COURSING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 14

COURSING.

(By

“The Judge.”)

There is a proposal to hold an eight, dog stake at Chevalier Park on April 18, with a£s nomination. This will, if the idea is carried out, replace the fixtures previously advertised. A dearth of hares is the reason that the original meeting cannot be held, but it is thought that if a small single stake is run it would give the winner some encouragementto take his dog down South to compete in one of the bigger stakes. * * * 7T ' . The Messrs Dignan have been experiencing the worst possible luck, with their hares, and it looks at the present as though this would militate greatly against a successful season. >. Last year there were very few left, but with the idea of getting the hares thoroughly used to the. Park, Messrs Dignan ordered some from NewSouth Wales, and about forty were liberated at Chevalier Park. Another shipment of seventy-two were sent a few weeks ago, but despite every care, only about twentyfive reached the ground’ Whether the change of climate, or the richness of the feed disagreed with these I cannot say, but they have nearly all succumbed since. Another shioment is expected on Sunday, and I can but hope that the Messrs Dignan may be rewarded this time for their efforts to stock the place properly. I hear that there is a proposal in the wind to resume coursing on the Avondal.e enclosure, but do not know whether the Jockey Club has been approached in the matter. -if- -if * • , Mr J. H. Martin, well known in Sydney among the “ doggy ” fraternity, passed through Auckland on Friday en route ho the United States, where he will remain some six months. In the?’ course of a very interesting chat, Mr Martin told me that now coursing is to be held at Kensington, in Sydney, a great boom i& expected over there, and despite the drought, leash lovers are looking forward to the most successful season on record. The Welshman holds two medals for South Africa, having served under Lord Methuen, two for China, as well as four for life saving, included among the latter being the gold medal of the Royal Humane Society.