The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-06-29 00:00:00

OF COUNTRY.

MEETING op PROPRIETORS Op COVERS.

On Tuesday afternoon a very influential meeting of
owners and occupiers of covers in alinost all parts of the
county was held at the King's Arms Hotel. The pro.
oeedings commenced about half-past two. Amongst those
present were—The Earl Digby, Lord Rivers, Hon. W.
H. B. Fortnum, M.P., Sir W. C. Medlyoott, Bert., Sir
E. B. Baker, Bart., J. Floyer, Esq., H. N. Middleton,
Esq., C. J. Radolyffe, Esq., W. L. Henning, Esq.,
Major Frampton, T. B. Bower, Esq., T. B. Bower, jun.,
Esq., G. Harbin, Esq., M. S. Yeatman, Esq., W.
Henning, of Hollway, Mr. Miller, Mr. James Davis, Mr.
James Harding, C. B. Henning, Esq., T. Henning,
Esq., Mr. Harvey, J. Batten, Esq., Mr. L. Groves,
.of Cruxton, Mr. Joseph Davis, H. Bridge, Esq., F. T.
"Johns, Esq., J. Rihbeck, Esq., E. Pope, EN., Mr.
White, of Upeerne, /to.

_
On the motion of Lord EWERS, seconded by Sir
EDWARD BAKER, Lord Digby was unanimously voted
to the chair.

The Noble CHAIRMAN opened the business by saying
that all present were perfectly aware what the meeting
was called for; it was upon the retirement of Mr. Far-
quharson from hunting this county. First of all it was
desirable to know what gentlemen would hunt the
country, and then to divide the country to as to accom-
modate those who kept packs of hounds. Mr. Itadclyffe,
he believed, was going to hunt the country, but he (the
noble Chairman) did not know of any other gentleman
at present who would come forward.
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN, M.P., said he was, if the
owners of property wished him to do to, willing to pre-
pare to hunt part of the country—the East Dorset.
{ Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN inquired if any one intended to hunt
the Cattistock country?
Mr. G. HARBIN said he thought the great desire was
to see the noble Chairman at the head of a good estab-
lishment at Cattistock. It was the universal with that
It should be so. He was quite sure, and it was perfectly
true, that no one would do so better than Lord Dishy ;
and he did hope that his Lordship would, as on many co-
oasione before, aoun forward and take the lead in the
hunting of that country.
This CHAIRMAN would most readily subscribe to any
one who offered to hunt the Cattistoek country, but he
shrank from taking upon himself the respoisibility of
being a master of hound., especially au he "1 so little
Minierns.
Mr. WM. HRNNING, of Hollway, an an old sports.
wan, should be glad to see the noble Chairman hunt
Cattistock.

