18 The Lanarkshire and Renfrezvshire Hunt. 



well-known member of a sporting family filled the position successfully 

 for three years, and in 1896 Colonel Robertson-Aikman took over control. 

 Colonel Aikman was at the same time hunting a pack of harriers in Lanark- 

 shire, and he was keenly interested in the breeding of both foxhounds and 

 harriers. The second season of Colonel Aikman's Mastership was particu- 

 larly successful in regard to sport, and several fine runs were recorded. 



Foxes were not quite so plentiful during season 1898-1899, a total of 

 fifteen brace being killed. The campaign of 1899-1900 showed an improve- 

 ment in this respect, as twenty-two brace were accounted for, and there was 

 not a single blank day, the sport throughout being of a most consistent order. 



I make this brief reference to serve the purpose of showing the character 

 of the hunting, and it is only possible to do such up to the time that Mr. 

 George Barclay accepted the Mastership in 1901. It was then that both 

 Master and huntsman retired, Colonel Aikman having thus completed a 

 term of five years. The final meet of the season was held at Finlaystone 

 on 30th March, but, singular to state, there was a covering of snow on the 

 ground of about six inches. Hunting was, of course, out of the question, 

 but the hounds were taken to the meet, and there was a goodly assemblage 

 to witness the presentation of a handsome testimonial from the members of 

 the Hunt to Harry Judd, who had carried the horn for nineteen seasons. 



Sir David Buchanan presided at this ceremony, and afterwards 

 Mr. G. J. Kidston, on behalf of the members of the Hunt, handed 

 to Colonel Aikman a silver hunting horn suitably inscribed, as a parting 

 recognition of his services as Master. 



Judd's last season with the pack may be regarded as highly satisfactory, 

 and the total of kills amounted to twenty brace. Increasing age and avoir- 

 dupois began to tell heavily upon the veteran huntsman during the latter 

 part of his career, although he was seldom " left " when hounds were 

 running. Apropos of this I can recall a good story. A well-known 

 enthusiast from the Shires, and a keen houndsman, was having a day with 

 the Renfrewshire pack, and on reaching the meet was naturally interested 

 in the appearance of the hounds. After a time he put the direct query : 

 " Are your hounds not looking rather fat, Judd ? " The questioner grinned 

 broadly when he got the explanation : " You see, sir, I feed 'em to suit 

 myself. I don't want 'em to go too fast for me." 



Mr. Barclay was not slow in recognising the fact that he took over the 



