Coursing Notes.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 249, 2 May 1895, Page 2

Coursing Notes.

[By

Slip.]

FIXTURES. May 8,9, 10—Dunedin Challenge Stakes May 11 and 15—Auckland C.C. Open .All-Aged Stakes June 12 and 15—Auckland C.C. June Cup and Bracelet July 17 and 20—Auckland C.C. Avondale Cup and Puppy Stakes August 21 and 24—Auckland C.C. Champion Collar Stakes, Sapling Stakes, and Recovery Stakes June, 1896 —New Zealand Great Produce Stakes

As the popular sport of coursing seems to be rapidly gaining favour with the Auckland public, and a great deal of interest is being centred in the forthcoming gathering of the local Coursing Club, the first of which eventuates next Saturday week, May 11, the Committee have felt it incumbent upon themselves to keep abreast of the times by making several improvements at their Avondale plumpton grounds that will both facilitate the view to be obtained of the courses, and considerably enhance the comfort and convenience of the patrons. On Sunday last, at the invitation of Mr M. Foley, I was shown over the ground in company with this gentleman and our old friend caretaker Ferguson, and the first improvement that met my eye, on opening the gate leading into the paddock, was the asphalting of the grounds in front of the Grand Stand, so that where we once trotted round in the mud and slush and occasionally turned a “ sevener ” —an action that is usually accompanied by a flow of language more forcible than polite —one can now rush too and fro with that air of mysterious importance usually assumed by the punter when labouring under the delusion that he “knows something,” without fear of suddenly coming into contact with mother earth. Passing through into the course proper, I find a barricade of hurdles placed some fifty yards down the track to my left and on making inquiries I find that it is the intention of the Club to allow the public the use of this enclosure in order that they may see the whole of the course from start to finish, instead of cramming them up in that small space between the fence of the saddling paddock and the hedge to the left, where one always has a difficulty in seeing the working of the dogs. Then again the escapes have been brought considerably closer to the Grandstand, whilst the slip boxes on the other hand have been placed further back, thus giving the Stand a more central position, and the spectator a view of every inch of the coursing ground. Crossing the Plumpton to the first, or dummy, escape I find a great improvement on the old pipe system in the cutting away of the bottom of the fence about six inches from end to end of the running ground, thus enabling the hares’, however hard pressed, to race through at any angle whilst at top speed. Some two chain behind the dummies are the escapes proper, consisting of 8-inch pipes built into the groundwork of the fence, through which the hares pass into the cover. The cover contains a crop of cocksfoot grass, some three feet high, and additional artificial shelters in the form of a number of titree stooks, or cone-shaped houses, in which the hares may lay unmolested by hawks or cats, and thoroughly dry during rough winter weather. A stake fence divides the cover in order that the hares when in training may easily be driven through the alley leading to the boxes. Several hares were put up by Mr Ferguson, and fine fast gallopers they were too, fit to run for a Waterloo. The boxes in use are a decided improvement on those on the other side, where the hares are forced through the whole length of the tunnel before being released ; whereas in the present instance the caretaker has ingeniously devised a box of some 14ft in length, 12in deep, and 7in broad, containing a series of compartments, 16in by 7in, into which the hares are driven and locked off in their individual pens by means of a slip-rail. The box can thus be carried to the delivery alley, across which it is placed lengthwise on rollers, the side door opened and the hares released, whilst unsuitable animals can be kept in their compartment. From the slip boxes to some 150yds out on the Plumpton a wire, to which slips of calico are attached, runs out in a V shape, and should a hare deviate from its course this ingenious contrivance, worked by a lever on either side of the slip boxes, is raised, and the calico, fluttering in the breeze, turns the animal back on its correct course. The coursing ground proper, which is some 500yds from the slip-boxes to the escapes, is in splendid order, with the grounds newly mown, soil dry, and not too hard, and it is safe to say that no more suitable Plumpton could be found throughout the length and breadth of the 'Colonies. Great credit is due to Mr Ferguson for the manner in which he has executed his duties, and a word of praise must go to the committee for their promptitude in having these matters of detail attended to. The inspection over, I returned to the Avondale Hotel, at the invitation of the genial host, and after a good wholesome dinner and a glass or two of Hancock’s best, left for town.

Nominations for the Maiden and All-aged Stakes close to-morrow (Friday) evening at the office of the secretary, V ulcan Lane. A picture of Mr J. Russell’s dog, Bock, is presented with this issue, and letterpress will be found in our illustration column.

