THE POVERTY BAY HOUNDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16761, 20 June 1925, Page 14

THE POVERTY BAY HOUNDS.

(By “Snaffles.”)

Two suecesesiv-e days’ 'hunting were enjoyed at Muriwai on Monday and Tuesday, and in spite of the inclement weather some thoroughly gowl fum was provided. (hi Monday till® hounds drew the hush near the sports ground, which ivais lull of hares. Tho first one mingled out rain over the main road and away to the hills, where the hounds were, stopped. Number two took a similar lime, with the same result, and a third draw resulted, in a hare going away at the bottom end and finding sanctuary in Mr Coop’s hills. Jogging away for the sandnill,s 1 , a hare was quickly away, and the hounds ran at a rare pace straight along the golf course to Mr Walls’, whence she returned and they brought her back a second time to the Muriwai end of the beach. Pridking her for a long way on the wot sand, the hounds Once more got on terms on the grass, and bustfinig her along well beaten, were suddenly deprived of their reward by the descent of a violent and bitterly cold storm of hail and ' rain., which entirely blotted out all traces of scent.

A thoroughly wet party then returned to drip pools of water on the verandah at Nick’s Head, where Air and Mrs Coop extended their wellknown hospitality to all, and most grateful were the recipients. Tuesday broke a. better day, after a wild and boitserous' night, and this day we. turned to the sandhills. Finding almost at once, the hounds ran well on a hare that knew her country and tried all the safety dodges it providedswamps, sand, and water —but without avail, for after a pretty and prolonged hunt they killed her on the edge of the manuka swamip. A second hare went away before they had finished breaking up- the first one, and being some five minutes behind her* and the scent being only moderate, slow hunting was the procedure, followed by the same disappointment as on the Monday, to wit, violent cold storms breaking one after the other. Warmth and hospitality were again forthcoming tor the wet and weary, tins time at the hands of Mr and Airs Claude Williams, to whose charming homestead ail repaired for - tea. The hounds were to have proceeded to Swath moor that night at the kind invitation of Air It. Sherratt, who always opens a “half-way house” to the paek on these long journeys, but diving to the torrential rains which fell it was doomed advisable to let them remain at Muriwai the night, whence they made their kennels the following morning. It has been repeatedly suggested to mo that in view of the number of recruits to hunting l thus season, a, few words of advice might be given, and the following “Dont’s” and “Do’s” will, 1 feel sure, not be out of place, remembering that, they are given not in the light of correction, but of instruction.

SOME HUNTING “DONT’S” AND “DO’S.”

Don’t ride close to the hounds, especially on a bad scenting day. Close riding ig not looked upon by sportsmen as showing keenness, but ignorance. It gets the hounds’ heads uip, and often they will not stoop to it again, and you spoil a chance of a gallop for yourself and others.

If you do find yourself close up to the hounds n,t a check, pull up and keep perfectly quiet, a*s chattering and laughing will get their heads up more quickly than anything. Don’t holloa a- hare as long as a single hound can own the line, however far behind her hou.nds may 1)0, and even when they throw up .altogether it is better to get quickly t-o the huntsman or whipper-in, arid tell him exactly Where you saw her. In any case he absolutely certain it. is tlu> hunted bare and not a fresh one.

Don’t ( “jump in your leader’s pocket.” Always give him at least fifteen lengths 1 ’ grace, so that should his horse fall you can pull out. Many a good man has Ix'-en killed by the fool behind him. Don’t ride about after the huntsman when he i‘si casting the hounds, as should the have have run her foil (i.e., doubled back on her line), you will be sure to have ridden over t’lie Line.

“Last man through shuts the gate-,” is the invariable law of hunting, lest stock should stray; and in. this connection always remember that no one hunts by right over a man’s land, but by courtesy and privilege. If yon should inadvertently jump into a growing crop always turn short up t he headland and go round the field. Jump off your horse and turn his head to the wind after a. gallop, whenever you get the chance, as at a, kill, etc. The man who is riding his line at right angles has priority at a. fence. Never cut in. in, front of him at an. angle. This is a terrible offence, and a common source of bad accidents. Always catch a loose horse if you havo the cha.nce, and if the hounds are running hitch him on at the first gatepost.. Yon may be grateful, for a similar office one day.

The ideal place for a hard rider when the hounds are running i.s a* little behind the pack, and well out to one flank or the other.

If the hounds come past you on the road, always get your horse to the side of the ,grass and turn bis tail to the hounds—the horse cannot, then measure a kick.