The
Cifirstscars then called upon Mr. Radelyffe to
state his proposition to the meeting.
Mr. RADOLYFYX felt it very difficult to make a propo-
sition. If the meeting were going to allot • country and
there was nobody to take some part, he, as he had been
asked, should be glad to hunt. He had been requested
front far and near not to let Mr. Farquharson's hounds
go out of the county; and as lie had not the leut idea
of anybody offering to hunt, he secured Mr. Farquhar-
,
1109'11 hounds. He (Mr. Radolyffe) had spoken to Mr.
Drax, who waa willing he should hunt the Charboro'
country. There were, however, no foxes there. He
bad been through the country and had not seen • pair.
That was a rough country, and to have it only he (Mr.
Badclyffe) would not hunt. He had opoken to Mr. Far-
quharson on the subject, and the proposition now to be
submitted, and in mentioning which he, under the pre-
sent circumstances, really felt very great diffioulty, re-
sulted from that interview. If the country were to be
divided, he could not say where hounds could now be got
from, if they had not been bought at Mr. Farquharson's
sale. True, • few might be obtained here and there.
Well, he had purchased the dogs after inquiring if any-
body was purpoling to come forward and hunt the coun-
try and finding no one. Mr. Farquharson marked *ollie
lote for him, and after advising bun as to country, said
There's no one will keep them but you, and don't be
frightened out of it." He (Mr. Itadrilyffe) had no wish
at all to monopolize any portion of the sport of the coun-
try, but having had permission from several gentlemen
to hunt their clovers, lie now asked leave to hunt the
following country. The Charboro' country was to a
certain extent • wild country, and was not ORO which he
should keep hounds for alone; he, therefore, asked for
the country starting from Milborne Street, and the main
road to Milton Abbey, leaving the wall of the perk to
the right hand, thence by Ansty to Shortwood, taking
the covers on this side to Holcombe, and having for •
western boundary the turnpike road through Dorchester,
from the Giant's Head, to Weymouth. He asked thin in
the absence of any other country-being called for. He
would also go from the last-named point to Winfrith.
Most of the parties having covers within that district
had consented to his application to preserve foxes for
him, and had promised to succour sport. This, then,
was the country he proposed to hunt, and Rib° meeting
thought proper to allow him that country he should be
nsoet happy to do all in his power to find sport for every-
one. He would ask yet one thing. There were no
loon& at Cattistock, and if the Blackmoor Vale Hunt
should take that country, should any gentleman come for-
ward hereafter to hunt it would it be even up to him
He (Mr. Radolyffe) asked the country above indicated in
order that he might be able to say the country was given
to him by the meeting at Dorchester, yet he did not
want to monopolize any part.
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN, M.P., then rose to submit
his proposal. He was willing—if he was allowed—to
hunt the country from Bryanston, as a centre,
taking the Blandford and Dorchester road as a
boundary, as far as Piddletown, then turning to
the right from Piddletown up the valley of the
Piddle to Alton, there join the Blaokmoor Vale
boundaries, go with them by Shortwood, Mappowder,
Hazelbury, to Sturminster Newton, there crossing the
river by Mauston and the Orchards, up Melbury hill,
thence as far down Cranborne Chase as Lord Rivers
would allow.

Lord RIVERS objected to his name being particularly
alluded to.
_

The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN continued—From Critchell
and St. Giles he proposed to go down to Horton, and
taking the higher road by Wimbome pass along the Stour
to Slandford, and including Mr. Farquharson's covers.
This was his scheme for an East Dorset country,
and he thought from the present state of things
that country might be hunted two days • week, or
perhaps they might get another day. He was
not before aware what Mr. Radolyffe's proposition
would be, but he understood from Sir John Smith that
Radolyffe did not desire to cross the Dorchester and
Blandford road.

Mr. RLDCLYFFE had not spoken to Sir John Smith
about it.

Lord RIVERS inquired if Ur. Portman's plan in-
chided Meloombe Park?

The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN answered yes. His reasons,
lie said, for asking eovers Mr. Faddy& had proposed to
hunt were, firstof all, it had been publiely reported that
Mr. Stud had killed every fox at Critehell. It had also
been reported, but he hoped it was not true, that Mr.
Farquharson would not be friendly to their pack. If
this was true, there would be but little sport east of the
kitour.

Mr. RADCLYPPR said he had had a very long conversa-
tion with Mr. Farquharson. and that gentlemen never
mentioned such an intention to him. The country he
(Mr. itaticlyffe) asked was according to Mr. Farquhar-
son's advice, who said the covers enumerated by him
(Mr. Radclyffe) should go together.
Mr. Fustterotr said that if Mr. Radalyffe oould not go
over the Dorchester road It was hard to say really what
hunting *wintry there would be for him.
The CHAIRMAN submitted to Mr. Radalylfe whether
It would not be worth that gentleman's while to have
the Cattistook country. The noble Chairman offered
him, if he took the country, the Minteme and Melbury
covers._ .

