COURSING.

NZ Truth, Issue 507, 6 March 1915, Page 12

COURSING.

1 . „ . . / (By '.'Master McGrath.") At the recent meeting of the Coursing. Association, Mr. R. O. Wise, Oamaru, was m the chair. K.O. 1b a

well known turf and dog sport, than whom the far South boasts no better. Nothing or* much importance transpired at the meeting. By the way where were Messrs. Irwin, Andrews and the other functionaries who hold important positions on the Council? The Association should keep no members on the governing committee who are apathetic — doing so' kills all sport. Coursing m Christcluirch promises to go along all right .this season, though the Club is uncertain whether they can run a Plumpton meeting. Several fine properties have been offered to them, I understand, and if this really is the case. I would adviso energy on behalf of Christchurch. Dig In, and get one of the properties; fall to, to a man, and put up your Plumpton. It will pay m the end. Mr. Tom Reed is the Christchurch secretary, and every one hears lots of things about Tom— rvery favorable things. Mr. McKenna was the judge at Christchurch last year, and sports think a great deal of Mac's judging. He is an old Oamaru courser,, and knows the ABC of the hill and dale game. Our old friend W. Wellington will hardly be m New Zealand for the Cup (if it comes off). He is having a shot at Australia, from which, however, he intends, sonding some dogs if the great event develops. If the Waterloo itrun at all, it will be run late m the season, owing to the set-back it received from the Dunedin Club. I have harped a great deal over the Waterloo, because it was' an event that should come off. As it is the Association has given Greymouth the option now, or any other olub that writes to apply. Applications should come m at once. So far Greymouth seems burled m tho mists of the West Coast; they, havo : not applied. Why not InvercargUl? The latter club is having a meeting soon, and it is hoped they will send m their requisition. Como along, Messrs. Vickery, Broad, Jackson and Derby. You can achieve a lot down there. The flrst amplication m now must necessarily get.li. Mr. W. Wellington is willing to leaso any of the three Best Drum dogs to a reliable man. They have never had a day's illness. Mr. Wellington has sold out of Linwood, so anything special for him regarding his dogs can be addressed in 'care of me, until I hear from him from Australia, where he intends patronising every coursing gathering. Viv. Jackson got 'a good present m. Last Thought, and he thinks a lot about it. The N.Z. Association needs to grapple at once with tho breeding and registration of litters. Also, the governing body should immediately approach the railway authorities and secure the facilities afforded travelling hounds m Australia. At present, when a man has spent six weeks m getting his dogs fit, and sends them to a meeting m a j crate, he has to pay parcel rates, which works out as grossly unfair/ In Australia dogs that have competed at a meeting are carried one way free. Doping dogs will havo to cease this year. As one sport says, "1 have heard of some things done to dogs that would get a man five years." The new rules will deal with the offence strenuously. Viv. Jackson has been offered the two Ejjouse of Commons pups at a very moderate figure. They are splendid big-boned dogs, and should provo. acceptable to Viv. Meantime, Viv., himself, /has something very good for sale from Jack Vickery's kennel. Jack Vlckery has just returned from a big fishing excursion up Lake Marora. way, and is now surrounded by his kennel, eager for the fray. Pie has somo promising things for this season that will he hard to beat. Jack is always hard to crack, and that's why so many petty sports fight shy of his dogs. I am greatly surprised at the Dunedln boys running a maiden In tho open. Just fancy, a maiden In -the open! Shades of Marks, .lack Boyle, and Tommy Lee, look sideways at their dogs. /In fairness to .Mr. Price, the Central Otago Club secretary, I must say he strongly favored a stake for open dogs.. He was absolutely correct, as it is the only chance the great open dog gets. They -will lose a lot of lioms. I think hy catering for a special crowd, a -feature, that should not. he tolerated m any form of sport. Why not put on two stakes, giving the open dog one. It's not ton late yet. Charley Marks has a real good thing for tho Plumpton this year. "Joe" is taking great care of lt, and the others. The English Waterloo came off successfully, despite the fearful conditions prevailing at Homo. France and Belgium, however, are knocked on the head. Australia should ho a big success this seatjon. But what about our own tight little Dominion?