SPORTING.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 148, 24 May 1879, Page 2

SPORTING.

SOUTH CANTERBURY COURSING CLUB'S FIRST MEETING. [VTiOW OXTIt OWN CORRESI-ONDEXT.] Tlic first meeting of the above Club toot place on .Tuesday and Wednesday last, at Messrs Smith and Ucnniston’s estate, Reel Forest, there being present considerably over 100 ladies and gentlemen. The weather was everything that could be desired for coursing, and the hares were so plentiful that the number quite astonished everybody present —an old settler, who has had considerable experience in .coursing in New Zealand, remarking that he had never seen anything like the number at any other coursing meeting in this colony. The coursing commenced in a largo paddock in front of Mr Hawdon’s house, and wo cannot pass by this gentleman’s name without giving him the highest praise for the liberality he bestowed on mere strangers, whom ho never saw before, everybody beingwelcome that could possibly .find room under his roof, for the night, and also for providinglunch in the paddock for all those who cared to take it, besides ail kinds of other refreshments, spirits, &c. The first coursing was the All-aged Stakes, for which 15 dogs competed. The first dogs in slips were Mr B. Thomson’s imported dog Balmoral and Mr Charteris’ slut Livingstone Maid. They were sent away to a rattlinggood hare, till puss reached the rushes, when both dogs got unsighted. Balmoral being the first to sight her again, both dogs went hard at it and drove the hare into the native grass, whore it escaped, resulting in a “ no course.” The same two dogs were placed in the slips again, and they had not long to wait till they were off again, Balmoral leading this time right away from the slut, doing what ho liked with the hare, nnd never lotting the Maid have a chance to score. On reaching a high fence Balmoral cleared it in grand style, but the hare got into cover and escaped, when the flag went up in favor of Balmoral. The next in the slips was Mr Mitchell’s hi d Spring, but Mr ITamersloy’s bl d Doctor being absent, Spring ran a bye. Mr Guinness’s r d Smoker and Mr Denoon’s Young Smoker then started in pursuit of a good hare, in which the young dog had the best of it, and won. Mr Kennedy’s s .Bess and Mr Turnbull’s s Coronet were the next to show up. Bess did all the work, Coronet not scoring. Two undecided, courses were next run between Mr B. Thomson’s hr d Tomnka and Mr Ronayne’s Kathleen (the latter slut being on her way to Christchurch). Richmond and were next slipped, but the former dog scarcely gave Manchester a show to score, consequently the flag wont up for Richmond. Mr M‘Rhcrson’s Chance, who was next slipped with Mr Thouisou’s Towlev, did not succeed in scoring a point. Kathleen anti. Teninka next ran their undecided course, and Kathleen led to the hare. Temuka got in, and did some splendid, work, and a give and take course ensued. The hare

11. j., ■ . 1;.,,;:'. blv i ...-In p.-vm .-. .-pL-vulil-tion then vim a bye, which concluded the ui’-'i day’;: programme. On ('.so r-eemid clay a connncnconi' i nt was made in iheMime piuhie-;:, Mr lioyd Thomsmi taking tli-' of the healers, aim a ere.it iin)n’- D-emeu' uin fhe result. The hares wave iml s.> plentiful as mi ‘lie first: (lav bul, everything passed ult sat isi'ai-torily. A liltle after nine o'clock .Balmoral and Spring were flee first, dogs to do duty, but, the former, who is really a splendid dog, laid all over the best of this course, but a good kill was made by Spring at the finish. Flag up tor Balmoral. Moiing Smoker and Bess had a no-oouvse. Bicbmoncl and Towley were thou scut away, but the hare escaped. The verdict in this course was in favor of the former dog. In the next course Speculation beat Temuka, the dogs, however, got unsighted. Bess and Smoker then ran oil their no-eourse ; verdict for Boss. The followin'* is the result: —■ : IMKST COUBSES. Mr Thomson’s Balmoral heat Mr ChtuTeris’ Livingstone Maid. Mr Mitchell’s Spring ran a bye. Mr Denoon’s Smoker beat Mr Guinness’ Old Smoker. Mr Kennedy’s Bess beat Mr Turnbull’s Coronet,. Mr Thomson’s Temuka beat Mr E-onayno’s Kathleen. Mr Thomson’s Richmond beat Mr Burrows’ Manchester. Mr Thomson’s Towley heat Mr Maephcrsou’s Chance. Mr Thomson’s Speculation ran a bye. I-TUST TIES. Balmoral beat Spring Boss Beat Smoker Richmond heat TowleySpeculation beat Temuka. SECOND TIES. Balmoral beat Bess. As (ho three clogs left in the stakes were the property of Mr Thomson, of Temuka, he sent .Richmond to run a bye, so that he might divide Jirst and second money with Balmoral. The money altogether amounts to £2l. Speculation and Bess, third and fourth clogs, take L2 10s each. The Consolation Stakes, of £5, was won by Mr Burrows’ Manchester. Balmoral is by Riot Act, out of Maidstone ; was bred ;hy Mr Camithers, of Dumfries, a well-known Scotch courser. Richmond is the property of Mr Thomson, is end, of Red Kail, by Dauntless, and was bred by Mr Black, of Geelong, Victoria. This concluded the first meeting under the direction of the South Canterbury Coursing Club, and we can safely state that everything went oil without a hitch, no complaints whatever being made as to the decision of the Judge, Mr Lloyd.