62 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 



abetted by my old friend, Will Dale. (Applause.) He was always 

 a favourite of everybody's here. (Hear, hear.) Now, I should not 

 like 3^ou to think that I wish to take all the credit to myself of having 

 managed the poultry fund of the Hunt ; not at all, for I was most 

 ably assisted by the gentlemen who have so kindly given up their 

 time and have loyally and efficiently helped me, and if I was to pick 

 out one, who lives furthest from me, and who has done his work with 

 discretion and tact, I should like to mention the name of Mr. Ernest 

 Pritchard. (Hear, hear.) The Hunt owes him more than they 

 think, and his system of accounts is the best I have come across. 

 Whilst on the topic of accounts I should like to add one more name. 

 When I undertook the management of the accounts of the Hunt it 

 was a simple matter ; I only had 91 subscribers, and the subscription 

 was something under £2,000. Lately, I have had 291 subscribers, 

 and the subscription has been nearer £5,000 than anything else. 

 (Hear, hear.) That is a serious matter, and I had to get assistance. 

 I have been ably assisted by Mr. Edwin Deavin, and I beg now to 

 thank Mr. Deavin for the trouble he has taken for the sake of the Hunt. 

 (Applause.) I think, gentlemen, I have only one thing more to say, 

 and that is I hope those who have loyally supported me will loyally 

 support my successor, not only for his own sake but for the sake of 

 foxhunting in Gloucestershire. (Applause.) Perchance my ex- 

 perience may be of some use to him, and he knows very well that if 

 at any time I can ever assist him I shall only be too proud and 

 pleased to do so. (Hear, hear.) I only wish now to say that the 

 day after to-morrow is, unluckily, my birthday. (Laughter and 

 applause.) You won't all be here then, but you are here now, and 

 if you feel inclined to go round the corner of the house and into my 

 dining room you will have an opportunity of drinking my health. 

 (Cheers.) 



The company then dispersed, and the Colonel being taken at his 

 word his health was drunk most heartily. 



Presentations to Will Dale. 



At a meet of the Beaufort Hounds at Worcester Lodge on 

 November 9th, 1911, Will Dale, who had been their huntsman for 

 15 years, was presented with a handsome testimonial upon his retire- 

 ment. The presentation, which consisted of an annuity to Dale and 

 his wife, and a cheque for £200, was made by His Grace the Duke of 

 Beaufort. The full amount subscribed was £2,263, and the album 

 containing the names of the 1,132 subscribers was inscribed as 

 follows : — 



" Presented to Will Dale on his retirement from active service 

 by his old friends and comrades in remembrance of the many days 



