PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 2

PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

Jupiter Pluvius has interfered very little with the operations of the Pakuranga Hunt Club this season, and, in fact, the uniform fine weather has been the subject of frequent remark, but for the last two Saturdays the programme has been changed, and tho rain has come down in torrents. Saturday week it was so bad that the chase was abandoned, but, although the morning opened almost as threatening last Saturday, the hounds were brought out and taken to East Tamaki. Throwing off on Mr Lushlngton's a hare was soon in evidence, which led the pack ft merry dance for closo on an hour and a-half. The scent was particularly good, owing to the abundant moisture, and the hounds had no trouble whatever in following their quarry as she led them away to the back of Mr Harris', going twice round the mountain and eventually being killed near Mr Foubister's. Invitation was now accepted to the residence of Mrs Smales, who had provided afternoon tea. After doing full justice to the good things on tho table, the saddles were again filled, and the hounds thrown off in the front of the house. They were very soon in pursuit of a hare, which went at such a rate that all were prepared to believe the suggestion that the hares in this district have been well trained. Common report says that the small boys of this country take a peculiar delight in chasing hares with any sort of a dog they can get hold of. The indifferent pace of the canine causes no trouble to pussy, who evidently enjoys the practice of being kept in training by this method, especially as it makes her work much easier in distancing the hounds when they come out. This particular pussy went in great style, and during part of her perigrinations there was great difficulty in keeping anywhere near her. She knew the country to a nicety, and, wherever possible, chose swamps, barbed wire and other equally objectionable features, so that the majority of followers were found on the road. After she had led us nearly to*1 Howick, and had taken refuge in a gorse plantation, the game did not seem sufficiently enticing to warrant any more patience In the matter of following, so the hounds were left to make further investigations, while the followers wended their way homewards.

Prominent in the field were Mrs Moody (Mike), Mrs Kelly, Misses Buckland (Reporter), Rae (Pohutakawa),.. Nora Gorrie (Jimmie), Amy Taylor (Tim), Harris, Smales, Peacock, Abbot and McLaughlin. Messrs Ralph (Pills), McLaughlin (Dad), Moody (Oceola), Burns (Squire), Carminer (Ingorangl), Lewis (Skipper), Harris (Fairy). Rae (Natation), Morrin (Rona), Schnackenberg (Dandy Dick), Dawson (Bedrock), Adams (Brown Bess), Elliott and Walker.