THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 697, 10 July 1900, Page 2

THE WAIKATO HOUNDS.

A very hard frost overnight, a cold south-east wind, and a lowering sky, did not look very promising for scent or sport at Newstead Railway Station ou July 7th, possibly this accounted (for the small attendance, Misses (Yard and Ashwiu from Fencourt. being the only representatives of Cambridge side—The Master and sons (3), and Farrer, Rev. H. D. Major. Messrs Craven, Bull, Ramsay, Knight, and his little son and daughter—making their first acquaintance with Waikato hounds, and giving a welcome invitation to the hounds to bunt over Woodside should the hare go that way—Miss Ramsay and two ladies from Tauwhare, Mr Hurdwood and two ladies driving, and several others whose names have slipped my memory, made up the field. Mr Levis, with his usual hospitality, insisted on all hands going in for refreshments, aud the cosy room and the many good things provided, both liquid aud solid, helped to warm the cockles of the —well I won't say fniub hearts—there are? none here away. Having done full justice to the good thiugs provided, the hounds moved off at the back of Mr Levis' across the railway line into a piece of new country which Messrs Levis, Hutchinson and J. J. Graham had most kindly made jumpable, placing saplings on the wires in most of the fences. A very strong hare went away at once from the turnips, and what was wrong with that first fence ? Was it too high, or Mrs Levis' tea too strong or not strong enough ; how they bungled and hit it, but no damaec was done. When the hounds settled down, it' was clear we were in for a run and a good scenting in spite of the cold. They rattled her round to the Hamilton Road, then back to the gully at the top, then skirting it, ran the same line round again and with two or three checks, they never were off her and eventually pushed her riahb over the road and through Mr Baker's, to the ti-tree beyond, where three hares were on foot, and the hounds dividing, she fairly beat us. Though it looks little when put down on paper and to those looking on in the cold, seemed but slow, it was true and good hound work aud the hare just as game as they make them. Time from the find till we lost her, well o v- er an hour. We then drew Mr Hutchinson's homestead paddocks, and the jumping contingent christened his newly made fences. Then on past Levis' where the hounds soon had a haro away froiii the plantation opposite the school. They fairly raced her across the usual line to the Tauwhare road and crossing it looked like making for the swamp, but bearing to tho right they rail a pretty line to the Newatead homestead, the field bounded by wire unfortunately. Crossing the road again they skirted the gully, and theu re-crossing the road by Libeau's, made again tor the homestead, and turning left handed, ran a big ring round to the swarrp where they bowled her over. Not a check from start to finish, and every hound there. I wish I oould say as much for the field, but the country was not jumpable, and though Selby aud Messrs Bull and Craven, by jumping wire, managed to get at them in the swamp, they were not in time to save a pad. The hounds ran really well, and richly deserved their hare, a satisfactory ending to a really good scenting day, The thanks of the members are due to Messrs Levis, Hutchinson, aud Graham, for the new country they have made, and as they intend making yet more, and insist on another Newstead meet before the close of the season. I hope the next one will be more largely patrouised. Hounds have never been more popular in the Waikato thai) they are this season, that is with the farmers, who are the backbone of hunting all the world over, and if those who follow will avoid making gaps and ridiug over crops, and kindly pay their subscriptions without being asked, this sporting little pack should rank as one of the best in the colony.