COURSING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 852, 5 July 1906, Page 9

COURSING.

(By

“The Judge.”)

A meeting of coursing men took place- at the Federal Hall last Friday, the committee of the North New Zealand Coursing Club having arranged it with a view of meeting Mr. C. Jerome and hearing his views on coursing. Mr. F. W. Combes occupied the chair, and, after the customary loyal toast of the King had been done honour to, proposed the health of the guest of the evening. In the course of his remarks, the chairman said that he had known Mr. Jerome for some 14 years from the time when together they had assisted to establish the New South Wales Coursing Association. Since that time, “Jerry” had wandered all over the civilised globe, and in many places where it was not civilised. Wherever he went, no matter whether it was in Canada, the States, South Africa, Australia, or elsewhere, he had always taken a keen interest in coursing and done his best to push it ahead. Although as yet only a small band, the coursers of this city were not a whit behind others in their appreciation of Mr. Jerome’s services for the sport, and all considered him a fine sportsman and a good fellow. Mr. Jerome, on rising to respond, was heartily cheered. He narrated his experiences of coursing in many lands, many of them being exceedingly interesting However, although he had seen much there were very few, if any, places indeed, where coursing was conducted on better lines than in Auckland. The ground was well arranged, the hares strong, the executive straight going and enthusiastic, and the judging and slipping above reproach. Mr. Jerome made one or two suggestions as to slight improvements it the escapes and in a few minor details, his remarks being listened to with close attention. At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Jerome gave the toast, “Success to the North New Zealand Coursing Club,” Mr. C. Tapper, the hon. secretary, coming in for a welldeserved eulogy. Other toasts honoured were “The Press,” replied to by Mr. Callan (“Sport”), and “The Slipper,” to which Mr. Brennan responded. The final toast, which was a very enthusiastic one, and given with musical honours, was “The Judge.” Mr. Coombes, in replying, said that he had inherited his love of coursing, for his father had been equally fond of it, as were his brothers, one of whom was president of the New South Wales Coursing Association. It was over 30 years since he had first witnessed a coursing match, and he had followed it up in many lands ever since. As long as he held the position of judge he would always give his decision in favour of the winning dog, no matter to whom it might belong. In conclusion, he desired to thank Auckland coursing men for the hearty support he had always received. * * * * Mr. Martin Taylor is on the warpath again, having left last Saturday by the s.s. Tarawera with his team to try conclusions with the Masterton warriors.

I see by the papers that the Wellington local brewers, Messrs. Staples and Co., are giving a valuable cup, to be added to the principal stake to be run for on July 4th. Can’t some of our wealthy ones who brew the cup that cheers take the hint and do likewise? I am sure the Otahuhu hotelkeepers have not had such busy Saturdays for a long time as they had on June 16 and 23. * * * * That painstaking trainer, Mr. Albert Woods, has had two new occupants for his kennels. One is the fawn dog Robin Hood, and the other a Springwater—Lavender dog named Waterman. * * * * The Outer Domain was on Sunday morning last apparently the training ground for a very great number of greyhound-owners and their charges. Amongst those were Joe Porter, with a nice young brindle dog puppy by, I was told, the See-Saw dog Equipose, and another was the owner of Bally-e-Gren, who had a nice fawn bitch, full sister to the winner of the late Maiden Stakes. A real nice bitch is the fawn, and should be a handy one when it comes to business. The redoubtable Cork Kelly, from the Surrey Hills training paddocks, was also an attendant, giving his charges a change of venue. Mr. George Mills had his new importation, Pigeon-toe, out for a gallop; a fine stamp of greyhound is the red son of Kilmamhan and Buxom IV. * * * * Writing the name of Buxom IV. puts me in mind of the remarks written by “Slipper,” coursing editor of the “Adelaide Observer,” of the Buxom family: “We have never known a bad one; so it is to be hoped that the plucky George’s purchase will keep up the Buxom family’s reputation.” * * * * The good management of the North New Zealand Coursing Club’s honorary secretary, Mr. Tapper, has come in for a lot of favourable comment. It is to be hoped that the sporting public will by an increasing attendance give the popular “Kay” and his hard-working committee still further encouragement in their efforts to add laurels to this enticing sport. * * * * It may be out of place for me to suggest anything to the members of the North New Zealand Coursing Club as to their programme, but if they could possibly add a small puppy stake to one of their meetings I am certain it would be an inducement for owners to try and breed a good puppy, as most of the coursers like to breed a Derby or Oaks winner.