EGMONT-WANGANUI HUNT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12561, 14 July 1910, Page 7

EGMONT-WANGANUI HUNT.

By MYLES B. HYNDE

A very large concourse of follov.-i-rs and spectators assembled on Saturday last, when wo met at Rapa'iui, and had a first-class afternoon's spovt. The first part of the piogr? rnme was a drn.y of about 2? miles over a v,-.-y £.;cd course, and then the hounds were thrown off, and we had a jolly spin for an hour and a half over soa;e vtiy nice dry country, which was a trout to .gallop on, after the soggy stilts of tho ground in most parts or tlie clistrjvc. By some unforseen circumscauae, or strange lapse of memory, the aniseed was forgotten, and the \\us that instead of a drng Mr Charlie Gordon was. the hare, and it was a case of follow-the-leader, and a right merry danoo he led us over a nicely blended course of sparred, fenced, barb wire, timber, box thorn, and bank, across the properties of Dr. Pairman, Misses G. Handley, J. Bason, W. Cumberland, and D. Cullinam, pulling up in front of the Southern Grove homestead. After a breather, Huntsman Gordon threw off at the back of Southern Grove, and his spotted beauties were soon in rrotion, racing down behind the plantation, ran across Mr Cameron's, then on to Mr Barrett's, then on to Mr M-mt-gomerie's, and crossed over to Mr

Moore's and back again on to Mr Montgomerie's, where a kill was registered. The hares were very numerous, and the hounds had no sooner got one hare well set than a fresh hare crossed her path, and they were again and again at fault. Puss disposed of. "There she goes!" was the joyful cry, and Huntsman Gordon was soon in hot pursuit, pus.s doubling back, ran right past Mr Montgomerie's house ana through the bull paddock, where a high wire fence with double barb on top checked a few. However, among the first to negotiate it I was pleased to see ono of our lady members, Miss Dorothy Outfield. The noble Taurus yas amazed for a time, and let the fir-st division past without protest, but i-fter-wards resented the intrusion, and chevied two or three of the riders round the paddock in a half jocular and half earnest fashion, sufficient to convince the rear division that the longer way round ,was the shorter way home. Puss, making straight for Mr Mcßeth's h( mostead, was lost in the plantation, but wo found a hearty welcome from cr.r host and hostess, and a -cheering stirrup cup and recherche afternoon tea were much appreciated by both followers and onlookers. Mr Barton, on behalf of the club, thanked Mr M-cßeth and the other farmers who had given us Ihe privilege of running over their country, and called for three hearty cheers for Mrs and Miss Mcß-eth for their ger--eroiis hospitality, and nnoth-.u* hearty cheer for the success of Cruoine'la, whom her popular owner intends taking over to Australia, in a few weeks. "A pleasant trip and a big win" was the wish re-echoed on all si(l?s. as no bid goodbye to our host end hostess. Amongst those following we noticed Mrs C. Gordon on Cavil, Miss A. Nixon on King John, Miss Cutneld on Lethean, Miss Kathleen Higgle on Kimikai; the Deputy Master (Mr C. T. Paterson) on Daisy Queen, C. A. Barton on Monte, C. Gordon on Cavil, A. Gordon on Sardonyx, P. Turner <m JJell Hud. L. Turner on Sedgefield, Ij. Wilson on Fashion, P. Wotton on Linger Longer, J. Keeney on Ware Bell, L. Strachan on Lornty, S. Morton on Jackeroo, L. Cutneld on Cockaaonihro, L. C. Morgan on Dummy, M. L. Chamberlain on Singsong, D. Jones on Black Bud, A. O'Neill on Bandit, J. Higgle on Floss, D. M. Donald on Aurotus, A. H. Langdale on Myra, E. Jones on The Clown, W. Guy ley on Rapanui, J. Marie on Juanita, W. Moore on Moonlight, C. M. Donuell on Rajah. Amongst the spectators were Mr and Mrs T. A. Baivber. Mr and Mrs McJ^ean. Mrs and Miss Outfield, Mr and Mrs J. Wolford. Misses Todd, Mrs C. J. Patterson, Mr G. Swan, Mr J. Windlel.urn, Mr and Mrs C. Enderby, Mr D. Cullinano, Mr and Mrs A. Montgomerie, Mrs Blair. Mr Morris, Mr Say well, Mr P Russel, Mr Innes, and a host of others.

The Hounds meet next Wednesday at "Hayes," Waverley, the homestead of our popular Master, Mr Oscar Symes, when, given fine weather, we hope to havo a good day's outing. At a meeting of the local committee yesterday afternoon, the matter of holding a ball the night previous to the Hunt Races was discussed and vetoed.

Jt was resolved that an invitation to the races, with entree to the Bird Cage, be given to all farmers over whose country tho Club ha-ve the privilege ot hunting, whilst invitations be also issued to the farmers' wives and daughters, and afternoon tea provided for them in the pavilion. The Secretary reported that he had received a license, to hold tlie meeting from the Hon. Buddo, and that the programme had been passed by the Wanganui Jockey Club. The racecourse trustees had given the use of the course on the usual conditions, and the Jockey Club had generously given the use of their grounds and appointments, and voted a. donation of £25 towards the trophies for the Hunt Meeting. The lioen&ed Victuallers had also voted 20 soys for trophies for the Licensed Victuallers' Steeplechase. The races take place on Thursday, 2oth Avgust, and as there are a great number of horses 'jualifying this season, wo may anticipate big fields and good racing. . We regret to have to record a mishap to the popular Master of the Pakalanga Hounds, Mr E. D. O'Rorke, who Lad a nasty fall the other week, receiving a bad shaking, fractured collarbone, and broken ribs, but, according to latest advices, he was making ? a speedy recovery, and hopes to be in the sf-ddle again 'before the end of the season, and • none the worse for his tumble. He has had his share of them, for ho is one of the pioneers of hunting in New Zealand. Talking of pioneers rminds me of one of the best cif them, viz., the late Mr. William Hammond, whose demise took place recently at Murchison, the residence of his brother, Mr John Hammond. When hunting was introduced into Riangitikci, "Bill," as he was familiarly known, was one of the first masters of the Rongitikei Hunt, and he was as fearless as he was popular. .Everyone iiked Bill- and it mattered not where the hounds ran, he always had a free entry. There was no closed country to him," for he was one of the best natured fellows who ever breathed, and many a good tale could be told of his hunting days. He always rode a good horse, and he had some good ones, notably Bradlaugb, Hairlegs, Rangitira, and others, and lie would take on anything. We have seen him, when a ! iess fortunate friend was stuck at a bbig fence, swap his mount for the Imtlker, and send him at a fence. It was always on, through, or over, and ho generally got over. Of latter years he had b-ee"n a martyr to rheumatism, but, thanks to the loving kindness of his brothers and sister-in-law, he negotiated his last fence peacefully. "Pence ! to his ashes."