NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5, 3 May 1912, Page 5

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

FIRST STRATFORD MEET. The first meet in the Stratford district under the auspices of the North Taranaki Hunt took place .yesterday afternoon, the locale being _Mr. Sparkes’ property at Ngaere. Visitors from the North included eleven from Waitara, two from Roll Block, and four from New Plymouth. Altogether, about forty followed the hounds. The visitors included two ladies. The throw-off was at one o’clock, and hares were being put up steadily until 4 o’clock. There were, perhaps, too many hares, the hounds leaving one they had all but run down to follow a fresher one. Three kills resulted. Af•;er the run very acceptable afternoon ■jea was provided by Mrs. Sparkes. '1 he ocal hunters made a good showing, demonstrating that with a little schooling they will soon become expert. The Hunt looks forward to a good raem-n-rsbip in Stratford, and hopes to hid land-owners appreciating the benefit to them of having their country Hinted over. The Master, Mr. A. H. Salcombe, had eleven couples of lounds, which worked well. The v:sit:rs from the North deserve special hanks for attending, some having to •ide considerable distances to the railway. Amongst those present were Messrs. "A. H. Halcomlm on Tangamoma, Cliff on Kiri and Kura, H. Matthews on Rua and Star Rose, Chaney m Drudgery, N. Bewley, J. Smith ou Muey, R. George on Red Hazard, W. dole on Darkey, J. Cole on TJruti, G. l 1 oreman on Barney, L., Jenuugs on caddie, Miss Street,on Brownie, Mrs. viatthews on Malapin, Mr. G. Skelton ,m Baton. Messrs. Davy on Nero, H. Masters on Darkle, P. Burgess on ■'fester, J. Brannigan on Paramount, E.< Jackson on Barney, F. Gooch on Dolly, C. Diamond on Jerry, J. Beetle on Cranncy, T. Carson on Plugger Dill, Sparkes, H. Crawford, J. Brake, W. Jollins, and H. Hobbs. We are indebted to an enthusiastic huntsman who followed the hounds yesterday for the following account of uhe proceedings:— About twenty members of tlie North Taranaki Hunt Club, together with their horses, arrived in Stratford yesterday morning by the 10 o’clock train, including in their runnier the Master, Mr! A. H. Halcombe, .aid the Huntsman, Mr. A. Cliff, with ois fine pack of hounds, their object icing the first meet of the Stratford oranch, neld at Ngaere yesterday afternoon. Quite a number also arrived later ou horse-back and in motbr-cars, from Waitara and Inglewood. These wore strengthened by a large contingent from Stratford, and about 1 o’clock 50 horsemen and a number of md.es left the town for the scene of action, Mr. Sparks’ ideal hunting ground at Ngaere. Previous to casting off, Mr. McAllister photographed tiie party, after which the hounds were sooii in full cry. The first obstacle mot with, however, proved too much for two of Stratford’s leading lights, and they measured their lengtn an the grass, much to the amusement of their comrades. The hare ran very strongly, and was soon lost in Mr. ihomas’s property. The next hare put up provetl more “sport,” giving the huntsmen a lively run, and resulting in a kill after a run of about five miles over some very stiff country, the horses on the whole taking the fences in lino style. In all six good runs were made, and a result of three kills was' recorded, the hounds being called off at 4.30 p.m.j after which an adjournment was made to Mr. Sparks’ homestead where afternoon tea was placed before the now hungry huntsman, to which full justice was clone,

Mr. Halcombe, on behalf of the North Taranaki Hunt. Club, thanked Mr. Sparks and his family for so kindly throwing open his property for the bunt, and also for the hospitality extended to the visitors, ending by calling for three cheers for Mr. Sparks and family, which were heartly responded to. Mr. E. Jackson, on behalf of the Stratford members and visitors, thanked Mr. Halcombe and the members of the North Taranaki Hunt Club for providing such a splendid afternoon's amusement, and hoped that the meet would be the forerunner of many other such enjoyable ones. He also thanked Mr. Sparks and the Ngaere settlers for the use of their land for the purpose of the hunt, and the ladies for so kindly providing afternoon tea, calling for three cheers for the members of the Hunt Club who had come from North. The party then returned to Stratford, being well pleased with their afternoon's sport. The thanks of the Club are due to Mr. A. J. Davey, the local secretary, who made all arrangements in connection with the meet, and it sp.caks volumes for him that everything passed off without a hitch.