HUNTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 972, 5 September 1889, Page 22

HUNTING.

THE BIRCHWOOD HOUNDS.

The master of the Birchwood hounds having learned (since the announcement in the; Witness) that Mr Bell, the genial, entertaining, British sportloving squire of Wantwood, was on business out of the colony on the dates fixed for the Wantwood run with the above pack, decided to exchange dates, and accordingly invited his hunting friends to spend a carnival hunting week over his beautiful Birchwood estate and those of Mount Linton and Otautau, kindly put at his disposal by their, proprietors, who, thanks to the fates that be, happen to be of the thorough good sportsmen type. The opening day selected was Augußt til, and in Vr Gardner's usual style his gue- ts were entreated to turn up on the evening ot the 30th, as most did, to find everything iv sipple-pie order, in readiness for a week's pleasure, and all arrangements, both for visit- rs and hunters, of the most comfort-asßuring nature, and, as usual at Birchwood House, as invitee after invitee gradually turned up from all points of the compass, they were cordially received by tho occupants, among whom, if one excelled another, Mrs Gardner must be given first place. AH and sundry were glad to see the hostess looking so thoroughly well, especially as a rumour had been extensively circulated that her health was not of the beßt.

The hunters were the first to command attention and were handed over to grooms presided over by the level-headed whip Jack P^e, who had been place-i in command over stabling and fodder of tho best sufficient to accommodate about 25 straightgoing visitors' hunters. So far as fodder was concerned it looked as though preparations had been made for a year'B carnival instead of a week if the amount of crushed oats, bran, and ohaff were any gauge, to say nothing of 200 tons of beautiful hay within ten paces of the stable door. A hurried glance over the master's hunters made everyone sanguine and anxious for the morrow, which eventually arrived in double quick time. And a right good hunting day it brought. Old Sol steering fast tor the zenith, found the various visitors absorbed enjoying a look over tho Birchwood House grounds, when, much to their regret they found that old " King Frost," who had reigned supreme during the winter in hiß hoary magnificence, had left very severe traces of his supremacy oulhe hitherto beautilul native cabbagn trees and borderiugs of the plantations and walks. Those more ou foremost pleasure bent were to be found wending their ways to the various boxes aud stalls to see it the occupants after, in some cases, 40 or 50 miles of tiavelling the previous day, had through tho night evinced a tendency to thicken their hardy and trusty back t inews.

