in perfect weather at the Grand Stand, as The meet on Christmas Day, took place usual, at 3 p.m.,'and there was probably the largest number of starters on record.
paper was laid by the Master, and Mr. Midwood was the Steward in charge of the Hunt. The actual start was near Mr.
Road, and the scent lay vid the Island Lit Round to the Island Gallop, thence to th Cow Jumps, Mr. Malherbe being one of the best performers over them, then over the Island Wade, which was terribly wet, and acrosss to the Jessfield Road, over Dorin's Finish, and by the Whited Sopulchro to the Race Club Bridge on the Sicawei Road. The hunt then made as if for the Grave Yard country, and negotiated the Corner Jumps, after which it turned to the right towards the Sicawei Road, before reaching which a novelty in the shape of a wattle fence with a ditch on the take-off side was given. ere WAS check on the Sicawei Road, and the paper was found on the Fahwah Line from this point was a "buster, hunt_went over the Platform Jumps on to the Tunsin Lino; over Tidal Creek Island and to Galloy's Grave, after which the run home commenced and led over the fiat to the Jeasfield Line, the last jump of which was the finishing one. The field arrived in the following order Farbridge Middleton Prince. finish has not been seen for years; fly From a spectacular point of view such a twenty ponies were close up, and the conclusion of the race was most exciting. The Taotai of Shanghai was present, by the invitation of the Stewards of the Club, which has never happened before in the annals of paper-hunting, and he was a very interested spectator. The Hunt and their friends et hoc one genus pony man then went to Unkaza, the Taotai included, by the kind invitation of. Mr. and Mrs. Hogg, who were then addressed by the master of the Hunt, Mr. F. Ayscough, in the following terms "Mr, and Mrs. Hogg—I am much dis appointed that I'am not able to do asI expected. to-day, and on behalf of the S.P.H.C. pens you with the Cup that they. had the pleasure of subscribing for as a small wedding present, but unfortunately the Cup which should have arrived from Canton has not done so. I do not, how-ike to let the occasion pass without you that our intentions have been of the best and that we wish you to feel that the fact of the Cup not having arrived is no fault of ours. I can assure you that the unanimity with which a present to you was subscribed for showed, if proof was needed, how our Club appreciates your past and present kindness in opening the gates of Unkaza to us. The Paper Hunt Club, Drag Hunt, and the now no more Tendem Club have all been your guests over and over again and more than that have always been made to feel at home" which is undoubtedly the true acme of hospitality, and as the Club's mouthpiece I wish to thank you very heartily for the kinkness you have shown us and to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous 1898.
"Gentlemen, I will now ask you todo what I know you will do to the best of your power, and that is to give three cheers Mr. and Mrs, Hogg, not omitting cheers and tiger were most heartily given, and Mr. Ayscough resumed—"Gentlemen, Mrs. Hogg has kindly undertaken to present the fortunate winners of to-day's hunt with their cups, and with her permission I will now introduce them to her."
Mrs. Hogg then gracefully presented the Rez to Mr. Fearon, the light-weight, and Mfr. F. Dallas, the heavy-weight winner, and said how glad she was to do so, and how much she admired their prowess. Mr. Fearon duly thanked her and handed a handsome inet. Mr. Hogg th auked the hunt for their cordial recogni tion, and said that he was one of the original Stewards of the Club, that he took as great wu interest in the sport as ever, and how pleased he and his wife wore to welcome the Hunt at all times and whet provision of refreshments, gathering dispersed.
The Stewards of the Hunt wish to make ublic their obligation to Messrs. Barff, cham, and and other helpers for their assistance in keeping the course clear,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.