WAIKATO HUNT CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 468, 1 August 1899, Page 3

WAIKATO HUNT CLUB.

A meeting of the members of the above club was held at the National Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday, at 10.30 a.m. There were a fair number present, Mr Hiue being voted to the chair. The Chairman briefly stated the business of the meeting, whioh was to decide if Hunt Club races should be held this year. It was pointed out that last year the races resulted in a loss to the club, but on the other hand everyone present agreed it would be a mistake to abandon the day's sport, and that if the races were held adjacent to the town thoy would result in a profit instead of a loss. The polo sports that were held in one of Mr James Taylor's paddocks were quoted as having netted somewhere about £2O for that club. The matter was taken up most enthusiastically, the members declaring they would not forego their day's racisg even if they had to run for the honour and glory of winning only. Eventually it was decided to hold the races on 19th September (the day before Messrs McNicol and Co.'s special horee sale in Cambridge), the stakes being fixed at £35. The following programme was then arranged : —Hurdle Race, lj mile ; Hack Race for horses that have never won more than £2O, 6 furlongs ; Hunt Club Cup, about 1\ miles ; Ladies' Bracelet, 1 mile ; Hack Race for horses that have never won more than £lO, 7 furlongs ; Maiden Steeplechase, 2 miles. The following officers were then appointed :—President, Mr H. BullockWebster; Vice-President, Mr W. M. Douglas ; stewards, the Hunt Club Committee ; judge, Mr James Taylor ; starter, Mr A. R. Hine ; handicappers, Messrs A. J. Storey and R. Hannon ; clerk of scales, Mr W. T. Carr ; clerk of the course, Mr W. Brown ; secretary, Mr N. Banks. The place at which the meeting will be held has yet to be fixed, but arrangements will doubtless be made to have it in close proximity to the town. THE HUNT. On Saturday the meet was at the Cambridge Post-office, when ther« was a large attendance of members. Many wondered where hares would be found in that neighbourhood, but they were soon undeceived, for the genial host and hostess of the Criterion Hotel, Mr and Mrs Harry Kerr, suggested their diningroom Bhould be "drawn," and sure enough not only hares, but also all kinds of tempting viands and liquids were met with, and for about half-an-hour real good sport was had. Ihen Mr Hine, in a neat little speech, thanked Mr and Mrs Kerr tor their continued kindness to the members of the club. Success to the host and hostess was drunk with musical honours, and the merry gathering broke up. Mr Ellerbeck, the photographer, then had a " snapshot" at the members and the hounds, and a move was made to Mrs Hannon'a property at Hautapu. Amongst those present we noticed Mrs E. Pilling on Cragsman, Mrs Boston-Couper on Tito, the Huntsman on Joker, the Whip on Captain, Messrs Hannon on Snider, F. Buckland on Taihoa, C. C. Buckland on Doubtful, N. Banks on Ptarmigan, R. Ramsay on Peacock, J. Ramsay on Rufus, R. Dodd on a chestnut, J. Dodd on Miss Kate, W. Comer on Kingswood, J. Comer on Magpie, T. Hicks on TeKooti, W. E. Holman on Cannon, Boston-Couper on Nora, C. Shaw on Gleuloch, and several other?. We were pleased to see that although Mr Speak is laid up by sickness, he is having his horse qualified. Immediately on the hounds being turned into Mr Hannon's young grass a hare was viewed going away at the far end of the paddock, and she proved a " clinker," for she gave the hounds and their followers as good a run as anyone could wish for. She crossed Mr Martin Butler's farm and on to Mr Thomas'; there she doubled back and traversed nearly the same ground, going for Fenccurt homestead at a great pace. Again she doubled and retraced her steps as far as the road in front of Mr Hall's house, but not likin« to go too far away from home she tried a slightly different line, a little more to the south, and crossing Mr James Taylor's land she met her end on the railway opposite his house. The pace was furious the whole distauce. in fact a veritable steeplechase, and consequently nearly everyone had had enough. How* ever, some of the enthusiasts continued and several short Bpurts were had, but nothing of importance.