CHAPTER X 



AUGUSTUS F. ROSS: FIRST MASTERSHIP, 1875-8 



A troubled reign — Comes from the "VMieatland with Philip Back as whip — 

 A nocturnal " dust-up " — Keeps on Kingsteignton Kennels — His estab- 

 lisliment — A contrast — Opening day at Lindridge : a large field — A great 

 day's sport — The Field on Tom Harris the Haccombe keeper — Record of 

 sport — Mr. W. J. Watts at Yamer — Fm-ther sport: a fine run — 

 Wishes to resign — Hunt meetmgs — Sir L. Palk condemns Torquay's 

 lack of support — Adjourned meeting : fiirther discussion — Dissatis- 

 faction in the country — ilr. William Coryton prospective successor to 

 Ross — The master's offer rejected — Negotiations with Mr. Coryton fail — 

 Ross continues in office — Changes in hunt staff — Good sport : a hunting 

 run ; a day of bad luck — Resignation of Ross — Partition of South Devon 

 covmtry. 



" Such a good-natured soul he would never complain 

 Of good sport in the day, and at dinner champagne." 



(A Party at Stover.) 



MR. WESTLAKE was succeeded by Mr. Augustus 

 F. Ross, who was undoubtedly a good sports- 

 man, but unfortunately there were circumstances 

 connected with his reign that prevented it from 

 being the success it might have been. As it was, 

 trouble arose during his second season. 



Mr. Ross came from the Wheatland. He took 

 over that country from ]Mr. Winter-Wood in the 

 middle of the season 1874-5. He bought the hunt 

 horses and took over the huntsman, James Alexander, 

 and the whipper-in, Philip Back. When he came 

 to South Devon at the end of that season. Back came 

 with him, bringing his horses and about thirteen 

 couple of hounds to add to those in the kennels at 

 Kingsteignton. There was a " dust up " in the 



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