64 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 11881 



plant had cost something like thirteen thousand five 

 hundred pounds, whereas the first idea was something like 

 five thousand. Lord Vernon wished to have a certain 

 amount of architectural form in it, but he (Sir William) 

 thought a great deal might have been done towards 

 making a presentable exterior by good proportions. These 

 stables and buildings were not for perpetuity, for the 

 time was only sixty years ; but, at all events, it seemed 

 to liim that a great deal of money had slipped through 

 their fingers. 



The Chairman said, on the part of the committee, he 

 must admit that the first estimate of five thousand pounds 

 was simply ridiculous, and he went on to speak of the 

 excellent accommodation provided at the kennels. Hunts- 

 men and stud grooms did not care to live in small cottages 

 nowadays. They were also highly favoured in having a 

 park so handy in which they could exercise their horses 

 and dosfs. With reoard to the retirement of Lord Water- 

 park, it was a most painful thing to every one connected 

 with the Hunt, but, at the proper time, more direct refer- 

 ence would be made to the matter. The Chairman further 

 referred to the financial position. The subscriptions last 

 year were three thousand four hundred and sixty-three 

 pounds. The payment for covers, keepers, and poultry 

 was always an increasing figure. Farmers, who at one 

 time did not think so much of the odds and ends, now 

 sent in more claims for poultry, and in these bad times it 

 was only right they should look to matters of detail. 

 The payments the last year on this account were seven 

 hundred pounds. The sinking fund (on the kennel debt) 

 would in future amount to two hundred pounds a year, 

 and, with interest on the loan, the amount would be 

 increased to four hundred pounds. To this must be added 

 two thousand five hundred pounds to be paid to the 

 Master, bringing the total amount required to three 

 thousand six hundred pounds a year. The gross income 

 last year was three thousand four hundred and sixty-three 

 pounds, so that, on the same estimate, the deficit would 



