NATIONAL COURSING ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 3

NATIONAL COURSING ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho National Coursing Association of New Zealand was held in the secretary's office, Empire Buildings, last evening, Mr W, Everest in tho chair. The annual report of the council, which had been drawn up by the president (Mr B. S. Irwin), stated that, despite tho. unfavourable conditions prevailing, the sport had been fairly well maintained during the past year. Tho Waterloo Cup for this year was allotted to the New Plymouth Club, which had withdrawn, and the Wanganui Club hud taken over its control. The fixture would take place on July 11, 12, and 14. Mr Richard Coombcs, Sydney, had written to say that, as the Australian Waterloo Cup was to' be held at Rooty Hill on June 5, 6, and 7, he would be calling a conference of delegates to discuss the proposal to form an Australasian Coursing Club. So far tho South Australian Association did not favour the union. In the event of a supreme governing council being formed, he hoped in the near future that New Zealand would bo able to hold an Australasian Waterloo Cup., The council had been called upon during the past year to investigate several charges of breaches of tho rules of coursing, and where tho offence had been proved tho offender had been punished in such a way as he sincerely hoped would load to the elimination from coursing of all but true sports. It was the duty of individual clubs to investigate all suspicious eases coming within their knowledge, and thus attempt to stamp out illegal practices. The council was really the appeal body, and had no wish to usurp the functions of tho affiliated clubs, but must take action where a club failed to carry out its duty. In moving the adoption of this report the Chairman suid it had been circulated, and disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs. At tho end of last year there had been a balance of £14 lis, and this year there was a credit of £11 14s. Last year the Waterloo Cup had been held at Hamilton, and it was felt that matters had benefited in the North Tsland as a result. Several matters had been discussed at a conference held during that meeting,, and, as they were, aware, a conference was to be held each year in the centre where the Cdp was held. Some little time ago difficulty was experienced in obtaining hares, but. through the instrumentality of Mr Murks, that matter had now been adjusted, and all clubs would be supplied with hares for the season. He trusted that this year's Waterloo would be supported by nominations from both Otago and Southland.—(Anplause.) Mr J. Ronald (Otago Central) seconded the mot'on, which was carried unanimously. Tho following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year—Patron. Mr O. R. Wise (Oamaru); President. Mr B. S. Irwin (Dunedin); vice-presidents—Messrs P. Jeffries (Nelson), J. P. Vickery (Invercargill), J. Ronald (Otago Central), and J. Hannan (Wanganui); treasurer, Mr W, Everest; secretary, Mr H. Divers; delegates—Messrs H. Andrews (Invercargill), B. S. Irwin (Duncdin). T. Lee (Orago Central). W. Millier (Nelson). F. Carter (Wanganui), F. Foster (Now Plymouth), and W. Everest (Hamilton).

The following coursing dates were allocated for the incoming seasonWanganui Club, tile Waterloo Cup (dates, July 11, 12, and_ 14), and five other days' coursing in addition, the committee being of opinion that .the 12 days asked for should be reduced to eight in all; Dunedin Club, May 31 and •Tune 1; Nelson, last week in April; and Otago Central, at Omakau, Easter week.