DELIGHTS OF HUNTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 4, 25 April 1914, Page 8

DELIGHTS OF HUNTING.

ENTHUSIASTIC PRAISE. A visitor at the North Taranaki Hunt’s opening meet on Mr Birdling’s property at Waitara on Thursday writes:—“l was ,vory much impressed with the property, which is ideal hunting country. If more people could realise the delight’s of hunting the meets of the Hunt would be very much better attended. Not everybody recognises the health-giving joy which attaches to a day in the field on such a day as Thursday; but hunting is essentially a health-giving exercise, md it brings forth the best in man and woman, tightens the nerves, acts as a tonic and calls for nerve and skill. Of a verity, more people should follow the hounds and avail themselves ■if the opportunity to enjoy the glories of Nature. The visitor to the meet gets acquainted with his more faraway neighbours and has an opportunity of observing the jumping of the best horses in the province; and the “music of the hounds” when in full tv is something which can only be ippreciated by those who are following the hounds. From a spectator’s viewpoint Thursday’s meet was ideal, the beautiful green fields with sloping hills ifl'ording a splendid vantage ground for those on wheels or on foot, The scene which opened out was one which cannot he adequately described on paper. The sun was bright and warm ; and the view stretched from Moturoa and Cape Egmont in the south to the white cliffs showing up past Awakino in the north. The Pacific Ocean shone in most tranquil state right in the foreground, and a big ocean liner was to he seen taking in cargo in the Waitara roadstead. Turning one’s eyes inland the well-tilled land of the dairy farmers was a change to one used to land covered with logs and stumps. Those who attended the meet would ho assured of the greatest hospitality, and they would return homo better in mind and body. It was very pleasing to see so many Stratford enthusiasts following the hounds, but T think there are still more in Stratford who should enjoy the intense pleasure and health-giving exercise to be found only in the hunting field.