FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2388, 7 December 1899, Page 50

FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE.

THE SCENE OF AUSTRALIA'S GR'eAT\ ■ " '-SPORTING EVENT. • , [ ■ ' ' By The .Baron. " ' ; In large cities, as a rule, half t he population is • usually tot-ally , ignorant 'of. _t-he doings of the other half. Thdse people who favour races do not patronise picnics, which latter take place on Cup' Day ; generally for tihe purpose of preventing young people from drifting to the racecourse ; and, from want of proper supervision tat the time, perchance coming under the influence of the unscrupulous, who are always ready, in all paths of life, to take advantage of the innocent and the ignorant. The picnic idea,- no doubt is an excellent one ; but' when young people have well balanced minds it may be a -mistake not to trust them, and tc let them' imagine that they could get into any trouble by going to the races, for there is an old adage stating that forbidden or unknown fruit is the sweetest. It is principally for those who have never been to the races that I wish to give a few particulars about Flemington, where the great racing event of the year occurs. Owing to the kindness of the obliging secretary of the Victoria Racing Club, Mr H. Byron Moore, I was lately permitted to take a trip, under his direction, over, the whole of ht-e Flenmington racecourse, as I was anxious to visit it when not entirely given over to a large crowd of sightseers'; and I was greatly interested in noting the wonderful changes which the energetic secretary has made since "my last visit. The charming drive to the, gates 'is a pleasure in itself, and the entrance is most tastefully laid out with ornamental rockeries and creepers of all kinds, the latter growing in rich profusion. There is an immense bicycle stable which has been enlarged, and will hold 1000 bikes. Owners of these pay 6d admission, and the cycle is taken care of for the whole day, without further expense. The lawn is magnificent, allowing much opportunity for the. gentler sex to show off the "beauty of their' costumes. It is kept in first-class prder, and/I was interested, to* hear that to improve its appearance for special, race dayß blood fertiliser is obJained from the Flemington abattoirs, which, freely applied to the grass, enriches it, and gives it a specially 'beautiful colour. What seems particularly noticeable is that this lawn is surrounded by white rose festoons, which appear like wreaths fastened up for the occasion, but on closer examination it is found that these wreaths actually grow, being trained to the peculiarly beautiful shape which they represent. I may here mention that Mr Byron Moore has established a nursery for roses, which contains 360 .choice, different kinds, and indeed is the best collection cf these flowers in Victoria. There are two grand stands, the upper [ one actually accommodating 2000 more people since it has been enlarged than it did [ before. Six hundred and fifty feet Iqng steel [ cantilevers were thrown out to support the construction. That part which *is called the Hill seemed to me specially interesting, as nothing has been forgotten which could in any way add to the comfort of those visiting that part of tke racecourse. It is a beautifully-care-for spot, and most pleasing to the eye. Besides, it hos a little story of its own. The V.R.C. at one time had no land there, but when Mr Byron Moore became the secretary of the club he purchased a number, oi ,, acres to improve the Hill "'and' the' members' 1 drive. " The V.R.C. has paid" away in stakes £958,918, nearly a million of money. They have spent close upon £200,000 in improvements, and about £100,000/ in- maintenance. The circulation of moneyin connection with racing has been- enormous, " employing trades and labour of every description. The Hill is conveniently provided with all sorts of comforts for visitors^, and at the same time the surroundings have been made most attractive. On race days there is a hot water .stand, where picnickers can make their own .tea ; , there are milk carts and ice carts, a temperance chalet, with an upper room overlooking the Hill and course ; a wine and beer pagoda ; fruit kiosk and oyster bar. The lavatories are furnished with every luxury, "and connected with these there are parcels, coat, and umbrella offices, where anything can be left, to be taken care of, for the whole day if desired. There are also pleasant retiring rooms, with long mirrors and tables, on which can be found every necessary pertaining to the toilet; excellent perfumes, and also smelling salts for those who are inclined to feel faint. , Nothing has been forgotten. The view ] from the Hill is superb, extending an im- ! inense distance. About the centre of the there is a sundial, 30ft across, on which the hours are represented by growing plants, and a large arrow, perfectly shaped, and overgrown with creepers, | points towards the course. As the time ap- I proaches for any particular race, a sign -is

