COURSING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1947, 21 May 1880, Page 3

COURSING.

CANTERBURY CLUB. i The opening meeting ''6£ the season was ] commenced on Tuesday, in a paddock about ] two miles from SheiSeld. .A large party of ( gentlemen left Christchurch by the 7.40 train, , which was augmented by a further contingent ( which left Christchurch by the express train, , When Sheffield was reached a speedy adjourn- ] ment was made to the locale of “puss.” i The weather was all that the most ardent i lover of sport could desire, but hares were not ] ■o plentiful as could be wished, owing in a 1 great measure to the use of snares by the i residents in the district, and indiscriminate ( coursing previous to the event. The ball was i opened by Champagne Charlie and Field 1 Marshal being slipped for the Derby, and at \ least sn hour and a half was spent before the | first hare was started, and after considerable < difficulty and patient beating the preliminary ( courses for that event were finished. Time ( only allowed of one course in the Oaks being ] contested. Accordingly Peeress and Flying | Fish were put in the slips, and the termination of the course brought the first day’s sport j to a close. _ \ Wednesday morning gave promise of a \ glorious day as regarded weather, which was not belied as the day wore on ; in fact, the , weather was perfection. The scene was changed to the homestead of Messrs Mathias and Maxwell, at Racecourse hill, and sport was commenced by Ruby and Violet going in the slips. Hares were plentiful—at first too much so, no less than a dozen rushing out into the paddock and road when the beaters began operations. An exciting scene ensued, and two dogs in leash who were waiting for subsequent events broke from their trainers and coursed and killed on their own account. Event followed event in rapid succession, and twelve o’clock showed eleven hares killed. Twenty-two courses were run during the day, leaving thirteen events to bo contested on Thursday, as follows : BIRTHDAY STAKES. _ First Ties. Flirt beat Pauline. Young Eidloy beat John. Petrca beat Kover. Norman Duke beat PapanniDERBY STAKES. Second Ties. Beaconsfield ran a bye. Yaldhurst beat Shamrock. OAKS STAKES. Second Ties. Encore beat Bid. Wheel of Fortune ran a bye. DERBY STAKES. Yaldhurst beat Beaconsfield and took first stakes. OAKS STAKES. Encore beat Wheel of Fortune and took first stakes. BIRTHDAY STAKES. Petrea beat Flirt and took first stakes. This meeting can without doubt bo called the most successful yet held in Canterbury. The manner in which the dogs were brought to the slips showed evidence of careful training, and the keen interest shown in the different events testified to the growing hold coursing has secured in Canterbury, whilst the zeal and ability shown by the stewards conduced greatly to the success of the meeting. The dogs, too, deserve a passing word. Beaconsfield and Seafleld were very noticeable; and Maori, although beaten, proved himself a grand dog. of whom more will be heard in future. Of the Derby preliminary courses, those between Hornby and Duke, and also Beaconsfield and Maori, wore well contested events, and the judge’s office was no sinecure. In the Oaks, Bid and Ma Belle are deserving of special notice. In the Birthday preliminary courses, Mr Beard s dogs Flirt and Rover, and also Mr Kelt’s Petrea, coursed splendidly, resulting in Petrea’s securing the stakes. The judge and steward deserve special mention for the manner in which their respective duties were discharged. As a coursing country, we may safely say this district is not to be excelled. The judge and slipper both declared that similar ground did not exist in New Zealand. At the close of the final result, Mr Andrew Duncan called on all present to give a hearty meed of thanks to Mr R. Mathias for his courtesy in placing his paddock at the disposal of the club. Mr • Mathias, in responding, said that he hoped that a district club would soon be inaugurated, and the sport bo conserved. The health of the judge and slipper followed. Both gentlemen, in returning thanks, passed u high eulogium on the manner in which the meeting was conducted.