PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8882, 19 May 1892, Page 6

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

OPENING MEET OF THE SEASON. The opening meet of the season of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, took place yesterday afternoon, at Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson's residence, Ellerslie, and the large attendance as well as the excellent class of horses turned out,showed that those who in previous years have enjoyed the pleasurable excitement of following the hounds have lost none of their interest in the sport. There were, too, many new and young faces present, young huntsmen who are following in their fathers' footsteps. There were in all, including ladies, about 100 present, and the gathering was most hospitably entertained by Colonel and Mrs. Dawson. In fact, the opening was celebrated with great eclat. After lunch the hounds were cast off by the huntsman, Mr. Tom Brown. There were 10 couples, 3£ of which are English fox hounds. The lead was taken from Colonel Dawson's through Crowther's paddock, all taking the fences well, the master, Mr. W. Percival, taking especial care that the ladies should not be interfered with. There was no scent, however, and a " try back " was called, the hounds being led into the ladies' mile. Here the imported bitch Gadfly found the scent, and gave the cry, when the whole pack gave chase round the Ellerslie steeplechase course until the chase was interfered with by sheep and cows. The hounds were then whipped off and brought to the Panmure Road, where they were again thrown off. Mr Scarrott's ground was tried, and the stone walls were well fenced, but no find was again the verdict. The lead was then taken through the One-tree Hill property, but no hunt ensued, hares being remarkably scarce. Amongst those present, and who followed the hunt, were : Mrs. Ware, Mrs. W. R. Blomfield, Mrs. Seager Buckland, Bilbrougli; Misses Pereival, Hesketh, M. Firth, Dunnet, Roberts (2); and Messrs. W. Percival (master), Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson and his two sons, Lieutenant Stanfield (H.M.s. Ringaroom.t), Wallace. Seagar Buckland, McLaughlin, W. R. lilooinfield. J. Dickey, jun. There were also a good number of visitors in tandems and traps, Mr. Goodson (of Hawera) and two ladies, Mr. W. McLaughlin, Dr. Collins, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. A. K. Taylor and family, ,M r . Kenton, Mrs. McLaughlin, Mr. J. P. A. Philson, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Meld rum Elliott, Misses Greenwood, Wallace, H. (*orrie, and numerous other visitors. The weather was all that could be desired, and although there was 110 really good run, there was some exciting fun, and the ladies and gentlemen thoroughly enjoyed the day's outing, and parted with mutual good wishes for the success of the hunting season. On pulling up at the residence of Mr. J. B. hyte the company were again hospitably entertained.