PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 49, 2 July 1891, Page 3

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB.

The weekly meet of the Pakuranga Hunt Club took place last week at Walters’ corner, Papatoitoi. The turn out was very numerous, consisting of about 70 well mounted riders, 15 of the fair sex gracing the meet. Amongst the company we noticed the following : Mrs; Bloomfield on Dan, Miss McLaughlin on a bay, Miss Dunnet on Roger, Miss Percival on Prestissimo, Mrs. Bews on a bay, Miss Taylor on Tairoa, Miss Yonge on a grey, Miss Shepherd on Satan, the Misses Buckland (2), Miss Hesketh, the Master, Mr. Percival on Jim, Mr. H. C. Tonks on Nap, Col. Dawson on his bay horse, Col. Shepherd on a bay, Mr. Dunnet, sen., on Bob, Mr. Dunnet, jun. on Hurricane, Mr. T. Craig on Begorrah, Mr. McCord on King Don, Mr. Hanna on a dark bay cob, Mr. McFarlane on a black, Mr. F. Yonge on Fly, Mr. T. McLaughlin on Cardinal', Mr. T. Laxon on a black, Mr. W. Bloomfield on Odd Trick, Master Cyril Yonge on Jerry, Mr. J. Grey on a bay, Mr. A. Bell on a welk bred bay, Mr. Henwood on Muscatelle, Mr. J. Wallace on Relation, Mr. Francis on a roan, Mr. Kelly on Playboy, Mr. Gilmore on Tomato; Mr. Garrett on Guadalquiver, Mr. Shera on Bradlaugh, Mr. Wynyard on a dark bay, Mr. John Rae on The ColoneJ. Punctual to time—l2 o’clock—the Master gave the word to start, when the Huntsman, Mr. T. Brown on Laddie, accompanied by his son, well mounted on his chestnut pony Sprite, with ten couple of hounds entered Mr. Richard McGee’s fallow ground, which was drawn blank. The next move was into Mr. Muir’s grass paddock, just across the creek. Here the Huntsman was successful in finding a good strong hare which very soon made things merry, the hounds making the air ring with their music.

The hare struck a line towards the Tamaki District. Unfortunately for the hard riding division it was impossible for them to follow the line as the top end of the paddock was impassable, through being fenced with barbed wire, which it was impossible to jump or crush through. The roadsters had all the best of it, as there was nothing for it but come back and take the road. The hounds worked their hare right into the Tamaki, where they lost it in the heavy ti-tree. This was the only find during the forenoon, hares proving scarce, the country being pretty heavy with ti-tree scrub, where it was impossible for the hounds to work. The next move was to lay a drag, which was undertaken by Mr. Allan Bell, and from his intimate knowledge of the country none better could have undertaken the task, and right worthily did he complete it. The line commenced at Mr. McGee’s farm in the first fence being a good stout and r£il. As it loomed up in the distance hats were crushed down, and every man selected his own particular panel. After the first rush 6rth,e leading division was over, there was a 'crash, and a smash, which gave the bulk of the field a chance. The next was a gorse fence with a big ditch out on the road leading to Tamaki. Then came a run on the road (which Was unavoidable) up to Mr. John Stoddart’s -farm, through which the line crossed, giving four or five nice jumps, which were safe and with plenty of room, no wire being about. The eld hands of the Club always ride across this gentleman’s property with confidence, knowing a,s, they do that foe is always, glad to see them, and that wire in his eyes is an abomination. -Next through Mr. Trimble’s gate, right into his yard. 1 his worthy sportsman, after seeing .the drag go through his yard was determined tp see. some good jumping, so, he closed his gate and chained it up, and put all his fences in order so that he would see some lun. He quietly lighted his piped, took a seat on the verandah, and waited events. When the forward division came up they found they had the choice of two jumps, one over his stockyard and the other over his gate. Mr. Kelly on Playboy, Without hesitation, took the gate, whilst Mr. Brown, th® Huntsman, took the rails. Mr. Kelly’s jump was one of the best taken this season, or indeed many seasons. We trust our friend John enjoyed his fun, as we are afraid he has to suffer for it, as his rails went flying before the mob got over. After crossing Mr. Trimbel’s farm the line went on through Mr. Clow’s.- The boundary between these two farms is a gorse fence, with a very deep ditch, which is well known to many old hands to their cost. It was, however, this time negotiated without any serious mishap. After entering Mr. Clow’s farm, the Master, who was well to front, found it necessary to. have the hounds stopped, owing to the way they were being over ridden. This was not caused however by the members, who rode the run right through,' it was caused by the roadsters and those that cilt in at various points. This is a practice that cannot be too rigidly, condemned, as it not only tends to make the; hounds cowardish, but is a serious risk to those members who ride straight with, the hounds. .When the Master had; the field (which at this point was a very large one) in hand again, the hounds were laid on and the drag continued on through Mr. Clow’s farm and out on to, the South road, crossing into Mr. Bainbridge’s farm, running right down, it and finally winding up> by jumping a gorse fence, on to the road close down to the old Plumpton.ground. This brought the.run to a close. After expressing great satisfaction at.the days pleasure, everyone, went home thoroughly satisfied. . There was a fair, amount of tumbles, but nothing of a serious nature. Some of the ladies; deserve a word of praise, as they were prominent, during .the entire run.

Steeplechase horses in England still continue to fetch high prices. Roman Oak who won, the Prince of Wales Stakes’at Punchestown, carrying 13st 51b, was sold to Sir H. deTraffbrd for 2000 gns. Subsequently ridden by Captain E. R. Owen,, he wdn the Irish International Steeplechase, carrying list i2lb, beating Flint lost, slb, who was second. There were ten starters, including such well-known, horses as Veil Ust ilb, Lord Chatham lost 71b, and Cruiser lost sib, who all came to grief. The latter had , been sold just previous to the race for 1,900 gns.