HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XXVI, 30 June 1894, Page 619

HUNTING.

AUCKLAND. f RHE Pakuranga hounds met last Saturday at * Bleak J House,’ Howick, and gave the lovers of this most healthy and invigorating sport a very enjoyable ride thither, the distance being about twenty miles from town ; chose coming from the suburbs on the farther side had a much longer journey. The day looked particularly bright at starting, but gradually the sky became overcast, and continual showers fell, damping one’s spirits not a little. On the journey out the enthusiastic hunters passed through Ellerslie, Panmure, and Howick, The Panmnre bridge is especially worthy of mention, it is so extremely picturesque being of a good length, and passing over an arm of the sea, thus connecting Panmure to Howick, the last mentioned village being rather of a straggling character, an agricultural district of a somewhat bleak aspect, from which, no doubt, Mr Every McClean named his house. This was the rendezvous, Bleak House by name, but once set foot in the interior only feelings of warmth and good cheer pervaded the place. Miss Bailey received her numerous guests in her usual courteous manner on the verandah, assisted by her uncle, Mr Every McClean, whose geniality always makes him such a charming hos'. Tneie Hunt luucneoas are looked forward to by the members and friends as annual treats. The table decorations were very pretty, consisting of vases of sweetsmelling violets finished with maidenhair fern, alternately S laced with vases of a small red wax-like hothouse plant, ntsbed also with maidenhair. A long table was laid out down the centre of the large room, and small tables were placed in the corners, which were weighed down with every sort of good cheer. This room was set apart for the use of the ladies, while on the verandah small tables were placed for the gentlemen’s benefit.

Amongst those present were Mrs (Dr.) Bews, in riding habit; Mrs Thomas Morrin, perfectly fitting navy serge, buff-coloured vest ; Mrs Sim Mirrin, Miss B. Banks, Mr and Mrs Alfred Buckland and daughters ; Mrs Thompson (Green Lane), Misses Ella and Laura Baker, Mrs KerrTaylor and daughters ; Mis James Russell and her two pretty daughters ; Mrs Holgate, Miss Sage, Mr and Mrs McLaughlin, Mr Tom McLaughlin, and Miss Sereia McLaughlin, Mr and Miss Dunnett, Mrs Ching and son, Mr Percival (mounted on his good old steed, Jim), Mrs R»id, Mrs Niccol, Misses Phillips and Dixon, Mrs Lyons, Miss Aubrey, Mis Walker (Ellerslie), Colonel and Mrs Dawson, and Masters Dawson (two), Misses Suttie and Singleton, Mrs Scott, Mr Shepherd, and the Misses Hesketh, Misses

Percival (two) Miss Thomas, Miss Elliot, Col. Noakes, Messrs Thomas Morrin, Gorrie, Noakes. Walker, Elliot, Gilmore, Lockhart, Bloomfield, Ware, Gordon, Mr J ick Phillips, Mr Conningsby, Dr. Bcws, Mr Hanna, Misses Bull (three), (the eldest has just returned from Sydney), Miss Clayton (Sydney).

CHRISTCHURCH. The Christchurch hounds had a day at Ashburton on Tuesday, the meet being at Dromore railway station. The weather was very raw and cold, but several ladies put in an appearance. After a few short but sharp runs, the party were entertained by Mr G. A. M. Bnckiey at an al fresco luncheon. A move was then made back to Dromore, the day finishing soon after 3p. m. Among the visitors from Christchurch were Miss Roberts, Messrs A. E. G. Rhodes, P. Campbell, F. Basset, J. Buckley, W. Buckley, Neave, Musgrave and some others.