AUGUSTUS F. ROSS 119 



Pollard was afraid that if the country were divided, 

 his part of the neighbourhood would have no hunting 

 at all. The chairman did not know that such would 

 be the case. At the last meeting he ventured to 

 make a suggestion that the important neighbouring 

 town of Torquay should contribute £1000 a year 

 towards the foxhounds. (Laughter.) The sug- 

 gestion had received some local notice, and he had 

 heard that he had rather affronted Torquay by 

 putting the amount of subscription so low. (Renewed 

 laughter.)^ 



After further discussion, the names of Messrs. Ellis, 

 Michelmore, Wills, Codner and Tucker were added to 

 the committee, and the meeting was again adjourned. 



In the meanwhile, the rumour got abroad that 

 there was a chance of Mr. William Coryton taking 

 the country, but at the adjourned meeting held on 

 the 21st February Sir John Duntze explained that 

 that gentleman declined to enter into any negotia- 

 tions whatever until the country was vacant. After 

 the position of matters between the hunt and Mr. 

 Ross had been re-stated and discussed, a resolution 

 was passed expressing the thanks of the hunt to ^Ir. 

 Ross, coupled with the regret that his offer could not 

 be accepted. The committee was then requested to 

 enter into negotiations with Mr. Coryton. Those 

 present at the meeting, in addition to the chairman. 

 Sir La^vrence Palk, included : Sir John Duntze, Dr. 

 Gaye, Messrs. D. R. Scratton, R. W. Pollard, Baillie, 

 senior and junior, Ellis, G. Remfry, J. Wills, Steele, 

 Rendell, Symons, Pinsent, Vicary and Mortimore.^ 



The negotiations with Mr. Coryton came to nought, 

 and at the beginning of the season 1877-8 we find 



1 The Field, 3rd February, 1877. 



=* Mid-Devon Advertiser, :i4th February, 1877. 



