156 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



obligation to him for the manner in which he earned to a successful issue the 

 three years' guarantee, as well as the general office of deputy Master in Lord 

 Staiford's absence. 



" Lord Stafford having conveyed to the meeting through Mr. Fitzherbert- 

 Brockholes liis sense of the difficulty attending his frequent and unavoidable 

 absence from the hunting-field, and his wish to make whatever arrangements 

 would be most agreeable to the Hunt as regards Mastership in the field in his 

 absence, the following resolution was proposed by Mr. J. Heath, seconded by Mr. 

 C. J. Blagg, and passed unanimously : — 



" That the members of the Hunt will be quite satisfied with any arrange- 

 ment Lord Stafford thinks well to make as regards the Mastership in the field in 

 his absence, and that they consider his views of asking different persons to be 

 responsible in given districts as eminently satisfactory." 



It will be sufficient to say, with reference to the matter 

 of the guarantee and the arrangements for the Master- 

 ship referred to in the above resolutions, that the requisite 

 amount was raised without difficulty, and the Mastership 

 went on as desired without any break or interruption, very 

 much to the general satisfaction. The resimation of Mr. 

 Fitzherbert-Brockholes was due to the fact that he was 

 leaving Staffordshire to live at his own place near Garstang, 

 in Lancashire. He was deservedly popular with all 

 classes in the North Staffordshire country, and was not 

 only an ideal secretary, but he made a very efficient Field 

 Master in Lord Stafford's absence for the season of 1886-87 

 on his tour round the world, being a right good man 

 across country, and a thoroughly good sportsman all 

 round. His successors, Mr. Boote and Mr. A. Simpson, 

 carried on the good traditions of the office, and their 

 services as joint honorary secretaries were much appreciated 

 by the members of the Hunt. Mr. Simpson's services are 

 continued to the present date, and are simply invaluable. 

 The following admirable circular was sent out to the 

 Members of the Hunt by the joint secretaries, soon after 

 their appointment : — 



" North Stafford Hunt. 

 " Dear Sib, 



" As the prosperity of the tenant farmers in a Hunt is such an impor- 

 tant factor in the welfare of that Hunt, we have been desired by Lord Stafford 

 to draw the attention of all supporters of the North Staffordshire Hounds to the 

 fact that it would be a very material help to the farmers in this Hunt, espe- 

 cially in these bad times, were they to make a point of purchasing, as far as 

 possible, their corn, hay, straw, etc., direct from the farmers. Many already do 



