THE CHRISTCHURCH HOUNDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7227, 29 April 1884, Page 5

THE CHRISTCHURCH HOUNDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —Having experienced considerable pleasure oh Tuesday last with the abovementioned pack it occurred to me that it may interest a section of your readers to ,hear a plain unvarnished tale of their doings from a hunting man hailing from a neighbouring Colony. As your readers are doubtless aware, this pack confines itself to the legitimate sport of hare hunting, with an occasional drag hunt, in the neighbourhood of the city. The pack has been recently increased by a draft from the Melbourne kennels of five couples of good serviceable hounds. Captain Cotton can now take the field with twelve or thiiteen couples—quite enough to provide really good sport. The trysting place on this occasion was Prebbleton, from which we visited tho residence of Mr Hayden, by whom wo were hospitably entertained, and who took tho most enthusiastic interest in the day's proceedings. Having been informed that game was close at hand, the xnaßter at once proceeded to draw a paddock adjoining tho house, and almost immediately a hare was started. She gave us a dodging run of some duration, and waß finally killed in somo rushes. Wasting no time, we soon had another hare afoot, this time a real " clinker." She ran almost as straight as a fox, crossing soveral paddocks (tho fencing appearing very formidable to mo, being unaccustomed to blind obstacles, such as now presented themselves) until finding herself somewhat out of her boat, she turned sharp to the right, and skirting a sedgy creek, made tracks for her old quarters. The hounds were, however, fairly roused, with hackles up and sterns flashing, and it was a treat to boo tho style in which thoy stuck to her lino, giving tongue enough to satisfy oven Raster, wnolb, I believe, hard to please in S respect. We occasionally viewed her, evidently distressed, and domg her utmost to baffle h«r <«emi«, Jjt »J wflro not to be denied, and hunted hei right well through field after field, and finally into view, pulling her down in the open after a rattling run of thirty-seven minutes. Taking into consideration the fact that tho Melbourne contingent had but recently arrived, and were, therefore, not in perfect condition after their twelve

days passage, the hounds hunted remarkably woll, and could often have been covered by the conventional blanket. Captain Cotton is evidently a dieciple of Bcckford and of his follower, the immortal " Jr-rrocks," whose cardinal principle was that hounds should not bo spoken to when at fault, and only lifted when they, unaided, have failed to hit oiT the line. I have no hesitation in Baying that he is the right man in the right place, being an enthusiastic sportsman as well as a good huntsman. lam surprised to hear that the hunt languishes somewhat through lack of members. With such a moderate subscription one would have thought that in a city like Christchurch a very huge number of riding men would have not only contributed to the funds of the Club, but, by their presence in the hunting field, have given iclat to the sport. I must crave your indulgence, Sir, in the matter of inserting this lengthy, and I fear, feeble dissertation, pleading, in excuse, my interest in, and love for, the Sport o* Kings. —I am, &c, VICTORIAN.