PALURANGA HUNT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4852, 5 June 1877, Page 3

PALURANGA HUNT CLUB.

FIRST MEET OF THE SEASON. Thk weather on 12th May was peculiarly favourable for the meet of the Pakurauga Hunt Club. The morning broke cloudy, aud threatening, but by nine o'clock the aspect of the sky became more promising. The meeting was fixed to take place at the residence of the master of the hounds, Mr. McLaughlin, at noon. The number of vehicles of all classes, from the single-horse aud single-seated buggy to the more pretentious carriages and four in-hand drags which passed along the road from the city to the place of meetini;, was sufficient evidence that the meeting would be a large and fashionable one, but in addition to the vehicles thera were large numbers of equestrians aud equestriennes, while others availed themselves of the train by which to reach their destination. The visitors, of whom there could not have been fewer Chan 250, were warmly welcomed by Mr. Mct.aughlin, and after partaking of such refreshinunts as they required, which were provided with tho must profuse hospitality, they dispersed themselves over the grounds—some to enjoy the line scenery of the place, others to visit the kennels, from which the music of the hounds could bo heard issuing from time to time. The pack selected for the day's hunt were in a separate enclosure, and it was evident from their appearance that they were in ev.client condition, aud eag.'r t< <r tho sport. A wry lai-eiiumbcr of ihf visitors w ended their way to the keunuls, tuoso who w.'iv sportsm,-u inspecting the animals with critical ej us, while others who made no pretensions to kowlcdge of this particular species o£ the canine breed, were eager to make the acquaintance of the pack. A good many members of the club were arrayed in the new hunting dress, but tho material only having recently arrived from England, \uauy had to content themselves with last season's costumes. The new dress is a wry ilea; one, not perhaps particular}' showy, but it appropriate and serviceable. The coat v. cut in tho Newrnavket style, its colour bemi .T,in r ,,ln preen., .TUebuttongjbri^btegg

have the figure of a hare and the letters P. H.C. The breeches are of Bedford cord, and the wholepresents.as wehavealready aaid, a very trim, neat appearance. The huntsman, Mr. liobertson, was distinguished by his bright red coat, and the whippers in \vere similarly arrayed. Amongst tho visitors we noticed Dr. Campbell, Messrs. I'minds, Douglas, McLean, Dr. Goldsbro', Messrs. Uay, Walters, Brock, Nicholl (sen. and juu.), Browning, Morton Jones, S Buckland, O. McGee, G. McLean, R. J. Taylor, T. A. Brown, T. Stevens, J. Burtt, Sellars, Bainbridge, H. Whitaker, Harris, Clayton, Loomb, Cleghorn, Yonge, Gardiner, T. Morrin, S. Morrin, Rev. l>. Bruce, Major Walinsloy, Messrs. Mays, J. B. White, W. F. Buckland, \V. Perciv.il. "W. J. Marks, Griffiths (of Sydney), aud a number of other leading citizens, besides which there was a very large attendance of the fair so-; enme to grace the day's proceedings, and. it was apparent that many of them who were arrayed in riding habits meant to follow the hounds. At noon, as many as could sit down in the dining-room proceeded to discuss the viands under which the tables literally groaned, and relay of visitors followed relay in rapid successiou until all the visitors had partaken of the liberal hospitality of their host, who was indefatigable in his attentions to the requirements aud wishes of his numerous guest?. It was from the first understood that the meeting, as the inauguration of a new season, was more for the purpose of festivity than for field sports, but the latter formed part of the programme. Accordingly, after dinner, those who did nut mean to follow the hounds proceeded to a high hill at a little distance from Mr. MeLuughliu's house, from which a splendid view of the hunting-ground, which extended right round it, could be obtained. The hounds wore then led out by the huntsman, followed by about 50 horsemen and horsewomen. The pack soon gave cry and led off into a very broken scoria country over :•, stiff stone wall. A good number cleared t!ie fence without baulking, but the majority had to bo put at it repeatedly, and a goodly number remained paddocked for a long time before they could be either pulled or e.iaxed over the wall. The hounds were soon at fault, but the huntsman kept them to their work, aud they were off in full cry again after poor puss, who led the way into tiie broken country again, where she succeeded in eluding their vigilance, aud escaped. There were few spills, and those who did tumble fortunately escaped without any serious injury. When the hounds were brought home the visitors were again entertained by their kind and considerate host, and as the shades of evening set in the greater number deemed it prudent to start homewards, well pleased with tho meeting as a whole, but entertaining high hopes of greater success on future occasions.