THE FINAL TIE OF THE LANCASHIRE ASSOCIATION CUP.

HUNTING.

OTAGO HOUNDS.

At a committee meeting of the Football Association the sentence of suspension passed by the Lancashire Association on Preston North End, in consequence of their refusal to play the final match of the Lancashire Cup competition at Blackburn, was discussed at great length. In the result the association refused, by 15 votes to four, to endorse the suspension. — Field.

From another paper I clip the following : — " The action of the Lancashire Association in the matter of the Preston North End Club has received a snub, At a meeting of the council of the Football Association, it was decided, by a majority ot 15 to four, not to endorse the sentence of suspension passed on the Preston North End Club by the Lancashire Fdotball Association. Possibly the Lancashire Association will be only too glad to shelter themselves under the verdict of the Football Association. The Lancastrians must have seen that the football world in general did not endorse their action, and that the status of the Preston North.End Club could nob be seriously damaged by any local sentence of suspension. When a club is able to make so much money, as did'the Preston North End by playing exhibition and other matches, naturally a good deal of jealousy was aroused among their less fortunate and successful neighbours. If by any means the Preston North Eud team were prevented from playing in Lancashire so much the better for the other clubs in the County Palatinate. Fortunately the London and National Association is always a court of appeal to preserve the balance of power, and their action in the present case will be endorsed, we fancy, by all the other associations in the oountry."

WALES AND BORDER COUNTIES ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP— FINAL TIE.

Chirk (holders) v. Newtown.

The final tie for this trophy was played on Owen's Field, Chester road, Wrexham, before about 1000 spectators. The weather was beautiful, but ihe ground was not very good. The Newtown captain won the toss, and defended the goal nearest the town, Chirk having the wind and sun in their faces. Williams started the ball at 25 minutes past 4, but it was quickly sent over the touch line in Chirk quarters. The wind was rather rough, and blew right into the Obirk goal. This materially assisted the Newtown team, who for a short time set up a strong attack ; but Povey and the backs succeeded in keeping out several difficult shots, and the game was nearly half an hour old when G. Owen shot the first goal for Chirk. The game had not up to this time been a very brilliant one ; but this success roused up the Chirk players, and for a time the spectator] were treated to a real good display. The ball was taken to the Newtown end, and for a minute or so the pressure was severe. H. Owen then transferred the ball to the other end of the ground ; but the forwards were too eager, and worked the ball into touch. J. Davies got possession from the throw in, and put in a good run* but he missed the mark, shooting wide. The ball then travelled to the Chirk end, the wind carrying it out close to the corner flag. The Montgomeryshire men managed to keep the ball in their opponents' territory for a short time, but they did not succeed in sending the ball past Povey. J. Davies again looked dangerous, a shot of his just going wide. From the goal kick Williams got possession, and returned the ball to the Newtown end, a terrific shot of his striking the crossbar. A corner for Chirk followed, which was beautifully placed, Hibbott having some difficulty in getting the ball away. One of the Newtown men then fouled the ball, in dangerous proximity to the goal, and the free kick, nearly resulted in a score, another corner befog given in defence, th« ball being^ sent behind the goal line from the comer

kick. From the goal kick the leather was taken to the Chirk half, a long shot at goal going over the crossbar. The Chirk men returned to the attack, and kept Hibbott and the b&ck division very busy, but the defence could not be broken down. After Eome play in midfield Williams got possession, and raced to the Newtown goal. He. passed the ball to J. Davies, who shot it past Hibbott, scoring goal No. 2 for Chirk. Hibbott, unfortunately, put his knee out at this time, and for the remainder of the game was unable to render his side any assistance. Half-time arrived with Chirk leading by two goals to none. On resuming the Newtown team began to press, and for a short time it looked as though they would score, but Jones and Wynne kept their position intact. A corner for Chirk was the next feature, the ball being placed beautifully iv front of goal, but it was worked over the touch line. George Owen then got possession, and put in a long shot, which, however, missed its mark. A free kick for a foul gave Chirk a momentary advantage, but H. Owen returned the ball to the other end, a sharp shot being thrown out by Povey. Newton continued to press, but all their attempts at scoring were fruitless. Worthen aud Chapman on the left put in a good run, but they were quickly brought up by Jones and G. Griffiths, and G. Owen got the ball. A shot was sent into goal, which Hibbott, hopping about on one leg, could nob reach, and the third goal was scored by Chirk. In less than another minute W. Owen shot the fourth goal, after which Hibbott retired, H. Owen taking his place between the posts. From, now to the end the game was very tame, the Chirk team doing all the pressing. Chirk managed to add another goal to their credit, but Newtown failed to score, the game ending in favour of Chirk by five goals to none.