Mr. MADCLYFFI said he should have to live at Cattle- I
took to hunt that country, but with a family of five
children he felt it insuperable to make such a removal.
If he were single he would live there in a moment, and
he wee ready to do anything to meet gentlemen's wishes;
he would stretch the hounds' tails from hero to York,
or anything. (Hear, hear, heir.) He was not opposed
to Mr. Portman in tho least. If that hon. gentleman
came over to his place he would preserve foxes for him;
but he (Mr. Radiolyffv) felt that the little area which as
yet divided them—ldcloombe Park and Plush—was the
only bit of cream country lie should have, and with so
much bill he ought to have • bit of velvet country.
There was Shaftesbury, Knoyle, Iwerne, Duncliff—not
far from Bryanston.
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN understood that was in the
South Wilts country, except lweme.
Lord limns remarked that there were but two
friends in the field. The one WY ready to hunt as he
(Lord Rivers) understood, with some trifling assistance
(Mr. Radolyffe acquiesoed) ; and the other would hunt
et his own expense. Could not those gentlemen meet
half way, and apportion the district amicably ! There
was a little bone of contention at present between them—
each asked for hfelcombe Park, Alton, Plush, and I
Armswell. Could not Mr. Reddy& manage the Csttis- I
took country
Mr. RADOLYFFR replied in the negative.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Portman if he would give
up pert of his eastern country and go upon Cattistook.
The hon. gentleman was nearer to Cattistook than Mr.
Itadolyffe was
The lion. Mr. POSTMAN : That is a mistake; Mr.
Radclyffe is much nearer Cattistock. It was not for
him or for his father to come forward as a volunteer;
but he would give his reason. The feeling, as all present
knew, amongst some of Mr. Farquharson's medal
friends against Lord Portman was such that it would
have been perfectly useless for him to offer to succeed
Mr. Farquharson. Hi* father (Lord Portman) could
not do so, otherwise he would have made preparations
for the purpose; now there would be very great
difficulty in getting hounds. They must put up
with the sweepings of all the kennels of the country
for • time, unless some good pack was sold, and perhaps
three years would elapse before a good pack could be got
together; and as the delay had been no fault of his
father, they must, if they wished him to hunt East
Dorset, not expect too much.
The CHAIRMAN proposed that a committee of five
gentlemen should be formed to act on the part of the
meeting and to decide the countries. It would not be
right to have a master of hounds on such a committee.
As no other gentlemen but Mr. Portinan and Mr. Rad-
olyffe offered to hunt the county, and as neither of
them went so far as the extreme of the Cattistook
country, he (the noble Chairman) proposed that Mr.
George Wingfield Digby's hounds take the Melbury
and Honeyoombe oovers as their extreme points, and that
the earths in those covers should be stopped, in cones-
quenoe of the foxes almost all breeding on that line of
country, when either master came into that neigh-
bourhood.
The Hon. Mr. POSTMAN said his rearm for asking for
Meloornbe Park and the Alton country was that it
worked well with the bills. He did not wish to oppose
Mr. Radalyffe in the slightest, but all knew that a fox
found about Ball Barrow would be sure to run back to
Melcombe.
The CHAIRMAN TaTaalkad that in the number of yellll
he had hunted he bad seldom gone nine or ten miles
from Milborne or Melbury.
MT. RADOLTIVZ said the feat wee with to the
half-dosen covers in question, they ought, srosiLarrd'. Farqu-
hanori saki, to go together. Perhaps he was not justified
in using Mr. Farquharsoit's name, as their onversation

