NEW HUNT CLUB.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 59, 23 May 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

NEW HUNT CLUB.

OPENING MEET AT MARAMARUA.

ENJOYABLE DAY'S HUNTING

Perhaps one of the most brilliant functions ever held in the district, the official opening meet of the Maramarua Hunt Club, took place on Thursday, when a crowd estimated at between 250 and 300 was present,- including Mr W. W. Massey, M.P. and Mrs Massey.

Shortly after noon, the call to "pack up" to the hall was given, and a lunch dispensed by the ladies' committee, comprising Mesdames W. Fisher (wife oi' the deputy master), S. Symes (wife of the huntsman), A. Mclnnes, W. J. Steen, T. Dimmock, F. A. Downey and Miss Lena Maher, was enjoyed by the happy sportsmen and sportswomen.

The Master, Mr J. Fagan (Waitakaruru), expressed the gratification of the members at the splendid attendance, which be believed augured well for the future success of the club and the sport in the district. The Club's History.

Briefly the history of the formation of the club is" as follows. Last year Mr S. Symes, a very keen huntsman, spoke to Mr H. Bullock-Webster, Master of the Pakuranga Hunt, of the possibility of a number of the Pakuranga folowers, coming to Maramarua for a meet. Mr Bullock-Webster's reply was characteristic, "Why not form a hunt club yourselves?" The suggestion was adopted and Mr Symes convened a meeting which, unfortunately was not very"well attended. The seed had been sown, however, and at a later meeting, convened by Messrs S. Symes and W. Fisher, an enthusiastic meeting of twenty formed the Maramarua Hunt Club. To-day the club has six couples of hounds and offers of more have been received. Enthusiastic supporters have made very generous offers, which will very greatly reduce the cost of upkeep of the kennels and the spirit which prevails is very encouraging to the officers and members of the club.

Mr Fagan then called for three cheers for the Pakurafiga Hunt "Club which was so very strongly representee, the ladies, and the farmers who had so generously given the use of their land. Mr Bullock-Webster was introduced by Mr Fagan and spoke briefly, congratulating the Maramarua people on their enterprise and expressing gratification at the ease with which the matter of kennels, etc. had been setlied. From the wide experience which he had gained during his rift years as a follower of the great, spnrt. the Master counselled slow, steady progress in

building up, giving instances from his experiences in connection with the formation and fostering of the Waikato Hunt Club, which from very small beginnings had been so established that to-day it ranked as one of the foremost hunt clubs in the Dominion. It was important that followers should understand that hunting was a serious, sport and that to ensure its success, certain rules should be strictly obeyed. Remember that hunting was not a day's jumping. Certainly, during the course of the run, obstacles had to be ridden over, but jumping was only a means to enable the followers to keep up with the splendidly trained pack of hounds, a contemplation of whose work was the real joy of the chase. Never press too close to the huntsman and the hounds. Over-eagerness often spoils a goo I scent and ruins the chase. He was pleased to wish every success to the local enterprise. The Ohase. In perfect weather the hounds, with 50 followers cast off "at 1.10 p.m. in Mr H. K. Jones', property and seven minutes later a strong hare was put up which kept the hunt going in a good run for over half an hour. The hare doubled back before being finally lest in heavy ti-tree. A few minutes later another scent was picked up and soon the hounds were again in full cry. The quarry was fresh and led away to cross the road into Mr J. Goodwin's property, before doubling j back, and almost completing a circle, j being lost after an excellent run which took the hunt, twice through Mr Jones' ; property and once each on to Mr J. j Goodwin's and Mr Hale's farms. The j pack was called off at about 3.20 p.m. j when the hunt returned to the hall for J afternoon tea. i

The followers included the Maslet on Llewellyn, the Huntsman, on Lady Lantus. the Whip, Mr L. Fisher, on The Rogue, the Deputy Master, Mr W. Fisher, on Tui , Mr P. H. Smith (Pakuranga Huntsman), on Merry Maid, Mr H. Townsend, on Pickles, Mr

, j. Townsend on Economy, Mr T. Richards on a bay cob, Mr Sidebottom on. Safe Conveyance, Mr W. J. Steen, on. Brownie, Mr A. E. Watkins on Soot . Free, Mr G. Hamilton on Pathfinder, Mr N. J. Sutherland on Kiwi, Mr A.. Atchison on Atom, Mr J. McPherson. on Waitaka, Mr H. C. Rae on Sultan,. Mr C. Goxhead on Topsy, Mr F. Arthur on Gray, Mr O. Self on Sootty,. Mr R. L. Jones on Vagabond, Mr H» K Jones on Porangi, Mr C. Adams on. Dick, Mr J. Miller on a bay, Mr L. Jones on a chestnut, Mr A. Flynn, on. Bluebell, Mr V. Shaw on a black, Mr W. A. Cble,,.oh a chestnut, Mr G. Cole on Tui, Mr 11. Suter on a bay, Mr WDuder on Manupai, Mr Duder on a black, Mr A. Garter on a bay, Mr W. Carter on a black, Mr J. Peters on Bob, Mr E. P. Fathers on Lurina, MissWiggins on a black, Miss Wiggins on; a bay, Miss R. Sidebottom on Paddy; Miss C. Fisher on Timo, Miss on Tony, Mrs G. Hamilton on Tiki, Mrs R. Fisher on The Thief, Mrs P. H. Smith on Molly. Waerenga, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Bombay, Glevedon and Pakuranga were represented among the followers. Although the number of hares islikely to prove disconcerting, the oountry available is so admirably suitable for hunting purposes that the prospects appear very bright for the future of the Maramarua Hunt Club.