SUBSCRIBERS' MEETING AT STOKE. 175 



" The Chairman having read a letter from Lord Stafford to members of the 

 Hunt Committee regarding the can-ying on of the Hunt in the future, Lord 

 Stafford made a statement to the meeting to the effect that, as he was unable to 

 reside in the centre of the Hunt, as in previous years, he regretted he could not 

 contribute so much as formerly towards the Hunt expenses. 



" It was proposed by Mv. J. W. Philips, and seconded by Mr. B. Fitzherbert, 

 that a vote of thanks be passed to Lord Stafford for the very efficient way in 

 which he had hunted the country for the past sixteen years at very great expense 

 to himself, and to express the desire of this meeting that the difficulties in the 

 way of carrying on the business may be surmounted. 



" Carried unanimously. 



" Proposed by Mr. C. J, Blagg, and seconded by Mr. R. N. Wood, that an 

 additional subscription be at once raised to provide the necessary funds to meet 

 the extra outlay which will be incurred by Lord Stafford next season. 



" Carried unanimously. 



" The hon. secretaries having prepared a list to be passed round to the 

 meeting soliciting an additional subscription for season 1890-91 beyond the 

 already guaranteed subscription for that season, and it being found that a sum 

 of £500 was forthcoming and promised in the room by members present at this 

 meeting — 



" Lord Stafford acceded to the wishes of the Hunt on the understanding 

 that the secretaries find themselves able to assure him that the guaranteed 

 subscriptions will secure him at least £2000 for next season, and provided it be 

 agreed to that Mr. J. W. Philips be appointed joint Master for the Draj'cot side 

 of the country. 



" Sir Morton Duller proposed, and Mr. C. J. Blagg seconded, that Mr. J. W. 

 Philips be appointed joint Master for the Draycot side of the country. 



" Can-ied nem. con. 



" Mr. Philips thanked the meeting and accepted the office. 



" The following resolution was proposed by Mr. Fitzherbert-Brockholes, and 

 seconded by Mr. W. W. Dobson, and carried unanimously : — 



" That, owing to the difficulty experienced in collecting sufficient money to 

 meet the Hunt expenses, as well as the heavy expenses of the Covert or Damage 

 Fund, the secretaries be instructed to notify to every gentleman, not being a 

 subscriber or the guest of a subscriber, after his third appearance with the 

 North Stafford Hounds in any one season, that the Hunt are unable to 

 continue to allow the numbers of persons hunting with them, and the pro- 

 portionate damage done to farmers and others, to be increased by any one 

 who does not contribute their proportionate share towards the Hunt expenses, 

 and to request such person to inform the hon. secretaries what subscription he 

 will give." 



A circular was sent out by Messrs. Boote and Simpson, 

 the joint hon. secretaries, to every member of the Hunt 

 who had not already given an additional subscription, 

 calling attention to the resolutions of the meeting held on 

 February 27th, and in the result the secretaries were 

 enabled, on May 28th, 1890, to address the following 

 satisfactory letter to the Master : — 



