CANTERBURY HUNT CLUB.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 918, 4 June 1877, Page 3

CANTERBURY HUNT CLUB.

A oapital run after the hounds of the above Club took place on Saturday. The meet ,'was at Anderson's Hotel, Prcbblcton. The lino was over some excellent hunting country selected by Mr Haydon. The time fixed for the meet was 2.30 p.m., a little after which time Mr Barker, who acted as master, arrived with the Christchurch contingent, consisting of Messrs Brittan, A. Cox, Egan, O. Thompson, W. Keith, Woodman, jnr., and several others. After trotting about half a mile out of the township the hounds were laid on to the line, which was over a fair hunting country, there being several doubles, which were by no means to be despised. From what could be seen from the road, Vallance, the huntsman, got one or two fails, and not being able to persuade his horse to show the way, it loft it open for Mr Brittan, on Royalty, and the master, on Frostfish, to do so. After about four miles with plenty of jumping, the first run ended over a stiff double. The huntsmen's horse refusing allowed, Royalty to lead some half dozen out of the thirty who started , to the deai,h. By a clever stratagem on the ! part of the huntsman the hounds after half an ' hour's check were laid on to the line in a dif-

ferent direction to what the majority of the field expected. This gave the hounds some mile and a half start of the field, which they were not slow in picking up. The line of the second run lay over a much stiff er and heavier description of country than the first, crossing the Leeston railway line and going towards the Lake. Here Mr Brittan on Eoyalty had more than once to lead the way over some regular "oxers," pounding the rest of the field, Eoyalty never once turning his head from anything, which cannot be said of any of the other horses. Frostfish and Hard Times did very well, but had to say no once or twice when something beyond the common had to be negotiated. Mr Brittain led the way into the road near the finish before any of the other horses could be prevailed to get over a fence two fields away. A nasty ditch full of water on the landing side, which had to be jumped off this road, brought to grief one sportsman who had gone remarkably well. The best mounted of the others got safely over, the rest wisely finding a convenient gate. After another stiffish jump the drag was run into in the middle of one of Mr Haydon's stubble paddocks, the leading division comprising Messrs Brittain, Barker, Cox, Egan, Woodman, and •Keith, in the order named. Taken altogether, the run was one of the best of the season, the hounds running splendidly together. Great credit is due to Mr Haydon for his careful selection of country. It is probable that another meet will be held in the neighborhood before the end of the season, when it is to bo hoped that as good an afternoon's sport will be afforded both to those who followed the hounds, and to those who preferred taking the road for it and looking on.