PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11951, 28 April 1902, Page 3

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

OPENING OP THE SEASON.

A SUCCESSFUL MEET. The opening of the Paknranga Hunt Club's season, on, Saturday took place under very favourable conditions, being undoubtedly the most successful season's inauguration ever experienced by the club. Th© meet was held at the fine residence of the master {Mr. E. D. O'Rorke), Hillside, Ensom, taking place in absolutely perfect weather, which lasted throughout the entire day. About noon the members, visitors, and neighbouring farmers, the latter of whom were specially asked to be present, began to arrive on horseback and in vehicles of every description. Ascending the steep ascent to the master's house, the company, on arrival, were welcomed in the most hospitable and friendly manner by Mr. and Mrs. O'Rorke. and until the appearance on the scene of the last guests a pleasant half-hour was spent in admiring the beautiful view to be obtained from the grounds, and in discussing the prospects for the day's sport. It was a reunion of a most enjoyable character, enhanced by the absence of restraint or formality on the part of the host and hostess. During this preliminary stage the club's popular huntsman, Mr. J. Selby, accompanied by his son', Mr. F. Selby, jun., the whip, arrived with the hound'. The pack, as they lay grouped in picturesque expectancy upon the lawn, were the objects of general admiration, being in the pink of condition, thanks to Mr. Selby's experienced care.

At about half-past twelve there were fully 200 persons present at the meet. The master thereupon ushered his male guests into a spacious room, where a delectable luncheon awaited them, similar hospitality being offered to the numerous ladies present by Mrs. O'Rorke. The repast was of a lavish description, served up in perfect taste, the catering being done by Mr. Tiios. King, of Ponsonby. The wants of the guests were attended to by 10 waiters and the house staff. Tho scene on the lawn after the luncheon was one of great gaiety and life. Some of the huntsmen had donned tho newly-selected, hunting costume, comprising dark green coat, with black velvet collar, riding breeches and gaiters. These were, however, in a minority, and it is to bo hoped that the members who have not yet provided themselves with the new coat will do so, since its stylish and sportsmanlike appearance is beyond doubt. At twenty minutes past one, after those present had been photographed in a large group, tho huntsman and whip, with hounds well in hand, gave the signal for departure, and the company immediately wended their way to tho paddock opposite the entrance to the grounds, where horses were tethered, and those riding were quickly astride, those driving as speedily seated, and in the wake of the pack, which Mr. Selby was directing to the spot in tho neighbourhood of the Three Kings whore it had been decided to make the first cast-off.

