large addition was made to the number of members and prospects seemed bright for the liveliest season of the Club's existence. Great interest was manifested in the tramps and it was decided to hold public Races when the Indians were to be tempted to compete with some of our runners.

On Friday, the 29th February, 1856, the Annual Races took place upon the Priests' farm, off Sherbrooke st., when a large crowd collected, drawn by curiosity to see the novel sport of snow-shoe racing, within the city limits, intensified by their anxiety to witness the trial of skill, between the originators of the 'encumbrance" and the white man.

The first Race was four miles for a purse of $20.00. John Murray, Ignace and Thomas were the only entries. The first mile was run at a rattling pace (61⁄2 minutes,) indeed the gait was remarkably fast all through, the second mile being run in 71⁄2 minutes, the third in 71⁄2 min., the fourth and last in 8 minutes, making a total of 291⁄2 minutes The Indians were in splendid trim and worked like machinery, they kept up a lively conversation as they cantered away in company from their white rival and won as they pleased, Ignace being first, Murray came third, in 31 minutes. The winner Ignace had a training which few of the whites were ever likely to get, he was one of those selected by Sir George Simpson, on account of his

great muscular power and strength of endurance, to accompany the last Expedition in search of the remains of Sir John Franklin and his crew, consequently he was so well accustomed to walk and run on Snow Shoes, that the four mile run was in this instance but mere pastime.

The next was the one mile race for purse of $8.00 between W. S. Noad, W. Brown, T. Desrivieres and Pierre, an Indian. The track was very narrow and during the dash for the lead, a series of falls took place, in crossing a stone fence, Pierre jostled Noad who fell, in getting up he jostled Desrivieres who caromed on Brown causing him to fall, Noad protested but the Stewards gave the race to Brown who won in1⁄2 minutes.

200 yds. over 4 hurdles 3 feet high for purse of $8.00 followed, when John Murray won, beating W. Brown, B. Prior and Pierre.

Two mile race for $14.00 followed, when W. S. Noad, Ictactha and Moïse

hotly contested race the first

competed, it was a mile being run in 634

m. (but time is omitted for race,) Ictactha winning. This closed the day's races.

The following is clipped from the Records giving a full account of the President's dinner.

"On the evening of January 19th 1856, the club met (30 present) upon Sherbrooke Street and after buckling on shoes and falling in "Indian file" pro

ceeded to the Mount Pleasant Hotel to dine. Having scaled the mountain in gallant style, their appetite for the ample and substantial fare provided by mine host M. Oliva may be easily imagined. This club now numbers upwards of 50 members, some of whom as pedestrians cannot be beaten on the Continent of America. We are glad to see them again mustering as of yore in pursuit of that manly and invigorating exercise, the benefit of which cannot be too strongly urged.

The President, Col. Ermatinger being absent, the Chair was ably filled by the worthy Vice-President N. H. Hughes, supported on his right by R. H. Stephens, the other end of the table being represented by Messrs. Arthur Lamothe and F. Noad. After the cloth was removed the Chairman gave the first toast."

"The Queen and Emperor of the French."

R. H. Stephens, proposed

"President and Officers of Club."

Song by John Murray......"Rise ye Sons of Canada."

Capt. Ermatinger proposed

"Commerce."

Responded to by Romeo H. Stephens and F. Noad

A Lamothe proposed

"Our Old Confreres,"-Messrs Colthurst, E. Lamontagne

and Harris.

Song by W. Lamothe..

"A la Claire Fontaine."

N. H. Hughes proposed

"The fastest man on Snow Shoes for one mile-Frank Brown" Song by A Lamothe.." A St. Malo, beau port de mer.”

F. Noad proposed

"The last man that arrived at the Rendezvous."

Mr. Manning proposed

"The Ladies."

Song by W. Noad...." I'm sitting on the stile, Mary."

After the last toast the Club again resumed their Snow Shoes and turned their steps homeward across the Mountain.

Another day's racing was promised this season and the races came off on March 14th. when over 4 hurdles in 200 yards, W. Brown defeated J. Perkins and T. R. Whitehead.

100 yards dash was also won by Brown defeating Whitehead.

The 1⁄2 mile was won by J. Murray who ran against time, (none other coming forward) he won in 2 m. 36 sec.

The one mile was won by W. Brown in 6 m. 40 s. defeating Noad who was 2 yards behind.

The boys 1⁄2 mile followed which was won by Whitehead defeating H. E. Murray and A. Brown.

During the season a private race of one mile took place between Noad and W. Brown, Noad winning easily in 6 m. 30 sec.

The season wound up with the annual dinner which took place at Dolly's, when J. Murray was