MODERN COURSING. 247 



occurs the draw is usually void, though the nominator is responsible for the nomination which 

 he has had allotted to him. 



The National Coursing Club, which is composed of the representatives of the leading 

 clubs throughout the kingdom, forms a Coursing Court of Appeal, and is regarded as the 

 head of affairs in the Greyhound world. But before going briefly over the principal rules 

 laid down by it, we will describe shortly the functionaries indispensable to a coursing meeting, 

 taking the existence of a Club committee as a fact. 



Of all connected with this sport, the office of Judge is the most important and unthankful, 

 for on his shoulders rests the responsibility of delivering the verdict which may mean so 

 much to thousands. A quick eye and a good memory are essential qualifications in a judge 

 of coursing, and it is scarcely necessary, we think, to add that his integrity must be unimpeachable, 

 and his strength of mind assured in addition, or he will most certainly be unfitted for 

 the post he fills. His duties are to ride with the dogs, and calculate the points they 

 score. He frequently also has to give the slipper orders when to slip, and he has to deliver his 

 decision immediately the course is over to the flag steward, whose duty it is to see the red 

 or white flag hoisted by the man told off" for this special duty. The colour under which 

 a dog runs is regulated by his position on the card, which is in two columns, the victory 

 of the dogs on the left column being represented by the hoisting of the red flag, and those 

 on the right by the white one. In the event of an undecided course taking place, the judge 

 takes off his hat, as an intimation that he is not satisfied, and the dogs have to go into the 

 slips again. 



The post of Slipper is, if not as responsible, a more arduous one than that of 

 judge, for it is his duty to slip the Greyhounds when told to do so by the judge or slip- 

 steward. A considerable amount of skill and quickness of eye is required in the slipper, 

 for an uneven or a jerky slip must ruin many a course. His duties, too, necessitate a great 

 amount of physical exertion, as the slipper has to be on his legs all the day ; and in addition, 

 before he slips the dogs, has usually to run some little distance with them before the word is 

 given to slip. 



Beaters are almost indispensable at a coursing meeting, as without their assistance hares 

 would not be found in many instances when wanted, or if found, she would probably face in the 

 opposite direction to that which a good course required. It is most desirable, therefore, that 

 the beaters know their work, and by keeping in their proper positions prevent the hare either 

 facing to cover or to the dogs, which would most likely occur if she were frightened by 

 injudicious beating. 



The Field Stewards, under whose direction the operations in the field are conducted, have 

 the unpleasant task cf keeping the ground clear, and seeing that the beaters do their duty. 



The following are the values of the six points in coursing : 



1. SPEED. i, 2, or 3 points. 



2. GO-BYE. 2, or if gained on the outer circle, 3 points. 



3. TURN. I point. 



4. WRENCH. \ point. 



5. KILL. 2 points at most; but points may be subtracted if the kill is not meritorious 

 in fact, a kill may count for nothing. 



6. THE TRIP. i point, 



