Hawke’s Bay Hounds.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3106, 31 July 1894, Page 3

Hawke’s Bay Hounds.

(By Nimrod.)

The tryeting place last Saturday was at Mr Carlyon’s well-known station ’Gwavos. The day was a splendid one, the sun Bhiuing out brightly, quite a contrast to the two or three previous days, consequently quite a large number of followers put in an appearance, there being close on seventy persons at the meet. After the cravings of tho inner man had boon fully satisjed from the mauy good things provided by Mr Carlyon and Mr Giblin, all present drew up on the lawn in front of Mr Carlyon’s splendid residence for the purpose of having the meeting photo graphed. The whole group presented an imposing spectacle. The master, huntsman, and whips in their gay hunting attire, together with the hounds (uino and a half couples) were placed in tho foreground, the ladies also, many of whom wore the regulation scarlet waistcoat, occupied an advantageous position. The remainder of tho group were placed in such positions as to ensure a good view being taken. I have not as yet seen the result but I feel sure that the artist will have dono full justice to his subject and that it will be a pleasing momento of the last meet at Gwavos for this season. The programme for the day was both hare and drag hunting, consequently as soon os the camera had done its work a start was made for the paddock across the road in |search of a hare. About half on hour was spent here but all in vain. At one time we thought the hounds had struck the scent and everyone made preparations for a good run, but alas they were doomed to disappointment, aB the hounds ran as far as the

shepherd’s house were they came to a full stop. This gave rise to the impression that they had struck the sceut of a pusßy of the wrong colour. No doubt the domestic cat had gone out for a short stroll and it was her tracks that the pack had dropped across. As it was pretty evident there were no hares in this paddock, the hounds were laid on to the drag and off they went at a merry pace down the flat to the northward for about two miles, with the fiMd in close attendance, then the scent took a turn over the swampy ground round towards the back of the house, finally pulling up near a creek on a small flat. The last two jumps to negotiate were a rather formidable sod wall and a small rail fence- During this spurt about half a dozen followers were unfortunate enough to kiss mother earth, the Bod wall proving the chief obstruction; except for a good shaking and the destruction of a hat or two none of them were any the worse for their mishaps. After a brief spoil here, the hounds wore once more set off on their journey, this run being only a short one, to the river, with only one or two obstacles, which were safely negotiated. From here tho hounds were taken into a largo paddock on the flat, in which there were patches of scrub, in search of a haro. They soon gave tongue, and pussy was seen speeding away towards Hampden with the whole pack in full cry. After going in the one direction for some time the hare turned down the flat and made a bee line for some hills two or three miles distant. Tho hounds stuck gamely to their quarry without a single fault, and led us at a good pace over the'flat ground, then up among the hills. YVhen here tho hare was soon viewed, and very soon her pursuers were up with her ; at one time she was simply doubling among the hounds, many of whom made vain attempts to seize her, but she was one too many for them, and at last seeing a good opening she made an effort to elude the pack ; in this Bha was successful, and the last time wo saw her she was going up the hill side as fast as her tired legs could go. When we reached the hill top the hounds were to bo seen hunting here, there and everywhere ; but pussy, where was she? Echo answers, “Where?” She was gone, gone is com pletely as if the oarth had opened aud swallowed her up. Well, she deserved to i escape, as she undoubtedly did after a most brilliant run lasting twenty-five ] minutes.

The hounds were under the control of the master, Mr Mason, and Mr Jackson, assisted by Mr Marshall, and both daring the drag and haro hunt went faultlessly. Among those who were present I noticed—Mrs Carlyon on Chrybdis, Mrs Giblin on Barbarian, Mrs Dcnn * ly, Mrs Jackson, Miss Ormond, Miss Miller on Barlow, Miss Butts, Mis 3 F St. Clair Inglie, Mr Mason on Briar, Mr Jackson on Mammon, Mr Carlyon, Mr Giblm on Lady Emma, Mr J B Rhodes cn Saltan, Mr M E Groome on Tip Top, Mr Donnelly on a bay, Dr Reed on a oln stuut, Mr S Bridge on Pyramus, Mr F Ormond on Shearer, Mr Hassell, Mr II White on Waiwaima, Mr A K Howard on Dick, Mr L Cottle on Okawa, Mr H Carlyon on Baronet, Mr J Ormond on Forty Winks, Mr G Groome on Skipper, Mr V 7 T Williams, Mr C H Arrow on a grey mare, Mr T Ireland on Hilda, Master Jack Groome on Zoe, Mr Torr on a roan, Mr Marshall on Royal Highlander, Messrs Herrick, Hill, and W Ingram, and Masters Arrow and Todd.