CHRITSTCHURCH HUNT CLUB

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2245, 9 May 1881, Page 3

CHRITSTCHURCH HUNT CLUB

The opening meeting of the Ohristchurch Hunt Club came off on Saturday last. The trysting place was the "' Greys" at Upper Biccarton, where the master, Mr F. Egan, entertained the members of the hunt at a capital lunch prior to throwing off. About two o'clock a-., adjournment was made to a paddock of Colonel Packe's, where a start was shortly effected. There were present amongst others the master on Eversley, Mr Eimbor, on the clever jumper that took second prize at the Agricultural Bbow ; Mr Dundas on Levant; the two Messrs Ford, one on old Traveller and the other on a brown mare who fenced in nice form ;Mr Leach on the Opera colt; Mr Haydon on his favorite grey ; Mr J. Wilkin on his big chesnut; Mr Newton, Messrs Orange and Piper, and many others, not omitting the huntsman, F. Turner, on Sockburn, a big brown, and the whip, Miller, on a powerful grey. Altogether there were abcu one hundred horsemen present and several of the fair sex. Several carriages and Mr Leaoh's drag also put in an appearance. Turner brought out twelve and a half couple of hounds, including the new arrivals (all old dogs), and the young hour dr. About 230 a start was made towards 001. Packe's house, where a hare was found in the shrubbery. She gave them a roundabout sort of a run, in the course of which the hounds broke on to a fresh hare who took them away in the direction of the church. Meeting, however, a lot horses of on the road, she doubled back for the gravel, pit, where there was a slight check, the huntsman paying attention to one or two of the old favorite hounds picked it up straight for Middleton station. It was anioe country, over a few posts and rails and gates. There was another oheck at the line, and, not finding, the Master gave orders to try for a fresh hare on the other side of the line. A paddock was here drawn with no success. A cut was then made. Shortly after a hare was found in a garden of Mr Tully's. She gave another roundabout run, during whioh a fresh hare was started, taking the hounds off for a Bhort time. The huntsman, depending upon two or three of his old hounds, stuck to the first hare, and soon killed. While Turner was blooding the pups a fresh haro was started, the hounds put on, and killed within two paddocks, the hare being eaten by the dogs before any one could get up. A small pieoe of mangel and carrots was then drawn from whioh a hare was started, and, unfortunately, soon run into without much cross country work. This, considering the scent was very indifferent, brought a very fair afternoon's sport to a termination, and the hounds working very well on a oold-Boented day. After a dooh an' dorris at the Greys the hunters returned well satisfied with their opening day.