COURSING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 67, 19 July 1915, Page 3

COURSING.

THE SPORT IN STRATFORD.

( iiy Spectator.)

Coursing, the' encyclopedia tells us, is ihe pursuit of game by dogs, which are guided by their eyes only. It is a very old sport, having been practised as far hack as the second century, formerly. various animals, were coursed* but the sport is now chiefly restricted to the hunting of hares with greyhounds. The first known set ol English niles for coursing was drawn up in the neigh or Queen Elizabeth by the Duke of Norfolk, and Swallhain. in Norfolk, was the scat ol the oldest recorded coursing club. This was founded iu 177(5, but it was not until 1858 that coursing was placed on a really businesslike footing by the formation of the National Coursing Club, the main function of which is to regulate the conduct of public meetings, over which it has complete control. I'he sport has also taken root in America

and Australia, and has attained some popularity on the Continent, notably Russia, iu the, north of England rab-bit-coursing is a very favorite sport, especially in the neighbourhood of the large mamiTactairing towns.

Coursing meetings are ol two kinds, open and enclosed. At an enclosed meeting, the imprisoned hares are coursed from one end ol the enclosure to tin 1 other, while at an open meeting the hares are driven from their natural coverts by dogs or beaters. In both cases a brace of dogs are slipped simultaneously by, the “slipper,” who is provided with a special arrangement of nooses for the purpose. The', judge is mounted so as to more readily follow the course, and gi"" y his decision by means of points for speed, go-by, wrench, trip, and kill. should he remarked that winning points are obtained by a greyhound not tts having actually killed, but ns having done most towards the killing, AH this l»v wav of introduction.

Coining to the local aspect of the sport, readers will, no doubt, have noticed by the press that for some time attempts have been made to. form a club in the district, and although these have so far been unsuccessful, all the material for same is at hand, and there is no doubt that very shortly a recognised authority for the sport in 'the district will assume concrete form. Quite a number of enthusiasts in the sport reside in Stratford, and the doings of the dogs are widely

known through competing at Wanganui and New Plymouth. Scratch meetings (all open coursing) have been held at various times on the country adjacent to Stratford, and yesterday a sweepstake was competed for on -Mr Herb. Ward’s farm, Kinnerty Hoad. Xgaero, The weather was fresh, to say the least, but the rain held ofl, and a very successful day’s sport was hold, Mr S. Rowe was judge, and Mr Carlton Hcaly acted as slipper. Seven dogs were entered, and the events were as follows:

Mat Bowler’s Fly beat J. Terry’s Lucy. Tin's was a good course. Tlic I hare made for cover after a short run. , hut Fly managed to gain the verdict by three points, ' R. Neal’s Black Chief heat J. Fitzgerald’s Shamrock. The latter had hard luck in losing sight of the quarry, and Black Chief continued the chase atone. The fact that a kill had been registered was not discovered until later in the afternoon, when “pussy” was found hors de combat on the scene of Black Chief’s work at the finish of the course. H. Healy’s Black Mascot beat S. Howe’s Daylight Star after the host course of the meeting, There was a great exhibition almost at the feet ol tile spectators, the hare having some very narrow escapes, and of the dogs | Daylight Star having slightly the best of the contest; then pussy made a break for the open country, and having established a good lead. Black Mascot had an opportunity to show his speed. Both dogs put in good work just before the kill, which went to the winner. The points awarded were 11—8. W. Ki veil's Jack and J. Fitzgerald’s Shamrock ran an undecided course, putting in some good, work before pussy ('scaped to the bush. Kly and .Black Chief were slipped to an extra strong hare, and there was a pretty exhibition, all in sight of. the spectators, and puss sought refuge in a log. .She was dug. out, and Black Mascot and Daylight Star were again slipped. ■ A neighbouring fence gave pussy a big break on the dogs, but once the obstacle was surmounted, the end was not' long. Daylight Star led well up the hill, but the speed of the other dog again was the predominating factor, and Black Mascot turned and later registered Ids second kill for the day. Besides the above courses, there ♦ were several others, over a dozen hares being put up, but they were remarkably strong and led the way to cover in great style. Owing to the lateness of the hour, and the fact that the party had worked the country back to home, it was decided that the final between Bowler’s Fly and Healy’s Black Mascot be run off next Sunday in the same country. Mention must be made of the work of Mr H. Voyle and his two tine setters in beating up the game. The thanks of the jxirty are also due to Mr H. Ward and others for the freedom of their farms.