THE WELLINGTON RACECOURSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5271, 14 February 1878, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON RACECOURSE.

TO THE EDETOK UK THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,—l " this morning's issue of yonrpaper you piibli-'h a letter from someone signing himself “ C.W.,” in which two alterations are suggested to the stewards of the Wellington Jockey Club. The first is that every horsecloth should have, the name of the horse embroidered thereon, as “ at present it is often hard to find the horses’ names, and just as one gets to know them by sight' the racing is over.*' The second suggestion is to the effect that the stewards should provide a “ladies’ lawn.” I am sure, sir, that every one will agree as to the propriety of the Jockey Club acceding to the latter suggestion ; for considering the price* the stewards have thought fit to impose upon those who occupy the gi-aud-taml—and of these the ladies form the majority—it is bat fair that they should provide some small space where the fair sex can walk about between each race. Should the stewards decide upon giving up a portion of the enclosure fronting the grandstand, I would suggest that the drinking bar which is at present under the grand-stand and faces the lawn should be removed to the hack of the stand. I might mention that the grandstand at Dunedin —out-and-out the best in the colony —has all its bars, luncheon rooms, &c., at its back. To keep the bar in in its present place would utterly defeat the intention of the stewards to give the ladies a lawn, because it is well known that as soon as a race is over the bar is thronged by excited and thirsty crowds, who give vent to their feelings, and state their luck or ill-luck in language more forcible than polite. It would also he necessary to debar the bookmakers from entering the lawn, or else their ceaseless bawling of “ three toons bar one,” &c., Would soon drive the ladies back to their seats in the stand. Even as it is at present, the ladies bitterly complain of the annoyance the betting fraternity cause them by yelling out their liberal offers on the “ field.” The first suggestion of “ C.W.,” as to the horses’ names being embroidered on the horsecloths, is one the stewards would never be able to give effect to. In the first place the owners do not care one straw whether the public would or would not be able to recognise the horses ; and in the second place I am quite sure that if the stewards were to make such a propo-al to an owner they would be chuffed unmercifully for the remainder of their lives for the utter idiotev of such a request. “C.W.” does not show distinctly where he wishes the names to appear, lie says on the horse-cloth. Well, for argument’s sake, say his wish is gratified. I will guarantee to show him three horses in their clothes, walkiug round the saddling paddock, with their names in twelve-inch letters on their clothing, and five minutes afterwards, when they are on the course stripped and doing their preliminary canter, “ C.W ” will not be able to tell “ t’other from which.” “ C.W ” might possibly mean the name to appear on the saddle-cloth, but I can hardly think so, as for anyone to be able to distinguish any letters which might be embroidered thereon would require such a clearness of sight as no human eyes, backed with the very best binoculars', could possess. I am very sorry “C.W.” has preceded his second snggest’on by one so utterly impracticable as Ids first ; but I think we all owe him thanks for being the first to pro; os- *o add to the Comfort of those of the fair .-ex who grace our race meetings with their presence.— I am, c■, Cobb Chain'. Wellington, February 13.