30 MARCH 2002, Page 63

Q. I have a good friend who is the master

and amateur huntsman of a small foxhound pack. On a number of occasions he has hinted strongly that he needs some additional money, and that there are other supporters in the hunt contributing to a cash

fund for him. While I am a keen hunt supporter, pay my subscription and support hunt functions, I am loth to give him cash. I would be more minded to buy him a house or offer some other non-cash help. although I suspect that cash is what he really wants. Any ingenious suggestions. Mary?

Name and address withheld

A. I would hang fire before handing over any cash or other benefits. These may need to be siphoned off into a fund for the legal fees for taking hunting's case to the European Court.