158 MEETING OF COVERT OWNERS. 



This was unanimously agreed to by the meeting, and a 

 committee of five was appointed which simply made a protest. 



At the earnest request of the Billesdon country Mr. Tailby re- 

 called his resignation, and this may possibly be the reason why the 

 committee carried the matter no further — but let the cause have 

 been that, or other, Mr. Tailby remained undisturbed in the 

 Billesdon country, with the full approbation of the owners and 

 occupiers, till the end of the season 1877-8. Twenty-two years. 



It seems difficult to contend, that the appointment of a 

 committee, by the members of the Quorn hunt, at a meeting to 

 which the Billesdon hunt {existing de facto) were not invited, can 

 disturb the possession of twenty years, but as it is reported, that 

 such is the contention of Mr. Coupland, aud such the fact alone 

 relied on, it is important that the committee should have their 

 attention called thereto. 



It is also to be remarked, that at the meeting, the independence 

 of the Billesdon country was distinctly asserted, and that at a 

 meeting of the Billesdon hunt- -shortly before called together at 

 Wistow — it was determined by a very large majority (if not almost 

 unanimously) that the Billesdon is, and shall continue to be 

 independent. 



Mr. Tailby having announced his determination to retire at 

 the end of last season, a meeting of covert owners was held at 

 Wistow, in February 1878, where it was agreed to invite all 

 owners and occupiers of land, siibscribers, and others interested in the 

 management of the hunt, to meet at Kibworth, on Wednesday, 

 February 27th, Sir Henry Halford to take the chair. 



The meeting was held accordingly, and there was a large 

 attendance. The chairman stated that he had received two 

 propositions, which he should put before them for the future 

 hunting of the country, one from Mr. Coupland, and another from 

 Sir Bache Cunard. 



' The course most practicable would be to thoroughly discuss 

 and hear the opinions of every one there that day as to what 

 should be done, and then a committee should be appointed, to 

 consider what they had heard, and other evidence, and take 

 such steps as they thought necessary, for the future manage- 

 ment of the hunting of the country.' 



Mr, Coupland proposed (during the hunting season) ' to give 

 up to Lord P'errers a considerable portion on the north side of 

 the country.' 