As the Auckland Coursing Club have decided to hold their May meeting on the advertised dates, they will be unable to obtain the services of Mr Chatteris as judge, that gentleman having to attend the gathering of the Auckland Trotting Club. This left the Club in a quandary as to the possibility of obtaining a suitable official, and I am given to understand that Mr W. Knight has kindly offered to fill the vacancy, and the Club have closed with him. No better choice could have been made, as Mr Knight is a man of unimpeachable character, popular amongst the sporting fraternity, and one whose decisions will carry great weight, and prove thoroughly impartial and straightforward.

I understand Rockbail will not appear at the first meeting, Gillespie being of the opinion that he cannot get the dog “ cherry ripe ” in time. This trainer has Marmalade in steady work for the forthcoming season, and she is looking well. W. Hackett’s Martini Henry—Leona youngster is rapidly coming into condition, and must run well. F. Machattie had a fine looking Broncho— Nada youngster in the Domain last Saturday. A really nice looking juvenile, and fast too. Geo. Hennings’s string, viz., Poacher, Kotero, and that white dog of Mr Donald McKinnon’s, are- looking fit and well, Kotero especially so. This gentleman was working them on the Domain last Saturday. That red and white Port Philip dog of Mr Knights is in nice condition, and should run well when wanted. I took another peep at Mr Fox’s chargee at the “Sea View” Kennels, Avondale, early in the week, and was pleased to note a vast improvement all round, and one or two additions to the string in an unnamed black and white bitch by Cupid—Rangapai, a black dog of the same breeding, and the mother Rangapai —quite a family party. The first-mentioned is a perfect little lady, nicely proportioned, very compact, and built on speedy lines. She is rapidly getting into condition, and when she makes her initial appearance in the Puppy Stake will require a lot of beating. Her brother —Cloud King by name —is built much on the same lines, though of course, as a member of the sterner sex, he is larger than his sister,and a really nice cut of a dog Both have been entered for the" New Zealand Great Produce Stakes of 1896. The several other members, including Pat, Doris, The Imp, Cushla, Stormfiend, Roseberry, The Fiend, Sir Robert, Freedom, and Blue Light, are progressing most favourably, and will one and all be in the pink of condition when they go to the post. Geo. Stevens has three or four dogs in preparation for the coming season, viz., Miss Lee (Scamp—Langley), and three unnamed dogs, two by Caradoc—Cerita, and one by Lucifer— Cerita. One of them, a white dog by Caradoc, is a really fine looking animal. The following remain in the Dunedin Challenge Stakes after the seventh payment on Friday last: —E. R, Kidd, Winton (2), F. D. Kenyon, Victoria (1). J. Kirby, Dunedin (1), R. Allen, Dunedin (2), Watts and Little, Victoria (2), A. R. Morrison, Dunedin (2), G. Livingstone, Ngpara (2), W. Gardiner, Oamaru (1), S. S. Myers, Dunedin (5), J. Mitchell, Dunedin (1), W. Carver, Dunedin (1), A. B. Wiley, Evensdale (1) Grimshaw, Oamaru (2), J. and W. Mills, Dunedin (2), J. Scanlan, Dunedin (1), J. Crawshaw, Dunedin (1), R. Barclum, Invercargill (3), W. Gardiner, Oamaru (2), W. A. Noel, Dunedin (1), M. Ward, Invercargill (1), J. Graham, Oamaru (2), E. R. Kidd ns, Winton (2) J. Kirkby ns, Dunedin (2), M. Hayes, Riverton (2), J. Norman, Dunedin (]), J. Waters, Dunedin (1), J. C. Jerome, Victoria (4), H. Skilton, Hastings (1), W. Douglas, Dunedin (4), S. Tennant, Dunedin (1), A. and J. Deaker, Dunedin (1), J. S. Capstick, Dunedin (1), W. Henderson, Waikato (1), M. Taylor, Christchurch (2), W. Proffitt, Napier (2), J. Gibson, Mosgiel (1), R. Blackham, Invercargill (1), D. McLeod, Auckland (1), J. Williams, Dunedin (2), Kelly and M’Gilcuddy, Victoria (4). The final payment of £2 is due on May 6th, when the name, colour and pedigree of dogs must be sent in. From a private letter shown me by an Auckland gentleman, I learn that Mr J. Jerome has left for Dunedin, in order to be present at the running for the Challenge Stake. Mr Jerome advises his Auckland friend to take a run down to Dunedin, as the Stake will prove a sight worth seeing, there being some of the finest dogs outside England engaged. I would remind owners of dogs that running collars can be obtained from caretaker Ferguson at the slip box, on the day of the meeting.