SIR HERCULES ROBINSON ON HORSERACING.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1711, 28 January 1874, Page 4

SIR HERCULES ROBINSON ON HORSERACING.

The New Year's Day race meeting ai Sydney was distinguished by a speed from Sir Hercules Robinson. The Byrne* Mornvng Herald" reports:— ! "After the second race the lu.ncn.eoi took place; his ! Excellency the • Governoi talcing the chair, with the Colonial Secre taryion his right and Mr Richard Drive] on the left. The usual loyal toasts havinj been duly honoured, Mr Driver proposd the health of his Excellency the Governor. The toast was received by those .present with three hearty cheers, "His Excellency, in reply, spoke as follows :— Mr Driver, lam much obliged to you for the kirfd terms in which you have proposed my health, and to you gentlemen for the marked cordiality; with i -which you have responded to the toast. Nothing pleases me more in this splendid new country than to find that- the people of New South Wales in their attachment to all good' old English sports and amusements are thorough ' chips of the old block. (Cheers.) In proof of this it is only necessary to glance round at what is taking ''place in Sydney and its neighbourhood on a great public holiday' like the present. Your beautiful harbor is alive with yachts and yachtsmen, and members of the boat- ; 'ihg clubs. The parks and open grounds are crowded with cricketers, all intent, no doubt, on-the coming struggle, with the , All-England Eleven.- The -members of "the Rifle Association are practising at the neighbourihg butts, and striving by selfdenial and application to qualify themselves for future intercolonial victories; On my way down here. l paid a visit to the Albert ground, where a Highland gathering was going on,and where Scotchmen were' proving that under the Southern cross they have lost none of that athletic 1 skill and power for which :their race is conspicuous in northern, climes. .(Hear, hear.) Whilst here on this picturesque racecoTirse, it is only necessary to look around to see that a large proportion of our community are warmly attached to' the good old sport of horse-racing, and that TattersalTs meeting on the New dear's Day if now fairly established as : one. of the sporting institutions of the country. (Cheers.) For my part I rejoice at all this, because I hold that a taste for manly rational out-door amusements is essential to the, formation of a sound, healthy, vigorous national character. (Hear, hear.) For the same reason, I think that those well-meaning persons who discourage such enjoyments, .on the ground that they sometimes lead to abuses and excesses, are injudicious and shortsighted in the views which they seek to enforce. (Hear, hear.) People will have . amusements. They will seek recreation of one sort or another. You cahnot prevent them ; and, instead of anathematising such enjoyments and preaching them down as disreputable and demoralising, I say, sympathise with them genially and heartily, and do what can be I done to make them go off with moderation and propriety.' (Cheers;) Never was better advice, offered on this subject jthan that given by one of the best and most kind- ... hearted of old English divines,! who said ; ' Let the world have their Mayjgames and "Whitson ales, their concerts and dancings, their puppet shows and hobby-horses, i .their balls and their 'barleybrjeaks, and whatever sports and recreations please them best, so long as they be followed with discretion.' (Cheers.) Concurring as Ido thoroughly in this view, I have felt it to be not inconsistent! with the obligations of my high office t<) strive as I have done ever since my residence amongst you, to identify myself not only with the interests, but with the pleasures of the people. (Loud cheers.) As regards the particular amusement of horseracing which we are met together here to-day to enjoy, I can only say that itappears to me to be, = when properly carried out, one of the most legitimate sports in which men of means can indulge,' Some persons, no : doubt, think differently ; but I can quote against them the opinion of one of the greatest of living authorities on social questions, and one who has never himself, being mixed up with the tnrf in any way. I allude to Mr Gladstone, the present Prime Minister of England, who said of racing that 'it is a noble, manly, distinguished, and in its history a decidedly national amusement.' (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I ani sure you will all agree! with me that we are much indebted for ! our present gathering hereto: day to the excellence of the arrangements, and I will therefore ask you to unite With me in drinking to the health of the stewards of . . the Tattersall's Races, and success to their annual meeting. (Loud applause.) ' T "The toast was vociferously applauded and appropriately responded to, after .1 j .which the ;company separated, and went earnestly in: search of the winner of the ■■ • • next event.'J ; .. ; „ - > ' ]