COURSING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1939, Page 3

COURSING

WAIRARAPA CLUB. .

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following is the annual report ■ of the Wairarapa Coursing Club to be presented to tonight's meeting:—lt is 1 with pleasure the committee present) the report lor the 1938 season. Following the closing of plumpton operations the club inaugurated the new sport of greyhound racing which isproving most popular with the public and greyhound owners. During the plumpton season many successful coursing meetings were held, notably the New Zealand Classic, the St. Legei Stakes. This event was won by the Masterton owned Big Ben who was produced in excellent condition by Mi D. Wilson. The outstanding dog ol the season was undoubtedly Messrs James and Taylor's The Clipper, who in addition to winning the Archer Cup the Physick Cup, the Cooper Cup, and the Yule trophy, .on the local plumpton. He also placed to his credit the N.Z. Waterloo Cup which he won ai Invercargill. His unbeaten record has never been equalled in New Zeaalnc for many years and reflects great credit on ms trainer, Mr W. James. Othei important winners were:—Mr L. M. Archer's trophy (puppy stakes), Mrs L. H. Jones's The Slam. Masterton Bradbury trophy (open), Messrs James and Taylor’s (Masterton), Dainty Footsteps. Grimwood Cup <maiden), Mr J. H. Prout’s (Napier), White Gold. Vincent trophy (maiden), Mr W. L. Jensen’s (Carterton), Helen Rufus. Watson Rose Bowl (maiden). Mr H. H Webb’s (Wellington), Pitz Palu. Class stakes, Mr W. L. Jensen’s (Carterton). Lady Hurley. Kerslake trophy -(maiden), Mr T. Greigs's (Hastings), Boston Bill. Wing trophy (maiden). Butchei Bros. (Wellington), Full-o-Gay. During the season, coursing of a higt standard was attained, due mainly tc the natural feeding conditions of the hares and the new system of training them adopted by the club. Only on rare occasions did the hares fail tc. reach the escapes. This feature was considered by the committee to be mainly responsible for the increaser public support which is reflected in the club’s happy financial position, thus enabling the club to expend approximately £5O in the purchase of an up-to-date plant for the new venture of greyhound racing. To date two successful greyhound racing meetings have been held. Our special thanks are due to the Masterton A. and P. Association for their co-operation and assistance in placing at the disposal of the club their beautiful grounds a 1 Solway which have proved ideal for the purpose. The thanks of the club are again due to Mrs M. S. Buick, who, in the past, has again placed her property at our disposal for coursing activities; also property owners who permitted the club to net hares on their grounds. Our thanks are also due to those who so generously donated trophies during the year, to the ladies' committee who again worked hard in providing afternpon tea, to those who assisted -in catching and training of hares, and to all those who assisted in effecting improvements on the plumpton course and the construction of the greyhound racing plant. The club also appreciates the generous support accorded by the general public and the practical support of the Press through the season. The happy financial position of the club is mainly due to the excellent work of the honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr L. M. Archer, who has added another splendid year’s work to his long list of successes. The club’s appreciation is due to the hon. auditor, Mr D. B. Curry, for again auditing the books.

Special mention must be made of the capable work of the judge, Mr S. D. Geary, and the slipper, Mr W. Buick, who gave entire satisfaction throughout the year. As president I wish to express my personal appreciation to the members of the committee for their untiring efforts during a strenuous year and the success achieved.—On behalf of the committee, J. Bradbury.