THE COLONIAL HORSE 167 



It is in keeping with the fitness of things in a democratic 

 country that nature should have so made provision that the 

 ' sovereign people ' may equally with their .Governor see the 

 race from start to finish, and all for half-a-crown, or, if a 

 man chooses to go on the flat land inside "the course, he need 

 pay nothing at all. These are Flemington's patural advantages ; 

 now a few words as to those which man has\ added, and let me 

 commend them to the Stewards of Ascot, SaVidown, Kempton, 

 Leicester, and all meetings where the increasing revenue from 

 gate-money enables increased provision to be annually made 

 for the public comfort. 



First, as to access to the course. Besides all other ways 

 there is, as may be supposed, a railway. The platform of the 

 station will allow six trains capable of accommodating 4,000 

 people to be drawn up at the same time, while the station-yard 

 will admit train accommodation for 10,000 people. The rail- 

 way tickets, which can be purchased some time before starting, 

 also admit to the several stands. There are five meetings in 

 the year, two of which are of one day only. The added money 

 amounts to 44,ooo/., and the stakes and forfeits to i6,ooo/., 

 making 6o,ooo/, to run for. Since the foundation of the club 

 in 1864, 356,0007. have been given away. 



This club, unlike our Jockey Club, is fully recognised by law 

 and established by Act of Parliament, with power to make 

 bye-laws, which must be approved by the Governor in council. 

 It consists of 12,000 members, and the committee of the club 

 elect five stewards, who control the meetings. The club 

 revenue exceeds 88,ooo/. 



The course is a pear-shaped oval, one and a half mile round. 

 There is also a six furlongs straight run. 



The steeplechase course is rather more than a mile and a 

 half, and consists of the following jumps : 



Feet Inches 



Post and rail fence 4 o 



Post and rail fence . . . . . .42 



Post and rail fence . . . . . .42 



Stone wall 44 



