THE GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES ON THE TURF.

Evening Star, Issue 3411, 27 January 1874, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES ON THE TURF.

, At the lunch at the Now Year’s meeting at Sydney, Sir Hercules Robinson took advantage of the occasion to, .defend his patronage of the tqrf, and did so in these words:— \ A large proportion of oiir community are warmly attached to the good old sport of horse Vacing, and TattCrpall’s meeting bn New Year’s Day is now fairly established as one ‘of the sporting institutions of the country.— (Cheers;) For my part, I rejoice at all this, because I hold that a taste for manly, rational, out-doer amusements is essential to the formation qf a sound, healthy, vigorous national character.—(Hear, hear;)’ Fpr same, reason, T think that those well-rneanihg persCnb who discourage such enjoyments on the ground that they • sometimes lead to abuses and excesses, are injudicious and short-sighted in the views which theyboek to enforce/.—(Hear/hear.)’ • People Will have amusements;' They will seek recreation of one sort or another. ■ You'cannot preventthem; and instead of anathematising siich enjoyments and preaching' them dowb as disri-putable and, d®mp r alißing—l say, sympathise with them genially and heartily, and do what can be done to make them go off with moderation and propriety. (Cheers.) .Never Was better advice offered .on this 1 subject than that given by .one of the beat and moat kindhearted of old English divines, Who said, '‘Let the world have their May games and 'Whitsun ones—their concerts and dancing—their puppetshows and hobby-horses—their' bails and -b^rleyhreaks-—and whatever sports, and recreations please them best, so long as they be followed with discretion.’’—(Cheers.) I Concurring as I dp. thoroughly .in. this view, I have felt it to be hot inconsistent With the obligations oLpiy.high phjcc.tb strive, as l

have done ever since -Dpresidence amongst yon, to identify myself not only with the interests but with the pleasure of the people. —(Loud cheers.) As regards the particular amusement of horse-racing which wo are met together here to-day to enjoy, I can only say, that it appears to me to be, when properly carried out, one of the most legitimate “ports in which men of means can indulge. Some persons, no doubt, think differently, bub 1 can quote against them the opinion of one of tiie greatest of living authorities on social questions, aud one who has never himself been mixed up with the turf in any way. I allude to Mr Gladstone, the present Prime Minister of England, who said of racing, that “ it is a noble, manly, distinguished, and in its history a decidedly national amusement.” —(Cheers.)