PAKURANGA HUNT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 7

PAKURANGA HUNT.

OPENING OF THE SEASON.

SPLENDID DAY'S SPORT.

LARGE CROWD AT EAST TAMAKX

The opening of the season of the Pakuranga Hunt took place at East Tamaki on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large attendance. Prior to tie commencement of the opening run those assembled were the guests of the Hunt in the local hall, where they were provided with refreshments. Lady Jellicoe and a party from Government House were present, and they were accorded a most enthusiastic welcome. The Master of the Hunt., Mr. Bullock Webster, officially welcomed Her Excellency, at the same time expressing regret that indisposition had prevented Lord Jellicoe from being present at the opening meet. Mr. Webster said Their Excellencies took a keen interest in all the f ports and pastimes indulged in by the people. (Applause.) Hunting, he said, was one of the best sports, and it was gratifying to know that it was flourishing hero and in Britain. In the latter counts try last season 200 packs were hunted, 'and an outstanding figure at the various meets was His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, who rode his own horse, and quite recently had been successful at some of the hunt races. (Applause.) Mr. Webster said it was a pleasure for members of .the Hunt to meet the farmers over whose country the Pakuranga pack hunted, and he desired to thank them and their families for the invaluable assistance they bad given the Hunt for many years. (Applause.) Message from the Governor-General. Lady Jellicoe, in acknowledging the welcome accorded her, said His Excellency had been looking forward to being present, but unfortunately he contracted a severo cold, and consequently had to remain in bed. Lady Jellicoe then read a message from His Excellency as follows:--"I am indeed sorry to miss the opening meet for two reasons. The first is that I had looked forward to meeting many members of the farming community and their families; and secondly, I hoped to see something of the day's sport. I can only wish you all a good season's sport and much'happiness and prosperity, and express the hope of an early opportunity of meeting you." (Loud applause.) Mr. John Gill, replying on behalf of the farming community, said they were all sorry that His Excellency had not been able to be present. The farmers, he said, were always pleased to see the' Hunt. They liked the sport, and so long as the meets were conducted in a sportsmanlike manner the farmers would be pleased to allow them to be conducted over their land. (Applause.) Three Euns and Three Kills.

Conditions were ideal for hunting, and the hounds, under the control of Huntsman Metcalfe, were very keen. They fast off on Mr. Smale's property, and soon were in full cry after a hare which was put up close to a gorse fence. The quarry circled, and then broke across the road into Mr. Douglas Reid's estate. The stone fences beween these two properties held up quite a number of followers, but 15 joined in the run round the mountain, and thence across Mr. Crooke's farm into Mr. Wood's. Hounds working well, traced the hare into some rough countrr on Mr. Mailer's farm, where they killed."

After a brief check hounds cast off, and «oon found a hare on Mr. Crooke's farm, and a short sharp run ensued over Mr. Wood's land, and then into Mr. Ross' property, where, they killed in the bed of a creek. A little later another hare -was found close to the mountain, and it carried the pack along at a merry pace. It circled Ihe mountain twice, and then raced off in. the direction of the kennels, and the third s.nd Bnal kill of the day took place at the kennels gate. Prominent among the followers were Ladv Jellicoe on Punjab, Captain A. R. W "Curtis, A.D.C., on Raneinui, and r ap uin P. R. M. Mundy, A/D.C., who was mounted on a hunter owned by Lady Jellicoe. Many ladies took part in each df the runs.