COURSING.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 53

COURSING.

DUNEDIN COURSING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Coursing Club, presided over Tsy Mr W. Henderson, was well attended. The secretary Tread the report and balance sheet, which, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Price, was adopted. The report was to the following effect : —

" Your committee is pleased to state that the genesral public- is displaying an increased interest in the sport, the attendance on each occasion being highly satisfactory. The dogs running this .year were ftrst-classf and owners are now alive to the fact that it is no use competing unless they good dogs^ as evidienced by "the recent importations of valuable stock. It is also gratifying to note that the handsome prizes donated by the club have _ tempted visitors from other parts, more particularly irom Australia, which fact goes to prove that the bill of fare provided -by this club compares at least favourably with any other in the Australasian colonies. A great deal of support was received from the public both in -donations and membership. Special thanks are due to Messrs J. Speight and Co. for the valuable trophy .presented in connection -with the Waterloo Cup, the trophy being generally voted the anost handsome ever donated in the Australasian colonies (vide MiKelly at the settling), and special thanks are also dive to the licensed victuallers of Dunedin for the generous manner in which they responded to the appeal of the club for the bracelet in the Ladies' Stakes, to Messrs J. 'Loughlin, H. Lethaby, W. Pollock, and S. Myers for medals presented, and to Messrs 'Cuttle and J. Sheehy for loan of tables, etc., and horse icspectively. Despite the fact that the balance sheet shows a deficiency of £i 13s 75 for the year, there has been an actual gain, after deducting this deficiency, of JBSI odd, ' amount expended -on fence, escapes, and shelter sheds. Tlie hares cost the club £139 odd (an average cost of 8s fid per hare), but this amount could have been considerably curtailed had it not Taeen for the depredations of poachers. We are pleased to state, 'however, that this offence has been effectually blocked, and there should be a big Having for the' future. Mr W. Henderson, who has been associated with the sport for many years in Otago, Tesigned his position as slipper, "but with his characteristic generosity Undertook to teach any member of the club. Mr A. Aitken slipped into the breach, and the manner in which he performed his duties as slipper reflected credit both on Mmself and his tutor. Mx I*. 3Butilcdge again officiated as judge, and, needless to .say, -gave general satisfaction, and earned the .goodwill sof every leashman in New Zealand by his masterly decisions'. The committee had held 34 meetings during the year, .entailing » lot of work on individual members The experience gained in the past should he of valuable assistance to the incoming comjnittett,, tfoai s£_th* obstacles

during the earlier stages were successfully overcome, and the incoming committee should have no great difficulty m maintaining the favourable reputation gained by the Dunedin Coursing Club. The press has been most liberal in the matter of reporting various meetings, for which the club is extremely grateful, as it is well known that no sport can prosper without their support. Judging by the number of dogs owned locally, and the numerous new clubs formed in the country districts of Otago, the forthcoming season should prove a record one.

The election of officers and committee resulted as follows: — President, Mr S. S. Myers ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Collins and A. Price ; Local Committe — Messrs P. Mitchell, J. Boyle, G. Davis, A. Aitken, W. 15. Millier, J. .Fuller, jun., A. Cursey, A. Gawne, F. Carter, W. Henderson ; Country Committee — Messrs C. Swanell (Kaitangata), C. E. Dagg (Queenstown), ft. Penman (Kaitangata), F. G. Harrex (Rough Eldge), and E. E. Kidd (Wmton).