placed near the hour in the sundial, an<| those who are picnicking round can know then, without any further trouble,- that such and' such a race is going to be run. Tne scenery all around is magnificent ; and the Hill stand is as comfortable for tha half-crown people as the lower one is for trie' upper ten. .Descending to the first class, we. com© •to the members' handsome tea room, which is built in the cottage style, with peculiar-* coloured glass- windows./ It is 200 ft long,and seats 300' people. The ladies' boudoir , attached, contains every convenience that ! the most fastidious may desire and anyone can imagine, and is most beautifully deco* I'rated with ferns,." flowers, ornaments, etc j There are ,five kitchens, /with excellent ar- ; _.r an gements .for. "boilingr vegetables ."■ in p large " quantities'. ' The' members' ."dining/ roomv will .seat 350 ,giiests. Its own kitchen it attached with a large , open -• 'hatch", .through "which the supplies are" conveyed- -into the kitchen, and thence through -other "hatches into the dining room. The luncheon room,.for racing members tmlyy is" 300 ft long, 1 and kitchen", lavatory, and coat rooms adjoin.A. much -favoured resort, is -the, vinery, tent, which seats 2000 people. This -■tent is roofed by' thousands of" grapes," whichy strange to say, during the autumn meeting, when usually ripe, are permitted to hang - there in full • luxuriance, without, anyone attempting to - pluck them.This . speaks rather well for our ptcple. ..The members' carriage paddockhas also been beautified since Isaw it last. Boxes for members' carriage horses are G\ergrow'i with crimson- rambler roses, a lovely creeper which lends them quite a pretty appearance. I next visited the judge's, box, which' contains a large . chronograph, connected with a clock , situated . near tho weighing room, which sounds to announce when a race has started. -The assistant timekeeper touches an electric but* lon, thea a block fall, and releasing the chronograph, the clock strikes. A patent self-acting turnstile, which after being opened closes it-self without needing the aid of anyone, leads to the invalid r6om, where those who may happen to be taken ill, can. find a comfortable- bed and anything that may be required, away from all noise and confusion. There is also a hospital for jockeys, and to this are attached a paid suigeon and a paid dresser, who attend regularly on all race days. The honorary medical men are Sir Thomas Fitzgerald and Dr. A. L. Gray. The telegraph office, which, of course, must be in continual demand, is under cover, and most pleasantly situated. A special improvement which I noticed is what is now known as Madden Terrace, overgrown with flowers, and a wide asphalt walk on one side. This was formerly an uninteresting hillock and fence, particularly dangerous in wet weather for those descending and apt to slip. I noticed , several electric scratching boards -which are worked in the scratching office. ■■ A man. pays his fee .to .scratch his hdrse, and instantly the fact is notified all . over the grounds owing to the electric boards worked from the office. ;. Near the entrance to the grounds "there is a large &übw?v,- 800 ft long, which is used for conveying provisions in a small tramway to the- various' kitchens an«l ice-houses-. ■ On leaving the course we came to the overseer's, cottage. The man who holds the position is not only a first-class gardener, but also an expert carpenter. Beyond the « ccttage are the rose garden nurseries, the stables, and the workshops, - where everything that is necessary can be obtained. M/ next visit was to the distressed injured jockeys' lodge, presided over by a housekeeper and her husband. This building is octagonal, and was designed by Mr Byron Moore. The rooms a\\ converge into the passage situated in the centre of the house. Here the convalescent - jockey can rest till ho recovers, each invalid having a room to himself, pleasantly furnished with everything required. The fireplace's -have been constructed on different lines altogether from what ; is usually the case, special attention being devoted to ventilation and the avoidance of all draughts. Convenient brackets have been placed on, both sides of the large mantelpiece,- which render the seat near • the J fire more comfortable as artic'tes' cifci b£ "placed jpni' these shelves, instead of the table. The plan, is a good and novel one. The view outside the lodge is superb,"permitting the invalided riien to see the training tracks, and perchance to dream, dreams of future success, "whe% they may 'again be fit; to sit in the saddle. ~ v i 1 find I have omitted to mention a pleasing addition which has been made to what }.* known as the Governor's luncheon roomTin.'- is. beautifully decorated ,. with ex-quisitely-painted panels, and handsomely furnished ; and • hits open Windows which disclose a delightful "rockery , f-"overgrownf -"overgrown with various plants," while a fountain plays ia one of v them, and a streamlet runs through another, dropping over rocks and ferns; and flowing beyond out of sight. To add to this charming idea is the sound of birds singing somewhere among the green moss and flowers, and at another window music, mysteriously hidden/ greets the ear. The whole' is perfect, most artistic, and original. After having admired everything Ye were driven back to the station in Mr Byron Moore's special cab, the driver having been employed by him over 22 years. ! — He (fn an argument: "Well, thank goodness, I'm not two-faced." She: "You ought to be thankful. One -face like youra is enough." Of all the freaks of English ' speech, 1 The. oddest one ,we'jre found ,- . ! Is when folks say they've "eaten.it up - And mean they've "swallowed it down. *