THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 322, 2 August 1898, Page 4

THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

It is seldom the sportsman of Waika'o experience us miserable a day for hunting as thiir, of Saturday last. The wind was cold, every few minutes there was a shower, and to complete the mUery. several thunder storms pissed the district, accompanitd by a heavy downpour, which did not help to keep one's spirits up. However, the meet was at Pukekura, and no matter what the weather is, that is a sufficient guarantee for a good field being present, for the farmers over there arc of the good old stamp that encourage sport and like to see their youngsters careering over the paddocks and fences af.er the hounds, even if they do not leod a hand at it themselves—and occasionally they do. They are very hospitable and seldom grumble, although I am aware they have had occasion to do so, for I have heard of pates being left open and herds getting mixed —which would try the temper of a saint—but Ido not think the negligence should be upon the heads of the members of the hunt ; but upon the tribe of Cambridge West youngsters who join in the fun but forget to close the gates. The meet was at the Pukekura creamery, and at the appointed time there were present : The Master on Sunbeam, huntsman on Joker, whip onParthenope, Mesdbines Hine on Happy Jack and Brown on Muscatelle. Misses Walker ou Doubtful, Roberts- on a brown colt, and four or five other ladies whom I did not know. Messrs Bach on The Monk, Park on Starlight, Hunt on Gorton,Han non ouKapai.Bankson Neck-or-Nothing, Matsou en Domino, G-. Comer on Kingswood, Comer, junr., on a brown mare, iSpeake ou Canuon, Dodd on Miss Kate, Selby on Poplar, White on a chestnut gelding, D. Anderson on a brown mare, F. Gane on Madge, S. Banks on Kia Ora, W. Douglas on Bobbie, T. A. Hicks on a brown colt and many others. The buggy contingent consisted of Miss Banks and Mr Hine, and our old friend " Ned " Hewitt, who was tooled by Nelson Banks. There is no one at Pukekura who. has treated the members of the huut better than Mr Richard Reynolds, and there is no one whom they would wish to oblige more than him ; but he set them a somewhat difficult task when he asked them not to find a hare on his land if they could help it, as he had a lot of fat cattle being topped off in the lower paddocks. However, the task was successfully accomplished, for I am pleased to say the hounds never once crossed his land, much to the gratification of those who know how to appreciate a good friend. The first move was made in the direction of Trelawney, Mr T. W. Hicks' residence, and immediately the hounds were in his orchard they joined in a chorus that proclaimed a find. I have often wondered what it is that is so attractive at Trelawney to bipeds, and in my ignorance have attributed it to the excellent cider that is always so lavishh' dispensed there ; but surely that could not affect quadrupeds, and yet we could not pursuade this hare to leave the place. She dodged about round and tound the house and premises for nearly two hours, nevev going further away than into Mr Seabrook's land and back again, but at length she was forced as far as the river bank, where she met her end. It had been very cold so far, and everyone was anxious for a " burst" across country. They were soon gratified, for another hare was found in Mr Hicks' gully, and this one had not been reared on cider, for it made straight for the Pukekura Hills. It led the field at a merry pace across Messrs Seabrook's, Comer's and Hart Hicks' to Mr W. Vosper's at Dingley Dell. While attempting to take the fence into Mr Vosper's avenue Happy Jack slipped and unshipped his fair rider, but she was up and away again directly. The hare went over the hill and then doubled back and retraced her steps for Trelawney. When taking a stiff fence out of a paddock on to the road a yisitor came a cropper, and a little further on Mr White kis6ed mother earth, but in neither case was any damage done. This hare was eventually lost on the bank of the river, where several of the hound* slipped over, but fortunately did not reach the water, and after considerable trouble they were rescued by the Master, with the assistance of several others. The day was not a good one for scent, but the pack did some excellent work, led by Vanguard, their solo singer. He is a grand worker, but I am sure he misses his chum Discord, for they were always the first to lead off. It seems a strange thing to me that the man who has possession of the bitch cannot be made to relinquish her. I was pleased to see a member of the Pakuranga hunt present, and I am told there will be a by-day at the Master's place tomorrow to give him another opportunity of having a spin with the Waikato hounds.