TARANAKI HUNT CLUB

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 7

TARANAKI HUNT CLUB

OPENING MEET OF SEASON SPLENDID SPORT AT LEPPERTON. THREE GOOD RUNS, BUT NO KILLS. • (By “Moturoa.”) I Over hill and dale and across wire, batten and brush, the North Taranaki Hunt Club opened its 1930 season auspiciously. Such an ideal locality was seen to best advantage bathed in warm sunshine, while the veriest whisper, of a breeze tempered the heat and put a glow into the cheeks of the large number of .hunting folk who closely followed three fine “runs.” The success of the season almost entirely depends upon the opening meet, and sufficient enthusiasm was instilled in the 25 mounted followers who rode out from Mr. F. H. Sampson’s homestead at Lepperton on Thursday to ensure a most successful season. For the opening hunt the horses, soon in a lather, fenced splendidly, though a few spills added spice to the venture, and all agreed that the hunters owned in the club could hold their own against any other club. Three hares were started and each gave a fine run, though no kills were made. The hounds threw off from the homestead, working past the quarries and. over the Te Arei Road to Mr. Sampson’s second section. Down in the hollow behind Mr. Jones’ and adjacent to th® swede paddock, the first hare of the season was raised from cover. She raced, along the creek towards Mr. Sampsons, crossing the road to make a left-hand turn, where she led the pack down the opposite side of the road, following the Waitara railway line to the Waiongona stream. Making another left-hand turn, the quarry was viewed making for cover near the Sentry Hill station, .and the hounds were whipped off. The pack worked back through Messrs. Sampson and Jones’ properties and crossed the Mountain Road to the Mangarakau flats, where another hare was at once started. Running strongly .puss dashed across through Mr. Jones* to Mr. French’s, and then crossed the Main North Road into cover at Mr. P. Sole’s, the hounds being again whipped off. THE SCENT LOST. Back at the Mangarakau flats again, another hare was viewed stealing through the long grass to a small plantation of pines. Driven from this cover puss gave huntsmen and hounds a merry chase, running with vigour across Mr. French’s property to Mr. Jones’. Turning left-banded, she ran for a quarter of a mile parallel with the Mountain Road through Mr. French’s orchard and thence across the Main North Road to Mr. Seamark’s, where the scent' was lost. ■ The hour was growing late and Master Halcombe gave the word, to “pack up,” and a tired but merry following retraced steps to Mr. F. H. Sampson’s homestead, where a delightful spread' was laid beneath the trees. After reading telegraphed felicitations from Mr. B. 11. Chancy, last year’s master, but now resident in Auckland, Master Halcombe took the opportunity of expressing the appreciation of the hunting folk of the warm hospitality extended to them by the Sampson family. It was worth recalling the fact that their farm had been open to hunting for at least 30 years, and he remembered well- the drag hunt held on the initial occasion. Members of the North Taranaki Hunt Club had always looked, forward to coming to Mr. F. H. Sampson's for the opening hunt, and the fences —not too hard —gave the new horses a chance to become initiated. On such an auspicious occasion old times were recalled as they had with them Dr. Valintine, now of Rotorua, who had been one of their earliest members. It was a great pleasure to see him there, even though lie was now enjoying the sport from the hillside. Mr. Halcombe impressed upon the hunting people the great privileges extended them, and advised them never to abu_e the kindness‘-of ..the farming people, who made the hunts possible. Motorcars were now all the “go,” but the horse had done great service in the past and, would continue to . serve for many years to come. The North' Taranaki Hunt Club had been the means, of producing some fine racehorses in the past. It was shown by the recent performances of the hunter Omeo that the club could still hold a high place. Mr. F. H. Sampson thanked Mr. Halcombe and the members of the hunt club for their kindly expressions, and. stated he was always pleased to see a big crowd and a fine day for the opening hunt. “ROLLED ABOUT TARANAKI.” Dr. Valintine remarked that it was a coincidence that he should be motoring from Rotorua to Wellington, and had happened upon Lepperton in time for the opening hunt of the season. He had lived a long while in Taranaki, being resident in the Lepperton district, where he had made many friends on the hunting field. In the early days he had been connected with the Hawera Hunt Club, which had hunted at Lepperton, and in recalling three falls at three consecutive fences over the ground over which they had been hunting, he was reminded that he had “rolled” about Taranaki considerably. • _ The following followed hounds, the field being in charge of Master A. H. Halcombe (Passport): Deputy-Master W. Joll (Silver Cond), Huntsman J. Sexton (Master Jack), Whip K. Bedford (Ginger), Messrs. J. Loveridge (Lady June), O. Foreman (Razor), G. Brown (Waitaunaha), B. C. La Pouple (Just John), R. Powell (Lorna Doone), E. Cole (Parakura), C. Honeyfield (Civility), L. Bullot (Black Watch), P. Cole jun. (One Step), .S. Sampson (Incuba-. tor), M. Pratt (Papaponga), I. Cole (Ngawha), R. Hookham (Dick), P. Cole (Bay Dighton), R. Hill (Hillton), Mrs. Sexton (Steeplejack), Misses H. Cole (Nimblefoot), M. Cole (Huirangl Girl), Banks (Gay Paree), D. Newton (Brownie), P. Halcombe (Mohakutara), Hicks (Puawhato).-

Among the large number who viewed the hunt on foot were Mr. L. H. Sampson and party, Mr. A. R. Standish and party, Mrs. Hutchen and party) Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Nolan and party, Mr. W. T. Hookham and party, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Humphries, Mr. W. C. Weston and party, Mr. J. B. Mabin and party, Mrs. Stonnell, Mr. L. Jennins and party, Mrs. Leech and friend, Mr. C. Seawood (Auckland) and party, Dr. Valin tine and party, Mrs. J. Steptoe (Kent, England) and party.-