COURSING ENTHUSIASTS

Evening Star, Issue 20117, 6 March 1929, Page 13

COURSING ENTHUSIASTS

DUNEDIN CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING SPEED TRACK COURSING SUGGESTED Suggestions for the popularising of coursing were made at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Coursing Club last night, Mr B.S. Irwin (president) being in the chair. That coursing in an enclosed track should bo introduced to attract more support was one of the suggestions made, .while another' member was of the opinion that efforts should beniade to obtain for coursing the same betting facilities as were provided for horse racing. The Secretary (Mr T. Lee) reported a credit balance of £2.14s 2d. The Chairman said there, was no doubt that coursing was not in a very flourishing condition at present, but he saw no reason why it should not prosper if the enthusiasts stuck together. They had an excellent ground at Forbury Park for their sport, and had been well treated by the Trotting Club. It behoved all those connected with the sport to take a keen interest, to get together, and to show a big improvement at the end of the ensuing season. Mr Clark said the sport would become much more popular if they introduced speed track coursing. Six or eight dogs could be raced at once. Mr H. Divers said the club was faced with greater difficulties than most clubs in Neiv Zealand. They had to go as far as Kurow to get their hares. The lack of support for coursing to-day was largely owing to the fact that this was the only country where betting facilities were not provided for the sport. If facilities were provided the sport would be one of the most popular and prosperous in the country. There did not seem much to hope for in that direction, but they should make an elfort to obtain some facilities in the way of a small totalisator or licensed bookmakers. A proposal to introduce tin hare coursing had been considered in Dunedin last year, but had to bo abandoned on the score of expense. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr 0. R. Wise, designated by the chairman as “ the grand old man of coursing throughout New' Zealand,"’ was re-elcctcd patron of the club. Mr B. S. Irwin rvas re-elected president. The following vice-presidents were elected:—Messrs J. Mitchell, R. M. Creenslade, P. Tracey, W. Millier, J. Lindsay, H. W. Allen, A. A. Paape, V. Jackson, 0. Hoggan, W. Turnbull, C. Burrell, and F. CL Paape. The following committee was appointed Messrs M'Mullan, Summers, C. Rennie, Clark, 13. O’Connor, C. Marks, Matheson, and Jones. Mr T. Lee was re-clected secretary, and Mr IT. Divers was re-elected honorary treasurer. A motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of Mr J. Ronald, an enthusiastic coursing member who recently died. Thanks were expressed to the I orbury Park Trotting Club for the use oi the ground, and to tho club s caretaker (Mr Mason) for assistance. Mr H. Divers was accorded a vote of thanks for his ready assistance to the sport. Arrangements were made ior securing a supply of hares for the ensuing season.