HUNTING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVIII, 10 May 1910, Page 6

HUNTING.

(By "Reynard.")

The Egmont-Wangamu Hunt were fortunate in having perfect weather for their meet which was held at "Ngaio ©rove," tno property of the DeputyMaster, Mr E. R. Hastie, Kaupokonui, on Saturday last. The fixture is a very popular ono, the hospitality of the host and hostess being well known, and needless to say a largo number of members put iv •an appearance, while quite a crowd of visitors were also present. Before noon carriages and mot/or cars, convoying spo-'tsmen from a distance, and "horses by the score began to arrive, and by tho timo appointed for starting the place presented an animated appearance. On arrival the large assemblage were invited to a siimptuous luncheon, and after ample justico had been done to the good things provided a start was made with the day's sport. The huntsman sounded his horn and took his pack to ono of the home paddocks, whore they were thrown off. This, however, proved blank, and several other fields were then drawn with the same result. A turnip patch was next tried, and a stro'ig hare was soon in motion, which gave his pursuers a merry run over some good country, and was finally lost on the banks of the Kaupokonitj. During this run a lot of jumping was indulged in, most of the horses fencing faultlessly, and but few empty saddles were seen. Several other runs were now engaged and a couple of clinking chases indulged in. News of the King s death was brought from town during the progress of one of the runs, a check was immediately called, hounds were called off, and the gathering returned to the homestead, wliere feehug reference was made to the King's demise, and the day's sport brought to an end. Afternoon tea was served by M^s Hastie and her lady friends, which was much appreciated. A large amount of jumping was indulged in during the day. A number of obstacles — wire, spars, boxthorn, and ditch and bank — wore encountered, and it was pleasing to> watch the number of well-mounted bunting folk whose horses negotiated the obstacles: In jumping a five-barred gate that was met with when the pack were in hot pursuit of- a fleet bare, Mr S. E. Meßae's, mount came to grief, and the rider sustained a fractured collar-bone. The suffered was attended to by Dr Simmons, who was among the followers.

Before dispersing, Mr Washer, on behalf of the club, thanked the host and hostess for the manner in which they had entertained their guests, and for the very enjoyable day's sport they had provided ; also the farmers who ,had so kindly placed their properties at the club's .disposal, to which Mr Hastie responded.

Among those following were : Messrs E. R. Hastie, deputy-master, on ToS^to ; Gordon, huntsman, on Waikato ; isses J. Mitchell on Pakaraka; M. Bnggs, on Rawhiti; Dr Simmons- on Sylva; Messrs W. G. Jones, on Opaku; W/Paterson, on Welshman ; G. Mcßae, on Nightgown; L. Turner, on Springfield; P. Tu>*eif».n Bell Bird; R. Morrisey, on Ha origin, T. Robertson on King Dick;' J Robertson on Egmont; T. Robertson, on Rigaliajß. Brewer, on Rufus"; C. Oliver, on Killarney; J. O'Siillivan, on Utiku; H. Crocker, on Tarpct ;' A. Crocker on Tambour Major ; J-. Stewart, on Rupert ;•■ Jno. Young, on Simplex; V. Hastie, on Dynamite; J. O'Donnell, on Grey Star; H. Stevens, on Grey Dawn; G. Graham, on Tawhara; and Master A. Hastie on a neat fencer. " Among the onlookers I noticed Dr and Mrs Noonan, Rev Father Bergen, Mr and Mrs H. Washer, Mrs T. C. Sutherland, Mrs E. R. Hastie, and party, Mrs Snellinfi, Misses M. Hastie, J. Hoiioyfiold, Elliott, Barleyman, Washer, Messrs Bryce, K. Hutchinson, N. Paterson, Woods, Joyce, Doualdson, O'Donnel 1 , Willis, Hughes and a number of others.