PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 185, 6 August 1900, Page 3

PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

The popularity of Tamaki as a hunting ground has apparently suffered little through the slow afternoon spent there In the early part of the season, if one is to judge by -the large concourse of members who assembled on Saturday afternoon in the happy expectation of a good run. And their hopes were fully realised, for the hounds never ran better, and as for the country traversed, it was as suitable as one could wish, with just suflicient of the element of danger thrown in occasionally to make it more interesting. Easier fords exist than the track across a creek last Saturday, swollen by the recent rains, and the same factor helped to make some of the swamps a little softer than a metalled road. One small boy was seen flying a flag of distress in a swamp, and a nearer view showed a pony's head sticking out, while the rest of its body was under mud. It was certainly an awkward predicament, but friends came to the rescue, and many hands made light work in moving the unfortunate equine to more solid country. Mr Alf Harris took the part of host for the day, and worthily tilled the office, being most careful and attentive to th& wants of his visitors. The hounds were thrown off in his property, and soon commenced a run that will long be remembered by all who took part in it, for it is no light task to hunt for three hours at the merry pace put on by the1 hounds on Saturday. , And one Is just as much wearied in recounting the details of the chase, the stone wall here, the post and rail there, and then getting half drowned in the creek, now a wire fence, and again a hedge, with perhaps a ditch thrown in, now getting jammed in a gate and being hooked up by one foot caught in the fastening, as one prominent rider found himself. If the hounds had been content with one kill it would have been slightly deferent, but having had one taste, nothing could stop them, and away they went, let who could follow. The farms of Mr Harris and Mr Lushington were crossed and recrossed, and the run also included Mr Guy's and Mr Long's, the last run of the day being round Mrs Smales' mountain as far as the milk factory, across the road and into a swamp which was voted more soft than safe, traversing the properties of Messrs Allen and Farnsworth. Pussle seemed to have a fondness for that mountain, and went round it again and again to see if that would have the effect of shaking off the hounds, but although it shook off a few of the riders, who had forgotten to hold on hard enough to the pigskin, the hounds quite enjoyed the extra journey, and still continued to sail after her when she decided to make straight for the middle of the swamp. What luck she had there is a matter for conjecture, because most riders prefer to give a wide berth" to a swamp surrounded by a barbed wire fence,, with a soft take off and a softer landing, but judging' by the sounds which came from the huntsman, who had somehow managed to keeo close to his pack, it seemed safe to venture the opinion that another kll! had been registered. It speaks well for-the popularity of Mr Harris as a host that so many availed themselves of his invitation to afternoon tea, seeing that the hounds were running all the time, and It is a hard thing for an ardent hunter to break away from a run even for refreshments But Mr Harris was not to be denied and received his guests at his residence with the kindness for which he r go noted, so that those who enjoyed his hospitality did not regret that they h A given their horses a short breathing time A number of carriages and buggies clrc 'carts and gigs were seen following rn'mul the roads, and there were amongst others riding Mr and Mrs H. M<sody, Mr 2ndMr" R Crowe, Mr and Mrs W. R. TtlGomfleia, Misses Roberts, Amy Taylor. Kerr-Taylor, Gorrie (2), and Bucklnud,' Messrs Harris, Moody, Somers, Kintoch, Fllett Pittar, Board, Laxon, Carminer, t,pwis' McLaughlln, Schnackenberg, and the master (Mr J. G. Ralph), who rode in his' usual flashing manner. '