THE HUNT CLUB.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 574, 21 April 1876, Page 3

THE HUNT CLUB.

By the kind invitation of Colonel Packe, the members of the Hunt Club assembled at his residence at Riccarton for the first meet of the season yesterday. The lawn in front of the house at about noon presented a very animated appearance, between sixty and seventy horsemen being present, besides a large number of friends of the club being in attendance in carriages. Colonel Packe provided a most sumptuous luncheon upon the occasion, and it was open to all comers. A very large number of ladies were present. Every description of animal was to be seen, from Tommy Dodd and Auckland Kate down to the commonest of hacks. After lunch F. Hedge, the huntsman, mounted on Bruns wick, and R. Ray, as whip, on Daniel O'Connell, brought the hounds on to the lawn, and from thence the field trotted on to a paddock adjoining, where sport commenced. Amongst the horsemen present we noticed Mr Alfred Cardale (master), on a clever weight-carrying hunter; Mr P. Campbell, on Tommy Do-id ; Mr G. B. Parker, on a likely looking horse ; Mr C. F. Barker, on Doodlem Buck ; Mr Frank Brittan, on Royalty; Mr Bovey, on a chesnut; Mr P. W. Moore, on Pakeha: Mr E. G. Griffith, on Mormon; Mr G. Lee, on a remarkably cleverlooking upstanding bay; Mr F. Egan, on a useful chesnut; Mr W. C. Webb, on the familiar old grey mare; Mr H. &.nson, on an old steeplechaser; Mr L. Wileon, on a smart pony; Mr D. O'Brien, on Auckland Kate; Mr Woodman, on Wild Rose; Mr Higgot, on the Kasper colt; the Messrs Saunders Bros; Mr G. P. Williams; Mr Dampier Crossley; Mr C. F. Money; Mr H. Lunn, on Phantom; Mr O'Connell; Mr 0. F. Cradock, on auseful looking brown hunter ; Mr Bradley, on a brother of Alice Grey, and many others. Among those in carriages, and who were not able to obtain a mount for the occasion, we noticed Messrs K. Studholme. Henry Redwood, C. A. Fitzroy, F. W. Delamain, W. D. Lawrence, C. Dudley, and others. At one o'clock the hounds were laid on to the drag. After a cast or two they picked np the line, and went away at a clinking pace. The field, we were glad to see, was kept well in check by the master until the hounds were well over the first fence. The first to get over after the huntsman and whip were Messrs P. Campbell, Brittan, Barker, Lee, O'Brien, aud Moore. They . then slipped away across an awkward gully, with two or two small ditches and banks, and over a small gate on to the main South road. Leaving this a flight of hurdles brought them on to Mr Mathias' land. After two or three stiff gorse fences, which threw out the bulk of the field, a check occurred, which enabled them to come up again With a fresh cast Hedge went away for Mr Cook's farm, where a good double in and out of a road which brought two or three horsemen to grief, landed them close to the line of the South railway, whence they diverged to the right towards the Racecourse. A couple of post and rail brought them back again into the read, where a rather formidable gorse fence proved an obstacle to most. The line then taken was round Mr E. Dixon's farm, where the field was reduced to about a dozen. After jumping out of Mr Dixon's last pad : dock, the stragglers here joined again. They took two more fences into the open near the Racecourse Junction Railway Station, which brought the first run to a termination. The pace at which the hounds went throughout, considering their condition, was sufficient to Batisfy any one who hankered after a quick thing. During a welcome interval of about twenty minutes the visitors mußtered in strong force, in fact the gathering must have consisted of at least 200 people. From here they trotted off to Mr Ames' farm at Broadlands, where, owing to the heat of the day and the condition of the hounds,' it was thought advisable to commence the last run a little further on in the old river bed. from there they ran across a piece of f iir hunting country over the properties of Mr Prebble and others, the ladt fence into the road being a rasper, nearly bringing several horsemeu to grief. At this time the hounds were going at a rattling pace, which brought them on to Mr I Bovey's farm, where a fence, which would have been suitable to a steeplechase course, threw out the greater portion of the field. They here turned to the left in hopes of getting through a gate, which was found to be locked, where Mr Lee made the jump of * the day, clearing it in fine foim. After a slight check and a few more fair fences had been negotiated, the run was terminated on the property of the Hon Mr Robinson. We may congratulate the Hunt Club upon the great success which has attended their first meet. In Mr Cardale, judging from yesterday, the club have made a judicious selection as master. Throughout both runs this gentleman rode very forward, and showed a good deal of commendable tact in managing a large field of horsemen ; some, not to say many, of whom were out for tlie first time. The huntsman, F. Hedge, and

the whip, R. Ray, it is needless to say, were in front throughout, and handled the pack most creditably. The hunt was laboring under many disadvantages, such as a comparative ignorance of the hounds, and maiy of the horses being thoroughly out of condition Notwithstanding these, we believe that very general satisfaction was expressed as to the nature of the sport afforded; and when affairs are brought into better working order, there is no doubt that the Canterbury Hunt Club will be a success. We are glad to note that the farmers are liberal in the extreme in allowing the hunt to make use of their country, and that they may have the satisfaction of knowing that their kindness is thoroughly appreciated, and that the club will do their best to prevent unnecessary injury to property, and repair serious damages.