“THE BIRCHWOOD CARNIVAL WEEK.”

Western Star, Issue 1389, 14 September 1889, Page 2

“THE BIRCHWOOD CARNIVAL WEEK.”

At the invitation of James Gardner, Esq., Master of the Birchwood hounds; a number of the followers of this pack mot on the Slat August to enjoy a week of his far-famed hospitality. Though a few of the party came on the evening before, the majority arriyed a couple of hours before the throw off,

and proceeded, to the stables to see their horses comfortably quartered in various > stalls atid loose boxes, whore they had the best of hay straw and crushed oats to occupy themselves during the non-hunting houis. Then we went indoors to meet the kindliest of hostesses and her cha' ming daughters, and soon a merry party are gathered round a well spread board ; talking and laughing, and eating becomes the order of the day Soon after lunch, round comes Sailor Boy, and there’s the Master in pink ready to mount* We follow him to the kennels, and soon he i? surrounded by his oven looking little park of hounds. While we wait to give the dragsman his time, wo note among those mounted to follow—Mr Carneirie Gardner, on Baron ; and Jack Pyc, Comet (whips); Misa Mary Gardner, Robin; Miss Drabble, Star; Mr Tennant, Tarquin ; Mr Hassell, Bunyip; Mr Stevens, Mountaineer; Mr Bonn, Aparima; Mr Mason, The Joker; Mrs Spencer, Wrypecker; Mr Spencer, Norah ; Mr Frank Woodward, Sandy; Mr McLaren, Broomstick?. Among the spectators were the Misses Gardner, Miss Rowley, Miss Grigor* &c., and Mis Gardner and some others were in a carriage. The course since last year has been a good deal altered, several new fences have been added, and this with the increased pace nf the hnnoda. which is now very fast, made the followers anxious to lose no time and to keep going if they would see anything of the run. But a burst of music proclaims they have found, and are away. Acoupleofgorseand capped wire fohcfß first engage our attention, and out across the road )i ;ie to a nice little jump with a deep ditch on the take-off. We take a pull at our horses here as the ground is very soft; then away to some brushed hurdles, and now comes a fence with a rather awkward run to it, nexi over a big stiff post and rails into the Wooklied paddock. Wo cross the Orawia, and away over the grass the compact body of hounds lead us to a big post and rails—-new to tnos' of ns. The Master is up and overover Baron (a different horse since Mr Carnep'.o Gardner took him in hand). Another stiff post and rails looms in the distance, and as the pace is very good we have an opportunity of. seeing some very pretty jumping. Notably, that of Sailor Boy, Tarquin, Robin and Star who was pulling far too hard for his fair rider’s strength, so that we wore relieved to see her null her horse off and join the spectators. We now came to a rather awkward double of which the second fence a big porse brought our good master down, the ditch on the further side having broken under Sailor Boy’s hoofs. We were sorry to see that Mr Gardnerwas unableto getintothesaddleagain, Mr Carnegie is well away with his hounds, and they are racing like mad over the grassy ridges till we turn towards the flat again, with our horses heads towards a big gorse, where Aparima will not make up his mind to negotiate, till the music of the hounds has grown faint in the distance. Gorse again., and on to the ridges, where, after a stirring gallop we turn down the hill, over a troublesome fence on the slope, and check in the middle of the next paddock. We missed the master here, with his cheery word of commendation, The hounds wanted no oheok, however, and getting on the fresh line of scent raced away, but were soon got off by the whips. But they had not long to wait before they were off again, and we have to face a fence with a ditch on the take-off, and then after crossing another, under the green hill we wont over the same line of country as at the start, finishing over the big fence into the woolshed paddock, where ’ Wrypecker, who bad been fencing very well, slipped! in too close and gave Mrs Spencer an ugly spill, which fortunately was not a serious one. Wo were glad to know that Mr Gardner was: feeling wonderfully well, though he had given his arm a severe crush. Sundav was a welcome rest for the bruised one?; Monday found an eager lob of sport-men ready to enjoy the run provided by Mr Mackinuon of Mount Linton. Mr Gardner and Mrs SD'3noor were still hors de comhat, and watched the run with a pleasing feeling of novelty at not being in it. The third fence, a big gorse, well built up with logs, was taken faultlessly by Sandy, Kitty, Aparima, Tim and . some others. But Robin wouldn’t have it till a second asking, and Joker and Maxwolltown not at all. From the top of an adjoining hill we watched the hounds streaming away before a straggling field. Soon we see them check in a valley before us ahd have just time to get back to the home padlock and see the big post and rail and a 12ft wabßr jump taken in excellent form by the majority of the field. After a very pleasant hour ;in Mr Mackinnon’s pretty Jreom with refreshments and music, he is heartily thanked for the excellent sport he has given us, and we all made our way back to the Birchwood homestead, where the evening is devoted to a very picturesque fancy dress bal fiat which among the most success!nilv dressed were Mr Gardner as “Blueßea*-d,” Miss Grigor as “ Sister Ann,” the Misses Gardner ns “Tambourine,” ‘‘Red Riding Hood,” and “ Shepherdess ”. Rouge-et-noir, “ 42nd Hisrh lander,” “Neapolitan Fishermen,''’ “ Italian Brigand,” and some Southland Hussars combined to make a charming spectacle which will be long remembered by those who witnessed it.

