SOCIETY ADOPTS DONKEY RACING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3303, 23 August 1911, Page 7

SOCIETY ADOPTS DONKEY RACING

LADIES SHARE IN THE SPORT uF A FETE AT RANELAGH.

\. remarkable fete at Ranelagh, neai London, the other day, nominally for the children, emphasised the fact, of which no one was ever in doubt, that the modern child of the aristocracy or plutocracy prefers to take bis revelry in much the same way as the average eluld of any other social order. Roundabouts, cocoacnut shies, swingboats, and donkey rides, nothing came amiss, and at the end of it all, after the confetti and toy bombs had exploded in the air, the grounds bore some resemblance to Hampstead Heath after a Bank holiday. One of the most charming sights of the day "was the spectacle of society ladies taking donkey rides, which, upon no compulsion, could be galvanised into the semblance of racing. The donkeys, not the riders, imposed the veto of dignity. The well-behaved donkeys refused to be hurried. Threats, expostulations, and entreaties from little Amazons was alike in vain. The steed that came in first was lie whose rider sat tight and. patiently waited until it pleased the donkey to cross the line, which was achieved at a placid walk. As for. the rest, there was a phantasmagoria of pretty babies, of goat chaises and roundabouts, and Punch and Judy, and tiny carts drawn bv tiny ponies, and about a million tea parties. These things are merely high jinks, bu + - the donkeys arc .pure sport. One might milk cows, if one knew how; if not, the professional milkmaid was ready to give lessons. The cows were specially selected for their docility and perfect manners, but, even so, they must have been frofoundly thank ful when the “amusements” came to an end.

Amid the host of attractions, every one found its patrons, young and old, though it must be confessed that the drama .was rather neglected. That oldest of problem plays, “Punch and Judy,” could command only a slender audience, - and the marionettes were not much .better off.

The climax of a happy day came -with a display of daylight fireworks. Acres of confetti were discharged from bombs as a preliminary to a shower of more substantial gifts, such as dolls, rubber balls, teddy bears, toy guns, and other toys, which floated down and were scrambled for by delighted children. A rain of sweets followed, and last of all medallion portraits of the King and Queen descended from the sky—an aerial National Anthem announcing that it was time to go home. The children were hugely pleased with it all, and the portraits of the. King and Queen gave as much satisfaction as anything.