l60 DISPUTE REFERRED TO BOODLES. 



was accepted, by a majority of ii to 3 ; this majority was further 

 increased by a telegram from one member and covert owner, who 

 was unable to attend ; and the chairman, Sir Henry Halford, was 

 requested to announce the decision to Mr. Coupland, with the 

 thanks of the committee for his offer. Upon the decision of the 

 committee being intimated to Sir Bache Cunard, he considered the 

 matter as settled ; bought Mr. Tailby's hounds, built kennels, and 

 made the necessary arrangements for hunting the country. 



The power of the committee to decide finally being disputed, a 

 long correspondence ensued, Sir Bache Cunard leaving himself 

 unreservedly in the hands of the Billesdon hunt committee. The 

 opinion of the committee of Boodles is requested on the case, and 

 by which opinion the Billesdon hunt committee agree to be 

 bound : though they still contend that the decision of the com- 

 mittee (appointed as above) was intended at the meeting to be 

 final and conclusive. 



It is much to be regretted that permission has been refused to 

 see the case submitted to your committee by Mr. Coupland, as the 

 grounds upon which it claims, and the facts by which such claims 

 are supported, can only be matters of conjecture gathered from 

 conversation and letters (public and private). A knowledge of the 

 actual case would have enabled this question to have been put more 

 shortly and clearly before your committee ; and, it is hoped, that 

 should there be facts in dispute, or arguments unanswered, your 

 committee will apply to both parties for information. The decision 

 in the case will be so important a precedent, that we trust this 

 request needs no excuse. 



It was arranged that Sir Bache Cunard should hunt the 

 Billesdon country during the season 1878-9, without prejudice to the 

 rights of either party. 



We submit that the Billesdon country is independent and free 

 to choose its own master, according to fox-hunting law ; because 

 (i) the Earl of Stamford and Warrington — with the assent of the 

 Quorn hunt — declined to hunt the country south of the Uppingham 

 Road in 1856 ; and, after his refusal, Mr. Tailby hunted the same 

 ■without interruption for twenty-two years (1856-1878). 



We submit that the following cases lay down clearly the 

 principle of twenty years' possession, of which (amongst other 

 grounds) we contend. 



Here follow citation of a number of awards by Com- 

 mittee of Boodles for which we are unable to find space. 



