THE PAKURAWGA HARRIERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 268, 12 September 1895, Page 6

THE PAKURAWGA HARRIERS.

On Saturday last our destination was Penrose, and as we journeyed through the showers to the meet we could not help recalling the great run we had had, from the same point, round Mt. Wellington on a Wednesday some weeks ago. Punctual to time we espied the pack and the scarlet coats of our huntsman and whipper-in approaching. A move was made to the lower end of the Bailey Estate, where there is a cover of low native growth, amongst a mass of scoria rock. Here Selby threw off his hounds. With the injunction to “ G’over, G’over,” the pack scaled the high wall on the road-side and were soon busy in search of their quarry. The field gained admission a little lower down a by-road, where the wall was jumpable, and ascended the grassy slope of the hill to watch and await developments. From this point of observation the sight of the pack working in splendid style below was most picturesque and interesting.

See ! ’ow they range Dispersed, ’ow busily, this way and that, They cross, examinin’ with curious nose Each likely ’aunt. ’Ark! on the drag I ’ear Their doubtful notes, preludin’ to a cry More nobly full, and swelled with every mouth. After working for some five minutes, the doubtful notes were changed to a burst of melody, and with “ Tally-ho ! Gone away ! ” from the hillside, away the pack dashed in along stream after, a fine hare, which broke cover and darted away up the hill with the fleetness of the wind. To the right of tbe plantation she took her course and we soon found ourselves at the heels of the hounds as they sped across the fields sloping towards Panmure. On coming out on the road at the back of the estate we discovered puss had doubled and entered the .plantation again. The music of the pack, who were now lost to us in the cover, however, told us that they were keen on the scent. A big stone wall negotiated safely and we were with them again. Through the plantation puss led her pursuers, and out into the open beyond. Here, for some few fields, she took a line towards Panmure, and then the pack, speaking to the scent, swung to the left and ran in the direction of Sylvia Park. A stiff gate, in a wire fence, was thrown behind by the small and select field of ladies and gentlemen who were following, and then three substantial post and rail fences, and on we rattled to the top of the hill overlooking Sylvia Park. Our quarry was now heading straight for the Park, and as we were debarred from crossing this splendid piece of hunting country this day on account of the brood mares being at large, our “ whip ” hastened to head the hounds. In this he succeeded, and fortunately for us puss doubled on finding herself free from her pursuers, and was viewed as she attempted to reach her home by running in a wjde half circle. “ Forrard, forrard! Have at her! ” cried Selby, and the pack, hitting off the line, were soon chasing in full cry once more. After skirting the road leading to Panmure they swung to the left and raced over grass and plough towards the homestead. No prettier picture cotild be wished for than was then presented, and it is well described in the words of another—- “ The clear sky above, the wide expanse of country around, the refreshing air, the jovial spirits, the neighing steeds, and chiding hounds,

all in one rush of indescribable joy I ” On reaching the plantation the hounds once more dislodged their quarry from the cover she had sheltered in, and again she led them at a merry pace to the borders of Sylvia Park, and, doubling, raced for home. For some time on the flat bordering the road the pack were at fault, but eventually picked up the scent, and, making tbe welkin ring with a chorus of melody, ran without check almost to the homestead again. Puss was then viewed by some onlookers, moving slowly and looking tired and travel-stained, as she endeavoured to reach cover. In the hollow bordering the Otahuhu road she was turned by some new arrivals, and she again struck a course towards Panmure. The pack now over-ran the scent, and while “ feathering” put up a fresh hare, and were soon in full cry at her heels. This hare gave the hounds some trouble, and finally eluded her pursuers, as they were unable to wind her after checking at the back of the homestead. As that ardent class of sportsmen, the nonmembers, those gentlemen who delight in the enjoyment of sport at other people’s expense, who thrust when fences are small and shirk when they are big, and who never think a lady is entitled to consideration in the hunting field, were arriving in shoals and were over running the Bailey Estate, and making further sport there impossible, a move was made to Mount Smart. No sport, however, resulted, other than that produced by non-members in levelling stone walls in their efforts to get over them. I cannot close without another tribute to the ladies, who in the run of the day negotiated gates and fences with a nerve and in a style which would do credit to any hunting-field North or South of the Equator. First Flighter.