COURSING.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3988, 7 May 1878, Page 3

COURSING.

OTAGO METROPOLITAN MEETING.

[Telegraphed to the Dunedin " Herald."] PAIiMBKSTON, May 3.

The weather was very favorable for the opening meeting of the Metropolitan Coursing Club of Otago, and there was a large attendance of spectators, including many ladies. The first couple of dogs were slipped on the flat, near the schoolhouse, but after a few courses had been run, a move wes made to high land between Mr Rich's house and the sea. This was a great mistake, as there were large numbers of hares on the flat, and the hilly country was bad in every way for coursing. The management was altogether very bad, beating being conducted without any system. The absurdity of coursing on the edge of cliffs wa9 shown by two valuable dogs going over after a hare, and being killed on the spot. These were Taggart's Theta, and Hewitt's Lord Palmerston. The accident took place within twenty yards of the scene of a similar mishap last year to Chimney Sweep and Pharisee. The following are the results: — All-aged Stakes, for 32 grejhounds, at £3 each, with £10 added by tie club. Winner to receive £50 : second dog, £20 ; two dogs each ; four doga £1 each. Mr P. MSson's brindle and white dog Mechanic, Farrier-Regalia, beat Mr H Driver's yellow dog Flying Scud, pedigree not given. Mr G. McGavin's black slut Cumberland Lass, Youog Spring—Gipsy, beat Mr F. O'Kane's Blut Highland Mary, Bobby Burns—Fly. The latter actually won, but was disqualified for being assisted by a Btray dog. Mr J. Stephenson's red dog Messingham, pedigree not given, beat Mr J. Laverty's yellow dog Don, pedigree not given. Mr P. Mason's red dog Le Rouge, Bacchanal —Lady Grafton, beat Mr G. T. Sears's fawn dog Cuckoo, Chimney Sweep—Curlew. Mr A. M Lean's fawn and white slut Violet, Pilot —Fly, beat Mr James Duncan's brindle dog Almond Water, pedigree not given. Mr A. M'Laren's brinile and white dog Walk, Sultan—Fly, beat Mr J. M'Donald's black and white dog Ben, Celerity—Jessie or Mr W. C. Smith's fawn dog Smoker, DustyFairy Queen, beat Mr J. Muir's red and white dog Spring, pedigree not given. MrE. Devine's slut Ophelia, Bobby Burns— i Fly, beat Mr J. Stephenson's black slut Fly, pedigree not given. Mr W. H. Taggart's brindle and white slut Theta, Warfare—Jenny Lawson, and Mr J. Hewitt's fawn and white dog Lord Palmerston, Sultan—Ruby, wero killed. Mr J. D. Keet's fawn slut Bella, Bobby Bums—Nelly, beat Mr S. G. Smith's blue and white slut Basytßody, Westlake—Miss Lenme. Mr G. M'Gavin'B red and fawn dog St. Bee?, Baron—Fairy, beat Mr R. M'Auley'a fawn dog Hamlet, Hamlet —Rosa. Mr A. N. Campbell's fawn dog Trooper, Veno —Sea Flower, beat Mr W. C. Smith's fawn dog Songster, Dusty—Fairy Queen. Mr W. H. Ronayne'a fawn and white slut Camelia, Red Kail—Dauntless, beat Mr A. M'Laren's red and white dog Hector, SultanFly. The running itself does not call for much comment. Mechanic and Flying Scud had three undecided courses before the former was declared the victor. Highland Mary brat Cumberland Lass very easily. Mesßingham and Don run one undecided, and then the former won in a very short course. Cuokoo led at the first, but then let Le Rouge in, and the latter won. Theta and Lord Palmerston ran one undecided, and were then let go very near the cliffs, over which the hare led them. Bella's wbb the best course of the lot. She won very cleverly. St. Bee's victory over Hamlet was a great surprise, he being the winner last year, and a great favorite. .... According to the rate at which the meeting is being put through it cannot be finished tomorrow.