HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXIII, 6 June 1896, Page 664

HUNTING.

BY ONLOOKER. LAST Saturday the Pakuranga Hounds met at Sylvia Park, which is the stiffest and best country in Auckland for hunting. The weather was all that could be desired. Pussie gave a delightful run for an hour and a-half. Of course there were a great manychecks, as there were one hundred and fifty riders in the field, but only about thirty who actually sat down to ride, and those who did not follow were continually crossing the scent, to the great annoyance of our huntsmen. The country here is clean going, and mostly abounds in stiff posts with four rails, now and then wide ditches on the off side, and stone w-alls of a very stiff character. Defamer, our huntsman’s horse (who evidently was not up to his usual form), refused one of these stiff stone walls, and Blue Peter, ridden by Mrs W. Bloomfield, gallantly took the lead. Pussie, worn out with the chase, took refuge beneath a stable, where it was impossible for the hounds to follow. In this run there were a great many lady followers, as all our Auckland ladies are plucky, but two were seen right to the fore throughout the day. They were riding Blue Peter and Nimrod, respectively. These two steeds were seen cleverly negotiating these stiff jumps to the admiration of many. At the first stone wall Mr W. Bloomfield and his new steed went a somersault, landing the rider on his head. There were a great many other falls, but I had not time to note them, as we were so taken up with the run of the hounds. We missed very much the Vice-regal party. Csptain-Preston was present,riding Lady Augusta Boyle’s chestnut, and was always noticed riding in the foremost ranks, his steed fencing in capital style Amongst the mounted I noticed Mrs Bloomfield (Blue Peter), Mrs Tonks (Billy), Miss Gorrie (Jimmy), Miss Dunnett (Opawa), Miss Percival (Tommy), Miss Roberts (Molly Hawke), Miss Kerr-Taylor (Nimrod), Miss Cornelius Taylor (Tim), Mr H. Tonks (Nap), Mr Gorrie (Moselle),

Colonel Dawson (our master) was mounted on Ike ; Messrs McLaughlin, Nolan, Dunnett, Bloomfield, O’Rorke, Philips, Wallace, Bell, B. Dawson, Cotter, Ireland, Motion, Gordon, Walker, Davis, Cotteriii, Wynyard, Varnum, Mrs Selby, Misses Tribley, Gorrie, Sellers, D. Davis, Buckland, Bull, Griffiths, Dunwoodie, Ware, Eaton, Bailey, Snelling, etc. En voiture, Mrs O’Rorke, Mrs (Colonel) Dawson and Miss Elliot; Mr and Mrs Seccombe; Mrs Buckland and Miss Phoebie Buckland ; Mrs Mahoney and Miss Savage ; etc. There will be no hunt next Saturday on account of the Auckland Racing Club races.

The Christchurch hunt on Saturday was at Harewood Road, and the glorious day tempted quite a large number of people out. Among the riders were the Misses Gerard, Beath, M. Tabart and Mrs Longden, Dr. Palmer and Messrs Lascelles, Campbell, Hall, Cowlishaw and Turrell ; and among those driving were Mrs P. Campbell, Miss Hill, Miss Ronalds, Miss Reeves, Mrs Archer, and Mrs J. D. Hall.

The Christchurch hounds met on the Queen’s Birthday, when some forty riders, including ladies, were present. The run across the Westmeton district was very fast, and some difficult fences had to be negotiated. Two riders sustained rather nasty falls, but suffered no very severe injuries. The first hare was run into in forty minutes ; the second was killed in a slower time ; and the third after fifteen minutes. Luncheon was provided by Mr Colthurst Palairet and the Misses Palairet. Amongst those out we noticed Misses Haydon, Gerard, G. Lyon, Bassett (two), Helmore, Palairet (two), Messrs Neave (two), Bassett (two), H. Cotteriii, Haydon (two), Patterson, C. Palairet, W. B. Cowlishaw, Turrell (two), Lascelles, G. Gould, Willburn, Kimbell, Gerard, Murray (two), Searle, Fraser, McMillan, and others riding, amongst those driving Mrs Cotteriii, Misses Helmore, Murray, Gerard (two), Westeura, Aylmer, Ronalds, Neave and others.

The opening meet of the Poverty Bay Hunt Club took place at Mr Walter Wethered’s property, Lavenham, on Thursday. Only three ladies—Miss Reynolds, Miss N. Reynolds, and Miss Rees—followed the hounds. The gentlemen following were Mr S. Williamson (Master) riding New Year; Mr H. Tucker, Topthorne ; Mr G. Bradley, Don ; Mr MacKenzie, Bishop ; and a great many others. Amongst the road contingent were Mr and Mrs H. N. Watson, Mrs W. Wethered, Mrs L. Rees, Miss A. Bradley, and Miss R. Reynolds. After a most successful run Mr and Mrs Wethered entertained the field at afternoon tea, which was greatly appreciated. The Wellington hunting season was opened on Saturday, nearly all of the members meeting on the Miramar Estate, where they enjoyed a very successful ‘ run.’