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CHAPTER XIIL 



DEATH OF MR. K. BOOTE — SPORT IN 1891-92 — MR. R. 

 BOOTE AS A TYPICAL NORTH STAFFORD ^FOX-HUNTER — 

 LORD STAFFORD SUCCEEDS TO THE DUKEDOM — RUNS 



IN 1892-93. 



In the summer of 1891, the Hunt sustained a serious loss 

 by the death of Mr. Richard Boote, of Shallowford House, 

 who was not only one of the joint honorary secretaries to 

 the Hunt since the year 1887, but for nearly fifty 

 years he had been one of the most keen and bold riders 

 in the Hunt, and one of its most staunch and genial 

 supporters. We shall have another opportunity of refer- 

 ring to his connection with the Hunt, and here the writer 

 will only say that he shared to the full the general regret 

 at the loso of so thorough a sportsman and so good a 

 friend to the Hunt. 



At the first general meeting of subscribers held after 

 this event, at the Stoke Hotel, on October 9th, 1891, the 

 following resolution was proposed by Mr. J. W. Philips, 

 seconded by Lord Stafibrd, and carried unanimously : — 



•' That this meeting expresses its sincere regret at the death of their late 

 valued secretarj', Mr. Richard Boote, and desires to record its great obligations 

 for the very successful and most disinterested manner in which he worked as hon. 

 secretary in the interests of the Hunt, and tenders to his family its deepest 

 sympathy and condolence." 



At the same meeting Mr. R. N. Wood was elected to 

 the oftice of joint hon. secretary with Mr. A. Simpson in 

 succession to the late Mr. R. Boote. 



A meeting of the North Stafi'ord Hunt Committee was 

 also held at the same place and on the same day with 



