BRACKENFIELD HUNT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19310, 15 May 1928, Page 12

BRACKENFIELD HUNT.

MEET AT OXFORD. (Contributed.) Some of the best of the BrackenfleM country is in the Oxford district, and the residents are certainly among the keenest supporters of the club. Every endeavour is made to hold three or four meets in the district during the hunting season, and it is hoped that this season will prove no exception to the rule. Hounds met at Oxford for the first time this year on Saturday last, the meet being timed for 11.30 a.m. at the Eyre bridge. It was thought advisable to get well away from the 'riverbed before making a start, so the field jogged up the road and hounds, under Huntsman Ferguson, cast off in a grass paddock belonging to the estate of the late Mr R. Wotherspoon. This paddock proved to be a blank, but a hare was viewed in the next paddock making off at a great pace. A warm nor'-west breeze had sprung up a few minutes previously, and it was feared that scent would fade quickly, but hounds were away almost' immediately, and hold to the line extremely well., Puss seemed to be making back towards the river, but circled right-handed across a road into Mr D. Hawke's, again circled right, and was pulled down in a young grasß paddock. Only a few followers were in at the kill, the fast pace and the size of the gorse hedges having thinned down the field considerably. .After a short breather the next paddock was drawn and hounds soon found. After running through the yard of Mr S. McKee's homestead, and down the road a short distance, hounds turned right-handed into a grass paddock where three hares were viewed. Hounds were whipped off a hare running towards Wotherspoon's country, and taken across the main road, but after running a short, distance lost the line,_ scent having faded. Alter cheeking several times, the road was agaiff crossed, and after circling first left-handed and then righthaaded into Mr Hawke's, the pack split in spite of the efforts of the whip. After a short delay the line was again found, and hounds killed in Messrs Gilchrist Broß. This hare was broken up on the road, and the field adjourned to Mr S. McKee's, where they were entertained to afternoon tea very kindly provided by Mr and Mrs F. W. Howard. Every effort is made to provide a good day's sport for everyone, but those in cars must realise that it is not always possible for the master, deptuy-master, and huntsman to keep the pack in view of those on the 'roads. Those following were:—The Deputy-Master (Mr Robin Chapman) on Lady Be Good, Huntsman Ferguson on Aeroplane and Foam, Misses Ann Ensor on Surprise, N. Henderson on Master Jack, B. Blunden on Gold Dust. S. Davis on Sunset, Jean McCracken on Roaney, Mrs W. B. Starky on Podge, Messrs P. Ensor on Topthorne, F. W. Howard on Wait and See. Cook on a bay, P. Blunden on Spider, McConnell on a grey, F. Woods on Fantom, D. Wotherspoon on a bay, J. Ball on Puriri Jack, J. Reid on Saucy Phyllis, D. Bier on a bay.

Motoring and driving were:—Mr and Mrs S. McKee. Mrs P. W. Howard and Miss O'Halloran, Mr and Mrs P. Meyer, Mr and Mrs E. Meyer, Mrs P. McCracken, Mrs 3. MrCrpcken. Mrs H. Ensor, Mrs Wiggins, Mr and Mrs W. L. Cunningham, Mrs A. Blunden, Mrs H. Gilchrist, the Misses Reese, Studholme, Stevens, Wotherspoon, Bier, A. Henderson, G. Henderson. B. Henderson, L. Simms, Nancy Oram, Una McCracken, Nankivell, Hight, Messrs R. Davis, A. Meyer, A. Henderson, R. Henderson, W. B. Starkv, John McCracken. R. Meyer, M. Ensor, W. Blunden, L. Mulligan, and M. lohnston.