OTAGO HUNT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 53

OTAGO HUNT.

The executive of the above met on 26r’ ult.; present —Messrs J. A. Jordan (deputy master, in the chair), Black, Mastic, Smith, Drown, Jeffs, Muir, OudbiJlc, and Divers. Several apologies for absence were received 1 . The Secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club wrote that tho application for financial assistance had been referred to the Finance Committee to report at next meeting. The application to erect jumps on the inside of tho racecourse proper and hunt there, if other grounds were not available, had been referred to the "Works Committee, which would be pleased to meet representatives from the club and discuss the -matter at some suitable date to be arranged. Messrs Myers, James Thomson, tho master, and deputy master were appointed to confer with the Works Committee. The Secretary of the Forbury Park Trotting Club wrote that the letter in ve finance was received' at last meeting of the committee, and consideration deferred. Mr Gilbert B. Burns, secretary of tho Taieri Amateur Turf Club; in reply to a request for a donation to the hunt funds, replied that his executive hod not Held a meeting since the club went into liquidation, and would not meet for some considerable time. A donation of one guinea was received from the National Mortgage and Agency Co. Accounts to the amount of £4O 9s 7d were passed for payment. Several new members were elected. The question of country meets-was discussed at length, and it was resolved to hold meets in several places, providing a guarantee was received for the expenses in sending hounds, two horses, huntsman, and whip. This the committee considered cheap sport for the country 'districts if they so .desired it. Owing to the Trotting Club holding a meeting on May 4, it was resolved not to hold a meet on that date. Several invitations were received from people who desired to entertain tho members at future meets. Pine Hill was set down as the rendezvous for a meet on May 11. The Secretary reported that arrangements were complete for the meet to bo held this afternoon at Wakari. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr John Sidey for the hospitality extended to the members of the Hunt, and it was decided that the jumps at all future runs be fixed and made permanent. THE MEET. The weekly meet of tho Otago Hunt was held on Saturday afternoon. It was a run in which knowledge of hounds and careful attention to their working wore rewarded with good sport. The country at Wakari is an ideal place for a drag hunt. The stone walls, live hedges, and post-and-rail fences, while not familiar to many of the followers, were pleasant to negotiate. There were more straight goers than at the opening run-in fact, there was a marked improvement in the work of the hounds and the jumping of the horses, *the riders themselves placing more confidence in their mounts, with the result that there were not so many spills.. Fully 60 mounted members assembled at Wakari to participate in tlio meet. The throw-off took place at a double gorso hedge. On this occasion a fox terrier was used for the laying of tho trail, and a good working scent was obtained. There was hardly a moment when the seven couples of harriers were not hunting, and as the hounds were much faster the followers gave them a wider berth for working, which they did with plenty of tongue. Mr Hugh Gourley (field master), on Golden Clasp, assisted by itr J. A. Jordan (deputy master), on Ngatiri, and Mr J. Leedham. on a chestnut cob, were prominent in looking after the general arrangements. It was very pleasing to see such a large gathering of spectators. In all, about 21 jumps were included in the run, fiv© of which were stone wall, four double jumps, and several live thorn hedges. At the adjournment for afternoon tea tho Deputy Master conveyed the members’ sincere thanks to Mrs J. Mowat and her daughters for their kindness in providing afternoon tea, and to Mr Mowat for having arranged the jumps and country to hunt over. Mr Mowat, in replying, said h© was delighted to have the pleasure and that the members of the hunt were welcome to hunt over his property at any time. H© was certain that tho other owners of the properties hunted over—Messrs Hutchins, MTntyre, Has tie, and Mrs Aingc—would be delighted to assist in encouraging the snort. After cheers had been given for the host and hostesses a start was made for the second run, which concluded shortly after 4.30 p.m. Prominent amongst those mounted and who were successful in following were:—Mrs Conn on Oxonian, Mr J. M. Muir on The Wig, Mr Robertson on Stayboy, Mr A. J. Allen on Fairy, Mr J. Murphy on Solo, Miss B. Michelson on Beulah, Mies Newcombe Hall on Sylvia, Mies Gertrude Brennan on Glory, Mrs J. M‘Kay on Freight, Miss Gourley on Whisper, Mr J. Rodgers on Face, Miss R. Mowat on Ranter, Miss C. Hall on Fable, Mr Alex. M'Gavin on Purity, Mr J. Morrieon, Mr J. Brennan on Bluebell, Mr F. Curie, Mr A. H. Patterson on Flying Cloud, Mr Mustard on All There, Mr Edgar on Royal Star, Mr J. Brown on Maori, Mr Oudaille on Dingleboy, Mr L. <4teveEfi on* The Mill. Miss .v r Brown on Barney, Mrs J. Black on Heather, Miss JSarney on Polly Marsh, Mise. D. Mowat

on Oriole, Mr J. Waldie on Flying Spark, Mr J. M‘Kay on Radio, Mr R. Gourley on Larkspur, Mr J. Me© on Grouse, Mr H. W. Allen on King Dick, Mr Greenslade on Yeoman, Mr R Hogg on Tarentella, and Mr J. North on Kiwi.