PAKURANGA HUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 48, 26 February 1929, Page 12

PAKURANGA HUNT.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

The report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt, to be held at the Union Buildings, Customs Street, on Friday, March 8, states that the accounts disclose an excess of expenditure over income for the year of £144 14/2. The annual race meeting waa held on September 29 and the Hunt is indebted to the Auckland Racing Club* for permitting the fixture to be held on the Ellerslie racecourse. As shown rn the accounts, £604 17/11 revenue was derived from the race meeting. Perfect weather prevailed on the day of the races and a capital day'fc sport, from the racing standpoint, resulted. The committee extended their thanks to all concerned for the way in which the meeting was managed. Having had a comparatively mild winter and an absence of heavy rain, the past season had enabled them to show sport above the average. Hounds were only stopped by bad weather on one occasion, and they ran consistently well and showed good sport all through the season. They were out on forty-one days and killed 23J brace of hares—no blank days. C'levedon, Ardmore and Ramarama provided some excellent hunting, and the enthusiasm and goodwill of the farmers was most gratifying. The best runs of the season were over the East Tamaki country and thanks were especially due to the landowners there. This coming season, through the kindness of the farmers of Weymouth and Opaheke, two new meets will be added to the list, but the attention of members was drawn to the fact that the hunt were going there on probation and if care was taken to avoid damage and not to leave gates open, etc., the owners would have no objection to countin" these as two of our regular meets. The 'point-to-point races were held at

Ranginui," Papatoetoe, on September 15, and the thanks of the Hunt were due | to Mr. Price for placing his farm at their disposal, and the very good course laid out. Ihe fences were most carefully made up. This was greatly due to the good sportsmanship of some members of the Hunt, who put in some days' work making them. The entries were fairly satisfactory, but the racing somewhat marred by wrong entries and subsequent protest, and the fact that so few memberg rode their own horses. Members were supposed to ride in these races, and they seem to be getting away from the spirit of point-to-point racing, if not infringing the rules. It was possible it might be better to hold hunter trials, which were so popular now in England in connection with every pack of hounds, instead of point-to-points. This matter would be discussed by the committee later. 1 here were seventeen and a half couple of hounds in kennel, and four couple of pups out at walk, also two couple at the kennels. This should prove a good entry for this Tear. The Hunt establishment and kennels were in good order.

Nominations • for master. deputy master and members of the committee must be lodged with the secretary, Mr E. D. Aeal, by 4 p.m. on Friday next