A capital hunt breakfast past, the usual frivolities interyening, a move was made for the more important business of the day, breeches and hunting topboots, scarlet roats and equestrienne's habits, taking the place of morniDg dresses, and as the hour for tho throw off approached, an occasional blast of Mr Carnegie Gardner's hunting horn whb to be heard warning the "intendings" that the time was drawing nigh. Two p.m. sharp arrived at last, finding Mr Gardner mounted on Bailor Boy, surrounded by 12 couples of eager, fresh-looking hounds, moving away to the racecourse, the scene ot the throw off. Iv close attendance could be teen Mr Carnegie Gardner and Jack Pye (whips), on the constant Baron and Comet respectively; Mrs Spenser, Wry Pecker; Miss M. Gardner, Robin; Miss Bell Gardner, Boatswain; Miss Drabble, Star; Miss Grigor, Con ; Misa Eowhy, Bessie ; Mr Speuce, Norah ; Mr Hasael, Kitty ; Mr Tenant, Tarquin; Mr J. Stevens, Mountaineer; Mr Mason, Joker; Mr Bunn, Aparima ; Mr Woodward, jtra.. on ohe cli ver Sandy ; Mr M'iaren, Broomsticks; Master Struan Gardner on his favourite Tarkai ; and on wheels were Mrs Gardner aud a carriageful carefully piloted by Mr Fitzsimmoas. Amongst others indifferently horsed I recoguis< da game straight 'un iv Mr Holder on his favourite Cocoanut. 1 regretted very much to hear that this gentleman went out abutb 'ut two months ago on a would-be hunter of a friend's to school him, but after unsuftjPßßfully trying to negotiate a gate, " went in on a shutter^' with the small bone ot his leg broken. He, consequently, was the first of the regular followers to appear with a proverbial fiddleface regretting his fute. But hark ! I'm digressing. There's Factor. Foreman, and Fencer proclaiming that Music, Mei.tor, and Monarch are on the line, and they lead the field over a nice gorse, then over a oapped wire feuce with ditch on take off, successfully discounted by all save the Joker (who, cousider hie abilities at the game, is surely acting true to his cognomer) ; they rattle along towards Mouut Linton over a husked gateway, sharp to the left overau ugly capped wire on the side of a steep inc'ine into the homestead paddock. Mow over a 4tt four-rail fence into the woolshed paddock, the whole field jumping faultlessly, with the fair equestriennes iv a forward position ; now down into tho Arawa river, carefully over some soft ground, tre line lying well; Mentor aud Monarch alternately race for prido of place, taking the field along to a snorter ot a post and rail, where tho field got considerably lengthened out by some requiring a second request to negotiate a few ditches. Another r-iaping post and ra.U, over which Sailor Boy noticeably carries the master well with a oonimanding lead over. Next an awkward gorse with ditch on the landing side. He jumps beautifully, but on landing tumbles back, and having jumped at an acute angle he falls to recover himselt and gives the master a nasty shaking, necessitating his retirement. Baulk 9 here are numerous, but uoticeably quickly over are the whips, Miss M. Gardner, Mrs Spencer, Messrs Bunn, Tenant, Hassel, and Spenser, also the " game 'un "on Sandy. A bit of rough hilly tussock ground traversed brings us back to a snorting gorse, where Aparima resists till the musicians are well away. Now into a river pad•dook across stream, into the racecourse over another gorse fence and ditch— Tarquin, Sandy, Baron. Comet, Wrypeoker, Robin, and Kitty noticeably well within hearing of Fencer and Foreman's strains ; over the racecourse hill, through some blind swamps, when down comes Tarquin. familiarly kenned as " Tar-barrel." Having been rolled quickly after anything the least astray by his rider, he evidently here tries j' to roll on him Meanwhile the select field are over a stiff post and rail, jnto the Nightcaps road ; then into the Momit Linton paddock the field files decorously over a brushed gateway for the second time. To the left again, over the ugly-get-at-able one into the Homestead paddock. Bruin having doubled on his old track again , Monarch led the pack over the woolshed four railer, which Avas well negotiated by everything except Wrypeoker, who apparently slipped off a chip right into his fence and gave Mrs Spenser a nasty fall. He then turned round and neighed pitifully twice, as much as to say, " Are you hurt?'' So ended a good stiff run ot about 6£ milen. Those at the death numbered all last enumerated, including the fast little Apariraa. who quickly made up lost ground, fencing magnificently, and Mountaineer.

The spotted beauties having done justice to a Pasteur New Zealand fox, a move was made for the kentela, after an exciting run. Sunday past, Monday, the 2nd, arrived with proraiseg of favourable weather. The "cronk members "interviewed and found to be ail doing favourably, the master still of the opinion that "The game was never yet worth a rap for a rational man to play, lato which no j accident, no mishap, could possibly find its. way." A substantial hunt repast having been done ample justice to, the order was " I>ok to your bits and girths, and we will to Mount Lintonaway." Three p.m., meteorological prospects everj thing that conid bedesired, we found ourselves on thatnicely improved and picturesque property of Mr M'Klnnon's, he himself giviDg everyone present a hearty welcome and warm shake of the left band, and at the same time regretfully acquainting them with the fact that a severe fleab. wound on his right hand prevented him from taking an active part in sport be reveres so much . Bight sorry was every one present that they were debarred of the pleasure of Mr M'Kinnon's presence. To-day our disabled straight-goers total np alarmingly for our small and eolect club. Mr Gardner is in the saddle, but can't follow Mm Spenser. Mr Tenart, to avoid sadden stoppages en route, Is carefully between

