HUNTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 178, 28 July 1913, Page 8

HUNTING.

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB. A DAY AT SYLVIA PARK. With Sylvia Park on the card of the meets, the I'akuranga Hunt can always be sure of a big muster, for this is to-day as it was years ago, one of the most favoured meets. The big wire fences of years ago have now been mostly replaced by saplings, but it ls the same Sylvia Park with its posts and rails, stone walls and hedges and fences, which for the most part can be jumped anywhere, and the followers can take their "own line. When one is on tne mountain, and sees the old Stud Company's stables and the beautiful paddocks, one does not wonder at the good horses that have been reared there. On Saturday last the park was net. perhaps, seen quite at its best. It was a showery, cold day, but for all that the place was beautifully green, end the grass growing well. All the sheep and cattle had been moved off Mr. Gill's land, aud when that part of the country came to be hunted later ln the afternoon the hounds put up two good hares, one of which gave the followers an exceptionally good run. Hounds met at 12 noon, and shortly after n start was made in the plantation near St. Ann's Bridge, where after a while a hare was found. Puss r3n straight up the hill and along the top. and to tie newroad near Bailey's. Two saplings were safely negotiated, and puss doubled back through Bailey s to the swamp next to Panmure Road; then back again up the hill through Dunn's to the top of the hill. Puss gave tie honnds the slip ln the plantation for a while, but was soon found again, and led the field over almost the same ground, only this time finishing ou the South Road side of the plantation, and circling it twice before it was eventually lost in the plantation. A move was then made across the road to Mr. Gill's farm, and hounds had not gone far before a very strong hare was found In Mr. Steven's paddocks. Puss turned tho wrong way for the followers, and was going right away from the field across the swamp, and was seen just iv front of the hounds in Mr. Kay's young oat,s. As luck wojln have it, puss turned left-handed twice and doubled back through Stevens' and Into Gill's, much to the delight of the followers, turned left again over a post and rail, with wire on top. and then ou and over by a stone wail to the water's edge (Tamaki River). The hounds here threw up their noses, and were worked back alongside the river, and it was not long before a note from the leader set the pack going again. Puss tnrned np towards rhe mountain, about three-quarters of a mile away, going over three or four strong post and rail fences on the way. Richt up to the top and down the other side, where it turned to tbe left and alongside the hedge, end into Mr. Hunt's land. A stiff wire fence stopped all the followers, but the hounds went on, and the hunted hare was seen to g<- through the orchard. Puss here went across the road and into the swamp at the baesi of the Sylvia Park stables, and was killed. This was a real good hare, and altogether kept the field on tne move for about three-quarters ot an hour.

After a short rest tie hounds were again taken back to the marshy .paddock by the river, and at tie bottom a hare was found. It ran along the edge of the river, over lie culvert, aad 'was making straight up the mountain again when it was lost. It was already very late, and the horses and riders had had enough, so the hounds were taken homp. The going was very heavy and slipperry, and (here were a number of spills. Several had to be cut out of wire fences during the afternoon, though nobody was hurt. There were quite a number of ladies out and a"* .well mounted, being prominent In both, the runs of the afternoon. Amongst those following were:—The Master (Mr R. Allan Bent) on Black Bess, tie Depnty-Master (Mr H_ Bullock Websterl on .tupitcr. Miss Uellaby on Dina. Miss Hankln on Bay, Miss Harris on Ore. Miss Gill on Tikitere, Miss King on Chieftain. Miss Gorrle on Byplane, Miss Headlani on Larrikin, Miss Baker oa The Abbott. Mr Gillies (of Chrlstcbureil on Boxer, Mr n. Worsp on Black, Mr S-. G Vorsp on Bay, Mr King on .Romp, Mr Siepherd on Bay Boy. Mr Pcrcocke on Rnru, Mr Bob Ray on fSnsvb&ll, Mr Lloyd on grey. Mr Ben M. Myers on Hobartown. Mr Cosrello Mr Tim Harris. Mr TVyllie on Challenger. Mr F. Martin on Tangataun, Mr Glllard on Carta. Mr Allen on Tom Popper, Mr -Sinclalre, Mr Swaffield on Victor. Mr J. Rae on Hunakaha. Mr C, Dunn on Sentry, Mr Seccnmbe on Markham, Dr. Grant on Waitara, Mr Quartley on Tassn, Mr Crowther on Arranmoore, Mr. Colgan on Tally Ho, Dr. Beveridge on Kerry. Mr B. Rae. on Ooiden Grain, Mr H. Cotter on King's Counsellor. Mr Bosravven on Tip Ton, Mr Blsuop on Molly. Master Bent on Dina. Mr H. Kinlocb on Rita. Mr L. Dunn on Horns!, T. Gill on Tlkilcre, Mr A. v>atkins on Piermonf. Mr H. Griersen on Aegis. Mr Mr Broth on Chummy, Mr C. Armstrong on Bliiey. Mr Gunoing on Ronpe Dragoon, Mr Burnside on Sentty. Mr F Price on bump, Mr E. Vv Martin on Coekie, Mr A. Selby (Huntsmani on Monntain. Mr W. S. Dalton on Racgitoro. Motoring were Mrs GllUes and party, Mr Hodgson and party, and others. Driving were Mr Adams and party, Mr Fisher and friend.