WITH THE EGMONT-WANGANUI HOUNDS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12259, 6 July 1909, Page 8

WITH THE EGMONT-WANGANUI HOUNDS.

By Miles 13. Hinde.

"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky proclaim it a hunting morning." So wrote the bard of old, and none of these elements were w anting on Saturday morning when the rendezvous was Wakapaihau, the ; homestead of Mr Fred Moore. However desirable the elements may be: in the Old Land, the huntsmen of the sunny South prefer to take their pleasures under pleasanter weather conditions; but weather or no Aveather, the members of the EgmontWanganui .Hunt.Club would brook no denial when" the invitation came to partake of the hospitality of those best of sports, ..the genial Mr and Mrs Fred Moore, backed- up by the assurance of Mr and Mrs Norman Moore. "The more the1 merrier." The rain which threatened all morning came down ill earnest, with the prospect of lots more to follow as we sped along to keep our tryst. The little station at Nukumaru presented quite a busy appearance as the trains from North and South discharged truck after truck of bang-tailed and rugged hunters. The heartiest of hearty welcomes greeted all as they reached the homestead, and were ushered into the large dining-room, where a sumptuous lunch, good cheer, and a roaring fire made us all forget the elements that %ye had braved to keep our appointment. After ample, justice had been done to the inner man, and as there was' no prospect ,of the weather clearing, Huntsman Gordon threw off in front of the house, and his spotted beauties were soon in full cry, and running down at the back of the house puss took a bee line for a clump of bush back on the hills, where she was soon lost. Crossing the road on to Mr Russell's, a good stiff-necked hare was soon afoot, bjit a promising run was spoiled by puss seeking shelter in the bush at the back of the stables. Another hare was soon on foot, and made towards the main road. Then, doubling back, was again lost in a big gully. The rain now came downiin earnest and rendered further hunting out of the question. "Horns" was now the word, and a race for shelter, and after we had got rid of our dripping overcoats a very recherche afternoon tea was most acceptable. On behalf of the Club, Mr Symea, the Master., thanked Mr and Mrs Fred Moore for their generosity in placing their country, at the disposal of the Club, and Mr and Mrs Norman Moore for their •hospitality : also Messrs James and Wyvern 'Mbdre for the trouble they had taken to spar the fences. Had it not been for the unfortunate weather the meet at Wakapaihau would have been marked, in red letters for the 1909 calender. As it was, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Moores, everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable outing. Amongst those' following were Mrs C. Gordon on Steeplejack, Miss Dorothy Cutfield on ißapanui, Miss Ada Nixon on King John,, the Master (Mr O. Symes) on Doeli atf' Doris, Deputy Master (Mr D. Noake) on The Colonel, Dr. Simmonds on Silver, Messrs S. Mcßae on Bill Bailey, W. Patterson on Welshman, W. Best on Le Vent, L. H. Wilson on Nightgown, B. O'Reilly on Taupo, H. Brewer 011 Kieran, T. Kennedy on Kaipara, N. Moore on Scant, W. Moore dn, Tally Ho, J. Wilson on The Masher, 1.. Luptou on Kapai, F. Wallace on Spider, J. Lynch on Sedgemoor, C. Gordon on Cavil, P. Quilinan on Rocket, A. Gordon on Wairakia, L. Oliver on: Fireworks, Mr L. Strachan on Lorenty, C. Barton qn K.C., T. .Cathro on Jackson, W. Jones on Opaku, J. Potts-on Amy Bock. Among the onlookers were Misses and Ruby Brewer, Mrs Booth, Miss Booth, Miss Todd,~Mr and Mrs C. Patterson, Messrs W. Duncali," and S. Morton, Mrs T. Bamber, Miises C. and B. Bamber, Miss Hearn, Mr and Mrs Archie Sutherland; Miss Sutherland, Mr = and Mrs W. Brewer, Mr Crajvlevi, ...Mr (Johnston,. Miss Beard,' Mr; Jas. Moore, Mr H. H. Enderby, Mr;}\V, Handley, Miss Handley, Mr Van Asch, Mr Greville, and a host of others.

The meet next Saturday will be at Rapanui. A drag hunt will be laid from Rapanui to Southern Grove, after which a haxr-iQr. hunt will take place over Messrs **"''Cnllinarie's, Chapman's, and adjoining properties. Members are reminded Hliat a meeting of the committee will be held in the secretary's office on Wednesday afternoon at 4.30 o'clock. .:: ; --:■■