Amongst the ladies who took the field were: Mesdames W. R. Bloomfield (on M'liss), Kelly (on Stceltrap), Moody (on Mike), Schnackenberg (0:1 Tim), Mioses Abbot (on Brie), Dunnet (on Woodcock), line (on Pohutukawa), Blanche Gome (on Jimmy), Flora Gorrie (on Starlight), Pearl Park (on Bluff), Olive Bucklaud (on Comet), Phrebe. Buckland ( on Popgun), Isabel Buckland (on a chestnut), Kerr-Taylor (on Nimrod). Stribley (on Awatuna), Roberts (on Mollyhawk). Amongst the gentlemen in the field were (he master (on Briton, and later on Dominie), Messrs. .T. Selby, huntsman (on Albion), F. Selby, whip. T. Brown, ex-huntsman (on Traverser), P.. P. Kinloeh, secretary (on' Specs), J. Roe (on Valedictory), Creagh (on Vic), A. T. Pittar (cm Suleita), W. D. Pittar (on Juno), C. Purchas (on Neck-or-Nothing), Field (on Marine), A. Adams (on Skipper), W. McLaughlin (on Dad), Moody (on Kilcaim), T. C. Schnaekenljerg (on Dandy Die];), J. Walker (on Captain). E. 11. Cucksey (on Rambler). R. J. Ralph (on Paddy), P.. Myers (on Rally). B. Lewis (on Lepperton), Elliott (on Ranginhunui), McCosh Olark (on Lard Onslow). H. Cotter (on; Blazer), Neil (on Frost), D. MeLeod (on a chestnut), 11. C. Tonks (on Tip), R. Bums (on Jack Squire), Lockhart (on 11 chestnut), Norgrovo (on Polo), 11. Potter (on Glazer), J. Jack (on Pungarehu), W. A. Carolina (on Natation), Ellett (on Miss Drury), A. H. Halcombs, of Urenuj, Taranaki (on Kitty), Adams (on Shifter). F. Waller (on Cragsman), and Master Rutherford (on Shine). Others present, some driving and some riding to the hounds, were: Mr. .T. 0. Kalwh (ex-master) and Mrs. Ralph, Mr. .1. H. flayr. Mr. and Mrs. W. .1. JTavr, Mr. Kelly. Mr. Gillies, Mr., Mrs., and Miss C. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Myers, Mr. J. 11. Dal ton. Mr. H. Thompson. Mrs. and Miss Kerr-Taylor, Mr. J.. Mrs., and Miss Lersnard, Mrs. .1. Logan Campbell, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. and Miss McLaughlin, Miss Yonnghusbaml, Mrs. Markham and party, Mr. T. Cotter and the Misses Cotter, Mrs. ITcrion, Colonel Dawson (ex-master) and Mrs. Dawson, Colonel and Miss • Shepherd, Mrs. Hanna, Mr. and Mis. T. Motrin. Mrs. Smales, Miss Norton, Mr. W. 1!. Bloomfield, .Mrs. MeCosh Clark, Mrs. Street, Miss Rooke, Mrs. Col beck. Miss Gillies, Miss Tanner, Mr. H. T. Gorrie (ex-master), Mr., Mrs., and Miss Board Mr. Seager Buckland. Mr. T. Wylie, Mr. A. S. Thompson. Mr. J. B. Crawford, Mr. F. Stribley, Mr. P. Goldsbro', Mr. Clapcott, Mr. W. and Miss Pereival, Mr. G. Walker. Mr. B. Gorrie. Mrs. Thorpe. Mrs. Tonka, Mrs. Baker, and others. The farmers of the neighbourhood were represented by Messrs. T. Woods and son, R. Fdy, 11. Wilson, 0. Baker, A. Dibble, and .1. Roberts and four .sons. THE HUNT. Leaving the master's home as before mentioned, the huntsman led the way into one of Mr. Crawford's paddocks at Mount Roskill. Failing to draw here an. uphill jump was taken into the road and another into the opposite paddock. A vigorous attempt was made to find in a field of maize on the slope, but again a blank was drawn, and a swamp on Mr. Ash's property was next- negotiated. Alter a lengthy search pussy No. 1 made up the hill. The field took the best way out over the stone wall into the Mount Roskill Road, avoiding the wire. The jump was an awkward one, and brought down several. One gentleman came a. bad cropper in the attempt to negotiate a. high post-and-rail instead of the wall, but he soon regained his feet, though his mount appeared to fall on him. A lauy who took the stonewall was carried out of her saddle, landing in a furze bush, through her horse swerving in alighting. Puss led right up into the Mount Albort-Onelmnga. road and across Mr. Moody's property, a stiff jump stopping several. (The same obstacle has before brought many a good horse down.) The quarry disappeared in the Mission swamp. Then ensued an hour of patient waiting, during which time, although the hounds found plenty, no hares would take the open. The swamp was so surrounded at the time by riders and carriages that there was not a chance of a hare giving a run even had if been inclined to take the open, though the master and Mr. Kinloeh (secretary) tried to clear the way. Finally a find was made on the other side of the drive (a well-known likely spot). lint puss made up the creek for the furze country, where there were several furze flumps half a chain wide, giving the hare every chance of dodging. One cunning one was put up which dodged backwards and forwards across a small enclosure in full sight of the whole field, seemingly quite selfpossessed and several limes squatting in the open as cool as a cucumber, a hundred riders looking on meanwhile and the pack industriously working in cover to pick up the trail. Leaving the furze country the field made back towards Mr. Moody's residence and put up another hare, which gave the fastest run of the day. going straight across the drive and two adjoining paddocks and disappearing in the Mission .swamp. Here another quarry came out and headed for the drive, where for a. long time the scent was lost. The pack recovered it, however, on the other side, and it led them up to the Three Kings Road, doubling back from there into the middle of a paddock in full view of the spectators on the road. Puss, like its predecessors, got away, and the hounds striking several cross scents and being unable to pick up any decisive one, at % quarter-past five the majority of the followers started for home.

Prominent at the jumps were Mr. and Mrs. Moody (on Kilcaifn and Mike). Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield (on M'Liss), who looked and rode remarkably well, Mrs. Kelly ion Stceltrap), Miss Blanche Gorrie (on Jimmy), clever in negotiating the wire fences, Miss Roberts (on Mollyhawk), Miss Strrbley (on Awatuna), Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Schnackenburg (on Dandy Dick and Tim), taking the obstacles in their usual style, Mr. w. A. Carolina, who appeared on a new mount (Natation) after riding Ingorangi for the last nine years, Mr. W. I). Fittar, whoso mount (Juno) has turned out a magnificent mare, fencing in dashing style, Mr. B. Lewis, whose mount was a free jumper. Mr. It. Burns (on Jack Squire), the master, Mr. E. D. O'Rorke, whose two mounts (Briton and Dominic) are very aristocratic and magnificent fencers, Messrs. J. Walker (on Captain), T. Waller (on Cragsman), and 11. C. Tonks.

During the run in the furze country a most unfortunate accident occurred, resulting in the hunter Eric, ridden by Miss Ethel Abbott, having to be destroyed. Whilst a number of riders were turning back from a little blind track into the furze Miss Abbott's

well-known chestnut received a kick from another horse just abovo the knee. Those near heard a distinct snap, and on examination by Mr. Kinloch, who is a veterinary surgeon, the leg was found to be broken, and the animal hud subsequently to be shot. Miss Abbott was luckily not thrown, her horse remaining standing after receiving the kick, with the injured leg held up. Eric was a very well known horse, Miss Abbott having successfully carried off several prizes with bim at different shows, notably, last No* vember, as a lady's hunter,.on the occasion when the girth broke and Miss Abbott threw off the saddle and, amidst applause, cleared the remaining jump riding have-bad:.