THE SPORT OF KINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3956, 23 January 1900, Page 4

THE SPORT OF KINGS.

Horse-racing—“the sport of kings,” as it used to be called—is appropriately enough in a democratic country the favourite amusement of the sovereign people. King Demos, it may- be granted, is not sentimental in his devotion to the horse but mingles "with liis enthusiasm a touch of business speculation, not altogether unconnected with the machine known as the totalisator. On the whole, however, ttio people of New Zealand fo' ow the sport with a keen intelligence and interest. They know the ‘‘points” oi a horse, they are apt in their knowledge of pedigrees and performances, and ihey can appreciate' the noble animal apa *t from his utility as a means of earni'i? dividends or providing them with mild gambling excitement. A sport like horse-racing lias a vast social influeno ; in cementing the various strata of society, and it operates in. wholesome fashion as a link binding men to natui>and open-air pursuits. :0f the, manv thousands who yesterday celebrated tho Anniversary Day ,of Wellington pro vince by attending the races at Hut:'Park, it may safely be affinhed thee was not one,who did not feel healthier and happier for the hours spent "al

froi-.-.*' -cjr.id ; inspiriting • snrr.v.mdir.g;, with tiie mellowing influences of mu-ic and fair women added to those of invigorating breezes and exhilarabug sport. The attendance was the "record" one for Wellington, and this fact proves most forcibly the devotion oi the people to horse-racing and its adjuncts.

To rome extent the increased attendance may be due to the fact of the race meeting falling so soon after the send-off of the second contingent to South .Africa, for many visitors from a distance who had journeyed hither impelled by patriotic sentiment remained for purposes of enjoyment. In (bo main, however, the vast assemblage was the outcome of the growing attachment of the public to the most enjoyable of out-door sports. This fact should be most grateful and encouraging to the stewards of the Welling': .n Racing Ciuh, who have recently executed s'"'me desirable improvements mi the course, and-who have others in progress. The people are quick to appieciate anything done for their comiort and convenience, and on what is vequently called the lowest of all grounds, the financial, excellent results may with confidence be anticipated from any extension of enterprise in catering tor the amusement-loving public. While warmly acknowledging what has been , done and is being done by the Wellington Racing Club, we cannot close our eyes to the fact that this district >s backward in the matter of conveniences for sport. TheTlutt racecourse is more distant from the city population than is the case with other metropolitan clubs in New Zealand; the railway faro is higher and the price of admission to the course is greater; hut in spile of these drawbacks, sport is pal maned in princely fashion and the attendance keeps increasing. One glaring defect that strikes visitors with disagreeable force is the want of a railway siding alongside the Ha:t Park racecourse. At Ellerslie and Riccarton the people in thousands stop from the railway carriages on to the course, while at Dunedin there are similar facilities; but at Hull Park the railway stops half a mile from the course, and visitors have to walk along dusty footpaths and across, two , tong foot bridges' over branches of the Hull river before they reach their destination. The discomfort of this was vary plainly demonstrated yesterday, when a stiff bree/.e came down the valley, nearly carrying ladies off their feet, and causing gentlemen to make frantic efforts to preserve their head-gear. ; It would no .doubt he a costly undertaking to carry the railway on to the course by means of a bridge over the river and fiat; but it is a work ,Hint ought to lie taken in hand without delay. The Hutt Park-Company - and the Racing Chib might well combine in formulating a scheme f&r carrying this into effect; and as tfro' extension would yield extra revenue to the; Government, Parliament ought to authorise the payment of a, substantial contribution to the work. As such a bridge would he of great utility to settlers and the public, If it ,were adapted for road traffic as well, tne County Council might also be induced to give assistance, to the project. Rv cordial co-operation the, work , .could readily he ■ accomplished,: ami we are convinced that to all concerned the results would be satisfactory. It is not creditable to a city of the, wealth and importance of Wellington 'that the means of reaching the principal pleasureground of the people should he of such a primitive and inconvenient nature.. Without casting any reproach ; the past operations of the Hutt Padr Company and the Wellington Racing mull, which have been marked by intelligent enterprise ' and "monetary sacrifice, wo would urge that the time is ripe for a. further forward step. So much has been done to make Hutt Park a. wellappointed racecourse and a popular place of resort that it would be a thousand pities were its usefulness to bo longer hampered by lack of facilities of approach. Let those directly interested see to it that their duty is not neglected.