THE BIRCHWOOD HOUNDS AT DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 27

THE BIRCHWOOD HOUNDS AT DIPTON.

On Monday, 7th July, the Birchwood hounds meb at Leura, Dipton, the residence of R. D. MaoLachlan, Esq. The weather was all that could be desired, a a bright warm day, with the frost well out of the ground. A large number of the Dipton residents, in vehicles and on horseback, assembled at the end of the road near the township to see the hounds throw off in au adjoining paddock. Among those following I noticed the huntsman, M'Kay, on Patchwork, Mr O. Gardner and Mr Mason mounted respectively on Baron and the Joker aoting whips, Mr J. Stevens, acting, master, on Mountaineer; Mr Thompson on Dynamite. Mr Bunn on Tim, Mr Strettell on Pearl, Mr Spencer on Norah, Mrs Spencer on Kitty, Mr Hnssa.ll on Bunylp, Mr Boss on a dark brown, Mr Rodgers on a brown, Mr Murray on Liz Buffa, Mr Keech on a bay, and several other straight goers whose names I unfortunately did not ascertain. The hounds, taking a wide cast, picked up the line of soent in a sticky stubble near the Oreti, and ran away straight to a trimmed gorse, which wbb taken without mishap by all the field; on over more stubble till, turning sharp to the left, the hounds headed (or another fair-sized gorse, and after a »piu of -a quarter of a mile up .the road we croated ft stiff post and rails into some very good going on grass ; on to another post and rails, where Mr O. Gardner's horse, which had not been fencing kindly, hit heavily and came down with his rider, who was soon on his feet, having slightly strained his arm. Baron was cleverly caught by Mr Stevens, and we taw the hounds streaming away across a double post and rails, then a fair sized gorse leading us into plough. Here we took a pull at our hones and made for a headland, as the going was heavy and the next double a diffioult one. It was a stiff gorse with a very short run to a post and rails, then a sharp turn to avoid a boggy oreek. More going on the grass and another timber jump brought us to a strong manukvrailed fence, which was not less than 4ft 3in in height. It was. a pretty sight to see the first flight negotiating this fence, which was quite stiff enough to require a cool head. None of us were sorry to see that the hounds had checked near Leura, as the pace had been fast. After giving the dragsman 10 minutes' law the hounds wera again laid on, and raced away to what ia rather a, novelty In our ruus-a forbidding-looking thorn hedge, trimmed, about 7ft high. Norah here made a fine jump in a high place, followed by a plucky little dark ohestnut from the Aparlma district. Aoross the road to a stiff gorse, and into Mr Moriaon's stubble, where we had a double across the road to Moorabool. After running over a native grass paddock, the hounds turned into the road at a post and rails, where the Joker who had been fencing very well, clouted heavily and came down on his nose, having got rid of his rider, who was not at all hurt by his encounter wilh mother earth. Three more paddockß, divided by post and rails, at one of whloh I noticed Mr Bunn recover his seat very cleverly after Tim had rattled a rail, and the hounds ran into their quarry on the road line, where the spectators had assembled In full force. Thus ended a very pleasant run over stiff fences and good hunting country. The horses throughout, witli few exceptions, jumped very well. Cheers were heartily given for the gentlemen who bad kindly allowed their ground to be hunted over, and after nn announcement of a meet for next day had been made, the hounds were trotted homo to the kennels, and a large party returned to Leura, where there was ample provioion made for man and beast.

The day following, at 2,30, the hounds met, and although there was not such a large gathering of gpectatois, tbnte present evinced a great interest in the hunting, which is as it should be, and is very encoiwagtng to those who try to promote a love of this healthy sport. Mr Stevens, unfortunately, had two fails with Mountaineer, but this did not deter him from being in at, the death. Mr lioss, on Liz 11 tiff 'i. also turned a double numtnerenulfc, after perform! Dg various aorobatio feats on his hone's neck, but was not hint. The run was practically over the tame live of couutry, lengthened by five fences, ao ii.atcad of finishing in the road line, we ran through Mr !.f •c.L'K'hhn's gra«s picklocks and had the Btiff 'un behiud Leura for the laot.

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