OUR ENGLISH LETTER

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 604, 14 August 1902, Page 15

OUR ENGLISH LETTER

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, July 12. A recoid crowd of spectators went down to Henley on July 10th for the third and final day of the regatta, this notwithstanding that the weather was anything but favourable, heavy showers of wind and rain constantly sweeping over the river and lawns overlooking the course. The colonial premiers, having been invited by the stewards to the Regatta, together with some of the Indian Coronation visitors were interested spectators of the races from Phyllis Court, which is situated opposite the winning post. [ This year’s regatta has certainly been a I great triumph for Cambridge, and is also memorable in that every race was won by Englishmen in English boats, the American and foreign competitors being already placed hors de combat in the first heats. The first race, which was probably the most interesting of the day, was between Leander and Third Trinity. This was a race all the time to the finish, but Third T inity had been in training all the summer, while Leander only had about ten to fourteen days to prepare. Third Trinity came in winners by just a length, and was by far the fresher I of the two at the end, in consequence of their better training. The winning boat contained more than one well-known rowing name among its occupants being Goldie and Edward-Mose. In the Diamond Sculls, Etheringon Smith, of Leander, had to scull against Kelly, of Balliol. This was an exceptionally fine race also. When as far as the Sports Club stand the men were level, but with a. strong spurt Kelly gained suddenly nearly a length in half-dczen lengths, and he kept his advantage to the end. He arrived at the post in perfect form, and will certainly figure as one of the great amateur scullers during the next few Henley regattas.

After lunch, during which the spectators were treated to a drenching rain and hailstorm, the Ladies’ Plate was rowed between Eton and University College, Oxford. Eton were the strong favourites, a fact which was easily seen by the vociferous cheering they received as they started. They certainly rowed very pluckily, and gave University some trouble to win. For the first half mile the Oxford men could not get ahead, and it was only in the second half of the course that Eton’s strength gave way, and Oxford forged ahead, w nning by only half-a-length in 7min 16sec.

The Stewards’ Challenge Cup was won by Third Trinity, Cambridge, against Leander Club, by fully half-a-dozen lengths. To add to Leander’s discomfiture their boat ran into the piles of the landing stage at Phyllis Court.

The Thames Challenge Cup was won by Trinity Hall, Cambridge, against the Royal School of Mines Boat Club, the Cantabs paddling home easy winners by two and a half lengths. The Visitors’ Challenge Cup was won by Jesus College, Cambridge, against Balliol, Oxford. This was a good race, Balliol being beaten by half-a-length The last race for the Silver Goblets was won by Third Trinity, Cambridge, against London Rowing Club in Bmin 36sec, the former coming in easy winners. Dan I eno, the popular London comedian, who recently appeared before the King at Sandringham, by special command, is ar ranging hie annual cricket match at the Kensington i val for September 10th. This match, in which all the leading London Music Hall artists take part, is a highly diverting entertainment, and being in aid of< theatrical charities, is very largely attend*" I by the profession and the general public, a record success is expected this year. Kensington Oval Ground has been lent free of charge by the Surrey County Cricket Club, and there being no cricket in London at the date of the match, Mr Leno will certainly have a good chance of beating last year’s success. The annual meeting of the London Four-in-Hand Club was held on July 10th on the Horse Guards’ Parade The weather was very gloomy and threatening, only fourteen coaches attending; these, however, presented a fine sight. Lord Henry Vane Tempest was the first to arrive on the ground, driving a coach with three bays and a grey. Colonel Shuttlewortb followed with a coach drawn by four black browns. On his coach were also Mrs Shuttleworth, Colonel Creighton and Lord Listowel. The third arrival was Lord Newlands, President of the Club, who dreve four dark brown horses, followed by Jiir Henry Ewart driving also four dark browns.. The Earl of Onslow followed in his coach with a team of dark bays, and having with him Lord Charles Beresford. Both r the Earl and Lord Charles were loudly cheeied by the many spectators amongst whi.m were noticeable many colonials and American visitors. Two of the smartest turn-outs were these of the Grenadier Guards, whose coach was drawn- by four, handsome bays, driven by Lord Loch, and the Life Guards’ coach in Charge of Captain Fraser Most, of "the members drove after the meet to the Crystal Palace for dinner. , An interesting report has been issued by, the West Lancashire Mines’ Inspector,' The number of women and girls engaged in picking coal at the pit heads shows, according i o his statistics, an increase. For the last completed year 1735 girls and women were thus engaged, or 130 more than in the previous year. Of these 191 were between twelve and fourteen years. In the same district 218 boys of thirteen to fourteen years were' employed below ground, and 94 between twelve and fourteen years on the surface.

At the meeting of the English Jockey Club during the Newmarket, first of July week, the following altetation of the fourth paragraph of rule 162 was confirmed to come Lto force on July 17 th:—“Allowances on the produce of untried mares, whose produce never won a race in the United Kingdom, but these allowances can only be claimed for horses foaled in the United Kingdom. No allowance of weight should be made on any horse f r being the produce, of a stallion whose produce never won a race.” " ’■