OPEN COURSING AT OKATO

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1929, Page 4

OPEN COURSING AT OKATO

ATHOLDENE AND MISS JOYCE TIE. PROPOSED PLUMPTON AT OMATA. Weather conditions were ideal'for the final meeting of the New Plymouth Coursing Club this season, the gathering being held at Mr. A. M. Putt’s during the week-end. Hares were in abundance during the early part of the day, and coursing was first-class, but in spite of numbers of hares raised in the afternoon the finalists, Atholdene and Miss Joyce, could not be slipped and they divided the stake. A big factor in the success of the day was the cover work of Mr. R. Penwarden’s English setter. The services of this line dog have been an acquisition to the club throughout the season. Mr. A. Haskall was the judge and the slip steward was Mr. A. Tichbon. Prior to the meet Mr. J. Shore's Cup, which was given for the winner of the last meeting, was presented by Mr. A. Haskall to Mrs. K. Jeffries (Golden Clips). Mr. Ha ska’ll referred to the consistency of the winner, who had had bad luck on previous occasions, and a success after many attempts was a pleasing feature. Following are the details of the open sweepstake:— First Round. J. Shore’s Sandeman 2 lost to A. Haskall’s Atholdene 4|. .. Atholdene. jumped away smartly in a short course and turned. Sandeman dived in, wrenched and then tiirned. Atholdene moved in to turn and kill. . Miss Jeffries? Last Thought .jj lost to F. Harrison’s; Miss Joyce 4. ,■ This was a gruelling course,. going the best .part’ of two miles. There was little difference in the lead up, but Miss Joyce turned. Last Thought turned and Miss Joyce wrenched. The hare zig-zagged through a boxthorn fence, Miss Joyce leading throughout. The hare then went on the road and was lost. Bisox had a bye. Semi-final. Atholdene G beat Bisox 4. Atholdene led in a good course and turned. Bisox wrenched and then turned. Atholdene turned again and Risox turned, Atholdene cutting in to kill. Miss Joyce had a bye. Final. A,. Harrison's blk. b Miss Joyce (Mons —•Lady Lettie) and A. Haskall’s blk. b. Atholdene (Mons —Silent Wave) divided the sweepstake. During the day the proposal to give up open coursing and' establish a pluinpton was discussed. The secretary, Mr. F. Harrison, reported that he had beenoffered a piece- of ground at Omata which was handy to New Plymouth and it was generally agreed that there would be sufficient encouragement from sportsmen in New Plymouth to warrant the establishment of a plumpton. There was no doubt that little outside interest was taken in open coursing, the sport in the enclosure being more attractive to the majority. The secretary stated that he had been promised sufficient new memberships to cover the initial cost, and a meeting to finalise matters is to be held shortly.