WAIKATO HOUNDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 313, 23 July 1896, Page 8

WAIKATO HOUNDS.

The usual weekly meet took place at Pukekura on Saturday, 18th inst., when a very large field was in attendance, including some dozen ladies. Punctually at eleven the hounds were thrown off in a paddock near Mr R. Reynolds, and were very soon on the scent, but the day being very cold, with strong westerly wind, and squally, it did not lie well; but after some time the hare was worked to the swamp on the Waikato River bank, then up the gully at the end of the swamp, back towards the homestead, and was eventually lost. Mr Hine then tried in a paddock of green oats, near to the Cambridge West township, and a fine hare was set going at once, which ran right through the township, through at least twenty different acre allotments, and then doubled back for Reynolds’ house, through the lawn in front, and down tne road fbr some quarter of a mile, when she was killed, after a long run with very little jumping. At one fence Magpie came to grief, but the rider, Mr J. Corner, was not hurt. We then tried near Mr Corner’s house, aud in two or three minutes were off again, right to Mr Tobias Hicks’, but the scent being 1 so bad, puss gave us the slip. The orchard was then drawn and a puss soon found, which ran round part of the farm and across the avenue, but was lost after a short run. One lady had a spill during this run, through her stirrup leather breaking, and a leading auctioneer’s horse got strung up on a rail,, but no serious damage was done. Bridgman’s farm was then drawn, and a hare found, which ran through Hart Hicks’ to Vosper’s, and through the swamp, up the Pukekura Hills for about a mile, then doubled to the right to F. Hicks’, where she was killed, after one of the longest runs this season, only some five or six being in at the death. By this time it was after five o’clock, so a start was made for home. The wind had dropped during the last run, which made the scent much better. We are in the same box as other hunt clubs with regard to a great number following who are not members, and I think that everyone who takes part in the sport should assist financially, to the best of their ability. Waikato.