THE HUNT CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 630, 8 May 1882, Page 2

THE HUNT CLUB.

The Ashburton Hunt Club, as briefly noticed in our last issue, opened. their season on Saturday, when the hounds met near Mr Saunders’ residence. Shortly before two o’clock upwards of fifty horsemen assembled at the trysting place, and the adjoiningroads were largely patronised by carriage people and other spectators. The dragman was sent away in good'time, but, unfortunately, before the hounds were lain on a downpour of rain,, lasting for some minutes, effectually destroyed the scent, and reduced the ground to such a slippery condition that jumping proved a very precarious pastime, and' no’ wires having been removed from the fences, falls were very frequent. The hounds made the best of the scent across the main south road on to Mr Smith’s property, towards the head of the saleyards, and again turning their heads towards the river led' at a better pace across some heavy stubble land, and turning away to the left's’few treacherous wire fences had to be negotiated before the ki’l, near Mr Hunt’s. After a few minutes’ breathing time Mr John Hunt took the drag and selected some rasping fences over which - to finish the day’s sport. Although falls were so numerous we heard of only one’ serious accident—a broken finger; but ,we have today noticed several facial blemishes, limps, and stiffness, which J the owners affirm will be speedily cured by another outing. Considering the disadvantages under which they labored the hounds worked fairly well, and will doubtless' go on improving. It is needless to say that the huntsman (Mr E. Saunders), bii AllFours, was always there. The master (Mr 11. T. Winter) was well mounted and rode straight, but above this, by his genial manner and kindly concern for the amusement of all, showed himself ore-emineatly the right man in the right place. Amongst many others, we were pleased to . notice Messrs Hutchinson, Crawley, Stitt, Denshire, Hunt, and Laarmouth well to the fore, and Mias Saunders rode gracefully and with remarkable determination until her horse cried “ago.”