ROUND ABOUT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 13, 13 May 1912, Page 7

ROUND ABOUT.

I IN THE BACKBLOCKS WITH DOG AND GUN. AX INTERESTING TRIP. Looking in the very best of form,' Mr G. I). Hunter yesterday returned I to Stratford after spending ten days in Taranaki's hinterland in pursuit of | game. Fine weather was experienced throughout, the finest day (WednesI day) being the only one on which serious rain fell. Everybody found tfte weather much warmer among the low hills and valleys, sunburn being part of the programme. The party walked the whole of the way, and estimate that two hundred miles was covered. Sixteen brace of pheasants were se--5 cured, and ducks, quail and shags }. brought the total bag to 50 brace. All f three men were in the best of fettle | ! after their long walk, and they are 1 i all load in their praises of the treatI ! ment they received all along the line. %l In no instance was permission to | i shcofc refused and everybody came fori\ ward with offers of suggestions as to 1 where birds could be looked for. Mr I Hunter examined the Maori tort at Taj ; hore, being much entertained by the remains of the fortifications. A special feature of the route was the fine scenery encountered at various spots. The party, consisting of Messrs Hunter, 11. Campbell, and W. 11. ] Davics, left Stratford by train on I April :50th for Waitara, motoring thence to Urenui. On the following day, Wednesday, shooting was started at ITvuti. it was a wet, stormy day and the leathered population was,not depleted to any considerable ektcht. > That night was spent with Mr Wells. % On Thursday Mount Messenger was 1 climbed, the party shooting «P the £ Tongaporutu valley. The shearers en- ! tertained the party right royally. $ From Okau on Friday morning the % kill to date was forwarded to Strat--3 ford. Lunch was taken at Kotare. I (From Kotare, it will be remembered, I a progress report was telegraphed, I scandalously overstating the dimenI sions of the bag.) Kotare is at,the 1 point where the road to Mangarba I branches oil. Here they were again I royally entertained, Mr T. Sheehan do- \ ing all he could to make the stay of ] the party pleasant, in addition point"k ing out the places where birds could if be looked For. At noon on Saturday I Kotare war; left, and the party proI ceeded up to the head waters of the II Tongaporutu. It was found that two i men from New Plymouth had already I shot over the route, but pheasants || were, notwithstanding, fairly plentiI ful. Ihe scenery in the head waters || was greatly admired by all. Saturday isi night was spent at Mr Burton Smith's |l house. Sunday was passed in this, II locality, but the success with the |j birds was indifferent. On Monday I night Mi- Hngh McLeod's, Tahore, was is I reached. They met with a great roll ception from the genial "Hughie," I! who next day showed them ov<m- the 1| surrounding country, a good day roll suiting. That day (Tuesday) the \\ tracks of a big boar were crossed and I' Wednesday was devoted to hunting '{j; him. It took (lie whole day to locate \ and dispose of him; and it is darkly Ij hinted that one of the hunters was fi allowed to have a ride on him before II ln< was despatched. On Thursday I] the three hunters—one by name and I j three by nature—worked down t« II Whangamomona. Mr Hunter cam! I into Stratford on Friday, the rest oi I the party following later.