HUNTING.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7363, 16 July 1889, Page 6

HUNTING.

Saturday, July ISth, was a red letter day for the Ashburcon hounds at Methven. Permissiou had kindly been given by Mr Cameron to hunt on the Springfield estate, so the first draw was in a paddock some tyro miles from the township. A hare was quickly on foot, and a rattling gallop of about three miles, followed by a succession of checks and quick bursts was the result, the hounds bringing the hare to hand in thirty minutes. After a short breathing spell a move was made towards another paddock, but a hare jumped up on the way, and gave the field a pretty gallop of about two miles, where the hounds threw up in a gorse fence. Nothing could could be made of it at the fence, and Mr Saunders cast forward into the paddock. It was soon evident that the hounds were on the line, apd just as they were warming to it a hare was viewed making down the road fence to the Gross roads, two miles from Methven. Here she took the Methven road, and was kept in view till Methven pound was reached. A sharp turn to the left and the hounds rattled away across two heavy stubble paddocks, keeping their heads towards Alfonl Forest for a mile and a half, when grass was reached to everybody's relief. Still keeping Alford Forest in view they pushed on without hesitation till the five cross roads on the Alford Forest road were reached. At this point the hare stopped in the fence, and a check for a minute or less occurred, but jumping up just in front of the hounds she made a sharp turn to the left again and kept them going for fully a mile further, when the " whoop" was sounded over as stout a hare as ever ran. The time from the start of the second hare to the kill was one hour, distance from the check at the gorse fence when hares were probably changed seven miles. Only seven were in at the end of this run. The paddocks were large, ground heavy, and the few fences crossed very ugly ones. Snow was lying under most of the fences, and over the whole of the last paddock. The horses had all had about enough of it, and a move was now made homewards, much satisfaction being expressed with the day's sport. The Waimate County Harriers met at Mr K. Bell's, Hook Farm, on Saturday last. There were about thirty in the field, including several ladies. The day was beautiful, and a eood hunt was expected by those present, but, contrary to expectation, owing partly to the keen frost and to the hares all making in the direction of the river-bed, it proved a failure. Hares were plentiful, but the scent was very difficult to keep. Luncheon was provided by Mr and Mrs 801 l with their usual hospitality, tind was heartily partaken of by those in attendance. C. Cornelius, the Huntsman, was mounted on his old favorite, Grey Friars, and the Whip rode Kutford.