THE HUNTING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14359, 2 May 1910, Page 6

THE HUNTING SEASON.

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING. WITH THE PAKURANGA HOUNDS. j In the Motherland hunting is regarded as : the princely sport for the wealthy and leisured classes, but in these "fortunate isles" it is a favourite recreation with a far more general patronage, and the natural sporting instinct of the spirited colonial naturally makes the chase a specially attractive pastime, because of its exhilarating nature. , '_ At Pakuranga on Saturday hundreds ' flocked to Pigeon Mountain to take part in and watch the opening meet of the Pakuranga hounds, where they were the guests of the master of the hounds (Mr. E. . Dennis O'Rorke) and Mrs. O'Rorke. Favoured with . perfect weather, ideal hunting country, a fine pack of hounds, and well over a hundred well-mounted and keen sportsmen and women, it was a foregone conclusion that the meet was to be one of the most enjoyable ever held in ! the province, one that will live long in | the memories of those who took part in the chase. From noon on crowds of people could be seen wending their- way along the winding, picturesque road from Panmure bridge to Pakuranga on horseback, and in vehicles of every description. By one o'clock several hundreds of people had foregathered in the Pakuranga Domain at the foot of Pigeon Mountain, where a generous al fresco lunch was provided by Mr. and Mirs. O'Rorke. Mr. A. Selby, the veteran huntsman, then appeared with his pack of 16 couples of hounds, all in splendid heart, and keen to get afield. Before a start was made Mr. J. Fitzpatrick welcomed Mr. O'Rorke and club members on behalf of the farmers of Paku- | ranga. He also expressed the great pleaI sure they all felt in having the hunt once i again in the district, and within hail of the actual spot where the first pack of hounds had been housed in 1874. * Mr. O'Rorke, in returning thanks, said it gaye Him particular gratification to meet m many farmers and true huntsmen on the historic spot where hunting in the province saw its birth under the auspices of such grand old sportsmen, as the late Mr. Robert McLean (first master), Joe Roberts (first huntsman), Messrs. Evry McLean, Alfred Buckland, J. S. Buckland, Wm. McLaughlin, G. McLean," "rind A. R. Harris. It was, indeed, pleasing s too, O'lforke added, for him to see among them that day Mr. J. Gillard, the grand old man of hunting in New Zealand, who 'although now over 90 years of age, still rallied to the call of the hunting field. The Buckland family also he was happy to see present to carry on the grand traditions of their forebears in a locality where the name Buckland stood for j?rs Vs.- i manship. Mr- ■> -fflVn'lre,": in concluding, J referral* toi the excellent feeling and hearty i j jCnVowship that had always existed among the >Pakuranga "■ farmers and the members of the Hunt Club. " • Punctually at two ''o'clock" the huntsman's reed sounded, and a start was made. The pack had not been afield more than ten minutes when the first hare broke cover, and a merry chase of over a mile ensued before the- barking of the hounds proclaimed the first kill. On the first run several good , quickthorn hedges, gorse fences, ditches, and wire fences were negotiated in splendid style. Half a. dozen ladies were among those in at the death, and throughout the day the fair hunters made an excellent showing, always taking their jumps with pluck and skill. During the day three kills were made, and no casualties were registered. Altogether the * day proved a memorable one:■ for the keen sport, brisk chases, and happy feelings that' obtained. _> The master was mounted on Warden, and a new chestnut horse, Master Maurice O'Rorke rode Domine, and Master Clifford O'Rorke on ; Flight. Among other ; wellknown followers were: MJss N. Gorrie on ; Aroha, , Miss West on Markham, Miss Ali Harris on a fine bay, 'Miss I. Hellaby on Pat, Miss N. Hellaby on Dandy, Miss Lloyd on Abbott, Miss Buckland a fine hay", Messr*. W. R. ■ Bloomfield on M 'Liss, Sid Hellaby yon Honey, F. Dunlop on Tasso, A. Commons on Comus, Bullock-; Webster on a new chestnut, Ben Myers on Westener, J. H. 'Da Hon .on ) Captain - Jack, Don Gorrie on Skipper, J. Gill on Tikitiri, Dunn on Cannonball, J. Patterson on Breastplate, E. Kay on Rols, and L. Tonks on Baby. , Among those present at the meet were: Colonel and Mrs. Holgate, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield, Mr. and Mrs. Discombe, Mr. and Mrs. A. Haitaway, Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, Mr. ant! Mrs. James Brady, Mr. and * Mrs. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Sturges M;C. and Mrs. Ben Weston, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dalton, Mx. arid Mrs. Wallen, Mr. and Mrs. A. White, Mr. and Mrs. Gollein, Mesdames E.D. O'Rorke, Gillard, Waters, Gill, Fitzpatrick, Wajen, White, (Dr.) Lewis, Browning, Thomas, and Roberts. Misses O'Rorke, Rachael • Gorrie, Norah Gorrie, ; Gill, , Harris, West, Bloomfield, Andrews (2), Roberts, J. Hellaby, N. Hellaby, Gray, :Dubbley,' Richmond, » Edmonds, Sturges, Buckland, Hankin, and Foughy, Messrs. Walter Buckland, Ben Myers, A. R. Harris, Fitzpatrick, E. Fitzpatrick,; R. Eccles, Dovell, J. Gillard, C. Gillard,' J. Gill, C. Hodge, C. Fitzpatrick, F. Waters, W. Guy, Hambin, J. B. Williamson, jun-, A. Commons, Thomas, Roy Harris, Alfred Harris, F. Harris, A. Gillard, A. Chadwick, R. Kay, Wills, McLaughlin, Isaac Gray, ; Bullock-Webster, Herbert Smailes, Keniock, Wallace, Dunn, Docherty, Paul, Hull Kinldch, Don Gorrie, S. Hellaby, L. Tonks, Harry Wilson, Ferguson, Fulton, ,J. Patterson, E. Cuckscy, and G. Casey; and ".- Masters O'Rorke (2).