About 30 horsemen enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon's sport with the pack on Thursday at Pine Hill, Mr Gray, and another farmer (whose name I do not know) having kindly placed their land at the disposal of the hunt. Mr Poole, the huntsman, rode Bugler ; the whip, Potens ; Mr Morrison was on Toprail ; Mr Driver, May Koy ; Mr Taggart, Barney ; Mr Leadham, Timaru ; Mr Meneies, Larrikin ; Mr Gourley, Greyskin ; Mr H. Alexander, Waimate ; Mr B. M'Kewen, Napier ; Mr Laughlin, Grey Momus ; Mr W. Sharp, Thistle ; Mr L. Smith, Carnpbellt^wn. Out qualifying were Mr J. Cotton, Secretary ; Mr T. Cotton, Crossbow ; Mr Macdonald, Mokarakara ; Mr Geo. Smith, Dunluce. Mrs Myers was present on Cocky, Miss Taggart ou Robin Hood, Mrs Walcott on her bay mare. The Mi«ses Jones were in a carriage ; and there was also a fourhorse drag, piloted by Ned Devine (the king of whips), filled with good sports ; besides a large number more on horse and foot looking on. The

ground was in good going order, and ihe fences were of an easy nature, Mr M'Gr&th, who made a capital dragsman, having completed his mission, the hounds were laid on. The fence out of a grass paddock, a low post and rail, was got over safely ; then a two-railer out of the farm yard led into a ploughed paddock; then came some fair galloping across a large stubble paddock ; then two more fences into a turnip field, getting out of which two horses smashed the rails and got entangled in the wire. The road was then crossed, and the run finished at Mr Gray's homestead, most of the field getting through ; the two ladies, Miss Taggart and Mrs Myers, being well up all through. After a short spell the drag was laid for another run, which finished at the starting place of the first run. Some very good jumping *was shown by many of the horses. There were two or three falls, but they were only of a trifling nature. Of the new horses who were out, and who went well, I might mention a very hunting-looking chestnut which Mr Alexander rode, called Waimate, Mr Menzie's Larrikin, and Mr M'Kewen's Napier. On Saturday the meet is at St. Clair Rise, and on the following week the last meet of the season, due notice of which will be given.

Look at the hounds, their muzzles high : A sheet, would cover them : on they fly. Tis music now, not a whimpering cry. Neck or nothing, we'll do or die.

The near locality of the tryst, added to the glorious weatner, induced some 50 horsemen to respond to the invitation to meet the pack at Mr McGregor's farm, St. Clair Rise, on Saturday afternoon. I noticed amongst those present, Mr B. H. Hart, on Lottery ; Mr Taggart, Barney ; Mr Morrison, Toprail ; Mr T. Leadham, Timaru ; Mr H. M. Driver, Consul ; Mr Driver, May Boy ; Mr Calder, Glenara ; Mr Sidey, Washdyke; Mr S. Gourley, Sweep ; Mr R. Gourley, Greyskin ; Mr W. Sharp, St. Kilda ; Mr L. Smith, Campbelltown ; Mr Geo. Smith, Dunluce; Mr Macdonald, Mokarakara. The ladies present were: Mrs Myers on Cocky; Miss Taggart, Robin Hood; Miss Jones, Carrington. There were also a fourhorse drage in charge of Ned Devine, and a host of other vehicles. The drag was laid by no less a person than Mr M'Gregor himself, who also assisted to lay out the run. He was aWy seconded by the adjoining farmers, Messrs M'Laren and Allan. These farmers have assisted the hunt wonderfully, a fact that should be borne in mind by all who have enjoyed the sport over their lands. The first jumps were a double ut the back of the farmhouse, consisting of two post and rail fences, and were got over without any noticaable mistakes by the field. Then came a rail into a grass paddock, then a stiff awkward-looking rail on the top of a wire, into a road, with a bank. Most of the first flight got well over, but four or five horses refused persistently. Amongst those stopped here were Miss Taggart and Mrs Myers, who were thrown out of the run. Out of the road was a gorse fence, followed by some stiffer ones of the same nature into a stubble paddock. O^e to the hounds over these fences were : — Mr Morrison on Toprail, Mr Driver on May Boy, Mr Sidey on Washdyke, and Mr Calder on Glenara, while the tail lengthened out somewhat. Half a mile of a gallop over the stubble and the run was finished.' After breathing time had been allowed another run took place over the same ground. • At the start the huntsman and whip, disdaining the low rail, took a very high, thick hedge nearly 7ft high, followed by Mr Sidey on Washdyke and Mr Gourley on Greyskin. Some very clean jumping was done over the first two or three paddocks, the two ladies going well in the front. Crossing the road the first casualty of any consequence occurred. Campbelltown, a three-year-old ridden by Mr L. Smith, making a rather big jump over the gorse fence into the road, had rather much impetus to enable him to rise at the opposite fence, which he breasted and fell over, giving his rider a heavy fall on to bis shoulder. The horse being caught he, however, remounted and finished the run. The next mishap occurred to Miss Taggart at the double at the farm house. Iv consequence of her horse over-jumping himself she fell, and her habit adhering to the pommel of the saddle, ahe was dragged a short distance and sustained a shaking. These two mishaps were the only drawbacks, and the sport was pronounced ex- | oeptionally good. Great praise is due to the huntomap ftn<i whip for th« way in which they

handled the pack, and their mounts in the way of jumping can scarcely be excelled; I hear the huntman's mount Bugler is likely to be' taken to Melbourne, a visitor from there, who has hunted during his stay here with these hounds, having offered a big price for thisclever cob. I hope the gentleman in question will get him, as he is a good sport and fearless rider. Nimbod.