The New York herald., 1879-12-14
THE SKATING SEASON.
Active Preparations for the Advent
of Jack Frost.
ROLLERS sUPERsEDlNG BLADES
"EngliSh Rules" and the Electric Light Needed
to Make the Ice Attractive.

indicates that the skating season is almost at hand
and with it come the recollections that are always
associated with that most exharatins OF al winter
pastmes. The thoughts OF last years frolics on the
ice stimulating the skating youth OF New York to
brighten up their rusty blades and hunt up their
leather straps with as much zeal as though summer
was mere dream and winter reality. From pres
ent indications skating will be fashionable as
winter amusement this than it be-
None OF the dealers in skating goods manu-
featuring anything but the most improved club
skates they do anticipate demand for any
OF the old styles fhe stockings to be worn this
year will be of solid red and blue the striped and
cocked article being at present in distavor. Some
few improvements have been made in the shape of
skating shoes. the nstep being less arched and the
soles wider than formerly Otherwise the styles
have changed but little since last year.
The preparations for the are being pushed
forward Central Park with vgor and in q very few
days all will be ready for the accommodation Of
the public. Some time ago the water was reduced
three the lake in order facilitate the freez-
ing but yet there has only appeared thin coat
ing of ice which is insufficient to drive away the
ducks and swans. The Department of Parks has
dered the construction of building for the accom-
mediation of skaters. and it Is almost complete
under the personal supervision of Park Superintend-
ont Dawson, who has charge Of all the arrange
ments. The building is 10 be Of the cottage STYLE
with Mansard roof. 1t is to be 1877 feet long and
will have wing on each end. The wings % feet
and the main saloon 40 feet wide. The structure
is situated on the edge Of the lake, near
Cherry Hill Concourse. and faces north The east
wing will be occupied by barroom and dining
room, while the west wing and body of the building
will have refreshment counter and hat room.
There will be sixty large double glass windows and
ample gasight for night time. The seating capacity
Of the pavilion is estimated at about four hundred
persons Three entrances will lead from the building
to large platforms and thence to the ice. At night
o large electric light will illuminate the main por-
ton of the lake in front of the pavilion. all other
points being provided merely with lanterns Extra
precautions will be taken for the comfort and safety
the skaters. strong force of police will pa troll
the lake night and day. and corps Of sixty men
will employed take of ice and see that
it is in proper condition. 1t will be swept every
morning by eleven O'Clock in order to prevent the
surface from becoming rough.
SKATING RULES.
1t was rumored that the English skating rules
be enforced at the Park this season.
This would prohibit the use of ''gutter' or square
back skates which ruin the surface of the ice and
renders it unfit for fancy skating. The Park Com
missioners deny that there is any truth in this
rumor. although many Of the professional skaters
favor the introduction of the English skating rules
as protective measure. Several skating clubs re-
Gently organized have spoken for special accommo-
dations at the lake, but the Park Commissioners
have decided that all shall be upon the footing.
The average depth in the large lake four and half
feet. the deepest portion being ieet. Harlem
Lake is also being prepared for freezing the water
having been reduced TO winter level. The summer
cottage the tool house will be repaired
and furnished with seats and stoves. where tired
skaters may rest and warm up" at pleasure. Su-
perintendent Dawson says that the prospects
bad for skating this year. Last year the season
opened on December 20 and there iorty-nine
good skating days. He does not expect any skating
before Christmas. but will have accommodations
ready just US early as ever.
No private ice Kinks will be this winter on
account OF the general disapproval they have met
have died from colds contracted by hnrryins from
the close atmosphere of indoor rink into the cold
have besides the Park are those Of n" Manhatsan a
and New York Athletic clubs, the members OF which
intend to get up several contests during the winter
ington Park on Thanksgiving Day.
ROLLER SKATING.
Outside of ice skating there is much to be said
gardng roller skating, which Is assuming great O
popularity the national game of baseball. The
rubber wheel has been entirely discarded for the
four lockwood wheels. which are the only kind used
now. Last year there were at least dozen Kinks
running in New York and Brooklyn. The success
they met with was snch that it is probable many
more Will be opened this year. Experts in skating
matters predict roller skating craze which will
eclipse the walking match mania. There WILL it is
stated. be a number Of championship matches and q
larger attendance than ever at these exhibitions.
Johnny Engler of Jersey City, and Frank Clark, of
New York will probably settle the championship ON
the ice this winter after which, it Is said they will
attempt to master the rollers.
The proprietor of one of the largest sporting
v IN New rspG a S
"roller skating will IN time entirely supersede ice
skating as an amusement. This year the question
OF the merits of the two pastimes will be entirely
settled. Ladies Will not put elegant toilets to
risk them on the ice at night; besides they can be
better admired in large hall under the advantage
OF gaslight. OF course IT'S not romantic, but
still lady don't like to get her dress wet or have
her train cut to pieces by tho sharp skate blades.
Another argument in favor OF roller skating is that
fancy skating is much more easy than upon ice. on
account Of the sudden and short curves possible
wheels. which, attempted on ice, would result in .
fall nine times out of ten The introduce
much of the interesting character Of the sport.
and when it is question of mere speed. there
Is but choice, and that is for rollers. There
few wooden tops used. A few years ago our house
used to consume 500 sides of leather in straps, but
this winter we do not expect to use dozen. The
only thing that will make ice skating superior to
rollers is the Introduction of the English rules and
the use OF the electric light. which renders the ice
THE SEASON IN BRooKLYN.
The chief amusement in Brooklyn during the
holiday season Is skating. This is, no doubt, owing
to the fact that within radius OF three miles of the
centre Of the city situated three large lakes where
every facility for the comfort and convenience of the
lovers of the sport provided At Prospect Park lake
there have been twelve seasons of skating and each
year the attendance has increased Notwithstanding
there were twelve severe snow storms last winter,
hfty-eght skating days were enjoyed and 1t Is esti
mated that the aggregate attendance during the
season reached fully two hundred nd persons
Mr. John \. Culyer. the Park engineer, informed q
HERALD reporter that the lake. which
area OF about fifty acres, had many advantages
the Central Park lake. Special arrangements were
made each winter for the accommodation OF curling
and baseball clubs and the sailing of ice boats.
There was fleet of about twelve boats
on the lake last winter. Hundreds OF
children visited the lake after school hours, and
their safety and comfort we're continually looked
after. President s. 4. Stranahan of the Park Com
mission, when asked what the prospects for the
coming season were replied that the appropriati
for the coming year was very meagre that tho
Commissioners hardly knew what to calculate upon
in making preparations the of the visit
ors to the Park. There were certain necessities
which must be attended to, such the police for the
protection of life and property the main Of
the roads and walks which the safety OF the citizens
also involved. and the care of the animals,
which must be attended to. IL they could make up
their minds, ho said that there would be anything
lett after these leading cms were provided tor, they
he