104 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



luncheon taking place in a large marquee in the courtyard 

 belonging to the Hall. It is scarcely necessary to say 

 that this is a red-letter day, and a most popular function, 

 for all parties concerned, more especially for the farmers 

 in the district. Nothing can be more graceful than the 

 hospitality shown by the Duke and Duchess on these 

 occasions, and we feel sure that this annual event does 

 much to popularize fox-hunting amongst the tenant 

 farmers of the district. 



We print below a report of the proceedings at the 

 show and luncheon of 1899, from the Staffordshire 

 Advertiser, taking this as a typical specimen of this 

 pleasant annual function : — 



THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HUNT. 



THE AGKICULTUR.VX, AXD PUPPY SHOWS. 



For some six j^ears now it has been the custom, on the occasion of the 

 judging of the new entry of hounds of the North Staffordshire pack at Trentham. 

 with its annual award of prizes and puppy-walkers' luncheon, to hold a show of 

 stock and produce, the property of tenant-farmers of the Hunt. So thoroughly 

 has this been supported by his Grace the Duke of Sutherland and the Duchess 

 and by the members of the Hunt, that the annual agi'icultural show held on 

 the puppy-judging day has become a fixture that vies in extent and excellence 

 with societies that can boast a county name. The seventh annual gathering was 

 held in the Park on Tuesday, in beautiful weather, the Duke and Duchess and 

 a large party being present at the proceedings. The attendance was large, the 

 show was the largest ever held, and at the kennels Boxall had a large entiy 

 to place before the judges, the manner in which he brought them out being a 

 credit to him. During the morning, and subsequently at the luncheon, the band 

 of the Staffordshire Yeomanry discoursed sweet music, under the leadership of 

 Mr. John Gladman, and their performances were quite a musical treat. 



The entry of young hounds comprised 15| couples of dog hounds, 9 couples 

 of bitch hounds, in all 24^ couples. The judges were the Earl of Lonsdale and 

 the following huntsmen : Dale of the Duke of Beaufort's, Tom Smith of the 

 Bramham Moor, and Capel of the Belvoir. The following were their awards : — 

 Dog hounds— 1st, Chimer, sire Warbler, dam Constance, walked by Mr. Nodeu, 

 of Seabridge ; 2nd, Harbinger, sire The Quorn Hardwick, dam Placid, walked 

 by Mr. Pedley, Moddershall ; 3rd, Warwick, sire Warwickshire Warlock, dam 

 Wakeful, walked by Mr. Basset, Strongford Bridge. Bitch hounds — 1st. 

 Nourish, sire Babington Nelson, dam Honesty, walked by Mr. Foster, Trent 

 Vale ; 2nd, Norah, same litter, walked by Mr. Huntbach, Buerton ; 3rd, Parody, 

 sire Ganymede, dam Passion, walked by Mr. Wilkinson, Madeley. There would 

 have been a stronger entry of bitches, but a good many have been lost by dis- 

 temper. The entry of dog hounds was a very good one. Chimer is a beauti- 

 fully-shaped dog, but showed himself badly, being very shy in the kennel. He 

 has good legs and feet and nice bone, but, being a grey, his colour is a bit 



