First Stag Hunt in New Zealand.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 30 July 1891, Page 2

First Stag Hunt in New Zealand.

What was advertised as the first stag hunt in New Zealand took place under r the. .auspicies of the United Iluut Club, at Miram.it on Saturday last. There was a large field, and the meet was attended by a great many residents from town, some on horseback and others in traps. About a quarter of an hour before the start pick Roake*, the huntfsmen. rode iip with the hounds,; All around the hillsides . were covered with spectators, Wjhile close oh 200 horsemen lined the roadways writching the uncarting of the stagj' tyhich took place about half a'ttiile off 1 the road. ,On being liberated the .stag gave two or three little jumps, , and then commenced grazing in an unconcerned, manner. A crack, or. ,two of a whip warned hini, however,' to be up, and stirring* and he moved forward in an easy matter of fact way. The huntsmen then went back an 4 got the bounds, which did not seem to realise that the stag was in any way oonnected with the scent that they were , following up.. The poor little animal soon got into trouble owing to a number of the huntsmen cornering him near some wire fencing, but the hounds coming up, he broke away and. wont' across a paddock towards the outbuildings, presumably intent upon getting back; to his looaebox. On his way. -the stag came to a stookyard in, which a* number of cows were herded and m indescribable scene: ensued, for horse, men, hounds, cows, and stag got mixed up in the utmost oonfusiont The poor beast appetu^oy to be paralysed with fear; and itwasjwme time before the huntsman succeeded in whipping the hounds away. One would have thought that; the. experience so far would have convinced those responsible that to continue the hunt would be cruelty to the stag. But -no; for being recaptured^ the poor animal was taken across .he road -at the end of what appeared, to onlookers to be . a piece' of string — and liberated again. This time the quarry went in a straight line for the kennels, jumping through a wire fence, and so speeding oh. When about a chain or so from his loose box he was again capturiedi and much to the relief of the spectators the hunt ended. -N. Z. Zimti. !