had been wholly private ; but that gentleman held that
Holcoinbe, Kingoombe, Doles Ash, Yellowham wood,
and that line ought not to be sundered.
The CHAIRMAN asked if both gentlemen had decided
with respect to Cattistook to euibrace as much of it as
possible!
The Hon. Hr. PORTMAN : How far would you wish
me to go?
The CHAIRMAN desired to have the lines of country
distinct so as to avoid future interference.
Mr. BADOLTPFE did not say that if the country he
had named was not given to him he would not hunt;
but he did say that with his peck of hoiusda, to take the
area contended for away trona him, would break his
back. Certainly it was a good shoe, but it was no use
saying he could get here and there, and send his horses
over night or take a pack of hounds a good many miles.
He could reach Shortwood.
Mr. FitanrroN wondered how it would be if the two
masters hunted Melcombe Park alternately? Probably
Mr. Davis would not object.
Lord itivzils supposed that if Mr. Radclyffe went as
far as Came, he would leave his (the noble lord's) part
of the country tochunted.
Mr. RADCLITFR said the distance from his reilidence
to Cattistock was too great to allow of his hunting it.
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN thought it would be well for
the committee to decide the point.
Mr. FetaxProe proposed the subjoined resolntions :-
1. That it appears to this meeting desirable that some ar-
rangements should be made as to the hunting of the country
now left unoccupied by the retirement of Mr. Farquharson,
by which soy gentleman who may be willing to undertake to
hunt portions of that country should not be interfered with by
gentlemen who may wish to hunt other portions of it. 2.
That for this purpose it is expedient to name certain gentle-
men to apportion the country now unoccupied, to any gentle-
man who may be willing to keep fox-hounds, and who will
' uudertake to hunt such portions as may be allotted to him a
given number of days, as may appear to them beat for the pur-
pose of affording sport In the country. A That when the
country Is so apportioned, this meeting pledges Itself as far ea
Ills able by every mans in Its power, to prevent any person
who may have undertaken to hunt one portion, from being in-
terfered with In any way by any other pack of fox-hounds
during the time such portion shall be occupied by him.

Mr. RADCLTFFIS inquired if all the gentlemen owning
and occupying covers were willing to leave the matter
in the hands of a committee?

---The--EHT\-11i)l- 117, 07;i; own behalf, said he was will-
ing to leave his °over in the hands of a committee ap-
pointed by this meeting.
The Hon. Mr. POHTMAN stated that he could answer
for his father, Mr. Memel, and Mr. Okeden, that they
were willing.
Lord &yoke expressed his willlngnees_and read the
following letter ia %Wormy of his anthMty for saying
Mr. lileymer also was willing to 6(140 the same oouree :

House of Commona, Friday night.

. -
"I am on,. committee which will prevent my going into the
country next week. WIII you be good enough to make my
excuses to the proprietor, of covers who Sr. to meet at Dor-
chester on Tuesday next. I shall be happy to join In an
meuuree for the promotion of the sport that may be
upon by you andmyother neighbours. I name you y, as
my covers are entirely surrounded by yours.

H. HER RHYMER.
Mr. WItITI, of Upoeme, objeoted to give up hie
°overt to the oorninittee.

Sir W. Mxinrcorr—,Tiart., desired to make one °beer.
ration ere a decision was oome to. He saw no one present
authorised to speak on the part of Mr. Wingfield Digby,
and, as that gentleman's property MY of large extent
and as he was anxious to support the sport of the minty
he (Sir William) thought it would be nearly superfluous
to appoint • committee before Mr. Digby's ooment was
obtained. He saw little difficulty in forming a oountry
for the gentlemen who had oome forward to hunt. Mr.
Radolyffe, as one of Mr. Farquharson's oldest and beat
friends, would doubtless have that gentleman's strongest
support; and, then, as there was an immense tract of
oountry round Cattistook and Sherborne, he did not
imagine it could be so well left as in the hands of the
Hon. William Portman and Mr. Digby.
The Hon. Mr. PORTMAN could only say that if
Mr. Radolyffe would have the Houghton and the East
Dorset oountry he (Mr. Portman) would give him every
assistance, subscribe to him, and preserve foxes to the
utmost for him. (Hear, hear.)
The CNAIRMAN said it NMI not exactly known what
u oountry wto be bunted. Every proprietor ought to
have sent in his intentions in the matter, so as to avoid
future inconvenience.

Sir W. MIDLYOOTT proposed that • certain portion of
country should be allotted to Mr. Portman and& oertain
portion to Mr. Radolyffe.
The CHAIRMAN thought it was for each proprietor to
answer for himself.

