COURSING.

NZ Truth, Issue 473, 11 July 1914, Page 9

COURSING.

■' ■ ■ ■ '' • ' ■■ * {By "Master McGratb,") > . Last Saturday the Greymouth Coursing Club concluded ' two very successful meets, which, judged by the entries, the sport, and the crowd, have been the most successful gathering of coursing sports and their dogs hold m New Zealand this year. There were record entries and many beautiful courses.. The hares were, splendidly trained, and disclose to other clubs the successful conditions that prevail when suoh is the cose. There were scarcely any gruellers, and few, hares were killed. When it Is recollected that 35 'courses were slipped m three hours and 15 minutes on the first day, and 19 courses m much, less than two hours on Saturday, the energy of , the club ahd the keenness of the sport provided can be fairly gauged. Mr. Jimmy ,Noble acted efficiently and satisfactorily as judge, the same holding good m the case of the slipper, Mr. Nash. Indeed,/the latter was taxed somewhat, /when it is remembered that there was a course practically every five minutes on the opening day. Mr. Pat Grogan; the club's president, presided at the meeting, and saw to the general exactness of everything and everyone. , The first preliminary was a race between Honcywood and Qoldie. Goldte led well on, but was outpointed narrowly at the close. Honeywood (Mr. J. Nash) 6%, Goldle (Mr. M. Chapman) 5%. ..-■■: The next Interesting go was the course between Undecided and Maid of the HUI. This was strenuous. The hare proved a top-notcher. After some steady turning by Maid of the Hill, Undecided bored m and turned, the hare giving him more than he wanted, eventually escaping. Undeclded's hard and successful going may be reckoned by the points. Undecided (Mr. T. Irvine) 20%, Maid of the Hill <Mr. T. H. Dalzlel) 4%. The Bth heat was between McNamara and Miss Shalleigh. All eyes were on the hare, which bounded right away from the dogs and homed easily. McNamara (Messrs. Bowater und Hyndman) 8, Miss Shnlleigh 4. The second preliminary disclosed the fine form of Jimmy Bun. This dog came m for quite a roußlng reception. His course was easily the premier one m the seconll go, as he had the- luck to met a 6lever bitch in\Lady Hilda, and a splendid hare that gave htm more than he could do. Jimmy Bun's heat was the seventh, and both ho and Lady Hilda went keenly at it from the start. With adroit nosing. Lady Hilda settled m, turning swiftly. Jimmy Bun's fielding was of the swift, sure, go-by fashion, and he steadily piled the points. He got any amount from Lady Hilda, and more than enough from the hare, which disclosed a remarkable exhibition of speed. Spectators thoroughly enjoyed the course. Jimmy Bun 13%, Lady Hilda 7. Leeston was another dog that augured well m the second preliminary. In the. third preliminary, Leeston (4) beat Sweet Sleep (1), Midnight (1) beat Honeywood (0), Jimmy Bun easily accounted for Karoro by 4 to nil. Helen Adair (8%) beat Morning Star (5%). The race between Helen Adair and Morning Star was the best fought out Helen Adair augured very woil 08 she progressed for the final. Fourth heat saw Leeston walk over Midnight by 8% points. Jimmy Bun got It tighter from Ringwood, but got the scoring oaslly all the sonic, BV4 to 6. Hoion Adair, a byo. Semi-final.— Helen Adair went under to Leeston. after a Bhort and bard Held between thorn. Helen Adair 2%. Locston 5. Jimmy Bun a bye. The final was a very keen, narrow thing all through, Leeston and Jimmy Bun going at it with relishing zest. Lflcston led and piled v few down" the field. Jimmy Bun bounding In and turning at the escapes. Alternate turna woro then registered. The hare got away aflor somo surprising turns. Jimmy Bun 4, Lccston 3. Mr. W. Swift Is the owner of Jimmy Bun (Achilles— Panama). Mr. T. Shannahan has L«e»ton (Tabbearer— lilaek Jean). Thcue arc two good animal*, and, wllh the third thing, Melon Adair, and probably Morning: Star, should pay a vIbII to tho south. Their owners might repay them*olven handsomely. In the Supplementary HweopMtuko. Colleen Bawn and Avow divided tho money, tho Ljuly of Hodden coming third. Mr. T. Shannahan also lit the owner of Colleen Bawn (lloyal Flro and' Sou Queen). Avoea belongs to Mr. M. Powley, and la by Cosmopolt-

tan — Waltehu. The next South Island meet takes place at Nelson on July 22 and 25. There are Maiden and Supplementary Stakes, and the nominations being only 10s, and the acceptances the same, i "there should be no dearth of entries, \ particularly from Greymouth direction. Both close on July 11 and 18 respectively, so owners should see to business at once with Secretary Crushek, Nelson. The prize money is good, and is supplemented m the Maiden with a gold medal donated by E. Opie, Esq., and also a handsome silver cup donated by F. Harford, Esq. The cup must be won twice m succession, or three times at intervals, before retention By winner. Mr. Dave Crushek, the popular Nelson sport, is the secretaryi and he is sparing no effort to make the meeting' a big. sue- , cess. Trials are permissible from- now' on, and as*the hares need constant training, the trials should be largely availed of. * In discussing the game too much stress cannot be laid upon the absolute necessity of training puss exactly. Don't box the hares m the escapes, as they will not be very, keen on returning where they get many breezy sally- ups. Drive to the end of the course and box at the slipping line. Then let each hare off, and give it a good, sally- up with muzzled dogs. After a few hours spent thus each day for a solid week before the meet, it w'll be observed how Intelligent puss is. He never masses the escapes, unless he's out-dis-tanced, which won't of ten happen with a Well-trained! healthy hare. Besides, keen, well-trained hares, when finally unboxed, will spot the escapes naturally and immediately, and when good dog flesh is behind, a real beauty of a course may be expected. Badly-train-ed hares are a sickener, and afford no sport. -Twelve ..kills, even m a fortydog course, are abnormal, and disclose, bad handling. ■> ■ In fixing dates, the various coursing clubs would be strongly advised to merel/ suggest to the Association sopretary a likely date, or dates, for their j meet, as it is possible their suggestion j may clash with another club's. The general secretary will then be able to authorise the date suggested, of, In the other case, suggest a new date. . Coursing clubs should always manage to have individual meets^ as the lapping of the latter is decidedly injurious to young clubs. The final authorising of dates Is quite safo with the governing body, and good sports should abide ; by the decisions of tho latter, which, after all, are wholly for the good of the j game. . „