PAPER HUNT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3567, 24 June 1872, Page 2

PAPER HUNT.

Riding to hounds constitutes such an important item in the catalogue of British sports, that a community of Englishmen might as well be expected to deny their nationality as to forego any chance, howewer remote, of establishing it as one of their permanent institutions. Little wonder therefore that efforts should be made to take advantage of the great breadth of hunting country which exists in. this province, nor, that failing for the moment to establish a pack of hounds, the alternative of a paper chase should be accepted. The homely maxim that “ half a loaf is better than no bread,” has peculiar weight in this instance, for although the more exciting incidents of the hunting field are absent, yet there is a good modicum of sport, and It is only by these inexpensive experiments that a young community can hope to lead up to the goal pf their anticipations. The deeply interesting process of drawing covert, the exciting shout “ gone away,” and the deep-tongued music of the hounds as they take up the scent—in themselves sufficient to make a coward’s pulse throb with daring excitement —together with many other “ spirit-stirring incidents,” characteristic only of a run where hounds are employed, may be absent, but good sport still remains, added to which, it is only by practical demonstration that conviction as to the harmless results of hunting—in so far as fences and land are concerned —can be carried forcibly home to the small farmers who from inexperience have more or less imbibed a strong prejudice against cross-country riding. By all means therefore let paper hunts be continued in such parts of the province where favourable feelings already exist amongst the landed proprietors. It may be somewhat slow and difficult work at first, but Eerseverance is a good dog, and Once fairly lid on to the scent, he is bound to run prejudice down and secure a kill! The failure which attended the efforts made after the paper hunt last season to obtain the written consent of farmers to the use of their lands for hunting purposes—a very necessary preliminary before entering upon the great expense of introducing a pack of hounds—shows that prejudice does exist, and that it must be overcome before hunting in reality may be established. The repetition of the paper hunt of last season must then be hailed with satisfaction, and with the hope that work having been commenced moderately early in the season instead of at the tail end as last year, several more hunts will be held before the season passes away. If experience of the promoters goes for aught, there can be little fear of this, and some good sport may therefore be anticipated. The meet on Saturday was fixed for Webb’s, the Bush Inn, Riccarton, and the day opened very promisingly. Even for a proper hunt it would have been exceedingly favourable. Atmosphere and ground were aide* sufficiently moist to make the scent lay well, whilst, generally speaking, the former was also in fair jumping condition for good horses. Two o’clock was the hour appointed, and as the tiine approached Riccarton Road became veiy busy with horsemen. Having assembled at Webb’s, there was “ in sooth a goodly company ” to view. Quite fifty mounts showed up, and of these it was evident that at least thirty meant business, for although not a vestige of “ pink ” was to be seen, yet the sign* were easy to read in many other respects. Unfortunately rain had commenced to fall from the south-west, but no one sought to retrace their steps citywards, nor was protection from the water looked for. Mr E. W. Millett, who had again been appointed as huntsman,; woe one of the first to appear at the rendezvous, mounted on Barney, which, as proved by the number of mishaps during the afternoon, was not anything like up to his rider’s weight. Amongst the other gentlemen who meant work, were Messrs F. Brittan on Little Rover, E. G. Griffiths on Mormon, R. Waitt on the Barber, D. O’Brien on Piper, Craddock on a two-year-old Golden Grape filly, which it was somewhat cruel to put to cross-countty work,; inasmuch as she is the making of a splendid hack ; F. Egan on Ivanhoe, D. T. Brett on. Ranelagh, Williams on a likely-looking filly belonging to Mr P. Ball, Henley on Wild Irishman, Scott on Claret, a brown mare bred' by Mr Beauford, Standish on Nelly, J. J.; Thompson, F. Courage, J. P. O’Callaghan, and Young Lunn, the latter of whom was on a nice-looking Golden Grape filly. Mr P. Campbell, Mr Beauford, and some other sporting gentlemen, were present in traps; and it is due to the former to explain that the former who were so prominent at the last paper hunt, were only prevented from following the hounds by indisposition. A few moments’ delay being allowed by Mr Millett, advantage of it was taken to lay in a little jumping powder and to give a pull at the girths, whilst Millett also proceeded to select Messrs Egan, Henley, Brett, and Williams, as hounds, and D. O’Brien as his first whip. A cheery “ now gentlemen, hurry up,” then sent the whole muster into the pigskin, and a move was mode up the West Coast road. After proceeding about a quarter of a mile, those whe intended to hunt passed through a gate into Mr Delamain’s paddock where it had been arranged to “throw off” whilst the remainder of the equestrians, and some two or three traps proceeded further up the road, in order to take advantage of their geographical knowledge of the highways and Dyeways, to catch an occasional glimpse of the sport. Mr Millett, having given the word away, cantered the hounds over Mr Delamain’s stubble, pointing for Avonhead. Crossing a bridge, which spans one of the sources of the Avon, Mr Doel’s land is reached, and a short stretch of grass leads up to the first fence, a ditch and bank, with the ditch on the take-off side. The hounds lead over well, Egan is first to fly it, followed by Henley, and all the field negotiate without difficulty. Another piece of gross, and a stiff ditch and bank, surmounted by forse, leads into Mr Alexander Smith’s land. Igau baulks, but Henley clears, whilst Millett, the huntsman, comes rather heavily to mother earth, and some of the lesser lights also followed the example. Sweeping away to the left, the hounds, again headed by Egan, Sinto a piece of ploughed land, on Mr stone’s farm. “ Rather more sticky than pleasant,” is the general exclamation; but a short (stretch suffices to leave it behind. A water, about six feet wide—one of the tribu-

