ONKAPARINGA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2410, 10 May 1900, Page 38

ONKAPARINGA.

It is generally conceded, says Sydney Referee, that it requires the stoutest and most finished steeplechaser to get the Great Eastern Steeplechase course. Glancing over the line, it does not look such a formidable undertaking, but it is a tiring journey up hill and down dale. The first fence on the hill and the atone wall take jumping, and they stand a power of clouting. There are seven obstacles, and the horse that gets through is called upon to rise 21 times in the three rounds. Only two jumps are of the same kind — the hedges — and it must be said that the initial five barriers are the most difficult to negotiate. The first is the post-and-rail fence, which is ten panels wide. Then comes the stone wall, and in order the hedge, the fallen tree, the logs, the hedge, and finally the pyramid jump. Great improvement has been made in the Derby stand. Last year accommodation was provided for 2500 spectators in the Derby slaud, and 3500 paid for admission. The additions provide for the seating of 1200 .more persons, and to each of the 4000 odd who gather on the stand 20in of standing room has been allotted. One of the fe<itiu'6'3 of inspection day is the sale of gates and booths -at the Woodside Hotel in the evening. Quite a crowd gathered in the institute this year to see the sale. The bidding for the gates was just as keen as of sore, and it was not until Mr John Murphy called £600 that he silenced his opponent, a country man who had bought on a previous occasion. Mr Murphy is a well-known licensed victualler of Adelaide, and he was accorded ringing cheers when he signed the contiact note. It is a big price, as 13,000 people had to enter the gates before the buyer could get a shilling for himself. The amount the gates> brought equals the amount paid for them by Mr Curtis in 1897. In 1896 the gates realised £502 : 1897, £600 ; 1898, £560 ; and 1899, £555. Keen competition resulted fo" the booths, and the grand total of the sale was £399 10s. as compared with £851 last -year, an advance of £48 10s.