The London Playing Fields’ Society, which already possess permanent
playing fields in the south-west, north-west and south-east of London,
is endeavouring to secure a permanent playing field in the east, so that
each district of London may have its own field. An opportunity now
presents itself of acquiring forty acres of suitable land close to
Fairlop Station, on the Great Eastern Railway. The sum of £6,000 is
required for the purchase and laying out of the field, towards which the
M.C.C. have promised £200 and a member of the Society has offered
£1,000. An appeal is now being issued for the balance of the sum
required. The scheme is being warmly supported by many influential men,
and the G.E.R. has already consented to make a reduction in fares for
cricketers and football players using the ground when it is completed.
“THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBER” AT THE COMEDY THEATRE.
Mr. Huntley Wright has so often made us happy and merry in his studies
of musical comedy, under the banner of Mr. George Edwardes, that it was
with feelings of deep interest that we went to see him play unmusically
at the Comedy Theatre.
“The Little Father of the Wilderness,” a comedy in one act by Messrs.
Lloyd Osbourne and Austin Strong, presents Mr. Huntley Wright as Père
Marlotte, a Jesuit priest of the period of Louis Quinze. He has done
enormously good work as a missionary in North America, and has been
summoned to the Court of the flippant monarch in connection, as he
presumes, with the work of his life. It turned out otherwise, however,
and to his sorrowful amazement, the Little Father finds that his
presence at Court is only commanded in order that he may decide a bet of
the merry monarch as to the height of the Falls of Niagara. The
heart-broken little priest is disappearing from the Court for ever, but
for the sudden appearance of a most important Canadian dignitary, who
recognises in the priest “The Little Father of the Wilderness,” and
explains to the King some of the wonderful services that Père Marlotte
has rendered to the world.
The sketch closes with Père Marlotte, momentarily translated to the See
of Toulouse, blessing the entire company, including the King. Mr.
Huntley Wright is extremely good as the Little Father, and it would be
very difficult to find another part less like those in which we have
been accustomed to see him at Daly’s Theatre.
Of “The Mountain Climber” we have not much to say, but all that we have
to say is in praise of the performance. Any one in search of a hearty
laugh should go to the Comedy Theatre “again and again and again”; for
Miss Lottie Venne is playing there, and she is always worth taking a lot
of pains to see, and in this production she has much to answer for. Mr.
Huntley Wright as the spurious “Mountain Climber” is most actively
amusing, and a great source of laughter throughout the play; but to some
of us his acrobatic antics, expressive of mental distress, become
somewhat upsetting, and one could have half wished that a rest-cure
could have been instituted for this too highly strung hero. Mr. Wright
is always funny, and we have no doubt but that a short experience of
what we suppose we must style _un_musical comedy will bring him to a
stage of less restlessness. At any rate, even if the entertainment is
now just the same as it was upon the first night, we can confidently
recommend it to readers of BAILY as a most amusing entertainment. And we
have been told it is better than that!
“MR. POPPLE (OF IPPLETON)” AT THE APOLLO THEATRE.
Mr. Paul Rubens is a young gentleman of proved ability, and he has
accomplished a feat of exceptional difficulty: he has produced a new and
original comedy with music, in three acts, written and composed entirely
by himself. That is a feat, but it need not be exceptional—the
exceptional part of Mr. Paul Ruben’s performance is that his comedy is
drawing crowded houses at every performance, and competition for stalls
is quite fierce.
Mr. Popple is none other than our valued friend Mr. G. P. Huntley, very
much at home in clothes of country cut and material, with fine pocket
accommodation for apples and such country produce; in fact, at the
finish of the play we are disappointed that he has not produced a ferret
from some pocket. Mr. Popple is at home in his ulster and travelling
cap, but he is certainly not at home either at the Hotel Blitz,
Piccadilly, nor at the flat in Fount Street, kindly lent to him by an
eminent actress, La Bolero, played by the charming Miss Ethel Irving.
And here is another important factor which makes for success, and much
of the popularity of the production could be traced to the personality
and charming singing of Miss Irving. Moreover, Miss Marie Illington is
here with that artistic method of hers which gives point to any lines
she has to speak. Miss Coralie Blythe also is good as the maid to La
Bolero, and in the scene at the Motor Carnival scores a success with a
song about “Bah! said the Black Sheep.”
