WITH THE HOUNDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3844, 29 June 1891, Page 2

WITH THE HOUNDS.

Meet at Masterton.

The second meet of the season in connection with the recently-formed Wairarapa Hunt Club took place at Masterton on Saturday last, and was a thorough success. At two o'clock the Post Office corner presented an animated appearance, and when the huntsman and hounds arrived on the scene the thoroughfares were completely blocked. As the huge concourse moved off in, the direction of the railway station there must have been fully five hundred persons in the procession, and the town for an hour afterwards was completely deserted. Everybody appeared anxious to witness the old-time sport, and tbe weather afforded them the best of opportunities for doing so. Slowly but surely the cortege wended its way along the Akura road, the funerallike procession presenting a most imposing appearanoe from the dis.tance.

Arriving at the farm of Mr J*mes Maoara, an halt was made. /The huntsmen and spectators parted company, the former entering the gate of Mr Macara's farm, where the throw off was to take place, and the/latter, proceeding along the road. / A first-class course was arranged, 31 miles in length, with about twenty jumps, including a Hft waterJjump. The ground was in good order and everything favored good jumping. The spectators were afforded a splendid view of the run from the main road. ■■■ , Shortly before three o'clock the ound of the huntsman's horn was leard, and the followers of the hunt, tbout fifty in number,.assembled. Amongst them were a large number if Lower Valley sportsmen. The air sex, it iB to be regretted, were :onspicuous by their absence. This nay be accounted for income degree irorn .their characteristic timidity, rat" it was fully expected that one or wo would have participated in the sport. However, several ladies have signified their intention of taking part in the next hunt.' j The master of the hounds, Mr JV. E. Bidwill, who, by the way, wasiiot riding, tendered a few words of adyice to the huntsmen before the start'was made, urging them if possible toivoid accident by careful horsemanship. Almost immediately the hounds were placed on the scent, and a crj arose which could be heard for mihW as the huntsman cracked his whip, and away went the field wit" a #h

The first jump appeared to bethemost difficult to riegooiate, for many had to turn back unable to proceed further, Whilst one or two became unseated. For about a mile the field, was taken at a tremendous pace, through Mr Macara's paddocks, into tbe farm of Captain Holniwood, thence to Mr Buick s across the water jump, and out to the road again. A pause of a few minutes was here made, when the hounds caught on the trail and came back to Mr Macara's, followed closely by the huntsmen. Thence they proceeded across the main road, over the gorse fence, and into Mr Kummer's. Another pause was made near Mr Kummer's house, and back came the field for nearly half a mlie, across the road again, and straight for home. The whole field was well together throughout. AsMr Macara's house was reached and the hounds fell upon poor,puss and shook her unmercifully, a wild " Hoorah !" arose from the crowd, and the hunt, which had lasted about a quarter of an hour, was over. '.■'. '• :

- The jumping was on the whole very good, although from the narrowness of the hurdles, which had been fixed at a height of about three feet, a good deal of jostling took place. Fortunately no acoidents of a serious nature occurred. Soon after the run commenced, however, Mr W. Buick was unhorsed and cut about the face, whilst' Mr Weston, of.- Carterton, also collided with mother earth. In crossing the road the horse of one of the huntsmen came into collision with that of a spectator, with the result that the shoulder of the former (Mr Baker's After Dark) was dislocated, and he was destroyed. The latter was also hurt.

Amongst those who were first home at the kill were Messrs Pilmer, Vennel, Vallance, A. McKenzie, Cotter, W. B. Buick, M'Dermid, Pearce, Proctor, Bethune, Battes, and Renall. On ' arrival at the farm house the huntsmen were treated to refreshments provided by Mr Macara. Three cheers were then given for the huntsman and three for Messrs Macara and Buick, and thus ended the first hunt that has ever been held is "Masterton.