HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIV, 25 September 1897, Page 429

HUNTING.

(By

Onlooker.)

f"OHE Pakuranga members met at Potter’s Paddock I last Saturday at half-past eleven in the morning with the intention of having a drag hunt from there to Avondale. Races were to be held at the lastmentioned place, and the enthusiastic hunters took a great interest in these races, as a Hunt Club Steeplechase was to eventuate, and many of the best jumping horses had been entered by their sportsmanlike owners. Mr Gordon laid the drag over six miles of the stiffest wall country, interspersed by some rattling good fences, quite the pick of that part. The start was made over the wall opposite Potter’s Paddock, passing through Messrs Paton’s, Crawford’s, the Three Kings’ Wesleyan Mission, Messrs H. Taylor’s, Moody’s, and Seule’s properties. Then came a check of ten minutes on the Onehnnga and Mount Albert main road, the following making a splendid finish: —Miss Taylor, Mangere (on Tim), Miss Tribley (Dainty), Miss Kerr-Taylor (Nimrod), Mr Ellet (Arctic), Mr Varnum (Awatuna), Mr Elliot (Saxon), Mr Carminer, and two more gentlemen whose names are forgotten in the excitement. Our huntsman, a game veteran, determined to show the metal and pluck of those who dared to follow him, always picked the highest and most difficult pert of every jump to negotiate. One cannot help admiring his unexceptional straight riding. Our huntsman now changed horses, having ridden Defamer in the first part, he now mounted Albion. The latter part of this drag was laid through the Mission Swamp, Messrs Kemp’s, Stewart’s, and Sandall’s property, finishing on the Avondale Road. Three of the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s straightest lady riders, followed by a dozen gentlemen, made here another excellent finish. The latter part of the drag, I think, was not as stiff as the former. Some of the hunters had a feeling of regret that they did not finish up over the Avondale steeplechase course, as had been done some years ago, though some of the jumps there have been made much stiffer, but that would not have deterred many from following. The pace throughout these runs was hot and furious; riders simply seemed to be flying. Amongst those present not already mentioned were Colonel Dawson, Messrs W. McLaughlin, Harrison, Rae, Paul, Pollock, Philips, Burns, Kerr-Tayler, Misses P. Buckland, Rosa Bull, Seccombe, and Burns. Driving were Mr and Mrs Horace Walker, etc.

The Woodland Hunt Club, Danevirke, brought their last meet to a close on Wednesday, September Ist. The day was beautifully fine. The meet was at Mangatera, whence a move was made to Piripiri Flat, where a couple of good runs eventuated. The drag was laid by Mr Hughes on Clieve. The following took partMr Roake (huntsman) was on the Parson ; Mr Hargill, Stockman ; Miss M. Scrimgeour, Venus; Mr W. C. Martin, Dolly; Mr J. Godfrey, Nugget ; Mr M. Lyons, Maori Jack ; Mr A. Cowper, Bonita; Mr Devonshire, Kathleen ; and several others were out, and had some good jumping. Miss M. Scrimgeour was to the fore throughout, and negotiated all the fences in best hunting style. Great praise is given to this young lady, she being the only one to follow the hounds this season. We all hope to see this young lady to the fore next hunting season.