METROPOLITAN COURSING CLUB OF OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 5042, 2 May 1879, Page 2

METROPOLITAN COURSING CLUB OF OTAGO.

[by ottr own reporter.] MILTON, Mat 1. We are quite assured of the fjet that coursing is excellent fun for everybody concerned—except the hares—but we are convinced, after a fair trial, that hunting about for hares all day is not fun at all. From half-past eight o'clock this morning uutil half-past five in the evening, when darkness put an end to the affair, the members of th 3 Metropolitan Club, with a small J following of spectators, some on horseback and more on foot, wandered about over the flats and hills purrounding Tokomairiro, with the result that six courses were decided. If this be sport, then the opening meet of the Metropolitan Coursing Club may be termed a success; if not, the alternative is obvious It was certainly no fault of the Club that the spo.-t was so miserable. The office-bearers, especially Mr Lloyd, the judge, and Mr Turner, tbe slipper—were active and zealous in the performance of what they had to do, and no fault could be found with any of the airangements. The drawback was the scarcity cf hares; and if we are informed correctly this scarcity has been caused in a great measure by poaching, which is said to have been going on by the media of gun and mare for some time past. The ground selected for the meet is rather destiute of cover; and tks hills ara too steep and bußhy to allow of coursing anywhere but ou. the flit, parts of which aro about as likelv places to find hares in as in the middle of Frinoes street. Dunne's Bridge, was the locale of the gathering, and beating was commenced by a ciowd of small boys armed with sticks at about 8.30. .At this time a mist hung over the uplands ; but shortly afterwards the sun came out and d sper<ed all vapors, and thereafter the weather was gloriously fine. After about an hour's searching a big harJ was sighted, and Ledgerkeeper and Bungay were slipped to her Mr Driver's h:gh-priced dog was expected to show the spectctors some good play ; but his performance was mo<t disappointing, for, although he soored an easy win from his opponent, the victory was lees the consequence of his ab Jity than of Bungay s inability. The hare took to the hill, and before she had ascended far Mr M'Givviw's li tie dog lost sight altogether, and incoituiently "caved in." LeJgevkeej.er went on a bit further; but soon got tkoroughly exhausted, and when he fell imo a ditch was so tired that he could liot get up aejiin. The hare eventually gjt away root free, and the coune was decided in favor of Ledgarkeeper. Fur being invisible, a move was made for Lockhart's far.n, about two further on. Sc ldings (winner cf the Puppy Stakes at Palmtfston) and Juliet (a distant relation of Master M"Grath, but as yet unTrfad) were slipped to a hate very soon. Puss fell a victim, but the judge ruled "no course." Soon after being re-cou(»led they were slipped, aud a magnificent course ensued To the surprise of most people Juliet took posses- j sioi from the beginning, and turned tue hare several times, Scaldings got in and killed, but ! the slut did all tho (.coring and was decWcd tbe wnner. Honeydew ant Rxhrnr-mt were loosed to a hare that had evidently been shot, as its kg was broken. She quickly received the couj) de grace, and the judge ruled it a "no course." Tasroaa and Chester lau a " no course," owing to puss being killed too soon ; «nd after a lo»-g hunt about the skirts of a turnip field a haru aud a leveret were put up. A strange dog interfered, and between the three both hare and hareling were driven into a gorse hedge and flain, unoher "no course" resulting. Then commenced the wearying work of the day. Paddock after paddock was searched in vain, and from the time Tasmau and Chester were handed over to tbe slipper until they actually determined which was the best dog was exactly three hours By the watch. When they did get fairly away they must have been pretty well tired out, a*id it was matter of mrprise chat they coutted their hare as well as they did. Puss was started out of a water-course and led up hill straight away. Both dogs kept sight all the wav up a long paddock, and were clos:" together ; but Taxman turned twice, and a lennthy c urs«-, m wh ch the hare was killed out of sight, w a * determined in his favor. The spoit her j became f-iat. Another hare was unearthed at once, and Honeydew and Bichinond were shpped after her. The black slut appeared <o have the best of the scoring, and certain'y gave Richmond the go bye; but the work was done for the most part out of sight of tho crowd, and hero Kbhraoßd got in and dispossessed the slut. The dog' killed and was declared the winner after a good and wellworked course. Everybody's hopes grew bright as the next hare was put up w.thout delay. Essendon and Briton got eiuht at once, and after a short, fast run course. Briton was adjudged the victor, 'iheso la<-t three courses were rim in 14 r nin. An hour's fid IHng uhout annoyed all bauds ; bur- they we;c then )o»adod by teeii g the course cf the day. Jt \v\k> < ut*cou 1 ad>bird and Alice. Tbe hue was a str mg uue, ai:d led tho dogs over a \ a idjik th »ugh a feii'i', and tip a stiff incline int. i tome tuHiotks, Ladybird had all the brst cf ths lun, and eventually killed from A'ice's wrem.lt. <.»n the war home a "no court e" was run between Hamlet and Buttei fly, tbe darkness rendering it impossible for the judge to see the working. It is scarcely possible to finish the stake to-morrow.

