Decadence of Sport.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 38

Decadence of Sport.

Many sportsmen of the old school resent the manner in which modern shooting parties are conducted in the North, says a Home paper. In the “good old days” the “glorious Iwelfth” saw three or four “guns” tramping over the heather quite content to shoot over dogs and ready to continue this method for many days until the grouse became impossibly wild. To day the owners of “big shoots” invite treble the number of guests, who would not dream of walking up the moors or of doing much tramping when they reach them in brakes and motor-cars. It is the day of driven grouse, and the driving begins on the opening day. 'fhe times of sandwiches and flasks have gone, and the modern luncheons on the moors are as elaborate as those served in any Loiidon restaurant The butts are made as comfortable as possible, and the fair sex at some "shoots” are allowed to accompany the “guns”—sometimes, it should be whis-

pered. much to the annoyance of the latter. Meanwhile, the invasion of (Scotland by rich men who have taken to shooting late in life has sent up the expenses of guests in every direction. In many Scotch houses the large staff of servants are out of all proportion to the size of the domains, and this means a list of “tips” to be added to the out-of-door expenses. The modern gillies have taken the cue from their temporary masters, and their ideas of recompense have grown. The head keeper expects and receives nothing less than £5, and £1 each is the usual “tip” to gillies. When there is a chauffeur as well as a coachman, the guest must part with at least another sovereign. Added to these expenses are “tips” to indoor servants travelling expenses, cartridges, and a game licence, so that an invitation to one northern shoot means a n expenditure of about £2O.