There is a definite story running through the piece, and there are some
tuneful musical numbers of the Rubens school. Probably the majority of
the admirers of the author-composer would prefer more of his
composition, without there being less of his authorship, if such a
consummation could be arrived at. But at all events, so long as Freddy
Popple is none other than Mr. G. P. Huntley, we fancy that his stay in
town is likely to be a prolonged one. And probably by the time he is
able to return to Ippleton he will find an improved train service, which
will do away with that tiresome change of trains at East Wobsley.
Well done, Mr. Huntley, and well done, Mr. Rubens.
Sporting Intelligence.
[During November—December, 1905.]
We regret to record the death, from heart disease, of Mr. Harvey Combe,
which occurred on November 27th. On the death of his father, Mr. R. H.
Combe, the deceased took his colours and had since kept some horses in
training. Mr. Combe was only 44 years of age.
The sad accident which happened to Mr. Ralph A. Brassey whilst riding
Carrigdown at the Cambridge University Steeplechases, on November 28th,
we regret to say terminated fatally on the morning of December 4th, at
the Huntingdon Hospital, the unfortunate young gentleman never having
recovered consciousness. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brassey,
and was only 22 years of age, whilst he had been four years at New
College, Oxford. The deceased was Master of the University Draghounds,
and in other branches of outdoor sports and pastimes was more or less
prominent, indeed, he for the two past years represented his University
against Cambridge in the polo matches.
The Ystrad and Pentyrch Hounds had a marvellous escape on November 28th.
While crossing the Great Western Railway an express train dashed into
the pack, but fortunately only one hound out of seventeen couples was
killed.
As the result of injuries received while riding his horse Wych Elm in
the Open Military Steeplechase at Aldershot, we regret to record that
Captain E. Meyricke died on November 30th. The deceased, who was only 30
years of age, was a good all-round sportsman.
It is reported that Prince Edward and Prince Albert of Wales had their
first experience with hounds during the month of November, meeting the
West Norfolk at Herdman’s Barn, Massingham.
Mr. Charles Seymour died at his residence at Fulham on December 3rd,
aged 73 years. Mr. Seymour, who came of old coaching stock, in his
younger days drove the London and Hatfield coach, and was considered a
fine whip.
The usual December sales were held at Newmarket, by Messrs. Tattersall,
from Monday, the 4th, to Friday, the 8th December. The attendance was
good and business throughout brisk; the total realised during the week
being close upon £110,000.
The highest price obtained, on Tuesday, was 7,500 gs., paid for
Delaunay, who goes to France, being purchased for M. de St. Alary from
Sir James Miller. M. F. Brugmann bought Roquebrune, dam of Rock Sand,
for 4,500 gs., and she goes to Belgium; Mr. Simons Harrison gave 2,500
gs. for La Sagasse from the same owner. Mr. Basil Hanbury’s Desinvolture
made 1,000 gs.; from Mr. R. H. Henning’s lot Sir E. Cassel bought Xeny
for 1,650 gs., and the Marquis of Serramezzana secured Best Light at
1,000 gs.
On Wednesday the Duke of Devonshire purchased the St. Simon mare Grand
Prix at 3,000 gs.; Count Lehndorff took Flor Fina at 1,300 gs., and
Ladyland at 1,000 gs., both from Mr. Simons Harrison’s contingent. Mr.
Cleary gave 1,250 gs. for Refusal, by Bendor; Mr. W. B. Purefoy’s
Nausicaa went to Sir E. Cassel at 1,000 gs. On the following day Mr.
Cheri-Halbroun was a considerable purchaser, and he secured Lord
Clonmell’s Galopin mare Dainty, at 2,000 gs., Sir R. Waldie Griffith’s
Vittel, 850 gs., Mr. J. B. Joel’s Yola, 720 gs., and a number of others.
Lord Clonmell gave 650 gs. for Mr. W. M. G. Singer’s Ladasia, and Sir P.
Walker took Therapia from Mr. J. G. Baird Hay at 650 gs. The best prices
obtained for the Duke of Portland’s were 880 gs. for Flete, Mr. Gurry,
and 710 gs. for Raeburn, Baron Harkanyi. On the concluding day Sir E.
Cassel sold Love Charm, Exchequer, and April Morn, each making 500 gs.;
Mr. James Joicey’s Orpheus obtaining the same figure.
While hunting with the Atherstone from Newbold Revel Park, on December
8th, Colonel Worsley Worswick, of Normanton Hall, Hinckley, had a bad
fall and succumbed to the injuries received on the following morning. It
appears the horse fell at a stiff fence. The deceased was very popular
in the country, and as a tribute of respect hunting was suspended for a
week.
