THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 316, 19 July 1898, Page 3

THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

A fink day's sport was lia I on Saturday, and it really did one good to see the number that'not only rolled up (o the meet, hut also followed nc oss eountry, taking whatever came in thrir way in a determined ana businesslike manner. In these days wo hear a lot about'" women's rights," and naturally expect to ice the fair sex well to the front*, and .Saturday's hunt proved tiiey are not a whit behind the " sterner sex " when it conies to negotiating fences, etc., in a spin over paddceks. The meet was at Piokeriug's corner, and amongst those present I noticed the Master (Mr Douglas) on Sunbeam, the huntsman on Joker, and the whip on Parthenope. 1 was glad to see this mare has recovered from the severe laceration she received at Pukekura last season. Amongst the ladies were Mesdames Brown on Muscatelle, Martyn on Topsy, Farrer, Douglas and Pickering. Misses Walker on Doubtful, Pickering on'Dorothy, Main (2), Steele, Hunt (2), and Thompson. Messrs Pickering on Cingalee, Hanron on Gorton, R. Ramsay on Peacock, A. Ramsay on -Grasshopper, Wyatl on Gaptain, ISorman Banks on Neek-or Nothing, Nelson Banks on Thelma, G. Walker on Neddie, Hiuc on Happy Jack, R. Dorld on Mistake, Spsake on Cannon, Pennell on Kapai, Bach on Horse Chestnut, Selby on a colt, Hurd-Wood on a bay, and scores of others whom I did not know, and last (but not in the going) our old friend " Ned " Hewitt and Mrs Harry Kerr in a buggy. The first move was made in the paddock opposite Mr Pickering's house, where a hare was found. She made for the Hamilton Road, taking a line that furnished good clean going and exceptionally stiff jumps, which showed to advantage the skilful horsemanship of some of the fair followers. Pass crossed Mr Biiley's property to the ti-tree behind Mr May's, but the hounds, running at it great pace, soon hunted her out, and away she went through Messrs Main, Thorpe, and Pickering's farms, aud on to our worthy Master's (-state, where she dodged about a bit and then almost retrace'! her steps, and after giving us one of the best runs of the season was finally lost. Broadmeadows was then tried, and again we were off like the wind, and after another splendid run I thought my st"ed and I had both had enough, to we wended our way home. I wish, for the sake of your readers, I were a Whyte Melville or a Lindsay Gordon, I could then " a tale untold" that would be worth reading : but, unfortunately, lam not. Had I their talent I could fittingly compli' ment Miss Pickering, who came to grief over a stiff post aud rail fence when going at steeplechase pace, but was on and in the foremest rank again in a trice : and Master Willie Douglas, who " fled " a high gate, where a good many would have been pounded if It had not been opened. I could, perhaps, also have explained how it was that " Ned " and his fair companion always turned up at the right moment to succour the distressad and pour oil into their wounds—and I can assure you sonic of the wounds were gaping and took considerable " ile-ing"--and how Master Banks and his pony Thelma both tried to stand on their heads, and succeeded for a time. I was pleased to see the Messrs Ramsay, of Tauwhare, out. They are always well mounted and go straight, as sportsmen should, Unfortunately, Mr Dodd's mare, Miss Kate, was kicked and disabled, but Mr Pickering kindly furnished him with another mount. It was a splendid day's sport, and I counsel all who like hunting to make the most of the opportunity, for our friends in Tauranga have formed a Hunt Club, and want the hounds over there again at th 3 earliest possible moment, so our Waikato friends must hurry up, or they will be too late. Saiusut.