OPENING OF HUNTING SEASON.

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21465, 6 May 1935, Page 2

OPENING OF HUNTING SEASON.

.MEET AT AYLESBURY

Of all outdoor recreations, unquestionably the most picturesque, the most spectacular, is the sport of hunting. In Canterbury, hunting was introduced very early in the history of the province. It was a favourite pastime of many of the early settlers, men who themselves and their forbears had been accustomed to hunting in Britain, though their quarry there was not the hare, as in New Zealand, but the more wily fox. In their new home, these enthusiasts, more than 60 years ago, formed the Christchurch Hunt Club, which has an interesting history. Ploughed fields and wire fences were scarce in those days, and, as late as the 'eighties of last century, the members of the club, of whom there were then 65, hunted at Riccarton and Sockburn, often meeting at the Bush Inn, on Riccarton road. Amongst early masters of hounds were two retired army officers—Captain Cotton and Captain Kimbell—and in 1887, Mr Arthur Lyon, a keen English sportsman, was appointed to that important position, which he held for 14 years. The club flourished until the years of the war, when its activities were checked, but, in the last few years, it has gradually won back its old-time virility, and on SatuWay, when the 1935 season opened, the number and keenness of members showed that the popularity of hunting was in no way diminished. At 11 o'clock, the riders, full of excitement, and hounds straining at their leashes, left the Kennels, at Aylesbury, but, because of the vVarmth of the day, the gradually increasing wind, and the fondness of hares for rjloughed fields, it was difficult to follow the scent, I and the hunt ended rather disappoint- J ingly for the riders. Nevertheless, it' was a most enjoyable outing. The countryside, with its gay gorse fences, its trees with brightly coloured autumn leaves, and its paddocks of tender young grass sown for winter feed, looked beautiful in the sunshine, with the snow-capoed mountains in the distance, while excitement and thrills were provided by the galloping and jumping of the horses. After the hunt, the riders and visitors were entertained at tea on the lawn at the home of Mr and Mrs Selby, the first time for many years that Mrs Selby had been able to serve tea out of doors. The Followers Those riding were the Master, Mr Gilbert Grigg, on The Courier, Huntsman J. H. Selby on Dan Russell, the Whip, Mr Warner Wcstenra, on Waif, Mr D. W. Westenra on Tea Urn, Mrs Gilbert Grigg on Fascination, Mrs John Montgomery on The Digger, Miss Isbel Rutherford on The Tatler, Miss Hilda Montgomery on Polly Peachum, Miss Ruth Wynn-Williams on. Russet, Mr Harold Greenwood on Bay Rum. Mr J. Allan on Aheka, Miss Helen Rich on Robin, Miss Margaret Selby on Gulielmus, Mr Ross Westenra on Burglar, Mr F. W. Jarman on Wee Walker, Mr Bert Jarman on Colleen, Mr Gerald Westenra on Gold Spur, Miss Pat Coote on Tea Urn, Miss June Fechney on Dapple, Mr Ronald Fechney on Monty, Miss Margaret Young on Dawn, Mr Gerald Westenra on Gold Sour, Miss Ann Westenra on Playfair, Miss Helen Wcstcr/a on Red Cherry, Mr David Selby Sa The Sniper, Miss Moya Douglas on Robin, Mr Brian Wright on Crackers. Master Pat Clark Hall on Kim. Those following, in cars were Mrs D. W. Westenra, Mrs Maitland Rich, Mr Cecil Wynn-Williams. Mr Denis Chapman (master of the Brackenfield Hunt), Mrs Chapman, and Misses Anne and Marv Chapman, Sir Robert and Lady Clark Hall, Mr Digby Neave, Mrs Harold Greenwood, Mr and Mrs J. C. Guinness (Ealing), Mrs Sholto Douglas. Miss Betty Bowen, Mr and Mrs Neil Bates, Mr 'and Mrs F. McCreanor. Misses Jean Webster. J. Bradshaw. Marv Ensor. Ruby Ensor, Connie Meikle, Janet Cooke, Rosemary ~lark Hall, Mr J. W. Woodhouse, Mrs Brian Wvnn-Williams, Mr Duncan Stewart. Mr Herbert Ensor, Masters John Montgomery, Arthur Neave, Brian Symon.