DUNEDIN HOUNDS. HUNTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 30

DUNEDIN HOUNDS.

HUNTING.

On T\iesday, 18th, there was a meet at the Cliffs, and a smart run over some stiff post and rail fences in the direction of Seaview. Unyielding nature caused two horses and riders to embrace mother earth, fortunately without any serious damage resulting. Mr Taggart rode Kelly, Mr Reid Te Kooti, Mr Palmer Rattler, Mr Reynolds Tally-ho, Mr R. Allen Inferno, Mr G. Smith Expectation, in addition to which were some horseß out qualifying. , , On Saturday Wakari Valley was the scene of unwonted bustle and excitement, everyone whether on horseback, wheels, or foot, Beeming to be intent on reaching as soon as possible a grass paddock by the side of a slanting hill, which showed prominently in the wintry sunshine two mounted men in red coats, with 10 couple of hounds who could with difficulty be restrained from having a run every now and then on their own account before the legitimate business of the day commenced. James Allen carried the huntsman s horn on this occasion, and it was in good hands. Fiank Smith was in his usual place as whip. Owing to the numbers present it is impossible to notice everyone, but I give those who came under my personal observation :— Mr Taggart rode Harkaway; Mr T. Carroll, Rattler; Mr M'Donald, Normanby; Mr H. Gourley, Black Jack ; Mr W. Blenkinsop, Hanlon ; Mr G. Smith, Hero ; Mr P. Smith, Expectation ; a stranger, Northern; MrJW Begg, Ardvar; MrLaing, brown cob: Mr T. Cotton, the big Gorton; Mr J. Young, Stonehenge; Mr H. Young, Dun Joseph; Mr Marryatt, Nellie; Mr M'Ardle, The Gunner; Mr Elliot, Tamatu; Mr Morrison, Toprail; Mr M'Master, Waitangi; Mr R. Driver (who looked workmanlike and acted as deputy-master), the Island Chief; Mr Glen, from South Australia, Tally Ho. Mrs Walcot was on Star of the South; Miss, Fortescue, Fancy; Miss Stewart, Topsy; Miss Stevens, Fairy j a lady in grey habit, Princess, Miss Hutton, Pakeha; Mr Reid, Kelly. DriviDg were— Mr Parker and party ; Mr Roberts do ; pair horse carriage, Mr Nichols and friends; pony phaeton, Mrs Myers ; pair-horse carnage, Mrs Jowitt, Mrs Habs and friends, Misses Grey (3), and many others, including a number of local residents, who turned out in unusually large numbers. The initial jump waa a double out of Mr Waldie's paddock, consisting of two low stone walls. At this early stage, one riderless horse was racing to join the leaders, and kept with the pack over three or four fences before his final capture. Another rider, whose mount was a bay, iyy a series of extraordinary contortions that would have made the fortune of an acrobat, at last managed to regain the saddle, only to vacate it a little further on. In the paddock just past Mr Liston's homestead commenced a series of stiff post-and-rails, which caused some baulking, and Waitangi, the hero of many a hard- won steeplechase, levelled a whole panel of fencing, and a spill was only avoided by the determined handling of Mr M'Master, who recovered him very cleverly. Mr R. Driver on the Chief, and Mr Carroll on Rattler, were .close behind Jimmy Allen, and took the big fences as they came ; Mr T. Cotton on the big Gorton, and Mr R. Macdonald on Mr Toomey's mare, were close behind. The big fence in the bottom was only crossed by about four— the huntsman, Mr Carroll, and Mr Driver, and, I think, Mr Gourley, who rode Black Jack most determinedly. Mr Blenkinsopp got stuck up with Hanlon, and Mr Elliot, with Tamatu, got hung up in a wire fence. The road was crossed a second time without mishap, but atihe final jump— a gorse with post and rails— Mr Macdonald, on Mr Toomey's mare, came a cropper, and Mr Driver also had the hard luck to follow suit. Others who had been thrown out from some cause or another straggled in, three with a most bountiful supply of soil on their backs, and Mr M'Master and another minus hats. After a short spell to allow the hoises and hounds time to recover their breathing powers, flasks were handed round, bruises looked to, and girths tightened, during which the master and his deputy rallied up his followers, the hounds where whipped up and the return run was made. This was of a somewhat easier nature owing to the fences being knocked about, but some rode as if the fate of a kingdom depended on their efforts, and the rapping of the fences in the bottom paddocks could be heard distinctly by spectators on the hill. Mr Carroll experienced cruel luck, as at the very last post and rail his mount, Rattler, fell heavily, tire finish being rather too trying for him. Mr Driver's mount was nearly following his example, but was recovered with an effort. Black Jack, Nellie, and Stonehenge went well. The run on Saturday next will be over some entirely new country at Mosgiel. It will try the bottom of the horses and the nerve of the riders, as there will be about 20 jumps. Nimrod.