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fluch a proceeding advisable. They did consider themselves so justified, 

 and in 1882 there was no Panchestown. 



This proper action of the executive brought the agitators against 

 hunting in Kildare to their senses. 



Consequent upon a gigantic race-meeting like Punchestown thousands 

 upon thousands of pounds are circulated. Shopkeepers and tradesmen, 

 hotel proprietors and car-owners, as well as many of the peasantry, all 

 make money, while numbers of the small traders reckon upon paying 

 their rent, if not a great deal more, out of the profits of the race week. 



All that good fortune was taken from the Kildare folk in 1882, so, 

 although many of the losers were sympathisers with the Land League, 

 drastic measures were taken by them to prevent further interference 

 with hunting, with such result that Punchestown was again a meeting 

 in 1883, and so it has continued. 



I may say, however, that for some years after a proviso, admonitory 

 and suggestive, was inserted in the programme. 



Lord Drogheda obtained a capital idea during his visit to Australia a 

 few years ago. He took it, I think, from the Melbourne Race Executive, 

 and established it at Punchestown. The rule is to supply each rider at 

 the scales with a white saddle-cloth, in the hind corners of which is a 

 large red number corresponding with that of the horse on the card. 

 Exhibiting this is of the greatest convenience for ready reference, 

 and I wonder the excellent example is not universally followed. 



The only mistake ever made at Punchestown was some ten years ago, 

 when a flat race was published in the programme. Fancy, a flat race 

 at Punchestown ! Happily, it did not fill, so it was never started. I 

 devoutly hope Punchestown will never be anything but what it is — the 

 premier steeplechase meeting of the world. 



It is not likely to be anything else, for although the old pilot gave up 

 the tiller in 1886, he handed it to Mr. Percy La Touche ; and while 

 he holds it Punchestown will keep to windward of all other meet- 

 ings. Mr. La Touche is eminently qualified for the task, for he is a 

 practical sportsman, understands steeplechasing thoroughly, not alone 

 theoretically, but practically, for he rode many a race in the grand arena, 

 and has been for years one of the best men with hounds across Kildare. 

 He is also well endowed with both administrative and executive ability, 

 while no man in Ireland is more popular. All who attend our meetings, 

 whether on business or for pleasure, know what attention they receive 

 from that courteous and painstaking gentleman whenever he is called 

 upon. 



Since he took office Mr. La Touche has expended over £4,000 enlarging 

 and improving the stands and enclosures. The work has been executed 

 by Messrs. Musgrave of Belfast, under the superintendence of Mr. 

 Robert Waters, who succeeded his father as manager. 



Mr. La Touche has also laid out the Foxhunters' Plate Course, where 

 it turns to the right before reaching the first brook, and rejoins the old 

 ■course at the back of the double in the Herd's Garden, thus leaving 



