COURSING- NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2510, 24 April 1882, Page 3

COURSING- NOTES.

Br L'bvbieb.

IE any further argument in favor of the proposed Plumpton ground was needed it was furnished by the unsatisfactory nature of the first day's coursing at the Papanui Club's first meeting of the season at Swannanoa on. Tuesday last, where it ia stated that a couple of doga were in the Blips for five hours before they were reloaded to a hare. This, no doubt, was oocasioned by a party having been over the ground the previous day shooting. But these are results which are inevitable, and only to bs guarded against as militating against coursing by a properly fenoed ground being secured as soon as possible. It will be remembered that this project was taken up somewhat warmly at the olose of the last coursing season by a number of gentlemen of the leash, and that certain action was taken, advertisements being inserted in the columns of the Pebbs and "Lyttelton Times" calling for offers of suitable ground for the purpose within an easy distance of Ohristchurch. Several offers were received, but the idea that found moßt favour was to make use of the rae<course. Accordingly negotiations were set on foot, but owing to the Act of the General Assembly which permitted a charge for admission to the ground being made confining it only to race meetings, the matter was left in abeyanoe to enable a clause to be inserted therein authorising other sports to be included in the deed. As this will have to be sanctioned by the Assembly, nothing can be done in the matter of preparing the course for ooursing purposes till the Assembly has met, and consequently too late for the present season. The advantages of the racecourse are obvious, its easy distance from Ohristchurch, and the grand stand, which will enable visitors to obtain a good view of the Bport, invest thisfsite with facilities not possessed by any other land offered to the committee.

The settling for the reoent Papanui ooursing meeting is announoed for this evening at the Sawyer's Armß Hotel, Papanui, at eight o'clock.

The first meeting of the newly formed Sheffield Ooursing Olub is announced to commence on the eßtate of Mr W. Minchin, near Sheffield, to-morrow (Tuesday) morning. The items for this fixture are two in number, vis., the Trial Stakes and a Puppy Stakes. For the first of these events ten have accepted, whilst for the latter twelve dogs will try conclusions. All of them are owned by local men. I have to thank the secretary, Mr Gr. A. Kays, for full information in the matter. The nominations for the Canterbury Ooursing Club's Derby and Oaks were filled on Monday and Tuesday last, for each of which eighteen entries were received.