HUNTING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 106, 4 August 1892, Page 3

HUNTING.

The Pakuranga Hunt Club were again favoured with magnificent weather for their usual Saturday meet, which took place at Green Mount. The hounds threw off at 12.30 p.m., when we were pleased to notice, in addition to several customary followers, Messrs. Harris and Laxon (residents of the district and strong supporters of the club) present, evidently intending to enjoy themselves. After a preliminary try round the mountain a hare was promptly found in Mr. Lushington’s ground, which afforded a very short run indeed. Evidently this was a very faint-hearted hare, as it almost refused to run, and the death penalty was the consequence. The hounds killed in Mr. Lushington’s orchard. After a short try round through Mr. A. Harris’ property, another hare was put up—quite a different customer to the last one, as this went right away, affording a first-class run. It was pleasant to see both the old and. young enthusiasts riding behind the pack. The country was open and level, and the pace fairly fast. This run also resulted in a kill, which speaks well for the manner in which the hounds are working. An adjournment was then made back to Mr. Laxon’s house, where the large hounds which had been kennelled up there were set free, and preparations made to have a drag. There was a firstclass drag laid across a carefully selected line of country which an enthusiastic Irishman resident in the district had laid off. All the obstacles, which were carefully flagged, consisted of a water jump, flight of hurdles, stake and bound fence, plain walls, walls with ditches both in front and on the landing side —in fact fences that would almost invite a regular tyro to ride at them. The drag was laid by Goodman, the whipper-in, and after 20 minutes’ law the hounds were laid on. There was the most enthusiastic wellmounted following that it has ever been our pleasure to see start after a drag. The pace was fairly fast, but we must compliment the hard-riding division on the improvement in the way in which they behaved during this run as compared with their conduct of the previous Saturday. There were sundry casualties, principally among our naval visitors, but no one was hurt, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the run. The ladies, also, had a splendid opportunity of distinguishing themselves, which they were by no means slow in taking advantage of, there being ample room for all participating in the sport. Another agreeable feature noticeable in connection with these Saturday’s hunts is the large turn out of spectators on wheels. TheGover r nor’s drag, tooled by Mr. Stewart behind a four-in-hand, was present during the day bringing a large concourse of visitors, who were thus enabled to view the surrounding country and see their friends enjoying the chase. Prominent among the followers of the run we noticed Mr. W. Laxon on that hero of many battles, old Lone Hand ; the brothers Tonks, Messrs. W. Bloomfield. J. W. Wallace, T. McLaughlin, R. Garrett, W. McLaughlin, Mrs. Bloomfield, Miss Percival, Miss Taylor, and Miss Campion. The Master, Mr. W. Percival, was unavoidably absent owing to his being busy preparing for the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting on Monday.