DAY WITH THE HOUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15370, 4 August 1913, Page 9

DAY WITH THE HOUNDS.

THE PAKURANGA HUNT, VISITING SPORTSMEN. Tan Pakuranga Hunt met at the East Tamaki Road Board Office on Saturday,' and received a > return visit from" the Matamata and Morrinaville Hunts. • Although the weather was wet, and the going heavy and BlipEery, there was a big field. • The hounds hunted well, and the last hare of the day gave the hunt a fine four-mile. run. There were in . all about 20 visitors, , including one lady. Miss Allen, from Matamata, and all of them were well mounted, besides being good straight riders. The horses were in good condition, and it would be hard to find 20 mounts in the local hunt to equal them. _ _ . . >.';■ j. ■ To the visitors, the country/was new, but for all that they negotiated it with much credit, and although spills, were numerous during the afternoon, the local riders received | their due share of falls. All the fences at East - Tamaki are more or less difficult and tricky, but there was one specially ' which stopped all but 15 of the field. Of the 15,' six roll in negotiating it. When the roll was called after the jump it was found that one lady only. Miss R. Gome, had succeeded in clearing the obstacle. Besides this there were numerous other difficult fences, . and though falls were numerous, luckily no' one was hurt.. The hounds first drew Mr. Thompson's property, and a hare ' was immediately chopped." Going on to Mr. Thorbum's land another was put up, and set sail through Thompson's, over two stiff wire fences, and across the road into Ross's. She then doubled back, turning right-handed in the next field, and made off towards the East Tamaki Church. From there "puss" came back through Kawson's, over the double fence, across the road into Thorburn's. The scent was very bad here, but the hounds stuck to it well, and slowly hunted the hare in Thorburn's, and over the dividing ■ fence into White's. She then doubled back into Preston's, and the hounds were called off for the reason that the country was unfavourable. The hounds were then taken into Leighton's. and followed a stale line into Eccle's, where the scent was lost altogether. Fresh country was tried, and the hare found in Swaffield's sot off over two saplings and straight up tho hill. Then . came" the fence of the day; the one which stopped all but the 15 mentioned. Again the scent became too cold, and a fresh cast was made on the flat in Mrs. Tom GilHrd's property. The swamp was drawn, and a strong hare was put up. This was the best run of the day. " Puss " ran over T. Do»«'as's property, and round the farm, .across the road into C. Gillard's, where another big fence further reduced the field. The pack raced away, and were four or five paddocks ahead of the field, which was by now much strung out. In the end she reached Murphy's bush, where there were too many hares, and the hounds were again called off and taken home. Those fortunate enough to complete the last run were satisfied that they and their horses had had enough. _ : ' VISITORS ENTERTAINED. foxhounds V. beagles. . Over 50 followers of hounds gathered at the smoke concert hold on Saturday ' evening on the occasion of the entertainment of the visiting members of the Waikato Hunt by the Pakuranga Hunt. The proceedings, tinder the chairmanship of the Master (Mr. R. A. Bent), were of a most interesting nature, and some sound advice to huntsmen, a spice of anecdote, and numerous good songs, passed the evening. Mr. Bent, in proposing the toast of the visitors, said that they had shown that they were hard riders and straight. They had not come to ride for a fall, but a good many had got them. They showed that their hearts were in the right place when they took on some fairly awkward timber and wire. .It needed good men of the local hunt to keep up with them. Such visits did a great deal to encourage the sport, and personally he was of opinion that they made a great difference to the huntsman physically. As far a. he was concerned, he was sure that his recent visit to Matamata had added another 10 years to his life. Mr. T. J. Marshall responded on behalf of the guests of the evening, saying what pleasure the day's sport had given them. Sir Robert Lockhart, in speaking to the toast of "Hunting," said there was one thing that he would like all those present to push forward, and that was the betterment "of the conditions offered hunters at the agricultural shows. The public, in the majority, came to the shows to see the hunters, and the prizes for these classes might well be increased. Apropos of the prizes offered for hunters:, Mr. Miller mentioned that the Waikato Show was offering £50 for the best hunter, and £15 and £5 for the second and third respectively. Mr. Selby, huntsman to the Pakuranga hounds, spoke warmly in defence of the foxhound. A great improvement would be noticed if th« puppies could bo walked out regularly with the farmers. They would then get to know tho lie of the land and the fencos. He had hunted with beagle packs at Home, and in one hunt the master, if the run was not finished by the time, darkness came on, would put a stake in the ground and say " We'll start there ajam tomorrow." • , , ' ■'■'_''■"-,; ■ Mr. Tom Brown, late huntsman to me Pakuranga. fcaid that he was the only original member of the hunt left alive. All those <hat had met to form the club so long ago had gone, and he was left alone. Hunting had be*.n his ideal pastime all through life, and ho was proud to say that his son, Mr. Wynne Brown, was huntsman and master in the Waikato.. ' ' "_. Mr. Clarkm also delivered a happy During tho evening several excellent musical and other items were given by • Messrs. Cliff Crowther, I. Richardson, Ben. Myers, Grierson, J. Miller, A. G. Quartley, ,1. Heather, L, Blood, -Wynne Gray, and Bollard, -v.:/■:•>. /"■■'■ ■;:■:■-'■ -■■;::"