CANTERBURY HUNT CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2587, 10 July 1876, Page 3

CANTERBURY HUNT CLUB.

The bright day on Saturday tomptod out a great number of towns-people, besides some irom a distance, and at two o'olook, when the hounds appeared from the Linwood stables, there ooulu not have been less than 200 on the hills, and between sixty and seventy horsomen. xamong tho latter we were pleased to notice a good sprinkling of tbe fair sex. The hounds quickly picked up tho soent in the paddook in front of Linwood farm, and giving tongue merrily took off over a light gorse hedge and ditoh, whero the huntsman's horse came to grief in the ditoh, but Bob Vallanoe being up and mounted in tho " twinkling of an eye," wes soon " to tho fore " again, and led over part of the old steepleohaße ground. The fences being somewhat easy, the field followed well for the first half-mile, but tho ground getting heavy and the fences stiffer, tailing off beoame the order of the day. A stiff bank and ditoh proving rather diflloult to negotiate, an over eager rider made an intimate acquaintance with mother earth. For the Bake of variety, a few water jumps, in the shapo of well-filled ditohes, next attracted attention, and a fow of the horses jumping . short, managed, by well scattered spray, to 000 l the ardour of their riders. A run of about two miles brought the hunt back to the Linwood farm houso, where a deceptive rail and gorse fenoo brought several to grief, almost at the feet of the crowd assembled on the hill to soe the first oheok. The moment being opportune, a little judicious " capping" took plaoe, and tho reault proved that the spectators appreciated the efforts of the Olub to afford an afternoon's sport. Owing to the heavy nature of the ground after the rocont rains and frost, hounds, horses, and riders gladly availed thembclvob of a short " breather." An adjournment was then mado to the Sand hills, near King's woolworks, and the horsemen having added to thoir number, close on sixty must have started for tho second run. An awkwardlooking rail fonoo proving a very tough customer, quiokly oheoked tho rush. Owing to the frosty weather and rough nature of the {ground, the soent did not lio well, and the Huntsmen having to make several oasts, tho orowd wore enabled to make up lost ground. Gorse hedges and ditohes now beoame the ordor of tho day, and somo of these being fairly stiff, caused several ugly " spills," but the ground, whioh was soft and sandy, left few bruises behind. Noxt came the jump of the day, a very ugly-looking wire fenoo with a tough top rail, whioh was only negotiated by three or four of the leading members of tho Club, and two other gentlemen, tbe others who thought " discretion the better part of valour," being oontent to go round. A fow more gorse fences in very rough oountry were then safely passed over, and after a run of about threo miles, whioh seemed like six to the horses owing to the heavy nature of the ground, the game was run into at tho baok of Mr Peter Kerr's. y Jn spite of the beavy going all seemed well pleased with the day's sport, and we may _ safely say that the Avonsido hunt was a great |L success. The hospitable owner of Linwood leaving asked all hands to partake of a muoh

needed "refresher," the opportunity was seized to drink the health of his Honor W. Rolloston, President of the Olub.