Mr. Alfred A. Stokes, Hon. Secretary to the Ledbury Hunt, died at his
residence, The White House, Pauntley, Newent, on December 10th, at the
age of 67.
The huntsman to the Bexhill Harriers, Carey Witherden, has been the
recipient of a testimonial in recognition of his services with the pack
during a period of nineteen years and under seven masterships.
As a result of injuries received while out hunting with the Essex Union
Hunt six days previously, Mr. Albert E. Clear, of Maldon, died on
December 13th. Mr. Clear was well known as a breeder and exhibitor of
wire-haired fox-terriers.
The list of winning owners during the past season is for the first time
headed by Colonel W. Hall Walker, M.P., whose six horses have secured
stakes to the value of £23,687. Lord Derby occupies second position with
£18,524; the next best being Mr. S. B. Joel with £17,944.
We regret to record the death of Mr. E. D. Brickwood, which occurred in
London on December 14th, in his sixty-eighth year. The deceased
gentleman, who was a brilliant oarsman in the late ’fifties and early
’sixties, was a well-known writer, and for forty years had editorial
charge of the rowing department of the _Field_.
The famous stallion Diamond Jubilee, bred by and the property of H.M.
the King, has been sold to the well-known Argentine breeder, Senor
Ignacio Correas, at a high price, 30,000 guineas being stated as the
figure. Foaled in March, 1897, Diamond Jubilee is by St. Simon, dam
Perdita II.; in 1900 he won the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St.
Leger.
With reference to the several cases reported of hounds being impaled
upon the spiked iron fencing in use in many parts of the country, Mr.
Henry O. Ll. Baker, of Hardwicke Court, Gloucester, writes: “Spiked
railings are much on the increase round new houses in the country. If
owners could see the many cases that I know of, of unfortunate dogs
being impaled on this very un-English kind of fence, they would do
something to lessen the danger. A strip of wood fixed on the top of the
spikes is all that is required. However much any one may object to
hounds or dogs of any sort crossing their gardens, no one, I am sure,
wishes to torture them. What is known as the bow-topped fencing answers
the same purpose, without the risk of such terrible cruelty.”
Mr. R. W. McKergow, the Master of the Southdown Hounds, has called
attention to a deterrent to the pleasure of hunting which has arisen
through the inconsiderate behaviour of motor-car drivers at meets. The
complaint has, of course, been lodged before now by other Masters who
have also suffered from the same trouble, but the thoughtlessness, it is
probably nothing more, still goes on. As Mr. McKergow points out, it is
now a usual thing for several motor-car drivers to run right up to
hounds and horses, continually sounding the “hooter” and keeping the
machinery in motion, with the result that horses are frequently upset,
to the great danger and discomfort of pedestrians, horsemen, and hounds.
The Master of the Southdown, however, has, says the _Field_, still
another charge to bring, for he adds that when hounds move off the cars
make for the most convenient spot to view fox and hounds, and so
considerably interfere with sport by heading the fox, and he suggests as
a remedy that if owners of cars would give instructions to their drivers
not to get within, say, 200 yards of horses and hounds at the meet and
to desist from following they would confer a great favour on all lovers
of hunting. There is, unhappily, too little of the give and take policy
observed nowadays, but it surely is not too much to expect motor-car
owners, who, of course, have every right to attend an appointment, to
observe these “rules and regulations,” and so help to make and not mar
the enjoyment of their mounted fellows.
Mr. Ernest Robinson, who held the mastership of the disbanded West
Surrey Staghounds during the last two years of their existence, was the
recipient of a presentation from the members and farmers at the recent
meet of the Ripley and Knaphill Harriers at Knowle Hill Park. The gift
consisted of an illuminated address and a handsome silver salver, which,
on behalf of the subscribers, were handed to Mr. Robinson by Mr. C. E.
Denny, who said that this was a small expression of the warm thanks and
appreciation of some of those who had enjoyed sport with the West
Surrey. Mr. Denny mentioned that with the wind-up of the Hunt, after
paying other things, he had about £80 in hand, which was to be handed
over to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution in the names of
the farmers over whose land they had hunted, giving them a life
membership of £10 10s. each.
At the recent Smithfield Club Show, London, the St. Pancras Ironwork
Co., Ltd., 171, St. Pancras Road, London, N.W., so well known for their
patent stable fittings, made a new exhibit in the form of a steam motor
wagon and petrol van, showing good design and workmanship of the highest
class.