ON EPSOM DOWNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22145, 26 June 1935, Page 8

ON EPSOM DOWNS

[LUEE OF THE DERBY HISTORIC INSTITUTION impressions of the day [from ottb own correspondent] By Air Mail LONDON. June 8 To go racing comfortably as every enthusiast -would like to do is an expensive hobby, and makes the turf a real luxury. Of the enormous crowds who go to Epsom to see the Derby, for instance, a few may pay a few pence for their fares; others can arrive by rail for a few shillings; the patrons of the bus services pay two to three guineas a head with luncheon included. But none of those on the Downs can gee the races as can a member of the club, who has accommodation on the grandstands. If he is very rich he ■will have a box for all four days of the Epsom meeting, and he will provide his friends with several good days' pleasure. This will be his cost, xor the Epsom meeting: One balcony box to hold eight people, £120; one grand tier box for eight, £9O; one balcony box for eight, 50 guineas. A reserved stall for one person for the four days can be £8 14s or £6. Each gallery tier seat for Derby Day costs £4 4s. Single admissions to the grandstand, a huge erection with tier on tier of concrete steps, but without seats, is two guineas on Derby Day and £1 4s on other days. All th(? well-to-do are made very comfortable; they are all distinguished people; and the women are smartly dressed, though they do not wear anything like the creations that are prepared for Ascot. Gipsies as oi Old The Derby meeting is a British institution, and there are very few changes in the arrangements from year to year. It is only the weather that dulls or readjusts the picture. A few years ago the racing authorities tried to prevent the gipsies from camping on the Downs. It was like trying to change the British constitution, and this week the presence of the whole English Community of gipsies on the Downs proved that precedent still rules in this country. Rain was falling heavily and steadily from the earliest hour on Derby Day. It continued until nearly eleven o'clock, and thousands of people evidently altered their plans and went to work instead of taking a holiday. Before mid-day, however, the sun was shining, but it was evident that the crowds were not quite so dense as usual. Traffic arrangements are' now so perfect that there is never any serious congestion on' the roads. An auto-giro aeroplane circles round the country, observing the various roads and reporting by wireless to the officer in charge of traffic.

There was one other novelty of the air. Behind an aeroplane there floated printed words advertising some wellknown tea. The letters are attached to a transparent material and by some ingenious device they are kept perfectly steady and upright, and may he easily read at a great height and at a considerable distance. The New Traffic Laws Certain changes in traffic laws have also brought a change in the arrangements for the temporary grandstands. London omnibuses are no longer permitted to ply for hire outside their prescribed areas. Moreover the days of the bus with an uncovered top are past. Hitherto, these buses have Carried their passengers from London to the course, and there they were ranged in regular formation to act as grandstands. The firm responsible for this service had to hire these obsolete unlicensed buses, and though no doubt tlj.ey could still move on their own power they had to be towed to their positions on the course on the previous day. On Derby morning the ticket holders were taken to the course in those motor buses which had a legal right to ply in the area. Customary Derby Scenes By the time the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family arrived on the grounds at about midday the customary scene was Complete, and the activities of the occasion were in full swing. Professional tipsters are always amusing, and their methods vary" with their number. There is the hard-faced man in morning dress and top hat, whose intimate stories of owtffcrs and trainers are meant to convince his audience of his omniscience. There is the man who is suported by a beautiful blindfolded girl. The man's chief occupation seems to be impaling pound notes on the point of an umbrella, with' the intention evidently of showing his contempt for mere money, while the woman gained her inspirations from a psychological source. There is the stately negro in the robes, of an African potentate, with cavalry sword, and a horse-shoe suspended 'round his neck. His methods are confidential and insinuating, his manners good, and he insists on his deep knowledge of human character. A mere useful tip he gives for nothing; for his special information contained in an envelope he charges a shilling. What is more, he sells his wares, and he must have netted a good round sum before the day was done. Vet another man Seems to draw mystic circles on the ground, while a confederate throws pound notes into them.