THE JOYS OF HUNTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12, 5 May 1914, Page 6

THE JOYS OF HUNTING.

THE MEET AT MR CON NETT'S.

(By “Visitor” in “Taranaki Herald.”) 'l)hat the North Taranaki Hunt has been singularly fortunate in the auspicious opening of its 1914 season there can be no doubt. Happy as was the meet at Mr Birdling’s beautiful farm on the 23rd nit., it can be said, without fear of contradiction, that the hunting provided at Mr J. B. Counett’s, Bell Block, on the 30th, was “one better.” in fact, any follower of hounds who would want or expect a better hunt than this would be very hard to please indeed. In regard to climatic conditions, the day was an ideal one for hunting, there being practically no wind, nor bright sun, and the atmosphere being mild and humid ho scent “lay” well, and hounds ran hard and last all the time. Mr Connett’s farm is closely sub-divi-ded, as a good dairy farm ought to-be. His fences are solid and very well kept, so that the followers had considerably more than the usual amount of jumping. With commendable forethought, Mr Connett and his men had “sparred” the big wire fences, and trimmed and “flagged” some of the gorse fences. They still remained quite formidable obstacles, and it speaks volumes for the class of horses, and riders when it can be chronicled that only one faulty jump was witnessed during the meet, and in this case the rider was up and into the saddle again at once. It might be well for readers to observe right here that “men do not hunt to ride but men ride to hunt.” That is to say there is much more in the hunt than the mere matter of a gallop over country. True hunting men love,, more particularly, to watch the keen working of the pack; also do they love to note the real cunning of the hare. The matter of a “kill” is immaterial. What could possibly be more enjoyable or health-giving than riding # a, good hunter over such delightful country as that found at Bell Block,, accompanied by the music of such a keen and well-conditioned pack of hounds as is now being so ably hunted by Mr Norman Pepperill,

“Each season has its joys, ’tis true. And none should wisdom spurn; -But those who nature rightly view, Enjoy them .each in turn: The angler, racer, courser, shot— As each to each is bourne; • But the season of seasons, is it not, When the huntsman winds his horn?”

It is au admitted fact that the deepest and most intense pleasure is derived from the amount of pleasure and gladness we can help to bestow upon our fellows. Mr and Mrs John Oonnettj therefore, • must have been very happy indeed, and they looked it, for their hunt and their hospitality may be equalled, but it could not be surpassed. The members ol the Hunt Club are more indebted to the farmers for placing their lands at the disposal of -the Hunt than wbrds could possibly describe. The farmers of North Taranaki are second to none in New Zealand in this respect. Their district is delightful, and very suitable for hunting over. The younger farmers turn out remarkably well to the meets, and it only’ now remains for many more of the townsfolk to come forward as active members and support the club in a practical way. They can be assured of the very best of sport, and they will receive a cordial and genuine welcome from the farmers over whose land the -hunts take place. In this way will farmers and townsmen, and their lady folk, be brought into closer and more sympathetic touch with each other, and in this way, too, will the North Taranaki Hunt continue on its success! ul career.