THE STOPPAGE OF THE GALWAY HUNT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 467, 24 March 1882, Page 19

THE STOPPAGE OF THE GALWAY HUNT.

Ox Saturday, Dec. 3 let, at 2p. m., a largely-attended meeting of the members of the Galway Hunt was held in the Railway Hotel, Athenry to consider the couree they should adopt in view of the opposition which they met from the people while hunting at Kilcornan on Tuesday last. The meeting was convened by a circular issued by Major Comyn. Lord Clonbrock occupied the chair.

Mr Burton Persse said they were all aware of the facts whichcompelled them to call the present meeting. He felt exceedingly ob'iged to them for responding to his call, and more especially to bis old and valued friend Lord Clonbrock for coming there to preside. He felt that the present was a grave crisis for the hunt, and one with regard to which he would not be justified in taking any action without their presence and co-operation. He received several times anonymous letters from people, saying that if he persisted in hunting the hounds would be intercfered with and poisoned, and on one or two occasions lately he had to alter his plans, but the hunting in these instances proved fairly successful. On the day the hounds met at Bally crissane a mob of 300 or 400 assembled, and said they would not. allow the hunting to go on while the suspects were kept in. He said in reply that he had nothing to say to keeping them in, and that he could not interfere. The crowd then closed aronnd them and eaid they would hunt them (the landlords) out of the'eountry. In consequence of the attitude of the crowd they had to drive away — the people following as far as they could— but they ultimately got into another cover where they were not expected, and they had some hunting. The next day they met at Turlonghmore, and though the people there were not exactly defiant, still they were not cordial. In the evening when they were coming home the people were very uproarious, and exhibited an absence of that friendship which the members of the hunt desired to see. The climax was reached on last Tuesday at Kilcornaa, close to his own place, where he least expected it to occur. He never thought any such thingcould occur. Having arrived at the gate where the hounds usually got in, they found a crowd of nearly three hundred persons assembled there. The gate was blocked with stones, and the crowd were gathered all around. He got out of his carriage and asked would they allow him in, and they said no. He then told his sons to cet in over the wall and open the gate, but the mob said they would allow no gate to be opened, and they would have no hunting in future. They used language which be did not think it necessary to repeat, and declared that they would drive them— the landlords— out of the country. He then appealed to their good taste, and asked that they wouldn't interfere with, the ladies, who wanted to get in, and they said they didn't want either ladies or landlords. He was about withdrawing, when all of a sudden the constabulary arrived, as much to his surprise as to the surprise of the people. He had no idea that they were coming, nor did he wish it, because he would never hunt under protection (hear, hear). He told the crowd he was as much surprised at the arrival of the police as they were, because he didn't know of their coming, and some of them appeared pleased at that statement, but others did not appear to believe it. After the police arrived be said he wished to have the gates opened and they opened the gate accordingly. The officer in charge then said he didn't wish him to proceed further for fear of violence until the resident magistrate came up. In a short time the resident magistrate arrived with fifty or sixty military much to his surprise. He then passed into the demesne at Kilcornan under the guard of military and police, which certainly caused him much mortification. Having arrived at the lawn he had a consultation with the gentlemen of the hunt, and they agreed that it was perfectly impossible to hunt there, the crowd having broken loose over the place with sticks and dogs, creating the greatest confusion. Thinking it might perhaps be their last day they decided to gallop eight or ten miles off, which they did, and they had a good run, after which they came borne all right. When occurrences like that took place, not only once but twice, and tbree times, he thought it was high time to call the members of the hunt together to consult as to what steps they wished him to take regarding the hunting for the remainder of the season. Of course he was bound to hunt the country to the end of the season, but he could not carry out an impossibility. He would rather never see a hound or a fox than 1 hunt the country in opposition to the feelings of any class. He re-

gretted rery much that this unpleasantness happened, because it | should be a proud boast of hi* that he hunted the country for twenty j eight years with the good-will of all classes, and without an angry | word being said to him [here Mr. Persse was much affected]. He felt, 1 however, that the hostility was not directed personally towards him, but towards one of his class, and towards all landlords without distinction. He saw no other course open to him but to leave the matter in their hands to decide whether bunting was to be carried on at the risk or their lives, he might almost say and certainly at the risk of the lives of the hounds, which were very valuable. He had received Beveral letters threatening to poison the hounds, but whether the writers would carry out that threat or carry on the warfare in another way he could not say. It was impossible to speak for any locality. He had received letters from gentlemen saying that no opposition need be apprehended in their neighbourhood, but from others he received reports of a conflicting character. He thought he could speak for the quietness of his own neighbourhood until last Tuesday, when he was undeceived. He was sure that many persons came there that day to insult him and insult the hunt, who lived witbin a mile of his own gate. In conclusion, he had only to thank members of the hunt from the bottom of his heart for the kindness, cordiality, and good feeling which he had experienced at their hands during a period of thirty years, and he had only to hope that even if this should be their last meeting he shouH always have their kindness and friendship while he lived (applause).