HUNT SEASON OPENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 969, 12 May 1930, Page 14

HUNT SEASON OPENS

PAKURANGA CLUB’S MEET VICE-REGAL PARTY PRESENT The only disappointment at the official opening of the Pakuranga Hunt at Hast Tamaki on Saturday was the scarcity of hares. A beautiful autumn day greeted the record attendance of followers and visitors, but the turf was too hard and dry. Mr. H. BullockWebster, master of the hunt, presided at the hunt breakfast, held in the East Tamaki Public Hall. Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe. were present, and took a keen interest in the proceedings. In extending a welcome to them Mr. Bul-lock-Webster said that the farmers were especially pleased at the opportunity of meeting them, as their interests were so closely related. In tracing the history of the Pakuranga Hunt, he said it was the oldest" club in New Zealand, being formed 60 years ago. The first pack of hounds was brought out by Sir George Grey, and despite hard times which had intervened, the club was still going strong. Good feeling betwen the hunt and the farmers had been sustained through all those years, and so long as the members of the hunt continued to play the game, that good feeling would continue. Regret was expressed at the absence through illness of Mr R. Neale, the secretary of the club. Cheers were then given for the farmers, who, Mr. Rullock-Webster said, were the backbone of the country and the best friends that the hunt had. Mr. A. W. Hall, M.P. for Hauraki, on behalf of the farmers of the district, extended a cordial welcome to their Excellencies. On rising to reply, the GovernorGeneral was greeted with prolonged applause. He said that he was not sure whether he could be classed as part of the backbone of the country, or as one of the political parasites. He expressed the delight of his wife and himself at being present, # and wished the hunt a successful season. He said that in a community, such as New Zealand, where the population was 99 per cent. British, he trusted sport would always hold its proper place. He thanked them for the very kind reception. The pack then moved to the property of Mr. Fred Wright, and after a long draw, which led through Mr. J. Ross’s farm, a quarry was chopped before it cculd make a getaway. The pack was kept at work through several of the surrounding properties, but without success. Luring the afternoon a number of obstacles was encountered, which tested the skill of the field. At the conclusion of the meet afternoon tea was served in the hall. Among the followers were: Mr. H. Bullock-Webster, master of the hunt, on Tally Ho; Mr. P. H. Smith, huntsman, on Harkaway; Mrs. P. H. Smith, on Molly; Mrs. H. R. Grierson, on Bachelor; Mrs. Urquhart, on Karaka; Miss E. Lloyd, on Safe Conveyance; Miss Shirley Watkins, on Kildare; Miss Lot Weston, on Bluelight; Miss P. Weston, on Major; Miss C. Weston, on Mac; Miss E. Martin, on "Vixen; Miss F. Mason, on : Dandy; Miss V. Webster, on Silver; Miss P. Nicholas, on Stellatour; Miss Sheila Butlei-, on Trixie; Lady Ann Walpole, on Micky; Miss Una Bennett, on Dick; Mr. G. H. Bishop, on Moriana; Mr. B. Myers, on Bowler; Mr. A. Walker, on Ritz; Mr. M. Johnson, on Jack; Mr. A. E. Watkins, on Mercury; Mr. G. Wyllie, on Marquis; Mr. O. Self, on Thelma; Mr. W. S. Duder (Clevedon), on Arakiwai; Mr. W. J. Gore (Clevedon), on Scotty; Mr. N. J. Sutherland (Clevedon), on Kiwi; Mr. J. McPherson (Clevedon), on Kink; Mr. H. Sutherland, on Chum; Mr. H. Grierson, on Salvo; Mr. W. E. Ward, on Tip; Mr. G. Chamberlain, on Sol; Mr. V. Graham, on Morgan; Mr. Murray Walker, on Ginger; Mr. J. Holt, on Checker; Mr. J. P. Brown, on Kaiawa; Mr. R. Gourlay, on Sandy Mac; Mr. A. G. Quarterly, on Four Feathers; Mr. R. H. Carroll (Clevedon) on Aloha; Mr. J. Adams, on Fashion; Mr. C. Wallace, on Jumbo; Mr. L. Keys, on Digger; Mr. A. Bellingham, on Penny Gift; Mr. A. Hamilton, on Stonewall.