Bay of Plenty Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 1913 THE HUNT CLUB.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLI, Issue 5995, 8 August 1913, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 1913 THE HUNT CLUB.

In most progressive districts in New Zealand Hunt Clubs are prominent among local institutions. These Clubs exist primarily for sporting purposes, but they also tend in no small degree to encourage the breeding of the best type of hack. The advent of the motor car is having a detcroriating elicet on the horse-breeding industry all over the world, and quite recently the cables announced that there has been a tremendous diminution in the number of horses employed in cities and towns, while the utmost difficulty is experienced by various countries in obtaining horses for army purposes. The multiplicity of Hunt Clubs throughout New Zealand is therefore to be commended, especially as the horses raised in this country compare very favourably with those bred in any part of. tho King's Dominions. In 1911 and 1912 the sportsmen in this district were fortunate in securing visits from the leading,hunting enthusiasts of the Waikato, who ou each occasion brought their pack of hounds across to provide sport for their Tauranga friends. The various meets held proved very enjoyable and at the same time gave local owners a chance of testing the worth of. their

steeds, many oi' which were responsible tor good performances in tlie hunting field. It in therefore with pleasure we note that an effort is to be made to arrange for a week's huntingnext month, and with that object in view the support of those who rendered financial assistance last year to the project is again being sought by circular. The proposal is well worthy of support, not only from hunting enthusiasts, but also from those who desire to see the horse-breeding industry su> tamed and thoroughly developed. It is even now admitted that serviceable hunters I and hacks are not as plentiful in New Zealand as they were a few* years ago, and this is illustrated by the very high prices now paid for animals of good type and proved worth. -Several members at the meeting held to consider the matter last week expressed the opinion that the time was not far distant when an-effort should be made to establish a.Hunt Club, with its own pack of hounds, in this district, and one enthusiast said he would guarantee a payment of. i'lO per annum for

the support of such a Club. ] t is hoped thathif sportsmen generally respond heartily that the Club shall be placed on a thoroughly businesslike basis so that it may foster the cause of hunting in every; way. Much depends Jiowever, on the support that will be immediately forthcoming, and it is to be hoped that there will be a large gathering* of huntsmen at the meetinir at the Tauranga hotel at 7 o'clock this evening so that definite negotiations may be entered into for securing a visit from the.Waikato harriers next month.