COURSING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 87, 24 March 1892, Page 1

COURSING.

The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Witness was very severe on the Auckland Coursing Club for their proposal to hold their coursing at Avondale, on what he termed “cold clay flats,” and imputed personal motives as the reason for taking that place in preference to Ellerslie. We may inform those interested in coursing that the Avondale race course, which it is proposed to fence in. is wholly composed of a light loamy warm soil of considerable depth, and is land that would be hard to beat in the Colony. It is the same land on which the Avondale Vegetable Supply grow such an abundant quantity of excellent vegetables. Unquestionably the land close to the course is composed of a “ cold clay surface,” and this is, we are informed, where the Otago Witness's correspondent fell into error. The objection to Ellerslie is that it is not available on the score of expense ; neither is it so suitable for breeding purposes as Avondale, where there is about four acres at one end in a wellsheltered and drained gully, with plenty of titree and fern covering. The Ellerslie course would cost considerably over £Too per annum, with a number of restrictions—the grandstand would not be allowed; whereas the cost of Avondale is but ,£3O. With regard to personal motives, it is amply and fully demonstrated that such a thing does not exist, from the fact that most of the people who would be interested in the coursing taking place at Ellerslie are substantial subscribers to the present Club; which has now a wide and daily increasing number of members. They have already a substantial credit balance, and have cabled to England for the necessary wire netting, which will arrive within two months time, and in the meantime all other preparations will be made. As a considerable amount of money is necessary to thoroughly prepare the place, etc., lovers of the leash should not be backward with their subscriptions, especially now that the Club has been fairly started, and is under an able and energetic committee. In justice to the Otago Witness's correspondent, we are informed that he has acknowledged the error into which he was led by “ information received,” which he considered at the time was reliable.

Attention is particularly drawn to the advertisement from the Auckland Coursing Club, wherein it will be found that dogs and litters may now be registered with the secretary, Mr. W. Wallace, from whom all information may be received. Copies of rules of the National Coursing Club of New Zealand may be obtained from him. Names of dogs must also be registered if not of a registered litter.

Robert Osborne, brother to the well-known jockey Johnny Osborne, who used to train as Osborne Bros., of Ashgill, Middleham, died January 27th, aged 53. He had been suffering from influenza, which turned to pneumonia and inflammation of the lungs.

As a proof how the sporting public appreciate a straightforward jockey in England, the subscription in aid of Bradbury, who lost his leg through an accident, has closed, with ,£2,200; while John Osborne’s fund exceeds .£3,000, and is not closed yet. &•