The sport loving public of Shanghai have for years availed themselves of the paper hunt as one of the institutions of the place that contribute so much towards our spending a Merry Christmas in what to most of uster the time being isa land of exile, and it must be admitted that no hunt ever started more: auspiciously than the one laid on Thureday last.
The start was advertised for 3.15 p.m. neat Trefancha and quite a number of spectators were present to send the hunt off with their Christmss greetings.
The field comprised some of our straightest riders (but we have soon larger turnouts for a function of this sort) and at the hour appointed the Master—who we are A couple of minutes' grace having been all glad to seem the saddle again—got given, the small but select field in attend. them together, giving afew preliminary ance Were despatched on their way in the instructions and tle order to go. presence of but few spectators.
The first part of the run was over a OF the first part of the run there is little number of small dry cuts and thence, mak-description necessary, the paper being laid ing a turn to the left across a creek, it over the usual anier loop, through the took in the little round, the paper Indigo Village towards Jessfield where being laid over pretty well every decent the finish had been advertised, and on jamp in that part of the "country. when through a shallow lagoon where approaching the vicinity of Winthes Water" the pace was made pretty hot there was some doubt expressed as to the hopes of seeing the flags. In this the field paper having been laid. Doubts were put were disappointed, and after crossing that ab rest however by a heavy weight saying obstruction lost the scent. that if any light weight would venture, he The Master here turned up on the look-would, and the field accordingly with sume out for the flags also, and as there was no few exceptions forded it. The scent thew lay information to be got from him, the hunt across the Island gallop in the direction had no alternative but to hark' back and of Shaw's Farm and making a turn to with pumped ponies endeavour to work the left took in the lower loop across out the latter part, of the run, The paper the Island jumps," Messrs. Crawford, was eventually found to be laid in the di Perrott, Midwood and Hough leading rection of the Red Joss house, the finishing up to this point, the firstuamed com obstacle being a water jump running at ing to grief over the wall. A turn was beyond the frst bridge. right angles to the Jessfield Road just then made to the right and the scent lay on to the Jessfield road close to the bridge where the natives had obliged ly cutting on Kingeraft with Mr. Perrott on Gomus The frst at the jump was, Mr. Read a few holes along the banks of the last in close attendance. Kingcraft stumbled jump in a most artistic wanner. However at the last jump giving his ridera fall, and they failed in their object as there was no Mr. Perrott having his pony better in hand grief that we know of. got safely over, landing Cumus winner at The road was crossed at the Bridge where the Master and another ardent paper the frat time of asking, Coms, had been outpaced 100 yards from the finish, but hunter had posted themselves to see the when called upon for a final effort came hunt on to the correct scent. One light again in the most determined manner, and weight disregarding their instructions went even if Kingeraft had got over the last off on a line of his own and was nvt seen jump, the Griffin would undoubtedly have afterwards; his cap had previously disap-beaten him between the flags. About 20 peared. From this point the troubles of the lengths off Mr. Crosthwaite was third and Hunt commenced, the paper was actually he was followed by Messre. Tulloch, Craw-laid almost in @ straight line to the Sicaford and Edblad in the order named. No wei Road taking in all the good jump-heavy weight came in. ing country. The Chinese however would not consent to such a monotonous arrange-and Mr, Middleton, last Saturday's winners, 'The paper was laid by Mr. George Dallas ment as that, and must have exercised scrupulous care in lifting the scent, laying paper instead across every muddy' road in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.