HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue V, 1 August 1896, Page 146

HUNTING.

BY

ONLOOKER.

THE Pakuranga hounds met last Saturday at I’akuranga blacksmith’s shop, then a move was made to Buckland’s farm, a distance of sixteen miles from Auckland. They drew along the gully near the house, where puss was at length found. She made for the house and passed round in a semi-circle in which two fences of four rails were successfully negotiated by some of the followers. Puss was then lost. Another hare was found which ran the hounds down Buckland’s point which extends about a mile out seawards; there was not much jumping. Puss was lost on the coast. It was not many minutes before the hounds were on another hare, which ran back again to Mr Buckland’s house, and turning to the left towards the coast, where she ran for half a mile in the sea water on the edge of the shore, where, alas for the plucky hare I she was killed at the next point. The huntsman with his red coat, surrounded by his hounds and other followers, here made such a beautiful marine picture. The chief jump on this run was a stiff stone wall. We then made tor Mr Every McLean’s farm, No. 2. The hounds were cast in a field of green oats, no sooner done, than a hare goes away in view, taking a pretty line of country, all jumpable, consisting of hedges, ditches, and fences, our huntsman once pounding us all over a stockyard fence of five foot six. We, thinking • discretion was the better part of valour ’ slipped through the gate. It was now getting late, and Miss Buckland had kindly asked us to come to their country house to partake of some refreshments, of which invitation we gladly availed ourselves, leaving Mr Selby, our huntsman, still following the hounds. Miss Buckland was ably assisted to entertain her guests by Mr and Mrs Harry Tonks, and a sumptuous spread we found prepared for our benefit—chicken, ham, etc. Horses and riders returned home wearied and tired after their long day’s ride, many having been ten hours in the saddle, but all perfectly satisfied they had had an excellent and sufficient day’s sport. Amongst those riding I noticed Miss Roberts (Molly Hawke), Mrs Tonks (Billy), Miss Kerr Taylor (Nimrod), MissGorrie (Jimmy), Miss Percival (Tommy), Miss — Gorrie (chestnut pony), Mrs Ware (Rary), Col. Dawson (our Master) mounted on Ike, Mr Crowe (Ingomar), Mr H. Tonks (Nap), Mr W. Buckland (Villiers), Mr Bloomfield (Eker), Mr Kerr-Taylor (Mayflower), Mr Gorrie (Moselle), Mr Carminer (Ingorina), Mr Harrison (Robin Adair), Mr Nolan, Mr Dunnett (Opawa), the Misses Buckland, Buller, Tanner, Roberts (of Parnell), Ware, Mr Holgate (handsome grey), Miss Sage (good jumping chestnut), Mr Gordon, Mr — Gordon (Jim), Mr Dawson (black horse), Mrs Selby, Messrs Varnum, Selby,Ray. Driving were Mrs Greenway, Miss Firth, Mr and Miss Walker, and many others.

The Pakuranga Hounds are intending, if possible, to have a meet at Pukekohe They will go by rail. What an excitement and novelty for the horses ' It is really time they had a little outing.