THE SPRINGBOKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1921, Page 5

THE SPRINGBOKS.

A DAY WITH THE HUNTSMEN. ENJOYED DESPITE THE RAIN. The wet weather prevailing for th« greater part of yesterday interfered with arrangements for what would have proved an interesting and unique day. Th< South Africans had been invited by Mn A. H. Halcombe, Master of the North Taranaki Hunt Club, to take part in a hunt over his picturesque “Ferngrove,” at Urenui. The were taken by local motorists, leaving; town about mid-da}’, but the driving' rain prevented the South Africans front! seeing much of the interesting, undulate ing country on the wayL On arrival at “Ferngrove” Mr. Hah combe had a splendid luncheon prepar* ed, which was done due justice to< Well-known huntsmen were presents from South as well as North Taraiutki, but it could be seen that the prograrumef arranged could not be carried out on acH count of the rain. The visitors and( others of the party, however, accepted! the situation philosophically, and on lhe! verandah and iu the sitting-room be* guiled the time interestingly 441 songfc story and conversation The South ricans between times gave their Zultt, war cry, Boer folk songs, and their cently acquired Maori cry, and other* wise entertained the company. Tha host was assiduous in his attention, amfl was greatly helped by lady supporters ofj the Hunt Club. At about 3.30 the rain clouds and the blue sky emerged. This the signal for the huntsmen and hunt®-* women to get out their horses and the hurdles that had been erected in the®/ front paddock. The ground was sod-* den and slippery, but this did not deta4 the intrepid horsemen and horse--women from facing the obstacles. Lal /f! they put their steeds over j, neighboring barbwire fence. One of the ladies exhibited perfect horsemanship and con. trol, and her achievement elicited the plaudits of the visitors. One or two of the latter also mounted the hunter®, and» gave a display which was quite divert-

ing. Afternoon tea was then partaken of.

Mr. McLeod, on behalf of the assembled company, and particularly that section representing the Taranaki Rugby, Union, expressed his very cordial thanks* to Mr. Halcombe and members of fhft North Taranaki Hunt for the generous way in which they had treated them, that day. They had taken off tkuj shouiders of the Taranaki Rugby Union* and also the New Zealand Rugby Una ion, the responsibility for entertaining the South African team. That WW3 something they heartily appreciated* quite apart from the enjoyable day given? them. ’ They had been unfortunate re* warding the weather, but that was somtojj thing over which they had no contvo® Continuing, Mr. McLeod assured thd South African visitors that it was their) desire that they should feel absolutely at home. “We want you to learu ta know and appreciate us, and just as we( find members of the hunt going out of? their way to show their hospitality, so, you will find people everywhere else ini New Zealand ready to do the same Wej want to get to know you. There is no| need to enlarge, upon the Imperial! aspect of the visit. We feel we ail be< long to one large family, and your will give us an opportunity of getting) to know you better, and for us to -hoiM that we feel that you are cousins ot ours. Just as this cordial feeling is extended towards your team so are 01115 feelings toward the whole of SouU| Africa.” Mr. McLeod then called for thred hearty cheers for Mr. Halcomb • and th® Hunt. Cheers were also given for thj ladies. Mr. Pienaar (captain of the team I, in response, assured those pi esent deeply they appreciated the given to them. "We feel u. home,'’ he 1 said, “in every respect, except, one, and that is the weather, but of couwe 101 that you are not responsible. In spit® of this, however, we have enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. lam very pleased to think we’ve had this opportunity oi making closer acquaintance with you As Mr. McLeod has said, we are cousins; and appreciate this fact still more so so far" as the ladies are concerned! (Laughter). We feel we cannot thanl® you sufficiently for everything you kavq done for us, and will never forget thd right royal welcome that w’as given us on our arrival in New Plymouth. What with the band playing and the largq crowd that assembled we felt we werjj being treated like royalty.” Mr. Halcombe acknowledged the kinds ly references to himself and the Huntf and assured them that it had given thenot a great deal of pleasure to have rlfi| South Africans with them that noon. They considered it a privilege to have done something towards enten taining such distinguished visitors. H 4 went on to say that whilst one sectioq of the community was keen on football others were equally keen on hunting and pointed out that sportsmen whet ther footballers or huntsmen, had nmc| in commo®, aad it was desirable to < tivate true sporting relations he» ■. ”?j them. In conclusion, he express I hit indebtedness to the ladies who bid sc generously come forward to their asj sistance, and said all were amply by seeing the visitors enjoy thcmselvei and making themselves at home. Further cheers were given for th) ladies. In response to a call front members of the visiting team tou a speech from the ladies. Mi*®; ’Jom' .-nmt forward and said: "Thank you \el7j much indeed for your heart y wishes.” A start for New Plymouth we- mmli at 4.30, the weather being nne Tib town was reached an hour