SCENE ON A HUNTING FIELD.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12767, 13 April 1910, Page 4

SCENE ON A HUNTING FIELD.

Singular proof of the bitterness genorated by the politic of the day was forthcoming the other day in the hunting field when a well-known peer and a member of Parliament figured in a disgraceful scene. The peer, who is one of. the most irreconciliable of the opponents of the Budget, was enraged on riding to the meet of his favourite 'Hunt club to find the newly-elected Liberal M.P. for — — in the field. The M.P. was out for sport, and oblivious of the Budget and land taxes was enjoying the music of the hounds and the conversation of his friends. Suddenly there canie for him a rude reminder that politics pursued him even to the pigskin. The peer had descended upon him, and, with thunder on his noble brow, demanded to know "what right a — '— Radical had to be there ?" The members of the hunt attracted by the loud angry voice of their choleric neighbour, ceased chatting and laughing, arid turned to watch' this strange prologue to the chase of the fox. The M.P. took his noble inquisitor quietly. He answered with dignity that he hoped he was free to come and go without his lordship's permission. One word brought on another, and then the peer, who is not an -expert debater, fell back upon his hunting.crop. Bushing upon the oommonerrhe dealt such a blow, for His principles as almost threw the honourable gentleman out of his saddle. But the, tower House was only shaken for a moment. -The champion of democracy pulling himself together "went for the representative of hereditary right,: on this occasion, at all events, hopelessly in the Wrong. While the encounter lasted it was fast and furious. The combatants shaped well. But the fox was waiting, growing every moment more impatient to lose his brush. So the bystanders hastened to put an end to a conflict which threatened to undermine two vigorous British, constitutions. Old members of the hunt say they never had a better day's sport. Legal procedings are, we understand, pending.