1897J HUNT MEETING. 241 



and take the field, or my dear old friend, Mr. Bass, who 

 has failed already to find a deputy. (No and yes.) 



The Chairman pointed out that the question before 

 them was whether the resolution passed at the last meeting 

 should be rescinded or not. They would like to know, 

 however, whether Mr. Bass would consent to go on with 

 the Mastership. 



Lord Harrington : I have the authority of Mr. Bass 

 to say that he will be happy to go on. (Applause.) 



The Chairman asked for " ayes " and " noes " to the 

 resolution, and expressed the opinion that the " noes " 

 had it. 



A vote was demanded, with the following result : — 



For Lord Harrington's resolution ... ... 92 



Against 82 



The Chairman thereupon declared that Mr. Hamar 

 Bass retained the Mastership of the hounds. 



Mr. W. Boden, having urged that the vote taken last 

 week was entirely out of order, 



Mr. Fort entirely denied the rumour that he had 

 resigned the Deputy-Mastership in order to oust Mr. Bass. 

 His reasons were that his position had become a most 

 difiicult one, and he had also private and personal reasons 

 for retiring. 



The Chairman appealed to Mr. Fort to reconsider his 

 determination (applause), and to consent to act as Deputy- 

 Master for another year. (Applause.) He proposed a 

 resolution asking Mr. Fort to do so, which was carried 

 heartily and unanimously. 



Mr. Fort said he really could not accept the position. 

 If they asked him to consider the matter he could hardly 

 refuse to do so, but he must tell them fairly and candidly 

 that he was pretty well certain that his answer would be 

 in the negative. 



Sir Reginald Hardy proposed, and Sir 0. Mosley 

 seconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman, whicli 

 terminated the meeting^. 



