Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24

TTSBURG DISPATCH
| is made, to the great hilarity of the natives
and the agony of the ball players whose
hair is becoming bleached through being
forced to hear it over and over again-and
laugh.
The women dress in light colored gar,
ments, suitable TO a warm climate, and
wear an ungainly style of straw hat that 1t
| is to be hoped will never reach or be
adopted in America. The crown is about
six or eight inches high and is trimmed
with broad ribbon, which reaches within
an inch of the top. The brim is about an
inch wide.
THE AMERICAN TIGER.
Australia may be cursed with rabbits,
but it seems to be fortunate to have escaped
that remarkable American product, the
tramp. That Sydney is a prosperous COM
munity lmpresses itself on strangers from
the fact that this bedraggled specimen OF
humanity and beggars are rarely seen on
the principal streets. Though they are not
likely to make any effort to introduce this
feature of American lie, it would not be
surprising to find them shortly incorporat-
ing the American "tiger" into their nation
al hurrah.
When the ball players arrived here they
were greeted with hurrah with long pauses
between the words. 1t was something like
this, the first three words being repeated
hip, & hip, hipEhurrahi nhPi hip, hip, hip
hurrah." when the bali tossers' turn
came they threw out their big chests, gave
the old-fashioned three cheers and wound
up with a long-drawn-out and lusty
tiger" that made the root shake and COM
pie ely won the admiration of the natives.
In return the ball players will probably
take home the social form of the Austria
lians when inviting guests to drink. 1t is
charge your glasses"
EVERYBODY BETS.
A strong and positive characteristic of
Australia is their passion for betting.
They are said to wager fabulous sums on
big sporting events, especially horse racing,
and bookn,aking is said to be carried on at
every corner and in every cigar stand at
certain seasons A mans word "goes" II
he is known, and no money is put up until
settling" day. Big sweeps" are made
up, in which the winner stands chance of
gaining small fortune. The purchase of a
ticket in these is usually sovereign, but
smaller ones are also organized, and every.
body, newsboy, washerwoman, servant girl,
invest according to their means.
At the time of the running of the last
race for the Melbourne Cup, the big event
OF the season, 50, 900 numbers were sold in
the big "sweeps" in Sydney, making a
total of e50,000 in the pool or Sweeps"
The main prize was e25, 900. The balance
eff the pool was divided up proportionately
between the second and third horses, starters
and non-starters. There were 40 horses en-
tered, and this made the number of prizes.
The number drawn with the name of horse
draws certain prize whether the horse Is
scratched or not.
SURE WINNERS.
The name of the winning horse was held
by combination, and after the drawing
they made books against him to the extent Of
1000 at long odds. Had he lost they
would have won 5000, but as he won they
drew ELI, 900 clear. This appears to be the
favorite system of betting here. 1t is, how
ever, against the law, and the drawing usu-
ally takes place on boat that is taken out
side the channel.
The question of Australian independence
is a matter that one hears freely discussed.
The successful struggles of the United
States against England is an epoch in his
tory that is highly extolled by Australians.
They seem to think that to it is largely due
the great measure of independence which |
they enjoy. On several occasions when the |
ball players were being entertained the |
speakers came out fatiooted in their express
sion of admiration of the United States in |
the course they had pursued, and referred |
to future similar state for the Australian |
colonies. Such sentiments are always loud |
ly commended by enthusiastic cries of |
shear, hearp' Even the presence of the
Governor, Lord Darlington, did not prevent
Slch an expression on the occasion of his re-
ception to the visiting athletes. There is no
doubt that such feeling exists among the
young, native-born Australians, but 1t Is
not likely that anything will happen dur
ing the life of Queen Victoria, who is famil-
arly referred to as "the Queen" and "Old
Woman"
AF1GHT FOR INDEPENDENCE.
At the present time Queensland is max
ing strong fight for her independent
tights About a year ago poor shoemaker
was convicted Of q trifing ofense and COM
nitted for an unnecessarily long term Of
by harsh Judge. A petition
was signed by the citizens and presented to
he Ministers for the poor mans pardon.
They endorsed it and submitted it to the
Governor. He declined to grant it, and
struggle followed which ended in the Gov
,rnor's recall. The English Government
appointed another whom the Ministers de-
lined to accept, and they cabled to their
General at London. to that effect. They
demanded that one of their own citizens
hould be appointed.
The matter at present rests in this state,
md the Colonial Government is being car
led on without Governor. There is one
hing that it seems would initiate against
he possible federation of the colonies, and
hat is their extreme jealousy of each other.
t is extremely bitter, but it is thought by
many that should the occasion ever arise,
he colonies will make up their differences
nd bank together in unity of interest.
But it may be years before this happens, as
most of the colonists appear to be quite con-
ented as they are. S. GOoDFRIEND.