MEETING OF MIDDLE ISLAND COURSING CLUBS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1551, 7 February 1879, Page 2

MEETING OF MIDDLE ISLAND COURSING CLUBS.

[By Telegkaph.] [rBOM OTJE OWN COEEESrONDENT.J Dunedin, February 6. A. meeting of delegates from the coursing clubs of the Middle Island was held at Wain's Hotel this morning, and was attended by the Hon. Mr Holmes and W. H. Eonayno (North Otago Coursing Club), W. G. Walker and Brown (Canterbury Coursing Club). W. Thomson (Timaru), W. C. Smitn (Southland), and Ta?gart (Dunedin). Mr Holmes was elected chairman. The Chairman thought it was desirable to have a Waterloo Cup for the whole of the coursing clubs in the Middle Island. By joining together the clubs would have much more power and more money than by each striving to have a cup in its own district. The Waterloo meeting would then be of some importance, and the best dogs from all parts of the colony would bo brought together, and probably from the Australian colonies also. If owners there complied with the conditions here, there was no reason why their doprs should not come in the same as those owned in the colony. With such splendid country as they had at their disposal, and such facilities as were now afforded by the railwav, all the best dogs in New Zealand could be brought together to compete for the Waterloo Cup, and ho felt satisfied that those who owned dogs would not bo backward in coming forward to enter for such an event. For these reasons he was in favor of the amalgamation of coibs for this event Mr Walker had much pleasure in proposing the following resolution :—" That it is desirable to establish a Waterloo Cup for the whole of the Middle Island, and that the delegates present now proceed to form rules." Mr Bonayne moved—" That tho cup bo a sixty-four dog stake," and suggested that the entrance be .£l:2 10s. In New South Wales and Victoria the stake was much laiyor, but in those colonies gentlemen who went in for coursing were more numerous and very wealthy. If the entrance li'i-e was more than 10s they would not be able to fill up a sixty-four dog stake. Another question which will have to be considered was whether it was desirable to follow strictly tho hnglish rules, wlihh prohibited one man from h .ving more than a single nomination. Mr Smith said the only difficulty would be in filling up. 1 hey would require to sixtyfour owners of dogs, which he doubted their getting.

Mr Walker thought there could be no objec* tion to an owner running three or four different dogs, fo long a? they were not nominated by the same person. Ho seconded the proposition.

This w!v< nareed to unanimously, and it was further resolved that the eatrance money be £ 210 s Regarding the third proposition ho had made, Mr Ronayne raised the question whether it would be wise at present to restrict au owner to one nomination. Mr Smith thought such a proposition premature at present. Mr Ronayne—l am of that opinion myself, though, knowing the question has been raised, I thought it should be moote i. Mr Walker throught there should be no guarding <n the Waterloo Cup. The Chairman —What is the rule in England ! J Mr Binaynp—No guarding is allowed. The Chairman—Then we had better stick a 3 closely to English rule us pos ible. Mr Brown—l have to propose—" That each individual should have only one nomination to the stake, and that the nominator he a member of a recognised club subscribing at least £1 per year." An owner could then n miiiat: one dug to his own name, and have his other dogs entered by other porsons, thereby preventing guarding. The motion was seconded by Mr Thomson and carried. After fnrther discussion, it was that a Waterloo Cup of sixty-four dogs, at ,£l2 10s each, should be established, and that the winner of the game should receive .£2OO and a plate of the value of .£SO, the runner-up £IOO, the third and fourth £25 each, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth .£ls each. Eight winners of two courses £lO oach; sixteen winners of one course £3 each. The winner of the Purse receives £37 10s, the runner up £ls, the third and fourth £7 10s each, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth £5 •ach, winners of one courso £2 10s each. The Plate winner receives £37 10s, runner np £ls, third and fourth £5 each, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth £2 10s each. Ten per cent, to be deducted for expenses. Mr Ronayne said that the North Otago Club had initiated the proposal for a Waterloo meeting, and they were of opinion that the meeting should be held in their district. The Chairman said that, apart from this, there was the best of all reasons in favor of such a proposal. The ground was the best, and it was central. On Totara and on his estate abundance of hares could be got. In answer to Mr Taggart as to an admission charge to the grounds, the chairman said the club would be at liberty to make any charge they could get. The secretary of the North Otago Club was appointed to receive nominations for the next Waterloo Cup. The whole arrangements for the meeting were left in the hands of the committee of that c'ub for the season, and it was agreed that the Waterloo meeting should bo held in different places. It was further resolved that nominations be received up to May 31st, at 8 p.m.; that the drawing take pLtce on the evening of June 23rd, and that the running commence on the morning of the 24th. On Mr Eonayne's motion, it was resolved that a meeting of delegates of clubs should be held at Oamaru, on the night of June 26th, for the purpose of fixing the date and place for a central meeting in 1880. Mr Brown moved—" That the Oamaru Club have the power of engaging a judge and slipper for the meeting," which was agreed to.