WAIKATO HUNT CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 336, 3 September 1898, Page 2

WAIKATO HUNT CLUB.

The final meet of the Waikato hounds for the present season was held at the Master's residence, Bruntwood, on Wednesday, when a large field was out for the last spin over the fences. Unfortunately the day proved anything but a pleasant one, for although at times the sun shone with a power that made the wearing of great coats very oppressive, it was unwise to discard them, for at intervals ot about an hour eacli bitterly cold squalls came driving over the land. That did not make matters at all pleasant and the followers had to frequently take shelter under the trees, of which there were fortunately a number close at hand. The worthy Master and Mrs Douglas inrariably give a luncheon at the concluding meet of the season, and Wednesday was no exception, for a most recherche spread was laid out on tables in front of their house, at which the male members refreshed themselves, whilst the ladies were entertained inside the residence. After full justice had been done to the repast, Mr Hewitt called upon all present to drink the healths of Mr and Mrs Douglas. In proposing the toast he said they had a Master second to none in the colony, and he was sure there was not another man in the Waikato that could have got the ground to hunt over that Mr Douglas had, for he was liked so well that hardly anyone could find it in their hearts to refuse him. Few knew how much the hunt was indebted to Mr Douglas, or had any idea of the time and expense that it put him to. He had built kennels and had worked like a Trojan in preparing jumps all over the district, and in fact had done everything possible to make the hunt a success, hut the support he had received was most disheartening. At some of the by-days there would only be two or three present, and that was enough to inane anyone disgusted. He had heard .i whisper that Mr Douglas contemplated resigning the mastership but he sincerely trusted it was only a rumour ; indeed, they must not lose him, or it would mean the breaking up of the pack, and that would bo a slur on the Waikato. The toast was heartily responded to, cheers being given for the master and his good lady.—ln replying, Mr Douglas thanked those present for the manner in which they had drunk the toast, and said it afforded both himself and his wife much pleasure to have them present. Regarding the mastership, he had certainly contemplated giving it up, but he should be very sorry to see hunting go to the wall, and he trusted that, whatever might happen, the hounds would still be kept in the Waikato. When he took over the hounds he was under the imprcssiou that they were wanted in the district, but, trom the manner in which the huut had been supported this season, he was afraid he had been mistaken. He wanted to see the young farmers and farmers' sons take more interest in it, and then success would he assured. He did not believe there were any young fanners in the district but could afford an occasional day's sport and a guinea subscription, and those were the men they wanted.—A move was then made into the paddock through which the drive passes, where Mr Price took photographs of the company. Amongst those present we noticed the master on Sunbeam, huntsmau on Parthenoptu, whip on Doreen, Banks on Domino, Bullock-Webster on Tory, R. Dodd on Miss Kate, C. Shaw on Glen loch, M. H. Pickering on Cingalee, W. Comer on KiDgswood, J. Comer on Phyllis, Hunt on Cragsman, Major on The Monk, Dwycr on Papamoa, Potts on Muskitty, Wyatton Captain, Graham on Woodside, Hunter on Neddy, Selby on Gayboy, S. Banks on a chestnut, J. Buckland on Kia Ora, Ward on a gray, Hannon on a young bay, Willie Douglas on Bobbie, and Mr Webster's two sons on Pepper and Doreen, T. A. Hicks on a Mnskapeer iilly, T. W, Hicks on Lightening and numerous others. The ladies were Mrs Thornton on Fidget, Airs Brown on Joker, Mrs Martyn on Topsy, Misses Banks on Neck-or-Nothing, Walker on Doubtful, Steele on Bessie, Pickering on Yorkie, Craig on Fanuy, Hunt, Ward, Trubshaw, Mair and. several others whom we did not know. The vehicle contingent was headed by Mr Douglas' waggon, containing Mrs Douglas and numerous friends, then followed in buggies Mr Thornton and Miss Worsp, Misses Wells and Buckland, Mrs Hinc aud friend, Mrs von Stunner and party, and Mrs Kenny and Miss Browning iu a trap. Of course it need hardly be said that our old friend " Ned " Hewitt was present in his celebrated hunting buggy, for it would hardly be a hunt without it. Shortly after noon a start was made, the paddocks close to the homestead being drawn ; but they proved blank as did also the swamp ground adjoining the creek. Then the long avenue of trees opposite Brooklands' was tried ; but that afforded no sport; and iu fact it was fully an hour before a hare was found, and she was lost almost immediately, the scent lying very badly owing to a hail-storm that passed over just before puss was roused, aud also to the train being over ridden by a number of the followers. Another hare was found close to the kennels, aud she gave the best run of the day ; but even that was not much. She went at a great pace over the paddocks, across the tramway road and round Mr Potts' farm on to Mr Douglas' again, intending to return to the starting point. She squatted in the fern alongside the road and came very near being chopped ; but by doubling back through the buggies she escaped and went onto Mr Potts' land once more where she was lost for a time ; but afterwards the hounds worked her through Mr Booth's paddocks and then they had give her up. Then Mr Douglas' back run was tried where hares seemed plentiful ; but the scent was bad and all of them made for the bush, so the hounds were called off and the followers returned to Bruntwood and partook of the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Douglas again. We sincerely trust that Mr Douglas will not relinquish the mastership of the hounds, for we do not know who is so httiug for the oilice, and no oue in the Waikato can fill it so well as he does.