HUNTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XIX, 9 May 1903, Page 1283

HUNTING.

The opening of the hunting season in Auckland was celebrated on Saturday at Walmarama, the home of the Master, Mr E. Dennis O’Rorke, off Brighton and Arney roads, Remuera, where the members of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, farmers whose property the hounds have hunted over for many seasens, and visitors from far and near were present by special invitation from Mr and Mrs O’Rorke, who numbered amongst their guests His Excellency the Governor, Lord Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Mrs Hibbert, an English lady visiting at Government House; Lord Northland, A.D.C.; the Hon. H. C. Butler, Hon. A.D.C., Wellington; the Hon. C. Hill Trevor, A.D.C.; Colonel and Mrs Dawson, Colonel and Miss Shepherd, Major Holgate, Mr C. and Mrs Overton, from Christchurch; Mrs Addenbrook, from Wanganui, Mr and Mrs Thornton, Mrs and Miss Worsp, Mr and Mrs T. Schnackenburg, Mr and Mrs C. Taylor, Mr and Mrs T. Morrln and Miss Morrin, Mr and Mrs H. O. Nolan, Mrs and Miss Smaile, Mrs Ralph, Mr and Mrs and Miss Board, Miss George, Mrs and Miss Kerr-Taylor, Misses Buckland (2) and Ewen, Misses Rae and Harvey, Mr W. Dibble and party, Dr. Reid, Mr Wylie, and many more who were driving. Amongst others present were Mesdaioco H. Moody, on Mike; Kelly, on Steeltrap; Misses Buckland (2), on Comet and Popgun; B. Gorrie, on Jimmy; E. Abbott, on Te Akau: Messrs Bullock-Webster, ex-Master of the Waikato Hounds, on Riot; W. R. Bloomfield, on M’Liss; C. Purchas, on Neck or Nothing; P. Norgrove, on Polo; Langley Shaw, on a grey cob; W. A. Carmenn. on Economist; B. Lewis, on Tip; C. Motion,on Warrior; J. Walker .'on Paddy: lan Motion, on Rally; Cotter, on Dandy; E. Cucksey, on Larry; Gray, on Soda water; M. McLachlan (ex-Master), on Dad; R. Burns, on Jack Squire; Crawford, on Dum-dum; Bent, on Linda; Linberg, on Black Watch; Hathway, on Neptune; Gorrie, on Starlight; 11. Moody, on Freewill; W. Burgess, on Blanche; Ben Myers, on Melva; Waller, on Cragsman; A. Kidd, on Aka Aka; F. Kidd, on Leorina; H. 'Windsor, on Pukekohe; Duveil, on Exmoor; E. Muir, on Lady Athol; Parker,on Muriwai; Mr A. Bell, cn chestnut; T. W. Nolan, on Kapai: W. Fouhy, on Kaiser; L. Taylor, on Dandy Dick; E. G. Ellett, on a colt; 11. P. Kinlock, on Specs; D. Neill, on Stilts; and J. 11. Dalton. V. Taylor, W. Henton. McCosh Clark, Kelly, and many others riding. A splendid luncheon (the catering being entrusted to Mr T. King, of Ponsonby) was partaken of by from 150 to 200 of the visitors, who were heartily welcomed by the host and hostess, and accommodation found for a very large number of horses; in fact, the day was a red letter one at Walmarama, the gathering being altogether a brilliant one, the weather being excellent, though it was feared not too good for the business to follow later on. After the photographing of groups of the visitors, hounds, master and huntsman, the order was given “to horse,” the master huntsman and whip, the two last mentioned In scarlet, the former in the green jacket, the livery of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, with sixteen couples of hounds, an even lot, In the pink of condition, the smartest pack in the colony, befitting the oldest hunt club in New Zealand, trotted forth. Leaving Walmarama behind with most pleasurable recollections, the already large party on horseback and on wheels, reinforced by late arrivals from the city and suburbs, and from country districts, were soon bowling along the pretty Remuera-road in the direction of St. John’s College, a halt being made opposite Mason’s gardens, where hounds were laid on, and finding a hare had a short run towards Meadow Bank, where they lost. After some time was spent in a fruitless search, they were trotted away to Mr Massey’s, at West Tarnakl, with all speed, aud soon finding in the deeply grass-swathed paddocks there, ran a strong hare, and killed in a swamp, and a second one was run twice round the mountain, quite eighty followers, including some ten or more ladies, taking the field, the Master (Mr O’Rorke) on Matarawa, Mrs O’Rorke, on Domine, the huntsman (Mr Selby) on Defamer, and the whip (Mr F. Selby) on Boxer, being prominent throughout. The home returning commenced as the shades of evening were coming on. all present being satisfied with their afternoon’s outing.