NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1919, Page 7

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

OPENING MEET. Favored with ideal weather and country eminently suitable for the purpose, the 1919 season of the North Taranaki Hunt Club was opened under auspicious circumstances at Mr. L. Birdling's farm, Lepperton, on Thursday. Proceedings opened with two jumping competitions, the first, for new members, attracting a field of nine, Mrl' Arthur Cole, on Ladybird, being awarded Ist honors, Jim Northcott's Mick 2, and C. Woods' Patronale 3.

No fewer than nineteen competitors contested the honors in the open jumping event) and the interest never lagged; the winner turning up in Mr. Woods, the second trophy going to Mr. Eric Rose. At the close of the jumping a start was. made for the hunt, the. huntsman (Mr. E. Mason) being in the van. Near the beach a hare was sighted, and put in some sterling work that led the riders back across Mr. Birdling's farm before, an escape was made in ; gorge.. A. second hare led the huntsmen a merry course that included a good deal of fencing. An adjournment was then made to •the homestead, where Mr. and Mrs, Birdling entertained the huntsmen and party. The master (Mr. A. H. Halcombe), in returning thanks for the.hospitality, ?nd also for permission to. hunt over the property and those adjoining, expressed , his pleasure at seeing so many returned; soldiers present, and mentioned that those ,who desired to follow.the hounds would be enrolled members, free of s\ib-„ scription for .,- ~ ,■•'■'-*■ A fair number of iltydies,followed tlv,ej ; fortunes of the riders, .with keen, (interest throughout. .It wa«..noted.that.upwards of 17 motor car* were, drawn ;y'p at the homestead during,the afterpoon,. A c*|l -of'three cheers for. Mr, BirdliriS!, for the returned soldiers, and for tree farmers brought a. very ;Wppy day to an end. ... v ., ; . r '■._'.'