CANTERBURY COURSING CLUB.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1305, 25 May 1878, Page 2

CANTERBURY COURSING CLUB.

The opening meeting of this club took place yesterday in Hagley Eark, the use of which had been kindly granted by the lessee, P. Elder, Esq. Considering the counter attraction offered by the Grand National Steeplechase there was a very good attendance on the part of the public, a near approach to two thousand spectators being in the park between ten and eleven o’clock, which number gradually diminished as the hour drew nigh for the racing event. The weather was lather bleak and ch'lly, and was scarcely up to the standard of '• Queen’s w r cather,” but such minor physical discomfort as the inclemency of the atmosphere produced were forgotten in the excitement of the sport. The coursing on the average was good, but would have been better Lad the 'dogs been in better condition ; ' still some of the courses were keenly contested, notably the one between Sandy and Belle and the convincing tie between Russian Emperor and Butterfly. There was no lack of hares, and the exertions of the juvenile army of beaters, under the skilful and indefatigable exertions of the worthy secretaiy, Mr 11. Y. Anson, were crowned with success, the hares being of an unusual size and f % lively as the most ardent sportsman could desire. The heating commenced on the north side of the north park, working round to the College budge, along the eastern side of the park to the Carlton budge, the last hare being started veiy nearly where the beaters commenced operations in the morning. There were very few hares ki n ed dining the day, but this was attributable partly to the circumscribed area on which the courses were run, partly to the undulating and tussocky nature of the ground, and in a still greater degree to the excellent cover extending around all sides of the park, a shelter which puss seemed instinctively to recognise and avail herself of. The general arrangements were excellent, reflecting great credit on the officers and stewards, while the judge, secretary, slip,

and flag stewards worked most energetically to ensure the success of the meeting. The slipper seemed scarcely in first-class form at first, but by degrees warmed to his work, and gave satisfaction by the way in which he performed his important duties, although with a larger amount of practice he will doubtless improve. The only point to which exception could be taken was the long starts he gave the hares before slipping the dogs, which was injudicious in so small an area, and an unfortunate tendency to gravitating on his back at the moment of slipping the dogs, but the state of the ground had probably something to do with this. The coursing commerced punctually at half-past nine a.m., and was continued until about half-past one p.m., when an adjournment was made for luncheon, which being discussed, and three cheers given for Mr Peter Elder, the lessee of the park, for the permission to course over his ground, the coursing was resumed until the finish, at about four o’clock, when the last course was run. The Birthday Stakes— For an unlimited number of all-aged greyhounds, at 2 guineas each. Winner, half the stake; second dog, one-fourth; two dogs, oneeighth. Mr P. Mason’s bd w d Mechanic, by Farrier —Eegalia, beat Mr W. J. Disher’s be w d Eubens, by Red Kail —Duchess of Kent. Mr T. Search's f d Tasman, by Judge— Sweetlips, beat Mr J. Beard’s be d Blondin, by Nicodemus —Peeress. Mr W. H. Porter’s rd Kussian Emperor, by Regent—Beatrix, beat Mr E. P. Hill’s w bl b Starlight, by Streak-o’-light— Besique. Mr J. Taylor’s bd d John, by Scanmag— Eubenei, beat Mr E. P. Hill’s Moonlight, by King—Fan. Mr Wynn Williams’s wbe d Borgia, by Bine Villain —Battlement, beat Mr W. H. Porter’s w be b Ouida, by Pelican —Mabel. Mr D, O’Brien’s w d Leo, by Cacique—Fly, Gilingby’s, beat Mr John Steinmeta’ bd d Brindle, by Carlo —Fly. Mr J. Wagner’s f d Blucher, by Baffler —Bet, beat Mr J. Beard’s be b Little Nell, by Nicodemus —Peeress.

Mr Wynn Williams’s bd w d Besika Bay, by Sir William —Brigade, beat Mr H. Alexander’s r b Venus, by Rataplan-Beeswing. Mr J. Taylor’s bd b Belle, by Scanmag— Enbinei, beat Mr J. Beard’s f b Sandy, by Red Eover—Eose. Mr W. G. Judge’s r w b Butterfly, ran a bye with Starlight. FIRST TIES. Eussian Emperor beat John. Leo beat Borgia. Mechanic beat Tasman. Besika Bay beat Blucher. Butterfly beat Belle. SECOND TIES. Eussian Emperor beat Mechanic. Butterfly beat Leo. Besika ran a bye with Blondin. THIRD TIES. Butterfly beat Besika Bay. Eussian Emperor ran a bye with Tasman. FINAL TIE. Russian Emperor beat Butterfly, and won the stakes. Mechanic and Rubens were slipped first, the latter having the advantage in getting off. Mechanic in turn got in, and after a short course had it all his own way, never being collared. Tasman coursed Blondin, and won easily from the start, Blondin being unsighted; towards the end of the course Tasman started another hare, and coursed it by himself. Russian Emperor easily disposed of Starlight, the bitch never scoring, Moonlight and John were the next couple slipped, the latter having the best of the course. The course between Borgia and Ouida was a one-sided affair, Ouida being outpaced. Brindle and Leo ran a capital course, the victory remaining with Leo. Little Nell and Blucher met next; this was a give-and-take course, Blucher eventually winning. Venus and Besika Bay were slipped next, Besika Bay leading, and was never collared from start to finish. Sandy and Belle ran a grand course—perhaps the best of the day. Belle ran a long course splendidly, finishing with a clever kill in the open. Butterfly ran a bye with Starlight. For the first ties Mechanic and Tasman were paired. This was a very good course from beginning to end, both dogs getting away on even terms. Mechanic got to the hare first, and an animated give-and-take race was run, the palm being awarded to Mechanic. Russian Emperor made easy work in disposing of John for the next course. Leo and Borgia tried conclusions next, the former winning. The next course was a moral to Besika Bay, who had Blucher for his companion. An exciting course was run by Belle and Butterfly, the judge deciding in favor of Butterfly, though the owner of Belfe loudly dissented from it. For the second ties Mechanic and Russian Emperor were put in the slips, and after a game race Eussian Emperor scored a victory. Butterfly ran another winning course against Leo. For the third ties a splendid struggle took place between Butterfly and Besika Bay, Butterfly fencing magnificently twice, and winning the course. Eussian Emperor ran a bye with Tasman. For the final event an undecided course was run by Eussian Emperor and Butterfly, both dog and bitch running excellently. Owing to the crowd injudiciously pressing forward the hare was turned, and the result of a spirited struggle was a tie. After half an hour’s rest the same couple were again slipped, Russian Emperor beating his companion, who ran well, and thus winning the stakes.

This terminated the day’s sport, which gave general satisfaction, every one being loud in their praises of the manner in which the courses had been conducted. Three cheers were called for the judge, Mr 0. E. Lloyd, which were heartily responded to. The same compliment being paid to the stewards brought the day to a conclusion.