THE FOUR IN-HAND CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1292, 2 September 1876, Page 17

THE FOUR IN-HAND CLUB.

Great as is the prestige of the Four-in-Hand Club, it was never better sustained than in Hyde Park on the 21st Juno, and the second moot of the season, though not so numerous as that of the Coaching Club a fortnight ago, waa infinitely more brilliant. The first coaches to arrivo on the ground were those of Lords Poltimore and Craven, but the place of honour, waa as a matter of course, reserved for the Duke of Beaufort's coach, upon which, ub it had been announced, the Prince of Wales would be a passenger. The Badminton coach, tooled by Lord Arthur Somerset, with His Royal Highness on the box seat, followed soon afterwards, and had a full load, for the Duke of Beaufort, Lady Westmoreland, Lady Emily Kingscote, and Lord Fitzroy Somerset, were also outside. This coach had no sooner wheeled into position than Inspector

Butler cleared a space a little further to the right, and a victoria, drawn by two greys, came up, seated in which, and looking remarkably well, were the Princess of Wales and her two daughters. The Princess occupied what we may term the saluting point, for as the drags passed her, every coachman, instead of raising the whip, which is the substitute for a bow under ordinary circumstances, had to lift his hat, thereby giving a proof not only of his loyalty, but of his coachmanship. The Duke of Conn aught was on Lord Carrington's coash. The departure was for Alexandra Palace, whither thirteen of the eighteen starters were bound. From the park the drags proceeded to the Alexandra Park, which was honoured for the first time with the presence of royalty. The Prince of Wales, heading the procession on the Duke of Beaufort's drag, was received by Sir Edward Lee, and the coaches took up their position in the so-called trotting course bounding the royal incloaure. An Indian tent had been charmingly arranged with flowers for his Royal Highness, and luncheon prepared in a marquee of vast proportions for eighty guests. There was a large and distinguished company, who enjoyed the programme of the horse show with very evident appreciation. The contest for the jumping prizes began at three, Mrs Riddell and Mrs Reginald Riddell and Miss Pollard taking part in them. The latter, in trying to leap a hurdle, fell beneath her horse and broke the thigh bone. Mrs Riddell also had a fall, but happily, without results, and the result was a dead heat between the two sisters. The park was crowded throughout the afternoon. The competition for horses above 15 hands in height resulted in Mr John Riley's Beelzebub winning the first prize, Mr Cossin's Bismarck the second, and Mr Blott's Nimrod the third.