AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 31

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, August 24. The meet of the Pakuranga Hounds was at Pukekohe on Saturday last, a distance of thirty-one miles by rail from Auckland,* About thirty-two members with their horses met at a station in the vicinity of Auckland to be trained to their destination. The balmy humidity of the atmosphere gave promise of a great hunt. Everybody was full of expectation. The majority of the horses were put into cattle trucks, one only entering a protest at such an insult, and no persuasion whatever could force him in. He was only an ensign, but evidently thought this was too low a thing for him. After reaching Pukekohe our horses were saddled and prepared for the fray. The master (Mr Gorrie) gave the signal and the cavalcade, which was viewed with admiration by the rustics, jogged out of the village towards a swamp about a mile distant under the guideship of Mr John.s of Pukekohe, where the hounds were cast and were soon on a hare, but this part of the country had its drawback, for pussie would always circle in this marshy land, the obstacles, which consisted of timber and wire, were many, but the going so heavy that the master had the hounds called off and the sportsmen adjourned further on the main road towards Mauku. The hounds were thrown off in a field of young oats, when another pussie was on foot, which took the followers over a line of

fences, real raspers. First tu come to grief was Mr Wylde-Blood of Pukekohe. He and his steed Torrack went a somersault. Two of our own most prominent Pakuranga followers were next treated to “crackers.” They both came regular "howlers," but happily got up unhurt. A check, the hounds were at fault. Eventually we made our way across country, trying to pick up the line of pussie. to Sir Wylde-Blood’s property at Mauku, when another pus.-le was on foot, and another flight of post and rails had to be negotiated. Patience, however, did wonders in this part of the country, for soon the . most formidable obstacles were reduced in size, so that a clever pony could scramble over with ease. This kindly office of boring holes for the discreet majority was left to a small number in the hard riding division. Our huntsman always has the most formidable of obstacles to negotiate, as it is his duty on such occasions to lead the way (which duty our plucky huntsman, Mr Selby, never shirks), since be with the hounds he must. Another excellent run was indulged before the hounds returned to embark for their homeward trip. The visitors received quite an ovation as the train moved away with its freight of enthusiastic sportsmen and women from the Pukekoheites; they sent them off with hearty’ ringing cheers. Amongst those who came from Auckland I noted walking were:—Mr Ware. Mrs Markham: riding: Our master, Mr Gorrie, on Jimmy; Miss Gorrie, Mozel; our huntsman, Mr Selbv, on Defamer: our secretary, .Mr R. P. Kinloch, Specs; Airs Bloomfield. Blue Peter; Miss Dunnett, Woodcock; Miss Kerr-Tav-lor, Nimrod; Miss Buckland. Villiers; Miss. -Abbott, on a chestnut; Mr Caminer, Tngorangi; Col. Dawson, Ike; Mr Elliott, Ensign; Mr Bloomfield, M'liss; Mr C. Purchas, Neck oi Nothing; Mr Markham, a pony; Mr Moody, Oceolo; Mr Adams, Brown Bess; Mr Orme. Kilkem; Mr Bums, Squire; Mr Dunuett, Jim; Mr Rhodes, Crusado; Mr Laxon, Mystery; Mr Lewis, Ben; Mr McLeod, Fishmonger; Mr Kerr-Taylor, Woodbine; etc. One of the runs was very much marred by two collie dogs persisting in following pussie, which threw the hounds off the scent. The journey home was very much enlivened by each sportsman’s glowing and brilliant acount of his own hair-breadth escapes. The wedding of Miss Zeenie MossDavis, which comes off to-day (Wednesday) at Sydney, was celebrated by the employees of Messrs Hancock and Co. last Wednesday night by a concert and dance. * The Newmarket Hall was acquired for the occasion, and profusely decorated with lilies, ferns, etc. There were about 200 invited. A splendid concert programme was prepared, the principal contributors being the Misses Edith and Gerty Spooner, who played a very pretty piano duet; Mrs Ernest Davis, Mr E. Davis, Mr Archdale Tayler, Mr H. Davis, Mr Hughes. When the musical portion of tjie entertainment was completed. and before dancing began, Mr Ernest Davis addressed the guests in a neat speech, referring to the popularity of Miss Davis, and the pleasure it afforded till present to be gathered together for the above-named purpose. Dancing began at about ten. and kept on till an early hour, being interspersed with musical selections. Refreshments were supplied by Mr Buchanan. Amongst the ladies present were Mrs Alfred Nathan, pink and white; Mrs Robinson, black; Mrs I. Alexander, black; Miss Alexander, pink with black velvet bands; Miss Pugodd; Mrs Phillpot, black: Miss J. Nathan, white; Miss Edith Spooner looked

very pretty in white; Miss Gertrude Spooner, white; Mrs E. Davis, pink; Mrs Lewis, Mrs Hendry, Misses Ilannagan Kirs Johnston, Miss Robinson, Miss It. Davis, Miss AL Davis, Miss R. Davis, Miss McKinney, and Miss Young.

