HUNTING

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14458, 2 June 1911, Page 3

HUNTING

MR W. J. BASSETT'S MEET,

Yesterday the hounds were • met at Merrivalo . Farm. Many who would like to have been' present Here prevented by the usual half-holidnv not being observed on account or the whole holiday on Saturday. Although the field was small there was- very good sport during the afternoon, and the downs and Valleys hunted, with the mountains beyond, made a very pretty picture. . * Some turnips which looked like holding a hare wero blank, so hounds drew the adjoining paddock in the direction of the. Levels Valley, the held meanwhile taking up a position which might enable them to turn the hare, if found, away from country that was not good hunting country if she made that way. It was not long before a hare was; fouud, which most considerately took a line over some excellent, country of Mr Bassctt's. The first two fences were very stfr gorse, and made the field wonder what .was in store for them, but fortunately the majority' of the obstaclos met with later in' tho day were not quito so stiff. The harp crossed the Levels Valley road and fniuid her way into a big gully of Mr McKenzie's. Here they had to hunt most of the time by themselves, and there is no doubt they changed, hares, as the hare they hunted out of the gully seemed to have a much longer lease of lifo than the tired one that stood m front of them when thev Hist went into it. After a short "cheek hounds carried tho line from Mr MeKenzie s across the road on to Hadlow, and then circled round to the right giving a fast gallop for a couple of miles before regaining the gully sho was* found in, only just in time to save herself as hounds were close upon her. Hares were declaring themselves on all sides m the; gully, so hounds wero got" out of it and taken back to Mr Bassett's country. It was not longbefore a hare was on foot again, and she gave a very good run from Mr | Bassett's arross Mr Matlieson's I land, and for n short distance i down tho Levels Valley road before turning to the right on to Sir L. Arras's farm on which sho covered about a couple of miles before she was I lost After a short spell thrco oilier, paddocks were drawn blank, ancTns n strong North-west wind had got,up it was evidently useless to expect any more sport, so a move was made for the homestead, all feeling that iW had find a good afternoon's sport -At the homestead Mrs Bassett had prewired afternoon ten which all «n----jeyed very much. Before'leaving for home the secretary apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Master Mr A. Si. Khvorthy. and thanked Mr Jiassett for-the'! good sport they . had had during the afternoon (the first .time hounds had met at Merrirr.leV, and His Bassett for her hospitality, at the same time expressing tho. pleasure it gave members to sac 11 r Bassett in tile saddle again, going as straight as in former years. Cheers were "iven for Mr and .Mrs Bassett. .. Mr, BiPssHt m responding, expressed, grailtude to the larmers whose country tlu?y had hunted during the afternoon Those present wero -Miss Bassett on Donovan, Miss Cole on Yo-el-Key Miss Kelland on Skipper, Miss lUrcdes on Ahilri, Miss Trilford goiny; verv well cm Trixy Miss Buchanan on' Soda Miss hniith on Frisky, the Huntsman (.VI. Horton) on Matthew, „ the Whip (G. Feilding) on J'Jiiiiitoni. Messrs w'' J. Bassett on WondstocU, W. Fielding on Tiriki. C. 1.. Orbell'on Lagmi'o, J. Maze on donation, G Maze on McDougald. n. J. Gilchrist on Lena A. J Stringer on Hugby, IV. Hollinsorl on Bobm Grey. .1 King on Bapi<l B»aii r \\. Divanon Simmy. .1. McOov on J ommy Bod, B. X. Thomas on Billy and OK. Thomas on Puzzler, i