2o8 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



Biddulph, Esq., Captain J. C. Best, R.N., John Dickin, Esq., Major Main- 

 Avaring, Major Tottenliam, Sir H. B. Robertson, and Messrs. W. Corbet, 

 Yale, G. Edwards, Herbert Jones, and Dr. Drinkwater. The farmers also 

 were all good fellows, and, though caring little for the sport themselves, were 

 complaisant in allowing them to hunt over their farms. 



The institution was eagerly welcomed by the residents of Llangollen 

 and neighbourhood, and no great difficulty was experienced in obtaining a 

 sufficient number of influential subscribers. The ladies of the district also 

 displayed great interest in the formation of the club, and have since followed 

 the sport with inlenre pleasure. Last season's subscription list contained 

 fifty-seven names, more than half of which were from Llangollen and the 

 immediate vicinity, while the names of eight ladies graced the list. 



Mr. S. C. Thornton Jagger was appointed the first Honorary Secretary 

 to the Hunt, a post which is equivalent to our term Master, except as 

 regards the hounds in the field, and is similar to that of the first Chairman 

 of Committee of the R.R. B. Hunt before V. A. King was appointed Master. 

 During Mr. Jagger's term of office the present kennels were built, at a cost of 



^lOO. 



The first Huntsman (or Master of the Hounds in the field) was 

 Mr. Robert Groome, with Captain Parry and two of the Jaggers as \Vhips. 



For the first two seasons, 15-inch beagles were used ; but it was found 

 that small hounds could not stand the hard work in so mountainous a 

 country, and were of little use on the moors in the deep heather. In 1890, the 

 beagle pack was disposed of, and about eleven couples of harriers purchased 

 from Mr. Weightman, of Doncaster. 'I'hese were drafted off, and made a 

 very good pack, some of them remaining in the kennels to this day. Enough 

 puppies are reared to keep up the numbers to 14 or 15 couples, the standard 

 height being 17 inches, which is, undoubtedly, the hound most suitable for 

 this part of Wales. 



About this time, Mr. Groome left the neighbourhood, and Mr. J. B. 

 Jagger became Huntsman. He still carries the horn, with Messrs. Frank H. 

 Jagger and G. P. C. Holmes as Whips. Li 1893, Mr. S. C. Thornton Jagger 

 resigned the post of Hon. Sec, Mr, Frank H. Jagger being appointed in his 

 room, which he continues to fill to the satisfaction of all concerned. 



As regards hares, there may be said to be a fair sprinkling in the 

 country ; but in some of the best parts they are very hard to find, and blank 

 days have to be endured more often than is agreeable. The small mountain 

 hares, however, are very good, and, when found, afford excellent sport, being 

 very hard to kill. 



i\Lany excellent runs have been enjoyed with this pack. The following 

 record of one of them will be interesting : — 