The Hon. Mr. PORTM4N suggested that it might be
well to hear the feelings of the B.V.H. on the matter.
Mr. M. S. YILATMAN, in reply to this suggestion, could
do no more than refer to a reaolution passed at • met-
ing of the B.V.F. Hunt, held some fortnight or three
weeks ago, and which resolution appeared in the news-
papers. It was, in effect, that the hunt were anxious to
increase the extent of their country, and that they
wanted a district which should be capable of showing sport
to the huntsinen of Dorset and Somerset to the extent of
four days • week. Although the line they propooed for
the purpose of attaining We object was nut definitely
chalked out, they had endeavoured to a certain extent to
indicate what was the intended boundary. That bound-
ary, however, according to oircumstenoes could be drawn
further in towarda Sherbome or widened in the direc-
tion of Cattistock. They proposed to go from Pannwood,
by Coker's Wood, past Melbury, along the line of hills
by Sydling and Upoeme. It was • question whether
Orange wood should be included in this line. They then
thought of coming as far as Arinswell and Shortwood.
Of course this imaginary line would be varied accord-
ing as the wants and requirements of other packs were
ascertained. The hunt only aimed at securing the sport
of that district as far as they possibly could without
interfering with the afriuggemanta of any other gentle-
men who might come forward to augment the public
sport of the county of Dorset.
Mr. MILLER said, it was noose keeping a peek of dogs
for the hills only without part of the vale.
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether Mr. Miller
would submit his covers to the decision of the com-
mittee'

Mr. MILLER replied that he would go with Lord
Rivers.
- - - -

Mr. M. YRATMAN remarked, that if the committee
were to work well and properly attain their object, each
proprietor in every country must consent to put his
covers into the hands of the committee, otherwise
the matter would fall to the ground.
The CHAIRMAN: And the sport, too. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. JOSEPH DAVIS said, if Mr. Radolyffe would
hunt the Cattistock country he would preserve foxes
for him and no other gentleman.
The CHAIRMAN, after some desultory conversation,
proposed that he should write to Lord Shaftesbury,
Mr. Sturt, Mr. Farquharson, and ask Lord Rivers,
inquiring whether, in ease the Hon. Mr. Portman gave
up Meloombe Park to Mr. Radelyffe, they would pre-
serve foxes for Mr. Portman. (Applause.)
Sir EDWARD BASER, hart.: That is really doing a
kind thing.
Mr. M. YEATMAN : Nothing could be better than
that. . . .

