LITTLE RIVER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2082, 28 August 1896, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER.

[From our (Special Coriikspondknt.lj Following a kind invitation of Messrs Birdling, a number of gentlemen from Akaroa and Little River took advan* tage of the beautifully pleasant weather on Tuasdsiy last, and journeyed down to the Flat to enjoy a day's coursing. I may state here, to avoid objections nnd misunderstandings, that Messrs Birdling sought for and obtained an extra day's license from. the Association on the ground that hares were 'becoming unpleasantly numerous on tbeir land, and therefore a nuisance. With ten dogs and about twenty gentlemen on horseback, an eatly start was made, and it was not long before pu6S appeared on the scene. Although very fast and-wild and dodging in all directions, she was killed after a capital run of about a mile and a half. Hares sprang up very frequently afterwards, and when the party adjourned for luncheon, kindly provided by Mr Nutt and pome ladies, who had driven out, eight kills were the result after some splendid finishes. Refreshments over, another couple of hours' sport was indulged in, and when the signal for returning home was given, the number of sixteen was reached. The dogs, with one or two exceptions, did good work, and were in good form ; but I am informed by a gentleman who took part in the proceedings that Mr Fahey's " Hero '' was prominent whenever asked to run, and with good care and another year's training will, no doubt, be counted one of the best coursing dogs in the district.. Out on horseback were, with several others, Messrs 3. Parkinson, Birdling (3), 3 Montgomery, Or. Morris, Ryan, Fahey, Foley, and Lelievre (2), Miss Kissel being the only lady riding, looking very nice in a red bodice with bonnet to match, and guiding a very smart little bay pony. Besides, there were two traps following whenever there was a chance, containing Mesdamcs Ryan, Foley, and Ferguson, Misses Ferguson (2), and Master Ferguson. Our second Cup match against Akaroa was played on the 15ch inst. as reported and tesulted after a well-contested gntne in a win for Akaroa by 3 points. It was hard work, as at the beginning of tha (Same a heavy rain had set in, and everybody was pretty wall plnyed out when the whistle to knock off was blown by Mr Skipper, who, though a bit slow, made on efficient referee. Talking football reminds me of the qnarrel going on in the local paper regarding the picked Peninsula team against Canterbury. It appears that a Selection Committee were put up to choose a team from the different Peninsula Clubs to play a friendly match nguinst Canterbury. This had been dene, and of course, as you cannot please everybody those not chosen were dissatisfied and considered the wrong men bad been picked. Well, if that is so, 'be controversy goin*r on in the paper wi'il certninly not settle this. Why not act.? Hie Rhodus pro salta. There are evidently two parties among tbe five teams, on one side the three Bays and on the other Akaroa and Wairewa. Let the three ..Bays pick a team out of their Clubs and play n. fifteen chosen from Akaroa «'nd Wairewa Clubs and we shall soon be able to judge each Club on its merits and demerits as well as each individual playing " and to guess the rasalt, I s'lall not, be f_r ou 1 -. hy saying that the Bays will come off second best. There is no doubt tbat the latter are very anxious to secure the Cup this season, and if tbey don't succeed, I should suggest to them to get a Cup of their own and play for it. even if it is only a cup of tea. It will ease their minds and satisfy their ambitious desires, and if they include " Bill Mustard-Pot," the contest will be all that can be desired > the tip to be :—Little Akaloa first. Le Bon's second, and Okain's a bad third.