COURSING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1003, 24 July 1883, Page 2

COURSING.

COUR3ING ATRAKAIA. [fkOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. J Yesterday morning considerable anxiety was felt by the sporting fraternity of this district with regard to the weather, some thinking that from the rough weather experienced lately, it would not be a favorable day for the coursing match for L2O a side, between Mr Mutter’s bitch Butterfly, about twenty months old, and Mr F. Searle’s aged dog Joe. The clerk of the weather favored us with a splendid morning, and although there was rather a heavy frost, the sun was strong enough to make the ground in fair running order by noon. The match took place on Mr Derrick’s property, North Bakaia, some eight or nine miles from the township. Some fifty horsemen, a few buggies and a number of people on foot from all parts of the district, including Ashburton, turned out to see the sport. The dogs were put in the slips a few minutes after twelve by Mr Leach, and a start made over the paddocks, Mr Chatteris acting as judge. The old dog seemed to be the fav rite, and the betting was 3 and 2 to 1 on him for the best two courses out of three. Each owner was very certain that his dog was the better, and the talk was lofty on both sides. The hares were plentiful enough, but very wild, and it was an hour and a half before the dogs were slipped, when a splendid course was run, ending in an easy victory for Butterfly, with fourteen points to Joe’s one. The bitch seemed to have it all her own way from the commencement, although Joe had certainly a little advantage at starting. Refreshments were freely taken for the next course (each one slipping for himsalf), provided by Mr Howell through the kindness of Mr Mutter. This course ended in a drink ail round to the satisfaction of everyone. Business was then resumed and sundry bets made that Searle’s dog would win the next course. However, after a fair run, the bitch again proved herself too much for Joe, scoring 7 points herself and Joe only 3. “ Poor old Joe it seemed hard that both dogs could not win and so both owners be satisfied. This, of course, finished the match, many being surprised at the result. Mr Searle is of opinion that his dog was drugged on Friday night, and if this is true, it is to be hoped that he will be able to bring the scoundrel who did it to justice. There is no doubt that Joe did not look well, and his manner of running was described all round as being like that of an “ old cow,” which is certainly not his usual style. In returning home one of the horsemen received a nasty fall through his horse galloping into a wire fence ; fortunately the horse was caught by one hind leg in the top wire, which prevented him crushing his rider, who escaped with a severe shaking and a ve y white face. A few horsemen and the occupants of a couple of buggies took what they called a “ short cut ” home, but after proceeding about a mile found themselves stuck up in a wire-fenced corner; the language used was more than calm, and would not grace your columns, when they found there was nothing for it but to retrace their steps and meet with a little chaff from those on the road.

An accident happened to a party of Ashburton visitors just after leaving the township for the coursing ground. A horse was hired from Mr luder to take Mr Hill’s dogcart over the river, and he was supposed to be perfectly quiet in harness ; however, at the first slight fall in the road he commenced bucking, and smashed both shafts short off by the body of the cart. He then “ went to market ” in a business-like manner, smashing the splashboard and turning the cart end over end, likewise three of the occupants, for only one had jumped clear, and he was seen sitting on the tussocks almost bursting with laughter at his companions’ curious positions—one en his back, another sitting up examining certain bruises and scratches, whilst another was endeavoring by spitting very hard to clear his mouth and throat of dirt, the description of which he will no doubt call and give you himself, being an Ashburton man. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt, but the trap will require repairs to the extent of some LlO or Ll2. Saddle horses then were procured, and three of the visitors journeyed onwards to the scene of the day’s amusement. On reaching the Rakaia again in the evening the healths of both winner and loser were heartily drunk. To many the result of the match was a surprise, but there is no doubt that Butterfly is a really good bitch, and with proper care and training Mr Mutter should be able to come well to the front in all our local coursing matches.