Coursing.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 679, 12 March 1903, Page 16

Coursing.

(By “

The Judge.”)

The second payment for the North New Zealand Coursing Association’s big Stake fell due on Monday night, and as seventy-nine nominations were paid for, it. would seem, that a success is assured. There certainly seems distinct signs of a revival in coursing all over the colony, fallowing, no doubt, on the boom which is going on in Australia in the most ancient of all pastimes.

I am sorry to hear that the mortality Among the hares shipped across by the Westralia from Sydney for Chevalier Park was heavy. The steamer had a fine run across, and there seemed to be no reason why so many succumbed, for the steamboat people did their best to look after the comfort of their small passengers. Another shipment of fifty is due on Sunday evening by the Zealandia.

■ Messrs F. and W. J. Baker advertise in this issue ■ the service of their newly-im-ported greyhound Yes-No for the low fee of £2 10s. He is certainly a beautifully bred dog, and a glance through his pedigree shows it is well worthy of perusal, for in it will be found some of the most distinguished names in the Stud Book. Yes-No is by that wonderfully good dog Lindsay Gordon from Coralie, an exceedingly fast and clever bitch. Coming from such a great running strain, it would be odd indeed if the Messrs Baker’s dog did not turn out a big success at the stud.

Yet another coursing ground is shortly to be opened near Sydney. This will be at Kensington, the headquarters of pony racing in the City of the Beautiful Harbour. , Kensington is very easily reached by tram, and as the enclosure is reported to be one of the best appointed in Australia, Sydney coursers should be in clover.

The coursing season in Australia opened on Saturday last, when the Lithgow Club led off. There are no less than forty clubs affiliated with the New South Wales National Coursing Association, which fact gives a good idea of how the interest in the sport has revived in that colony. It seems but the other day that the writer called a public meeting to form the Association, at which about twenty gentlemen were present. Coursing was then apparently on its very last legs, yet the Association formed that day is now a veritable power in the land.

The Wellington and Suburban Coursing Club intends holding a Birthday Stake of £5O on June 3 and 6 at Trentham Park. It will be for an unlimited number, and the first payment falls due with Mr H. W. Davis, the hon. secretary, on March