HUNTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 270, 24 April 1915, Page 7

HUNTING.

MORE SUPPORT WANTED. Another -hunting season is about to open, and the North Taranaki Hunt Club will hold\ its opening meet nextThursday over the property of Mr. W. Birdling, •at Waitara. Favouring the policy of "sport as usual" during the war, huntsmen in this district propose to 1 follow the sport as usual this year, and they feel that the time has come when hunting should receive more support from the farming community than has. been accorded in the past. This feeling was emphasised by a member of the committee of the North Taranaki Hunt in conversation with a News reporter yesterday. As a. whole, farmers in North Taranaki do not place any difficulties in the way of the hunt, but there have been cases whore farmers owning property w'vich is particularly suited to hunting have forbidden the hunt to cross their land. It is admitted by huntsmen that they do a certain amount of damage to property, but they always make good what damage they do, and they contend , that the .benefits which hunting brings to the farming community are so many that farmers should encourage hunting. The breeding of horses, for th 6 hunt contributes to a general improvement of the horseflesh of the district, and at the present time. when there is a demand for remounts for war purposes the hunter'has been found to supply the want with complete satisfaction. Then at agricultural shows —which are essentially exhibitions for the farmer—the huntsmen c»me in to supply horses which contribute to some of. the most interesting features of the ring. There are many other directions in which hunting brings benefits to the farmer, and huntsmen seek in return the assistance of farmers by placing their properties at the disposal of the hunt.