ASHBURTON HOUNDS.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6142, 27 May 1885, Page 3

ASHBURTON HOUNDS.

On Monday the Ashburton hounds met at Tinwald, punctuaUy at one o'clock. The field included ten ladies and between seventy and eighty horsemen, while there was also a large number of spectators in traps of various descriptions. Mr McLean had kindly placed the Lagmhor paddocks at the disposal of the Club for the day, and immediately on the arrival of the hounds they were trotted off across the railway line to a large paddock near the bridge. A hare was soon on foot, and running perfectly straight ia the direction of Tinwald, Bhe led her followers a merry dance over some of. the biggest fences in Canterbury. Ere three of the fences were ne otiated, Mr F. Cotton (mounted on Mr Wroughton's R*jah), _r Hewson, Mr Graham, Mr M. Stitt, aud Mr Wroughton, were the j only ones of the large field who were on anything Uke Oven terms with the hounds. On they raced, without a check, for at least four miles, and after a twenty-three minutes' run the hounds threw up their headß in the Maronan read. As nothing could be made of it, the huntsman j trotted back to Mr Grice'a property, where not only one but twenty hares were hallooed away. It being found impossible to stick to One hare, the field drew back j towards the Lagmhor paddocks, and find- j ing at once had a good hunting run of forty minutes, when pas? was viewed deadbeat just in front of the hounds, but a fresh hare jumping up in fuU view it waa impossible to stop the pack for a couple of minutes, and the scent had then got cold. At 4.15 p.m. the Master (Mr M. Stitt), thinking that enough was as good as a feast, gave the word for home, and shortly afterwards the tramp of fifty horsemen and | horsewomen was heard on the Ashburton bridge, the majority of those who had bean present riding into town in a body. The weather was gloriously fine, and though the scent did not Be well the hounds worked splendidly, and a memorable day's sport was enjoyed by the largest field that has ever been seen in the county. Mr Cotton was loud in hia praise at the admirable way in which the Huntsman, Mr J. Smith, had got the bounds to work; and also stated that Mr Wroughton had given him the beet mount Ihe has had in Canterbury, Bajah being a horse always eager to take his fences and a remarkably safe jumper. Mr Cotton also paid a compliment to the field and spectators, and stated that he bad observed during the day the keenest desire for sport, and an unusual vdllingness to conform to the wishes of the Master. Many of the fences negotiated were very stiff, and the wire prevented a large number of the field from following very closely; but amongst those who rode weU to the hounds were noticed Messrs M. Stitt, Wroughton, C-rgfll, Denshire, Patterson, Foster, Boyle, Hewson, Graham, Hart, Dr. Leahy, and several others whose names could not be gathered. It is needless to mention that Mr Cotton was always in the van. Amongst the ladies present on horseback were Mrs C.C Fooks, Mra Homeraham, Mrs Sidney Wolf; aud Misses Shury, Clark, and Gibson. General regret was expressed at the absence of Dr. Boss and Mr and Mrs Upton, who were unable to attend. The day was a most enjoyable one and the occasion wfll add stiU greater nopularity to an already exceedingly Dooular Hunt Club. Next week the hounds met at Mr G. Coward's farm at Methven.