134 RACEHORSES IN AUSTRALIA 



The lawns of to-day will still be there, but the betting ring will be located 

 behind the new Grand Stand, and the park for motors will occupy the space 

 between the Bird-cage and the Members' and the Public Drives. And 

 provision has been made for space in which to erect totalisator buildings, if 

 that form of wagering ever becomes law in Victoria. 



The whole scheme of things is a tremendous stride in advance of what 

 was deemed so good during the last forty years. In the 'eighties all the 

 arrangements were believed to be as near to perfection as it was possible to 

 attain. In another forty years the increase of population may once more insist 

 upon still more extensive alterations. And meantime there is one question 

 which causes habitues of Flemington to heave a heavy sigh. And that is: 

 What is going to happen to our glorious elms? The trees will remain where 

 they are, of course, but who will make use of them? The leafy groves which 

 sheltered our forefathers as they took their pleasure joyously, and which lent 

 their shade, giving a feeling of peace even whilst sitting in their shadow beside 

 the babel and pandemonium of the betting ring, will no longer perform their 

 wonted function, and we shall all miss them sorely — those old and trusted, 

 never-failing friends. 



But a new generation will arise that knew not Joseph Thompson, nor 

 Oxenham, nor Sol Green, nor the Messrs. Allen, and all the other famous 

 members of the ring, and "Under the Elms" will become a memory. 



