THE HUNT CLUB.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 882, 23 April 1877, Page 3

THE HUNT CLUB.

The opening meeting of the Hunt Club for the present season took place last Saturday. The tryst was at Colonel Packe’s, who, as last year, invited the members of the hunt and numerous friends to a capital lunch. This having been done -justice to with the proverbial hunger of hunters, the field throw off punctualfy at a quarter past two. Among those present were the master, Mr Cardale, on Terror, Mr Moore on Shamrock, Mr F. Brittan on Frostfish, Mr Egan on Paddeen, Mr Ernest Grey on a useful chestnut, Mr Keith on his new purchase Tom Fool, Mr J. J. Thompson on Marquis—own brother to Royalty, Mr W. Thompson on Swindle, Mr O. Thompson on Grey Robin, Mr E. O’Connell on Sailor Boy, Mr Johnston on a grey gelding, Messrs Crawley, Ffitch, Hayden, &c., and Mr J. Cotton on a Talisman gelding —Mr O’Brien’s recent purchase at Mr Nosworthy’s sale—which shaped remarkably well. A very large number of ladies graced the proceedings with their presence, and throughout the hunt the followers on wheels were in larger numbers than we have ever seen before on similar occasions. With the exception of a distinguished correspondent from the North, the field got, comfortably over the first obstacle in the form of an easy gorse fence, but the next jump at the back of the Rev. Mr Tun-ell's house was a rasper, and brought up the majority of the field. The Master, in company with Messrs Moore and Egan, gave a lead, and were then followed by some of the first flight men. Turning to the right, through a paddock along the railway line and over a ditch and bank, a heavy grass paddock brought the field to another awkward ditch and bank, at which there were a few refusals. Another bit of grass and a friendly gate took them on to Blake’s farm, where the going and jumping were both about the average. The next jump of any consequence was a high gorse fence, the only gap being stopped by a post and rail. This was pluckily charged by Mr O. Thompson, who came to grass on the right side ; while the rest of the field preferred the gates, which led them on to Mr G-aisford’s land. Two grass paddocks and a couple of stiff fences brought them into the Licensed Victuallers’ paddock, where they had a good double over two posts and rails, and then met with their first check. After the flasks had been consulted, and the cap circulated —which was responded to in a most liberal spirit —the hounds tnrew off again into Grant’s paddock, from which they crossed the road leading to the racecourse, which gave a nice double. The hounds then turned to the right, leading the field over a post and rail fence. A wide paddock was here crossed, the pace being very merry, after which a ditch and bank were successfully negotiated, followed by a post and rail fence, and they came on to the old river-bed reserve. The hounds then doubled back to Richardson s old place, near the racecourse, and then a turn to the right brought them out on to the road, and after a few more fair hunting fences had been crossed, the run was brought to a close near the Middle Bark Stud Farm. The hounds, which wore on the gross side of condition, were well handled by Bob Vallance as huntsman, and the whip Johnny, as last season, worked handily and well.