexpected melodies of a band of negro minstrels who were understood to hail from H.M.S. Spartan, and whose appearance was a decidedly welcome innovation. There was a very dense fringe of Chinese all round the ground, wherever a view of the course could be obtained. It may be mentioned that Holly. hock, who ran in the Hart Legacy Cup, make his first appearance on the Shanghai course in 1884. Finally, it should be added that the police arrangements for the regulation of the traffic on. the road left nothing to be desired.
The Town Band played the following programme during the afternoon {The Chieftai 1.—Marchespher Columbu: 6.—Lancers—Hadldon Hail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.