"ROYAL" SPORT IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7008, 3 May 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

" ROYAL" SPORT IN INDIA.

It seams incredible, says the London Figaro, that the Duke of Connaught should be guilty of cruelty, either to man or beast, and ; yet the account in the Puujaub Herald of the adventures of his Royal Highness' pigsticking party is not pleasant reading, Here are one or two extracts :—" On returning, a fine boar was sighted in the open. The Doke and hia party immediately went off in pursuit, and so hotly was the boar pressed that he teok refuge in a small pond. The Duke and Dr. Kavanagh waited for him on the brink, bat not for long, for without the least warning he made a fierce charge at the gallant doctor, who delivered his spear with anch force and steadiness that it passed right through him, sticking into the ground on the opposite side. The Duke tben speared the boar a second time, and Dr. Kavanagh a third time. After so terrible an assault he mshed among the trees, where it was impossible to foilow him. After a few minutes, however, he gave up the ghost, and expired." Another boar was " badly speared" by Lord Downe; but he (the boar) nevertheless went away at a rattling pace, pursued by the whole party. Dr. Kavanagh overtook him, and speared him, the spear-head breaking off and sticking in the boar's head ao far that it could not be extracted. H.K.H. now came up and favoured Mr. Boar with another spear, and Lord Downe, finding his horse so severely wounded, handed Dr. Kavanagh hie spear. The Duke and Major Knox were still in pursuit of the wounded boar, when Dr. Kavanagh again set off, snd found the boar standing at bay. H.K.H. again speared the boar, who ran under the Duke's horse, causing the animal to rear and plunge violently. Again Dr. Kavauagh - and the Duke used their spears, but it was reserved for Major Knox and Dr. Scott to finally despatch him. The boar was a real plucky one, and fought like a tiger." And much more to the same effect. It is also recorded that tbe Duke of Connaught " congratulated" Dr. Kavanagl upon his skill, and the deadly effect of bis spear,- " while the Duchess, who bad witnessed the whole scene from the howdab, was quite excited, and seemed to enjoy tbe sport considerably." We do not wish to cast any reflections upon their Royal Highnesses, but we hope that there are many brave Englishmen who would not congratulate anybody on tbe tortnre even of a boar, and many courageous Englishwomen. who would not " enjoy the sport considerably.'*