HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VII, 7 August 1897, Page 212

HUNTING.

(By

ONLOOKER.)

Pakuranga Hounds had an exceptionally good day at Mount Albert last Wednesday. The weather was all that could be desired for hnnting. Shortly after twelve o’clock we made a move and drew along the gully near ‘Alberton House’ on the northeastern side of Mount Albert. At the first jump to be negotiated—a fence with a ditch on the take-off side — three of our riders came to grief, the first leaving his horse to make a complete somersault in the air and arriving neatly on his feet—quite a circus feat; the second one’s horse brought the fence down, his steed getting entangled in wire. A considerate onlooker of the event rushed to the rescue, but slipped and fell, getting rather mixed up with those in trouble, but happily after a little exertion on the part of the other hunt gentlemen, they all got up unhurt. These, I am glad to say, were the only accidents that occured We then continued to draw in a westerly direction through the scoria in front of * Alberton,’ next the adjoining paddock, where the hounds found a hare and gave a burst of music so dear to the heart of the sportsman, accompanied with the cry, ‘ See-ho,’which was re-echoed throughout the field. About thirty gentlemen and five ladies sat down to ride in earnest. The hounds rattled their hare in steeplechase time towards the mountain. The riders having to negotiate the double in ‘ Alberton ’ Avenue, the first jump was rather unpleasant—a stone wall with wire along the top, and a nasty drop on the landing side, another wall, then came a four-rail fence, which brought us into Mr Willis’ paddock, and away on to the Mount Albert and Onehunga road, when a stiff stone wall with barbed wire had to be taken ; then up the steep incline of Mount Albert with two small walls to be negotiated, and along through the Mount Albert Reserve. Another wall brought us into Lee’s scoria, then a check, as the hounds are at fault for a time. A cast forward and Bridesmaid hits off the line, some more walls to be taken in the direction of Point Chevalier, and here another check, then on her again, and a kill in the high ti-tree at the back of Mr Mcßride’s. Before the hounds had time to enjoy their repast another hare was on foot and away, making for Lee’s Scoria, followed by the anxious pack. During the rest of the afternoon we were kept constantly on the move by various hares, one running from Mr Stewart’s swamp in a ring through Lees, then towards Avondale, and back again to its starting place, scoria walls innumerable to be negotiated. At last one pussie took a bee line for Mr Woodward’sproperty, where some exceptionally stiff stone walls had to be jumped. Here we lost one quarry in a Chinaman’s garden, and as the owner of the land did not wish us to continue our pursuit, and it also was getting late and all the enthusiastics were satisfied that they had had sufficient sport for one day, we turned homewards, and many were ' the expressions of pleasure at the afternoon’s outing. Amongst those present were Mrs W. Bloomfield (Blue Peter), Miss Dunnett (Opawa), Miss M. Buckland (Villiers), Miss B. Bull (who was amongst those ladies who rode particularly straight, was mounted on her new steed Roman), Miss Kerr-Taylor (Nimrod), Misses Henderson. P. Buckland, Mr Wells (from H.M.s. * Goldfinch ’), Mr Feilding (M. 8. Mr Pollock (Grenade), Mr Philips (Oceola), Mr Harrison (Robin Adair), Mr Varnum (Awatuna), Mr V. Kerr-Taylor (Premier), Messrs Carminer, Gordon, Paul, O’Dowd (Laddie); Mr Goodman was riding Miss Dunnett’s grey ; Misses Bullen and Smith, etc. Mrs Markham followed the hounds as far as possible on foot.

The hunting season in Hawke’s Bay was brought to a close last Monday at the Ruataniwha end of the country with a byeday at Ashcott. Mr J. B. A’Deane acted as huntsman. It was a perfect day, and there were very few accidents. Among those present were Mesdames Donnelly, Hobson, D. Grant, Herbert, Rhodes, Russell, and Sunderland, the Misses M. Donnelly, M. Herrick, I. Inglis, L. Millar, and E. Simcox, Messrs H. H. Bridge, F. Herrick, E. Herrick, Ellingham, Ireland, Hobson, Guy Cooper, T. Groome, L. Shaw, Potts, G. L. Sunderland, F. White, A. B. Williams, W. Kinross White, Druce, etc.