he, of Garesche-Green's Bank; C. W. R. Thomson, manager of the
Victoria Gas Works; George Pearkes, barrister; Lieutenants Brooks and
Hastings, of H.M.S. _Zealous_, the first ironclad to come into the
Pacific around Cape Horn, and Sheriff Elliott.

This was a strong committee, for those days. All prominent men and
good workers.

[Portrait: Thomas Harris.]

Beacon Hill was the head centre of sport, and far enough from town,
as nearly all of us walked. But all kinds of conveyances were brought
into requisition to take people out, especially from Esquimalt and
the country. We had to rely on the navy then as always. The two
livery stables of J. W. Williams, on the corner now occupied by Prior
& Co., and William G. Bowman, on Yates Street, where the Poodle Dog
stands, furnished busses and buggies, and large express wagons were
also improvised, seats being put in for the occasion. With my mind's
eye I can see Thomas Harris, first mayor.

The chief event of the day was the horse races, and the mayor was an
enthusiastic horse-fancier and steward of the Jockey Club. These
attractions were nothing without Mr. Harris, coupled with Commander
Lascelles, of the gunboat _Forward_, a son of the Earl of
Harewood, and John Howard, of Esquimalt. The time for the first race
is near, the bell rings (John Butts was bellman), and the portly
figure of Mr. Harris on horseback appears. "Now, gentlemen, clear the
course," and there is a general scattering of people outside the
rails, and the horses with their gaily dressed jockeys canter past
the grandstand, make several false starts, then off they go. It is a
mile heat round the hill, best two out of three to win. Oh! what
exciting things these races were to us old-timers, who were satisfied
with a little. The grandstand stood due south of the flagpole, and
stood there for years after the races were held elsewhere. I must not
forget to mention the Millingtons, of Esquimalt, who always rode John
Howard's horses at these meetings; they were born jockeys. I think
one of them still lives near Esquimalt. I would we had such Queen's
weather now as we had then. May was then more like what July is now
for warmth, with beautiful clear skies; they were days worth
remembering. Everyone went out for the day, and whole families might
have been seen either riding in express wagons, busses, or trudging
along on foot, carrying baskets of provisions. Soon the hill was
covered with picnickers, as well as the