SOME POINTS ON PAPER CHASES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 88

SOME POINTS ON PAPER CHASES.

(By an Englishman.)

The following article I came across lately In a ■ paper I take regularly, and thinking that boys would read ifc on account of the hints given, I give it for their benefit: — A distance of about eight miles will be found -generally sufficient, and it will of coujge be very advantageous for the hares to, nave- arranged their plan of campaign, and lo have thoroughly reconnoitred their proposed course before fch« day of action. This will prevent any halting or uncertainty, oi\ worse still, any falling-out or jflisputings by the way, and will also eneure ifcheir not being landed in any unforeseen difficulties, such as being hung up in a quagmire or imprisoned in the bend of a liver. At the same time a pocket compass is always a useful adjunct, and prevents the chance of losing one's way. ) The two hares need not necessarily be j 'Hie fleetest runners in tho school, but should have plenty of pluck and resource, and be of about equal strength in the jnatter of running and jumping powers. If the country presents fairly good fcover, 10 minutes, or less, will be a liberal start, and they should begin to lay the *cent at a prearranged point. The paper thould be torn up fine, and sparingly .strewn. Many -an excellent run has been prematurely cut short by a too ■ lavish ' *xpenditure of the ecent. The costume donned should be as light as possible — ordinary knickerbockers, a single (vest, and canvas shoes. All else is of the paturo of impedimenta. A word as to the scent-bags. Wide, bulging sacks, pillow-cases, et id geaiua ornne, should be discarded. A long, narrow calico bag should be made to suit the runner's height, with noose to draw ilie mouth tight; the ends of the bottom of- the hag should bo tightly sewn on the left shoulder ; the bag should then be slung across the back — held by a loose strap if necessary— aud come tinder the right arm. Tho paper will 'thus oasily shake down as required, and the weight will be as little irksome as possibly One of these bags for each hare,- if tightly packed with paper, ivill bo found to provide enough scent for l course of the proposed length. , It is an invariable rule that the hares may not cro&s the scont ; they may, of course, lay a, false track and double, but ifc is of q-uestionable advantage. In some cdhools it is the custom that, if yne hare is fagged before the other, th«

fresher of the two may lay a single roundabout trail, and agree to meet his fellowhare at a certain point, to Which the latter may take a short cvt — laying no scent, of course, meanwhile,— and co regain his wind. It eeems, however, fairer on the whole to have a fixed rule that the hares may not part company at all. Each hare probably has his own favourite dodges. If there is a cantankerous farmer in the neighbourhood who objects to having his territory invaded, the hares probably know it, and rush swiftly across the farmyard, scattering a perfect shower of scent as they go ; they get off scot-free, but be sWre that a host of bucolics, armed with sticks or pitchforks, will be in readiness to greet the hounds if they attempt to follow the Banue course. Such pranks as these, however, are apt to bring discredit on those concerned, And to lead to the suppression of the game altogether. Still more to be deprecated, of course, is the doing of any wanton injury to fences or farm property. An intimate knowledge of the geography of a neig.hbourhoo3 is always useful. I remember, when I was at school, a certain and very dirty and repulsive ditch, just too wide to leap and deep and slimy enough to make it exceedingly unpleasant to plunge through. At a certain point there was a sunken wooden plank about six inches under the sui'face. The hares, who had discovered the existence of this plank, turned their knowledge to good-account. . The hounds received a check, and, in addition to the delay caused in seeking a ford, were eventually compelled to wade it, and the mud that thus adfoered to their persons was a sore incubus for the rest of the run. The hares must have gained half a mile by this strategy. AU bribing of country folk to give false information ie most unfair and unsportej manlike,' and, of course, it is a point of : honour with hares and hounds alike to make a bowa fide run — all friendly offers of a ride in any shape to be sternly declined. The hares should endeavour to enliven the hunt by giving as much variety to tihe course as possible ; a dead-level monotonous road route is very. depressing. If the paper runs short, th© hares should throw down their bags to mark the epot and make straight for home; if_they take refuge •or hide and come in after tha hounds, of course- they are caught — and i here again an accurate knowledge of the ; shortest cuts will be very helpful. Not much need be said about the hounds. It is essential to have a really good master of the hounds, or chief huntsi- \n, who can keep well to the fore the whole way. It is 1 advisable' also to have a whipper-in to rally j the pack. " , | Directly the trail is lost the huntsman j should stick in his flag at the place where the scent was last seen; then let the pack . circle round it till the scent be recovered: i then the bugle shoxdd immediately sound the tally-ho! The bugle and the flag (or two flags) are ' very . useful ; in fact, the flag is a sine qua. ' non. ■ By its means a lost trail is more quickly regained than by any other, and without it many a" check has occurred, resulting in the escape of the hares, even when closely pressed. It is quite surprising how much time is saved by the use of ' flags. m I Some responsible person should act as , timekeeper to time the hares and mark th© <' order of arrival of the hounds. > j Immediately on arrival home a drink of i hot milk is desirable. A warm bath should be taken, and every possible care exercised To keep out of draughts, and so to avoid all chances of taking a chill. There is much pleasure to be got out of a good paper-chase. It calls into play agility, endurance, and judgment. May my readers experience tliis pleasure ; and wihen theii 1 school days are over may their memory revert, as mine often does, with satisfaction, to^the happy recollections ancT mingled associations of many a, good run !