GERALDINE BEAGLE CLUB MEETING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 1754, 6 May 1880, Page 3

GERALDINE BEAGLE CLUB MEETING.

(FeOJI OT7B OWN COBEE3POKIIEKT.) Saturday last was the day chosen by the above Club for the opening meet of the season. The placo of meeting — Mr Pontl-th-wnite'e, Baukapuka — was well chosen, aa was seen by the success which attended the hunt. With, great forethought and generosity Mr Poatlethwaite had made every preparation, m order that the meeting should bs a thoroughly enjoyable one, and he and the Club m general must bo congratulated on tVe unqualified surces3 which rewarded their efforts. One piece of good servico was performed by 4lr Postletbwaite which certaiuly deserves the gratitude of all sportsmen present. This was the removal of the wire m certain places | m the fences, so that ingress and egress might be obtained to each paddock. Sport commenced at a quarter past ten. The weather, which had been a Bourco of much anxiety, wfls most favorable, and everyone eoemed m the best of spirits. The field, with its immediate surroundings, presented a mojt picturesque scene, reminding one somewhat of tho Old Country, with the exception perhaps that red coats were conspicuous by their absence. Horsemen numbered about fortyfive, with a slight sprinkling of the fair sex, wl»o, however, seemed to enjoy the sport keenly. Among tbo^e present wo noticed the Master, Mr A. Barker, Mr Postlethwaite, Messrs A. Cox, Q-. Cox, — Cox, Mr Barker, Mr Guinoess, Mr Fulbert Archer, Mr Denison, Messrs Bristol, Hardcastlo, Scaly, Slack, Duncan, Preston, and a large number of gentlomen of the district. The hounds throw off m a large paddock adjoining the Homestead. The creek, on each side of which thero was good cover, consisting of flax and rushes, was first drawn. For some distance the creek was follfiwed towards Waihi Bueh. with no result, but soon a good strong hare broke cover, and went away at a rattling pace, followed by tbo houndi and field. A small fence was negotiated without much difficulty, and the chage was followed m on easterly direction down tbo bed of a creek towards Orari. Here puss doubled a little going off towards the North, closely followed by the hounds. The wire fences were now serious obstacles to most of the field who wished to go m a straightforward direction, but [tho Master, Messrs Cox, Barker, and a few others who were wellmounted, were generally well up with the hounds. At ono time, however, tho latter hidden by high flax, got clean away from all. A few minutes after they wero sighted again Btill heading m a northerly direction. A stern chase ensued, tho hounds etill keeping the scent of the original haro splendidly, and aftor a few paddocks were crossed poor puss was descried laboring heavily, and evidently wearied out. Tho hounds were now encouraged, and m a few minutes poor pu9B was overhauled and a prey to her pursuers. Everyone was most excited and pleased with tho magnificent run and its successful ioauc. Altogether tho run lasted about an hour, and a good number of horsemen wero m at the death. After a few minutes rest for tho horses another start was made, but though a good run was obtained, hares wore more numerous, and consequently before ono was run down tho scent of a fresh haro was picked up. An adjournment now took placo for lunch. An excellent spread had been proparnd by the host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Postlethwaite, to which upwnrdß of 30 sat down. In tho afternoon another run was obtained, for which tho field received a lre-h accession of numbori, and though eeveral good runs wero obtained the scent was not followed so well as m the morning, and no kill took place. In tho afternoon there was a good deal of jumping done, most of the fences being cosy once. No casualty of any kind marred tho day's sport. Should every meeting of the Club bo nearly as successful as tho ono of Saturday, it will not lack support or popularity. Another meet will take- place this week, wo believe.