OTAGO HUNT

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 51

OTAGO HUNT

A meet of the Middlemarch branch of the Otago Hunt was held at Middlemarch. on Saturday, and proved a very good run, everything being favourable for hunting. A trail of about three miles was laid over the properties of Messrs Ebzery, Guild, Elliott, Robertson, Moynihan, Peat, Grieve, and Fisher, making in all 20 jumps. Therewere about 50 followers, including several ladies. Mr Moynihan (district master) was at the head of affairs on Silver Tail. The hounds, under Mr Cornelius (huntsman) and Mr Stewart (whip), scon found the trail, and made the pace a cracker from start to finish. The weather being ideal; there wan a large number of spectators to witness tna popular sport. WEDNESDAY’S MEET. Between 20 and 30 members of the Otago Hunt assembled at Waverlay for the purpose of taking part in what is general!® known among huntsmen as an off day run. Despite the recent rains and tha slippery nature of the ground, quite a number of ladies were present and followed. A feature of the outing was the entire absence of accidents, uhich assisted in making the meet particularly enjoyable. The course set by Mr H. Gourl- y. who laid the trail, on Cardiff, was semi-circu-lar, and was over very even country. The huntsman (Mr C. Cornelius) had the bounds well under control, and when they were si hoped thev picked up the tra I immediately, and the pace set was very fast, the Master (Mr Jordan), who was mounted on Eia Ora, was always in the van, mid kept those with a disposition to over-ride the bounds in check. The lady followers proved equally as keen as the men to bo in at the “kill.” To those who played the oart of the flying huntsmen strung out along the hillside presented a most pleasing picture. The “ kill ’ took place on the top of the hill, overlooking Otago Harbour, after one of the most enjoyable of runs. Here those who hunted had ; an opportunity of regaining their breath before setting out on the return journey to the city. Those who participated in the meet were: —Mr Jordan (Master), on Kia Ora, Mr H. Gourley on Cardiff, - Mr M'Kav on n tei.v, Mr Brown on Loopoloo, ' Mr Mitchell on Blizzard, Mr Whelan on Sammy, Mr Gault on a bay, the Messrs Kain on Sportsman and Royal Medal respectively, Mr Robinson on Taft, Master P.'Toomcy on Rocket, Miss Rogers on Captain, Miss V. Brown on a grey. Miss D. Mowat on Sea View, Miss Brown on Bugle, Miss R. Mowat on a bay, Mrs M‘Kay on Ngatiri. MEET AT WAKARI On Saturday afternoon the members of the Otago Hunt held a run at Wakari over the properties of Messis Greensladc, A in,go. Gobble, Childs, Markley, Hutchens, and Dow. The course, which was arranged by Mr Mowat, was one of the best that local huntsmen have been over this season. It started l from a rise on Air Groenslade’s property, and took a southerly direction over a number of good fences until Air Ainge’t land was entered upon. Here a turn was taken to the right over a ploughed paddock and up over a hill into Air Gebbie’s. In crossing a fine double jump bad to be negotiated, one of which was a stone fence. A good straight run took the huntsmen over a low hedge, and they raced from this property into Air Marklcy’s, and thence round tho hill into Mr Hutchens’s, checking In Mr Dow’s. It had been arranged previously that tho “ kill ” should take place on t

knoll surrounded by bush in one of Mr Greonslado’s paddocks, and after the check the run was continued round the hillside and down the slope, the property of the gentlemen mentioned bcin.fr passed through a train. The trail was laid by Mr H, Gouiley on Cardiff, Mr Wheeler on Sammy and Mr Warrington on Skipper, each of whom took a turn at dragging'the packet containing the scent. It being a delightful hunting day, the hounds soon picked up the scent and. being in excellent trim, were able to show the field some very good work, and praise was forthcoming, from all sides’for the way they performed. It was thought that the fences would find out sonic of the mounts, but all those who set out to follow got round. One or two refused the stone fence, but after a little inducement were persuaded to go on. A feature of the run was the splendid attendance of ladies, several of whom followed, and weie among the first to finish after the huntsman and the master. , U , At the conclusion of the run the large gathering was entertained at afternoon tea by Mrs and the Misses Mowat, this kindly provision being appreciated by all present, who cheered those ladies lustily at the call of the master. The property owners also came in for spontaneous thanks for throwing their grounds open for the run, ana thus providing an excellent afternoon s sport. , Those who followed were;—The huntsman (Mr 0. Cornelius) on Otakau, the whip (Mr Stewart) on Resolution. Mr Jordan (master) on Ngatiri, Mr A. Hastie (deputy master) on Rawhiti, Mr H. Gourley on Cardiff Mr C. Kain on Royal Medal, Mr Mitchell on Blizzard, Mr Feilding on Kia Ora Mr A. M'Gavin on Tawai, Mr T. Mercer on Tommie, Mr J. Barry on Loopoloo Master P. Toomey on Rocket, Mr J. Fea on Chester, .Mr J. MTCay on Silver Dirk, Mr Robinson on Taft, Mr Goocih (representing Taieri Branch) on Uocomotive, Mr J. North on Trilby, Mr Gourley, iun , on Bugle, Mr Warrington on Skipper, Mr G. North on Vandirk, Mr Wheeler on Sammy. Mr R. Howard on a- bay, Mr Gault on a bay, Mr James M‘Kay on a bay. Master Gourley on a black pony, Mr Slmger on a bav. Mrs Hamon on Pleasure Bent, Mies D. Mowat on Sea View, Miss Rogers on Captain, Miss Brown on a black. Miss V. Bmwn on Patch, Miss R. Mowat on a bay. Miss Kennedy on Miss May. There will be two runs during this week.