The meet is to take place in Dunne's paddocit, where hares are said to be plentiful. The following is the result of the day's proceedings .— ■ Alu-aqbd Stakws, for thirty-two greyhounds, at L 8 8s each, with LlO added by the Club. Winner to receive LSO. second dog L2O, two degflLlO each, and four dogs L 4 each. nasi round. Mr H Driver's r and f d Lodgerkeeper, Treasurer—-nit-or-Miss; beat Mr G M Gavin's blk and w dog Bungery, Anacora- Tricolor. . . Mr WJ CaverhuTs r and w s Juliet, Belchristie— Glare; beat Mr James Daniels's b d Scaldlngs, Ben— Flv. Mr A Thomson's r d Richmond, Red Kail—Florence; beat Mr Jumes Daniels's b s Honeydcw, Billy's Bargain —Honey. Mr Robert Smart's bl and w d Tasman; beat Mr Reld junr.'s bl d Chester, Cheviot—Aberlady. Mr J A Duthie's w and br d Rriton, Dlgby Grand— Beatrice; beat Mr G M'Gavin'a w and r d Essendon, Blue Liirht—Blink Bonny. Mr V Brydone's s Ladybird, Solferlno-Rosa; beat Mr S J Mercer's I and w oik and w s Alice, Springbok—Queen Mab . .. Mr H Prince's brlndle s Magic (the winner of the Oamaru Waterloo Cup), Farrier Regalia, was scratched, so Mr D O'Brien's Leo, Cacique—Fly, ran a bye. • SJSOOND DAT. The mert was delayed till close on eleven oVlook owii.g to the fog: but when ft cart was made on Mr Dunne's land, hares were plentiful several being started at once. Hamlet .and Butterfly's course wa» altogether one-sided, tho slut being out of condition and getting unsighted early. Leo wax slipped with rcaldingß to run his bye, but both, got umist>.+«d. Late* |on Leo finished hu bye with Luf a. Gipry beut Twili ht, and Bluebell boat Cumle\, Fairy against Sea L>d ran a grand c urse, in which the dog ntver soored She got in front at the s at at d worked her hare very cleverly ta thehil 1 . Her performance was the bn»t of the day. Stel'a and Sea Lass are now (2.56 p.m.) in the Blips. A hare «as started for them, but it committed e>uic:de > y jumping into a water-hol*. The f llowing are the results : Mr R M'Auley's r d Hamlet, Hamlet—Rose; beat - Mr George Coombe's bl and whs Butterfly Mr John Draper's dark brindle s Gipsy, Onego—Fan ;' ' •beat Mr Reid jun.'s s La Twilight,, by Piccadilly. Mr J C Bannatyne's f andb s Bluebell, Brin Ruby ; beat Mr William Snow's wh d Cumlet, bv Cnmloden. Mr William Snow's bl s Fairy, Wellington—Meg; Mr T H Dodson's r d Sea Lad, Bedfellow—sister to Blary. ■