COURSING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2521, 7 June 1909, Page 3

COURSING.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —In reference to your leader in Saturday morning’s paper under the title, “A Cruel Pastime,” a sport, ■which lias taken up the attention of the public during the last two days has horrified and surprised me that such savageness bo allowed in a civilised country and in the presence cf so many spectators. I note with pleasure tiiat 'there are individuals fearless and sympathetic enough to make known to the public the great injustice and cruelty which is being dealt to the hapless little hare. Personally, I have never been present at a sport of the kind nor have I any desire or curiosity to do so, seeing a helpless animal torn to pieces by two hounds in the presence of hundreds of onlookers, it is not only inhuman, but as your leader says, unBritish, repulsive, and unsportsmanlike, and the sooner the game is done away with the bettor for animals and people. I sincerely trust this matter will not be allowed to pass without the comments of a more able pen than mine. Perhaps, had I been present and witnessed the scene I might be more capable to cry down what I consider only right and proper for the protection of dumb animals. Apologising for taking up space, but I will await anxiously to hear more on the subject which might prevent the like happening at a future time. In conclusion I would like to ask if they have in Gisborne a Society for the Protection of Animals. If so why do they tolerate such conduct to one they ought to protect.—l am, otc CLARA B. TEMPER LEY. June o, 09.

[To txik Editor.] Sir, —Your article in Saturday’s pa‘per re the proceedings of our local 'Coursing Club earns my warmest admiration and approval. The so-called •“Sport” is, I believe, the worst form of animal cruelty that exists in the British Dominions. To think that the wretched victims*—the hares —are sent 'up here from South, ill-fed and ill-con-ditioned, are turned out in absolutely new surroundings, in a closed paddock, to bo hunted down by two dogs trained for the purpose—with the very barest ‘chalice of saving their lives —to think ■also that these animals, if unsuccessful In reaching cover, are torn in two with 'one dog at the throat and another at the tail, and as described by an eyo‘witness, that you “could hear them 'calling out like children crying”—to think that not one in ten escapes this ihte, and if they do escape, it is only ‘for a time, until they have to run the 'terrible race for life again—to think 'about all this and to call it “sport”— to hear the hookies taking odds about ‘this dog and that, and to see a demoralised public anxious to see the ‘poor hare rent in two for the sake of the few shillings they have on a dog, to encourage all this! ! ! To pander thus to human cruelty and vice is to help in the degredation and moral degeneracy the degradation and moral degeneracy Editor, might I hope' you and the Society for the Prevention, of Cruelty to Animals will carry this matter furtnor, and you have a warm supporter in— • DAVID MOB BISON. June sth, 09.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —The Mayor in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Coursing Club said that the public would reap great benefit from its introduction into the district. Would lie- kindly explain what possible benefits can accrue from the pursuit of this manly and noble sport (?). We British are wont to pride ourselves on our sense of fair play, the main constituents of which are'entirely lacking, in this form or sport. The. word is in no wav applicate to so brutal and'cowardly a pastime ; one tending to introduce a most undesirable element- into our midst. Surely we have 'degenerated if this is termed the. king of sports. 1 Is it _the sport of a gentleman,' or have wo tor-o-otten the truo meaning thereof. °Eor lie is gontlo who doth gentle deeds.” It is much to, be. regretted that our Mayor should have countenanced by his presence so degrading and pitiable ‘a spectacle; pitiable on account of the animal's helplessness, at themercy of its pursuers,, and degi acting t„ tli,. persons e<c.. Gisborne, May sth. '