GERALDINE BEAGLE CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1174, 6 May 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE BEAGLE CLUB.

"We were by the old wood, and we heard the old cry • Od's rat ye degs, mind her ; Hi W roller, lad, hi,' We saw the old hare steal away through the s?*Pj Whilst young Tom cheers the hounds with a wave of his cap." The opening meet of the above Club was held, as advertised, on Friday last at the kennels, where it the lime for starting a considerable number had issembled, and we were pleased to sea many of our old friends included. The weather was exceptionally fine, and it would be difficult to find a more capable looking gathering of both men and horses. We are deterred from making special mention of any, as where all were so good so to do would be invidious. Punctually-to time a move was made for the lawn, where a hare was known to have recently taken up its abode. She was found to be'at home, and led away at a brisk pace, giving a fairly stiff post and rail as a trial jump, and it plainly sho.ved the annual improvement in the class of horses brought into tne field that all those who had come out with the intention of riding straight got over it without any difficulty or hesitation. The line being iu the direction of the settlements, the second fence was from Mr A. L. Barker's to the road, and was cleared by twenty-two horsemen and ladies without a baulk. About eight of the most of the enthusiastic huntsmen followed the hounds over an awkward line of country, through the settlements in the direction of Mr Elisor's woolshed, and in doing so one young gentleman met with a nasty spill, his horse kicking at him while on the ground. Fortunately the consequences were not serious. The remainder of the field, and those who had come on wheels to see the nporfc, stopped on the road until the houDds, having lost the hare, were brought back. Mr J. Paterson's paddock was next tried, and a rattling chorus, with puss viewed awaj r eastward, raised hopes of some fun in store, but a rapid turn to the left brought us again face to face with the settlements, where thick flax and tussocks proved too much for the pack. A third rnre was found on Mr Paterson's farm, ul.iJi Vv crossing a deep and muddy cr-.elc apucdily placed all but a few adventurous spirits hors de combat, and we are unable to say what occurred until we joined the Master, after having traversed a very circuitous route, and were informed that the hounds had been successful in killing and devouring their quarry. A second kill was finally achieved, and then, it being late, the hounds were whipped off, and most of those present availed themselves of the Master's hospitality by returning to Waiuui, where luncheon was laid in anticipation of their arrival. The jumping throughout was first-clas3, our Geraldine friends especially being in great form, and it was pleasing to see the rising generation showing great promise .of future proficiency in the art of riding to hounds and not over them. We cannot say, like our Waimate friends, that at any given time the pack could have been covered by a sheet, still they showed the great care that has boon taken io their selection. ————■—^gi