HUNTING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143473, 21 April 1911, Page 3

HUNTING.

NORTH TARANAKI HOUNDS. ’A SUCCESSFUL OPENING MEET. The North Taranaki Hunt held its first meet of the present hunting season at Mr: AV, Birdling’s property, AVaitara, yesterday. - The weather was faypurablo and there was a large muster of members following the hounds, as well as a big attendance of onlookers. Mr. Birdling’s property and the adjoining country offers an ideal hunting ground, and a most successful day’s sport resulted. Among those present wore the Master, Mr. A; H. Haloombo, op. Flying Scotchman, Deputy-Master H. Matthews on Rua, Huntsman A. Cliff on St. Myrtle, Messrs. C. Matthews on Drudgery, B. H. Chaney on Starlass, AV. H. Boulton on Pompey, L. Birdling on Bob, G. Foreman on Barney, P. Rigg (Hawera-Wanganui Hunt) on Cavalier, Lonergan on Singlet, H. 'Street on Brownie, AV. Cole on Nigger, Jennings on Laddie, L.' Lash, AV. Rose on To Akau, F. Carthew on Coolgardie, H. George on Starfish, P. Sampson on Darldo, Mabin on Fantail, E. Julian on Reynardeau, A. Brown on Kurna, and others. There was a full pack of 32 hounds, and all were in great fettle, affording ample testimony of the care received at the hands qf the huntsman. Them was one particularly fine run during tie afternoon, 'ju the course of which about five miles of country was traversed. The hare was driven from close to the beach and led the pack at a rattling pace across Mr. Birdling’s farm, on through Mr. Skelton’s, then through Mr. Cole’s, Mr. Foster’s, and into Mr. Wills’, where tho hounds got a' kill. It was a great run. Another puss was put up on Mr. Skelton’s property, and this took the hunt back to Mr. Birdling’s farm, where another kill resulted. There were a number of other short runs. The horses all appeared to be in excellent trim and fenced beautifully all the afternoon. During -the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Birdling hospitably entertained the club members, and the AVaitara Band was also in attendance at the homestead and rendered a capital programme of music. Mr. Halcombe, on behalf of the Hunt, extended hearty thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Birdling, and cheers were also given. In tho evening the members were thy guests of Mrs. Cusack at tho Masonit Hotel. Hero, too, Mr., Haloombo re ferred in felicitous terms ito the kindly and hospitable manner in which Mrs. Cusack always treated tho Hunt, and these remarks wore endorsed by the members with hearty cheers. At a general meeting of the Hunt during the day Mr. B. H. Chaney was unanimously elected deputy-master, and several mow members were admitted. Mr. Cliff, the huntsman, was also, presented during the currency of the meet with the gold-mounted whip won by tho Hunt’s hounds at the Palmerston show last November. The next meet will bo held on Thursday, the 27th instant, at Mr. H. Street’s, Bell Block.