The CHAIRMAN: Then, in fact, no committee will be
apgemeeting
nd.
then assumed the appearance of • comn.
mittee, most of the principal persons present standing
round the Chairman's table and referring to maps, treo.
ing boundaries and the like, carrying on • conversation
in a subdued tone, when
The lion. Mr. PORTMAN announced, amid much
cheering, his determination to yield up the only matter
of difference between himself and Mr. Radclyffe, and
forego Meloombe Park, Plush, and Armswell. He said he
should have one little plum, • bit of the Vale—and he
had no objection to give in what Mr. Radclyffe desired,
for he had no intention in the world to offer the slightest
hindrance or opposition to that gentleman, simply desir-
ing to add to the sport of the county. (Applause.)
There was one thing—Mr. Radolyffe would have the
start of him, having already horses and hounds. Then
again, to ensure sport, perhaps they Gould arrange to
hunt on alternate days Mr. Radclyffe taking,
If he would, Mondays and Thursdays, and lie (Mr. Port-
man) would have the Tuesday and Friday.
Mr. RADOLYFFII acquiesced, offering to arrange in
any manner so as to have plenty of fun. He would not
only adopt the alternate day suggestion, but have the
meets as distant as possible. As to hound., there were ten
couple of hounds—bitches, running rather small—
which had been offered to him from Mr. Assheton
Smith's Kennel, and perhaps these could be secured to
Mr. Portman. He (Mr. Radclyffe) had had already
five applications for the hounds he bought at Eastbury.
The CHAIRMAN understood that Cattistook was not
included in either country, and, that he wee at perfect
liberty, should • pack appear, to give up that country to
them. Meanwhile he should write and offer it to Mr,
Digby.
Mr. Pon Inquired who was to hunt the Cattistook
rienntry
Mr. HARBIN expreosed tls• elvevnre It Irevl4 eve
him to se* the noble Chairman with • pack at at•
tistook.
Mr. RADCLYFFII could not take It.
Mr. POSTMAN thought Uinberwood had been given
to Mr. Digby, and would be held by him.
The CHAIRMAN said he would depend on Mr. Mar-
wood Yeatman oonferring with Mr. Digby with regard
to allowing Umber Wood and Shortwood covers to be
given up, and also conveying to the latter gentleman an
Idea of the amicable feeling prevalent at this meeting.
He (the noble Chairman) was willing to give up Mel
bury and Minterne to Mr. Digby.
Mr. M. YRATMAN doubted whether Umber Wood
belonged to Mr. Digby. He thought coven in East
Pulham did, but not West Fulham.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that the meet" should be
published as long as possible before they were to come
off, so that gentlemen might make appointment'.
Under the late (Mr. Farquharson's) 'yearn, it sometimes
happened that on Monuay they did not know where
they were going on Thursday.
Mr. RADCLTRITI said he would do all he could in the
matter.
Mr. YZATMAN fancied they could not give the fix-
tures for more than • week.
MT. RADOLYFFE said that having had the country, BO
far as the present meeting had gone, awarded to him,
he would just say that gentlemen must be aware that it
was morally impossible for him, not knowing
all the persons interested in the district, to obtain the
consent of each one. If, however, any were not written
to, it most he put down to ignorance, and not rudeness
on his part. He hoped they would do him the honour
to meet him often, and he should be the happiest man
living when he saw his friends around him.
The Hon. Mr. POSTMAN said that Mr. Radclyffe had
just taken the word* out of his (Mr. Portman's) mouth.
He (Mr. Portman) was a sort of first lieutenant; his father
would, of course, as it was right he should, take the
command of the hounds. All that possibly could be
done should be done to support the sport of his friends
and neighbours, if they could obtain the favourable
decision of the absent proprietors; and he was quite
sure, from what he had seen today, that to their utmost
they would assist him. (Applause.)
Lord Rrens thought he might be allowed to say on
the part of the meeting that • more amicable spirit or
more thorough proof of the truth of their own words
could not have been shown by the gentlemen present.
Both Mr. Portman and Mr. Reddy& had expressed
their heartiest desire to add to the sport of their neigh-
bours, and aid each other in that object to the utmost,
and truly nothing could be more acooiumodating or
delightful than the spirit in which they lred acted
throughout the conference. (Cheers.)
Sir EDWARD BARER MOTOd • vote of thanks to Lord
Digby for the very kind and disinterested manner in
which that nobleman had come forward today. Be
(Biz Edward) was quite sure, and he need not WI gen.

tlen3en, that Lord Dishy had the sport of the °minty at
heart, and his great kindness and good fellowship of dia•
position entitled him to the warmest thanks. (Cheers.)
Mr. HARBIN, in seconding the proposition, expressed
regret that one result of the meeting had not been to
find Lord Digby at the head of • hunting establishment
at Cattistock.

Lard Dl4l-11.1', in responding, could only say that it had
been his earnest wish and that of others to see a meeting
called, especially as he had been absent from the county
for the past few months, and had not seen any one wine
forward to hunt or to divide the country. He asked
Lord Rivers to agree to the proposal and the other gen-
tlemen who met at Sherborne ; and he MR6 moat happy
to say that it was determined to hold the present meet-
ing. lie would do his best to have the foxes preserved
in his country, and would do all in his power to aid the
objees of his friends around. (Cheers.)
The assembly then dissolved, shortly after 4 o'clock.