HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VII, 18 August 1894, Page 163

HUNTING.

AUCKLAND. The Pakuranga hounds met last week at Green Lane, where there was a very large attendance of both riders and drivers. The day was beautifully fine. Hunting after pussy was very slow, as there was so much barbed wire in the direction she chose to take that the riders were forced to watch the harriers giving chase from the road. Pussy escaped into the scrub surrounding the Lake, St. John’s College. Two drags were laid by Mr Gordon on foot. The first ran from Orakei to St. John’s College, passing through Meadow Bank, and an unpleasant, boggy one it was. The jumps were not very high, but the gullies and swampy land and trappy ditches were many. Mr Jack Philips was seen unwinding wire from Oceola’s feet. Miss Dunnett marked Sir Roger with barbed wire. The second drag ran from St. John’s College to St. Helier’s Bay. Very few followed in this as the jumps were stiff.

Unfortunately Cannonade, a splendid steeple chaser, had the misfortune to get staked by jumping on to a sharp post which entered more than a foot into its body, presenting a terrible spectacle. Dr. Forbes, who is always ready at emergencies, sprang from his own hunter, Shaughraun.and eased the horse off the stake, while the rest looked on seeming too dazed to do anything to assist. Dr. Forbes afterwards presented a very gory appearance, as he was covered from head to foot in blood. The poor horse had to be destroyed, as nothing could be done to save its life, as an arteiy had been severed. Cannonade was valuable, besides being a good-looking horse.

Amongst those present driving were Mr and Mrs Bloomfield ; Misses Firth and Mr Greenway ; Mrs Walker (Ellerslie) and family ; Misses Hesketh and Mr Shepherd ; Misses Stevenson and Mrs Arch. Clark. Riding were Mesdames Bews, Mahoney, IL Tonks, Misses Dunnett, Percival, Hookes, Wilks, Sellars, Wright, Kerr-Taylor, McLaughlin’ Roberts (two), Colonel Dawson, Colonel Noakes, Messrs Fenwicke, Noakes, Wynyard (two), Dawson (three), Tonks, Halstead, Dunnett, McLaughlin, Kinloch, etc.