four wheels (Mrs Gardner being the other occupant of the carriage) ; Mr M'Kinnon, a disabled hand ; Mr Helder still suffers from going out in the pigskin, ■and is on a shutfcar (or hurdle). Mis 3 Bell Gardner a short time ago met with a nasty accident, miraculously escapiog death thus wise : She was running the drajjfor her favourite pack of puppies off her horse Mischief, and on looking behind her to the pack Mischief raced into a guy the wire stay of a tall flagstaff —and turned completely over, and Miss Bell was found insensible on the Baddle with both horns of her favourite saddle turned completely over her legs. The hunter died a few days after, and our favourite juvenile equestrienne has sufficiently recovered to ba numbered among the six of our truest followers as one of the disabled and indisposed. On looking through the assemblage, I find Mr Uarnegle Gardner has been installed huntsman on his favourite always ready Baron ; Jack Pye, Comet ; Mr Stevens .Monotaineer (whips) ; Miss M. Gardner, Eobin ; Mr Woodward, Sandy ; Mr Spenser, Norah ; Mr Bunn, Aparlma ; Mr Mason, Joker ; Mr M'Laren, Broomsticks ; Mr Hassell. Bunyip; Mr Smerdon, Maxwelton ;J. Laidlaw, Kimberley. Others well mounted, but apparently not intending to go exactly straight were— Mr Gardner.'.Mr Evans ; Miss Drabble, Star; Miss Rowley, Bessie; Miss Bell Gardner, Boatswain ; MJbs Grigor, Con ; and various others whose names I could not bring to mind. Mr M'Kinnon having entrusted the "drag" to q fast and good stayer of a biped we allowed him full law, and after winding our way through the plantation the dappled darlings were laid on in a nice bit of lea— Pilot, a last seaoon's entry, disputing premiership of position with tho veteran and tried Monarch, Merry raaa, Gay Lass, Pope, and Priest, all with their noseß hard down ;— the last four all new entries and very promising hounds. They led us a merry dance to a brushed and capped stiff wire fence, then to a heavy post and rail, safely left behind by all except Broomsticks, Eobin in a foremost position pulling double. Another couple of furlongs brings the field to a large gorae, which causes Baron to turn hid head, and Sandy leads him cleverly over, followed by Comet, Apatfma, Norah, Kimberley, Bunyep. Eobin, over* powering his fair burden, runs away from this fence, and Maxwelton followed suit. Robin was quickly aiked the question again, answering satisfactorily. Not 80 Maxwelton, who doggedly refused, and was joined by The Joker, who answered ditto. Neither of them could be induced to try again, and they were let out at the gats by the host. Mr Mason, not to be outdone for a run, got on the trail and followed up. Not |0 Maxwelton s pilot, who elected to join the sedate and sick division and see the fun.

Meanwhile the field are going beautifully over eight nice even fence, and Joker is toiling in the rear. The only thing noticeable was Mr Carnegie Gardner taking the barb wire in Baron's stride. He trf ed to run down his fence, but this plucky rider kept him going, and he got over without a scratch. After about three miles had been traversed Mr Carnegie gave us a check for a breather, which was badly required by some of those engaged. Soon getting on the line again away the gallant little field sailed through the fern and ti-tri, over hill and hollow till at last, leaving the Takatimoa rearwards we made our way homewards at a rattling merry pace, negotiating three stiff poet and rail obstacles and a water jump which finished a capital run of about seven miles over mixed country. At Mr Host M'Kinnon's request the company adjourned to his residence where refreshments were in waiting, and the company spent a merry half hour drinking Mr M'Kinnon's health, and hoping he wili not be amongst the disabled on the next occasion of a run. After a few appropriate songs had been rendered in capital style, the most of the followers wended their way to Birchwood House again, where, as a fitting conclusion to a good day's sport, and a commemoration of our new huntsman's ability, a fancy dress ball was carried very harmoniously and pleasantly through. Amongst those conspicuously present were— Blue Beard ; Sister Ann ; Fishman; Bed, White and Blue; a 42nd Highlander ; Red Riding Hood ; an Italian brigand ; Houge-et-Noir ; two cavalry officers ; two or three footballers and cricketers ; 80-Peep, and a splendid clown. The festivities were kept up till the small hours of another hunting day, account of which will appear in next issue of cur friend the Witness. Whip.