WALLACE HUNT CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1812, 13 August 1886, Page 23

WALLACE HUNT CLUB.

" Whipper-in," in the Southland News, gives the following account of Saturday's meet: — The above club met in a splendidly laid off paddock, the property of the Messrs Ward, on Saturday last. The drag was started and in about 10 minutes after the hounds were laid on to the scent, which they followed with great rapidity. There were about 70 persons present, including a few ladies, amongst whom I noticed Miss Nurse, Miss Pattison, Mrs O'Reilly, and some others. The run was the best laid off since the formation of the club. The fences, which were of good height, were trimmed by a person who knew his business. At 2 p.m. sharp the hounds started and the first, fence was negotiated safely by all, except the wip, who, however, soon remounted and caught up with the crowd. The next jump was a stiff gorse fence about four feet high. Here several came to grief, and found themselves on Mother Earth. Over this fence they came into a splendid paddock, adapted for hunting on, and again we found ourselves in front of another stiff run. Along the road they all went pell mell, and a sharp turn brought them to face with another fence, which led them into a rough bit of ground. By this time I may say about a dozen came to grief — a second time for some of the " cockneys." All the horses being in full swing, we, or a good few of us, managed to clear the double — a great jump over a gorse fence on each side of a' half-chain road — and ere many seconds we got to the end of the first run. There three cheers were given for^Mr Saunders, the huntsman; and one Mr Jones, who laid the drag. We slackened our girths, and gave 'em breath, while those who indulged inthe weed lit their " cutties," and after about 3 minutes' spell we found ourselves on the return journey over the first run. With the exception of a few chains of ploughed ground, the run was the same. I think more spills occurred on the return journey than on the first. Amongst the first at the kill I noticed Mr Saunders, on Pre-emptive ; Mr Fraser, on Sam ; " Watty " Duncan, on Lady Ellen ; Messrs Stevens Bros., on good bay mokes; Mr Merrilees, on Bobby; Mr O'Reilly, on Civis; and a few others ; Mrs O'Reilly on Canary, of course, and Miss Pattison, on a pony, were before the crowd. Now for the jump into the road, which brought many off — it was simply a gorse with a bit clipped off the top, standing fully four foot hierh. A continual cheer here brought the hunt to an end forthatday. We all trotted horne — those who did not get a spill thanking Providence for having stuck to their horses, and those who came off thinking themselves lucky to come off so easily.

" Tally-ho," in the Times, says : — A few complaints have been made by members as to the manner in which their sport has upon several occasions been spoiled. It is in my opinion nobody's business to call out after a rider unless he is actually putting the hounds in danger. A member well mounted is not bound to keep behind and put himself and horse in danger to suit the strange notions of anyone, and ifc is to be hoped there will be no more of this style of management. Last Saturday's hunt passed off without anything of this kind, which was doubtless one of the reasons why it was so much like an Old Country gathering.