taries of the Avon—is soon reached—and Egan and Brett lead over in style, no harm accruing to any one. Apiece of'Watpplutd is followed by a nasty jump, has .rather a scattering effect on the field. | l A stiff ditch, and bank which, deserving the title of a “ big lep ” is bod enough, but; withf.ditch, oviw* flowing with water on the tdtijoff side, t|u) difficulty is considerably enhanced. The leading hounds are, (however, all there. Henley opens negotiations in 4 .very clever manner, and Egan also got 'Well over, but the take-off, Vbeing “rotten as a medlar,’' Brett/ O’Brien, Brittan, Blandish, and some others', including the huntsman, all kiss mother earth " with more force than politeness.” O’Brien’s horse cheated the jump, and did a little acrobatic businew, Brett’s horse fell on landing, the former coming down very heavily, and Brittan’s horse came down on his hood in a very awkward manner. By these incidents a gap is, made, and the rear guard have much easier work of it, “ Chock ” is now called, and not before necessary, for the sharp gallop has blown the horses and a spell is not to be ridiculed. A few moments and “ hark forward ” again puts the hounds in motion. The last jump has led back into Mr A. Smith’s land, and a little more plough is met with. Two or three small fences are negotiated easily, and than an awkward jump leads into the Avonhead road. Egan again baulked, but Henley maintained the credit of the houuds and again showed the way, . the hunstraan getting another erspper by his horse jumping into the ditch on the landing side. Cantering down the lane, a sharp turn is made to the left and an effort made to jump on to Mr Luke’s land, but the narrowness of the road docs not permit the horses to get into their stride, and baulking is the order of the day. Egan and Henley are first to solve the difficulty, and only a few follow them. A sweep round to the left leads back into the road, and the stragglers again join the main body. Passing through an open gate on to Mr H. F. Gray’s farm an old fence is negotiated, and then a gallop pf at least half-a-mile ensues over a beautiful bit of grass. A ditch and bank surmounted by thorns produces a little shyness on the part of some, but Egan followed by Henley leads over in. capital style. More grass succeeds, an accommodation road is f crossed, and Henley leads into Mr J. T, Ford’s; Paddock, considerable baulking being indulged, in by the field. Several small fences are succeeded by a very nasty ditch and bank with gorse and one rail, which causes not a few to bail up; the hounds are, however, still to the fore. Egan is the first to get over, and missing the paper makes for a cruise on his own account, going over three fences before he again hits the scent. Sweeping round to the left a big ditch and bank, an accommodation road, another fence, a fine stretch of grass on Mr Gray’s land succeed in rotation, and then comes a thorn fence which leads into the West Coast road, near the racecourse. Several baulks occurred, Henley, Williams, and Craddock being first over. Once in the road “check” is again called, and as the’ straggling state of the field no less than the blown condition of the horses showed not before it was time. For five minutes flasks are' passed round, notes of comparison accompanied 1 by not a little badinage are exchanged, and then another forward movement is made,' Passing down the road which leads to the carriage entrance to the racecou r se, a sharp turn to the left is made, and Mr Dixon’s land is reached, though hot without considerable difficulty from the narrowness of the road giving the horses insufficient room to take the jump.; A stiff fence succeeds, a sweep is made to the left across a gully, and passing round by Mr Dixon’s stables a very nasty jump—one of i the worst of the day—is arrived at. It is a high bank surmounted by gorse, with dry! ditches on both sides, and a very sharp drop on landing. Williams makes the first attempt! but baulks, and Henley again acts as pioneerj His horse, however, comes down on the edge of the ditch, and Henley gets his first fall. . Egan tries the same place, but fortunately his horse baulks, for he would have come down right on to Henley. O’Brien gets over cleverly, and Egan, Millett, and Williams fpllow; but as the main body come up, spills are numerous. Barry and Lunn have very ugly croppers,, both also very narrowly escaping being trod- , den on by their horses. Griffiths, as he has done at every jump during the afternoon, clears well; but Digby’s horse comes down, and Digby got rather an awkward purl. O’Callaghan only escapes a bruising by the cleverness of his horse in getting out of the ditch, and several others are in trouble. Two or three flue grassed paddocks and unimportant fences succeed, the West Coast road is again reached, and the hunt terminates, Henley, O’Brien, Egan, and Williams being first in at the death, arriving in the order named. Webb’s is again visited, and as the rain had ceased during the hunt, it is unnecessary to say that the liquids dispensed by mine host of the Bush were in strong demand. Glancing round the assembly whilst engaged in this revivifying process it is evident, from outward appearances, that many besides those mentioned met with falls' during the hunt. There are, however* no reports of serious injury to man or horse, and the spirit is therefore jubilant, the return to town being devoid of anything in the shape of regrets. Taking a retrospective glance at the proceedings of the day, the hunt must be regarded as a great success, aud as likely to do much in promoting the ultimate establishment of a pack of hounds. The run occupied about an hour and a half, and was by no means child’s play. The majority of the jumps were good tests of nerve and riding, and none were very small. It is necessary, however to call attention to the habit which many have acquired of riding at the same place as those who precede them. This is manifestly a very dangerous thing, for if the rider in front should come down and the second horse not baulk, very serious accidents must occur. Every man should select his own line, and adhere to it, taking it for granted—as may safely be done—that wherever the paper is laid the jump is negotiable. It is to be hoped that when the next hunt takes place this will be carefully attended to.' The paper for Saturday’s hunt was laid by Messrs Brett, Digby, Scott, and Nunn, who are to be congratulated on their selection of country. The thanks of the participators in the hunt are due to the farmers who gave the use of their land, and it is to be hoped that the result of their experiences will be such as to leave a favourable impression on their minds, and that it will receive proper circulation amongst their fellow farmers in other parts of the province, so as to materially promote the establishment of a permanent hunt club with a pack of hounds. It is intended to arrange another hunt in about three weeks’ time.