288 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



an auctioneer at Uttoxeter, and a member of the Staffordshire Chamber of Agri- 

 culture. It is a very simple appliance — made to fix on the bolt-hole of a fowl- 

 liouse, and makes it impossible for a fox to enter, although no hindrance is offered 

 to the hens going out. At the recent show at Peterborough it was awarded a 

 medal " for improved machinery benefiting agriculture." 



The luncheon, to which the judges, puppy-walkers, tenants, and members 

 and friends of the Hunt were invited, was held in a lai'ge marquee erected in 

 the courtyard of the Hall. In the absence of the Duke, Mr. J. W. Philips 

 (Chairman of the Hunt Committee) presided. In all, the guests numbered about 

 250, while, owing to the Hmited accommodation, an overflow luncheon was 

 served in the tent on the show-ground, at which some 150 other guests were 

 present. The Duke and Duchess being absent from home, there was no house 

 party at the Hall, as has frequently been the case in former years. Among those 

 present were Lord Henry Grosvenor, Sir Morton Manningham-Buller, Bart., 

 Colonel Dobson (dee-chairman of the Hunt Committee), Mr. Reginald Corbet, 

 Major Stamer, Mr. R. W. Radford- Norcop, the Rev. E. V. Pigott, Mr. T. W. 

 Twyford, Mr. E. J. W. Wood, Mr. Alexander Simpson, Mr. F. J. Harrison, Mr. 

 H. A. Wiggin, Mr. W. E. Stamer. the Rev. P. E. Mainwaring. Mr. F. G. Mather, 

 Mr. James Hall. Mr. E. A. Ridgwa}', the Rev. Edward Salt, Messrs. J. Kendrick 

 (chairman of the Staffordshire Chamber of Agriculture), J. H. Knight, J. G. 

 Knight, A. W. Leedam, G. F. Paddock, C. E. Challinor, Mr. W. D. Phillips, 

 Captain Edwards-Heathcote, Chief Supt. Hill, Messrs. Timmis (Bromley Mill), 

 Timmis (Charnes Old Hall\ Lakin (Xorthwood Farm), R. S. Wilkinson (Swin- 

 church), W. Blockley (Moor Hall), J. Blockley (Eladwood), Cartlich (Manor 

 House, Woore), T. Wood (Wrinehill Hall), Xoden (Norton-in-Hales), W. Wilkin- 

 son (Madeley), Tumock (Madeley). Adams (Audley), Sillito (Bromley Hall), 

 Foster (Trent Yale), J. Q. Lamb (Hanchurch), Bourne (Madeley), Birtles 

 (Micklow House), R. D. Garde (Eccleshall), Silvester (Tittensor), Emberton 

 (Brockton Hall), Holdcroft (Stoke-by-Stone), Peake (Hanford), Jackson (Market 

 Drayton), Bourne (Norton Wood), Felton, Webb, Hull, Lander, Pitchford, Wittle, 

 Lea, Bromley, Mason (Lilleshall), and many others of the tenantry on the 

 Trentham and Lilleshall estates. Apologies had been received from the High 

 Sheriff (Mr. R. P. Copeland), who was detained by his duties at the Assizes, Sir 

 HUl Child, Bart., and other gentlemen. 



Grace before and after meat was said by the Rev, E. V. Pigott, R.D., vicar of 

 Trentham. During the excellent luncheon provided by Messrs. A. Bayley and 

 Son, Newcastle, selections of music were given by the band of the Staffordshire 

 Royal Imperial Yeomanrj', under the accomplished baton of Mr. Gladman. 



The Chairman, in proposing the health of the King, said there never was a 

 time when this toast would be more heartily welcomed than at present. His 

 Majesty had gone through a most serious crisis. He had faced his sufferings 

 •with the utmost patience and determination, and he was now, they had every 

 reason to hope, on the fair way to a happy recovery. (Applause.) There was 

 no one who had done more than the King for the cause of agriculture, and in 

 this respect he had only followed in the footsteps of Royalty for many years. 

 They could go back to the time of old George III., who gloried in the name of 

 farmer. And her late Majesty and the Prince Consort were great promoters 

 of the rearing of good cattle. The Chairman also proposed " The healths of 

 Queen Alexandra and the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the 

 Royal Family," the loyal toasts being drunk with musical honours. The Chair- 

 man next proposed " The Successful Competitors," who, he remarked, were men 

 to whom the country owed a great deal for taking the pains of rearing the best 