Tile last euchre party of the series at Hamilton took place in the Volunteer Hall on Friday evening. There were a great many members present anti tile evening was a most enjoyable one. Alesdamcs Brewis, Oldham, ami Stevens were the hostesses on the occasion. Mrs Purdie and Mr HurdWood were the fortunate winners of the two first prizes.

My Thames correspondent writes: St. George’s Hall on Friday evening was the scene of what was declared the most enjoyable dance of the season. The Thames bachelors were entertaining their friends, who responded most cheerfully to the invitations issued. Dancing began at eight o’clock, and was kept up until 3.30 a.in. on Saturday morning. The hosts "did the thing’’ in real good style, all the arrangements being perfect in every respect, the gentlemen responsible being Dr. Lapraik, Messrs Alarris W. Price, Teasdale, Empson, McLeod, and Kernick (hon. secretary). Amongst those present were Mrs Beale, Miss Beale, Mrs Clendon, Mrs Bayldon, Mrs Greenslade, Misses Hague-Smith (2), Mrs and Miss Bagnall, Mrs Templar, Mrs Keg. Smith, Mrs J. Gray. Mrs and Miss Bush, Mrs Read, Mrs Wright, Mesdames S. Smith, Cave, Von Bernewitz, A. E. Dodd, West, Cassrells, Payne, O’Callaghan; Misses Walker, (3), Busst (Christchurch). Sheridan, Styak, Dunlop, Lawlor, Price (2), Baker, Lloyd, M. Banks, Quick, Witched (Auckland), Colebrooke, Rae, Thomson (Auckland), Edgeemnbe, Foy, Hall, Harris, Paterson, West (2), Guthrie. Payne, Gibbons, Eaton, Court, Adams, Haszard (2), Riekit, Preece, Ashman, and Hill; Messrs Jackson (Paeroa), Mueller (Paeroa), Simpson (Auckland), Empson (Paeroa), Nieoll, Quick, Buckland, G. Price, E. Read, Nicol. Gillespie. E. Payne, Harding. Beale, Clendon, Greenslade, Hague-Smith, Bagnall, Gray, Reg. Smith. 11. Bush, West, Wright, Jordan, Pitcher, Cave, Styak, Dunlop, Lawlor, W. Price, A. E. Dodd, Haszard, Adams, Dr. O’Callaghan, Captain Bayldon. and others whose names I do not know. Music was provided by Williams and Booth’s hand, and the supper was looked after by Mr Scott, of Pollen-street. Ou Cambridge correspondent writes under date August 20:—Last Friday evening Miss Gwynneth intrdueed a change in the usual, order of things by giving a progressive cribbage party —a. very successful experiment as it proved. Instead of the. tables being ruled bv the king, as in progressive euchre, 'the players at each table pegged once round the' board, when the winning sides were each presented with a wafer before moving- on. The w inners of the first prizes at. the end of the evening after about twenty games were announced to be Miss W. Cave and Mr Empson and of the second Miss Souter and Mr Buckland, senr., and “boobies” fell to Mrs Pine and Mr Haesler. The other guests were Mrs Buckland. Mrs Richardson, Mrs (Dr.) Roberts, Mrs N. Hunt, Mrs (Dr.) Murdoch.' Misses Ward; Motion, Banks, Buckland. C. Willis, Wells, Empson, H. Wells, Messrs Dyer. Cave, Major Alinnitt, Von Sturmer, F. Buckkind. Ward, Bouillon. C. Buckland, H. Chitty. THE WAIKATO HOUNDS. Gn Saturday, the 10th, the hounds met at the Pukekufa. Creamery. The day was perfect, and several splendid runs were made, resulting in one kill, when Mrs Thornton was awarded the tail. A splendid luncheon was provided by Mr and Mrs T. W. Hicks at Trelawny, when all-comers were hospitably " entertained. After this a move was made to Trecarrie, ’where a couple of spirited runs were made, but without a kill. Amongst those riding 1 noticed Mrs W. Thornton, Mrs Pilling (Te Puke). Mrs Wynn Brown, Mrs Martyn, Misses Banks, Reynolds, ami Hicks, Messrs Banks, Reynolds, Walker,, Mumford, Watson, Fisher, Corner, and a great many others. A number of people were driving, and some few walking.