HUNTING IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 5

HUNTING IN TARANAKI

IMPROVEMENT YEAR AFTER -YEAR CLUB NOW HOLDS HIGH POSITION MR. HALOOMBE’S LONG ASSOCIATION. From a small beginning the North Taranaki Hunt Club has risen steadily during, the past twenty-five years until to-day it holds a position high in the sport in New Zealand, and commands one of the largest followings iii the Dominion. That such a thing could come to pass is a tribute to the business acumen of the executive during that period, combined with an enthusiasm that has brushed aside many obstacles that confronted the ciub in the early days. Old followers have hazy recollections of belated attempts to form a club in the last century, but it was not until 1905 that it was realised that the success of the sport depended to a large extent on running hunting on business lines and, with Messrs A. H. Halcombe (master), P. Sol© (huntsman) and E. P. Webster (secretary) in the executive roles that year, the club became established and a good start was made towards the ultimate success which is manifesting itself to-day. For nearly a decade hunting was regarded in Taranaki more or less as a pastime for misguided sportsmen.. A muster of a dozen mounted followers was regarded in the light of an exceptionally good hunt, and such conditions must have been heartbreaking for the early members. Then came the realisation that money from an outside source was essential if the club was. to continue and progress. Hunting then was not in favour with the general public, and even the Press was against totalisator permits being granted to Hunt Clubs. Year followed year, and there seemed little chance of recognition from the Racing Conference. However, Mr. Halcombe had fresh blood to assist him, with Messrs. B. H. Chaney, A. Alexander and W. T. Hookham taking an interest in the sport, and these and other business men, who were connected with the Taranaki Jockey Club, ultimately saw their goal in view. In 1916 a totalisator license was granted to the club. At the inaugural meeting the sum of £8487 passed through the machine, but since then that total has been doubled. While the farming people of North Taranaki did not interest themselves early in the sport, to a large extent the success of the club has been achieved through their unstinted generosity in allowing the followers to hunt over their properties. Gradually the farmers have taken an interest in the affairs of the club, and to-day fully 95 per cent of the hunting fraternity farm and breed horses suitable for the sport. In this way they are providing good horses to fill the hurdling and steeplechasing fields on the racecourse, and are achieving an object desired by racing clubs, though these bodies were at first antagonistic towards hunting clubs. And the North Taranaki Hunt Club has reason to feel proud of the racehorses that have graduated from the hunting fields in its province. Starlass, Otaraoa, Expedition, Kiwitea, Papatere, Kurnalpi, Simple Sam, Te Toa, Coalition, Huirangi Girl, Waitaunaha and Omeo are a few who have earned fame abroad and received their schooling following the clubs pack. To-day there are a number of young hunters to take their place, and their early showings indicate that they will go a long way towards emulating the deeds of other Taranaki hunteis. There is no doubt that hunting warrants the support of the sporting public. At the close of this hunting season Mr. Halcombe delivered a particularly fine address, to the membeis oi the North Taranaki and Egmont-Wanganui Clubs who were at the gathering. “Hunting stands out among sports, lie said, “inasmuch as there is no ulterior motive to promote keenness other than the pure love of the game. No follower is out to beat his fellow huntsman on the field, and the friendly rivalry that exists between the members is only in the care and treatment of their hunters. Looking at hunting from another angle, yeai after year justifies the existence of hunting clubs through the medium of racing. Jumping races provide the spectacular side of the sport that attracts greatest interest, and but for the hunters that rise from the hunting field, hurdle and steeplechase racing would soon become a sorry sight. Jumping races would surely have to be deleted from the programmes of racing clubs, and such a move would be a retrograde step.”