Saturday's hunt, as is usual perhaps for the runs in the Hongkew country, attracted Dut comparatively few spectators to the start, whilst many who would otherwise have been present to witness the finish did ilot calculate on such a short and arrived too late, Messrs. Rend a heavy-weight winners respectively of the previous hunt, who laid the paper, selected a course in the Upper Hongkew country which afforded plenty of big jumping, and to get over which in anything like style required that the rider should be well mounted, Tt was w fairly clea hunt, and the only noticeable accident was to the younger Mr, Sampson, who, when about tire-thirds the way had been covered, fell and wa kicked by his pony. from the Stone Bridge, the course, measuring about six miles, ended near the Rifle Butts, The first to appear in sight of the flags was Me, Renny on Bendiyo, followed by Me, Midwood on Violent, with Mr. Crane next on Smuggler, vapilly overhauling the leaders.
ug from the pace the last mentioned pony lind on it looked 4s if he lind the race well in hand, At the last jamp Bendigo hesitated and Smugyler swerving rapidly, shot. his © the ditch. Bendigo, however, took the jump in gued style and won, Me, Midwood coming in second, and Mr. Hegnauer on Nonpareil third. Though short, the vide wasa very pleasant one, and at the finish the participants in it were able to appreciate as greatly as ever the thoughtful kindness of Mr, Burnes Dallas, with his excellent punch.
The Christinas (exter took place on Monday was re place for its length, an to finish it was ofa thoroughgoing character, and this, coupled with the distance covered, made it a severe effort upon both riders and ponies. The meet took place in the E-we Paddock, near Trefsncha, on the Souchow Creek, and attracted a particularly numerous body of spectators, who canvassed with the keenest zest the possibilities of the contest. The starters numbered some 87, 60 that there was plenty of scope for the critics to discuss the powies,—and perhaps the riders as well, Ponies competing for the first time this season was Guarantee, his owner, Mr. Souter, having we are glad to say recovered from the effects of his accident. Mr. Frank Maitland, the popular Master, had been to no ordinary pains in the selection of the course, and rumour had it that he had traversed it thrice before deciding upon 1d" con- its. ultimate. direction:.. The..'first-: jump-: ati was. the. somewhat formidable one over which the, third: Iuintof the eeason finished, and arjund it goodly number of onlookers had taken up position ito see it- negotiated, The paper then took somewhat of a zig-zag route to the Island-gallop where the paper was overrun by. Mr, Crawford ea Venture. Tt was then found leading back to the little round befure the Island Wadey-and then turning sharp to. the right. led on: to the Jessfield Road near the Cow Bridge, but on the other side of the Creek. After a short check the scent was picked up by Mr. Dallas, on a gti and: followed ige.en the Cow Bi d_Unkaza, on Fahwa Creek, across Burkill's dry Drummond's Water, down the leap line to the back of Sicawei by Tarn, The Sicawei Road is, the paper keepiu clear of the graveyards, and over the big grave near the Granite Road. Then for short distance it traversed the handicap course, over Black Auster's, turned sharp to the right along the path leading on to the Sicawei Road, which was crossed aya near the latter Bridge, After cry sensi 1d, the pace quickened decided-the j er which the first hunt of the ly. The frst over the jump was Mr. Crawford on Venture, with' Mr. A, W. Burkill on Camptown second, Kismet third nnd Mr, rave on Smuyg'er next. Just after the flags were sighted and the race home commenced in earnest, Smuggler worked into second place, with Veutwe leading, but a little Inter dropped back, and the lih near Shing Dab's stable on the Jessfield Road was in the following order:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.