On Tuesday the meeting was for half past two. Mr Carnegie Gardner hunted tho hounds, as his father was still 'suffering; from the effects of hia fall. The hounds took up the line of scent in the green hill paddock,, and raced away to the first obstacle—a post and rails with a deep ditch on the takeoff side. Here Mr Carnegie, on Baron, got a groat spill, his horse turning completely ov'r. It was a very ugly looking fall, and we wore thankful to see him remount immediately unhurt, but at the next fence the horse (stillstunned) slipped into the ditch and hio rider dismounted to get him out. Meanwhile, at the first fence Mr Ritchie, on Ranger, and Mr Mason, on Joker, were in difficulties, having come into violent collision Joker , having run down his fence. It was not long before they were both up looking too shaken to proceed on their way. We noticed Miss a Bell Gardner catch Joker very cleverly and bring bim back to his master. The hounds are well away, several fields ahead, and to reach them we have some stiff gorse end capped wire fences to take. Crossing a ditch at the side of the road Broomsticks slipped in and parted company with his rider with no serious results beyond* loss of time. Over a stiffpostand rails, into the woolshed paddock, and away towards tho hills with a couple of rasping gorses to take before getting on to tho flat again and where the hounds fairly ran away from the field, and after leading it a meery chase over some hilly grpund they run into the ■ drag in a paddock near the homestead. Mount Linton next day saw the master once more with hie hounds, also Bell Gardner, on her new pony, quite resolved to show that . her recent fall has not shaken her nerves. Mrs Spencer, too, is again in the saddle, riding Kitty. The run was over tho same line of country as on Monday, and had it not been for the heavy rain which set in towards the end of tho afternoon, it would have been most enjovable, but we were all glad to . got over the last jumps, which are no joke when 1 tho reins and ground are slippery. Robin here slipped and was down, but Miss Mary fell on her feet, with tho reins in her hands, and was soon up again. As we were all very wet, we soon trotted home to Birch wood. At dinner Mr Gardner was presented with a round robin, petitioning for another rnn afc Birchwood the next day, to which, he cordially agreed. Thursday dawned warm and fine, and after lunch we were ready for another run ; Miss Drabble, on Tim, having joined the straight goers. The Master had chosen a very jolly little run, and there was only one fall, Jack Pye being the snflbrer, but he was not badly hurt, and was soon away with his hounds. After lunch on Friday, whereat Mr Gardner’s health, and the healths of Mrs and the Misses Gardner were drunk with musical honors, we sadly bade farewell to merry Birchwood. Mr Gardner with his pack proceed to Wantwood on Thursday, he resolving not to disappoint the Gore people who had arranged a run or two. Wasp.