At the meet of the Earl of Eglinton’s Hounds on December 23rd there was a pleasing incident, when Mr. and Mrs. William Baird, of High Balsarroch, were the recipients of a presentation from the members and subscribers of the Hunt on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. The presentation was made on behalf of the subscribers by Lord Eglinton, and consisted of a piece of plate and a purse of sovereigns. His lordship alluded to the assistance Mr. and Mrs. Baird and their family had rendered to the Hunt during their long residence in the country. They have been at High Balsarroch for twenty-six years, and occupied the neighbouring farm of Mount Fergusson for thirty years previously.
Mr. William Hanway, of Laragh, near Maynooth, died from heart failure on December 24th, in his seventy-first year. Mr. Hanway, who was a well-known rider across country and at the Kildare and Punchestown meetings, rode at the latter in April last, and was out with the Kildare Hunt the day before his decease.
A banquet was given at the Blue Bell Hotel, Belford, on December 28th, to Mr. Richard Burdon-Sanderson, who relinquished his pack of foxhounds last season after a long period of office, when a testimonial was given. The presentation took the form of a dessert service of old silver, and there was also given to Mr. James A. H. Burdon-Sanderson a silver tea-tray in recognition of his valuable services as deputy master of his brother’s foxhounds. The presentations were made in the presence of a large company by the Duke of Northumberland.
At the early age of fifty-one years, Mr. Clervaux Morley Saunders, of Bovicott, Devon, died at his residence on December 28th. Mr. Saunders was well known in the West country as a keen sportsman, and only a few years ago formed and hunted the Bovicott Otterhounds. He was also a breeder of horses, a member of the Council of the Polo Society, and a good supporter of agriculture.
While hunting with the Whaddon Chase Hounds on December 30th, the Countess of Orkney was thrown from her horse and sustained concussion of the brain.
On January 4th there died at Tissington Park, Derbyshire, the Rev. Sir Richard Fitzherbert, Bart., who was in his day a fine athlete and horseman. In the sixties the deceased gentleman represented Cambridge against Oxford at the hurdle race, and he was always a very good man across a country.
While out with the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hounds on January 6th, Mr. John Clay, of Chicago, who is hunting from Sunlaws, Kelso, had the bad luck to break his collar-bone.
Will Thompson, huntsman to Lord Fitzhardinge’s Hounds, sustained a bad fall on January 6th, through his horse swerving and coming down at a gate.
On January 6th, the Hon. Ivor Guest sold Pat 350 gs., Cotton 200 gs., Rarity 350 gs.; Captain the Hon. F. Guest’s Ireland made 200 gs., Spade Ace 280 gs., Scotchman 150 gs., Limerick 200 gs.; the Earl of Lonsdale’s Wallaby 300 gs., Fairy Saint 120 gs.; the Hon. Gilbert Johnstone’s St. Patrick 140 gs., Clansman 100 gs., and Call Boy 110 gs.
The Bedale Hunt has lost a prominent member in Mr. R. Hutton-Squire, who died suddenly at his residence, Holtby Hall, Bedale, on January 10th.