WAIRARAPA HUNT CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4223, 20 September 1892, Page 2

WAIRARAPA HUNT CLUB.

Last Satuidag's Meet ("From Our Oion Corespondent,) The last Hunt of the season catnooff at Pibautea on Saturday, the 17th iust., thus followiriglast year's preoodont in the matter. Everyone who was present so thoroughly enjoyed his day's outing on' the previous occasion that to those who lake an interest in this kind of sport, and they aro numerous in this district, it has been quits the leading topic for some time past.

The very unpcopitioua weather this season has at least caused some anxious momenta to the fair sex as to its likelihood of continuance, and, in doing 80, of marring tlie pleasure oi their day's outiog. Bui, to the agreeable surprise of all, the Clerk of the Weather, evidently bayinc! got somewhat convalescent from a severe bilious attack, allowed his spirit of gallantry to reign, and fapoured tbe community with a glorious spring day, which, I need hardly add, brought the ladies out in force. They must pardon me> for hroting-tbat the occasion was favourable; not only for viewing tbe bunt, but for' seeing and display, ing the latest tiling in dress, for no one knows better than these dear creatures, bow many a gallant cavalier has been captured by a fair youug damsel when in obaiming attire. Your correspondent's weavers is to see woman in tlie costume of a huntress, well mounted, and pursuing the hounds with judgment but with fearlessness.. It was these accomplishments which made the Empress of Austria such a notable character in British and other hunting fields, Heaving that quite a number oi

ladies were going to follow oh this occasion I fully resolved to witness their prowess, but I regret to chronicle for tliesake of our fair equestriennes thai not any of tfaera folluwed. 1 was therefore on this one point disappointed. What is the reason I wonder 1 It may be due to the ungallantry of the sterner sex, in not showing thorn the consideration in the hunting field they have a right to expeat it. I fully ' believe this is one reason. Another may be that their brothers'and oilier male next-of-kin do not provide them with suitable steeds, being, perhaps, more awrious to show their own capabilities on tlio oboicest available mounts.

A most desirable innovation took place on this occasion and the arrangements differed from any previous bust I have witnessed. The jumps' were on both sides of a road, No I spell being to go up ono side, and No 2 spell to come down the opposite side. This was, of course, out of consideration for the spectators, an advantage, I regret to remark, that a large proportion of them were unworthy, o", for one had only to take round the hat to solicit even the smallest trifle towards expenses, to find how the Club's thoughtfulness was appreciated. Oertainly five out of six suddenly found it was no concern of theirs to contribute. To see nay other sport people have to conciliate Mr Gatekeeper with an offering. But here stinginess, I fear, prevails to Borne extent. So meagre, indeed, was the response that the appeal had to be abandoned. The tbrcw-off waß near Mr Goodrick's, Kaiwaiwai, After entering a gate, the first obstacle was a stiff jump in the paddock. Tben there was the double across the main road. It was here that Mr Wynn Williams, on Timothy, made the great jump of the day, clearing a fence and drain. Tbe horse certainly must have been flying for shout nine yards to have accomplished it. The run then was across some,-fine fields in front,oi the residence of Mr J. 0. Bidwill. From here it went through some manuka scrub, intersected with fences, drains, and numerous other obstacles, all of which were taken in grand style by twenty huntsmen, well mounted. The death of imaginary fox No.-l took place on the top of the sandhill bordering the lake, about three miles from the starting point. About a dozen huntsmen camo in all together; the remain-

der olose up. There were only two slizht mishaps with horses falling in the hurdles, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt, and in both instances the riders pluckily followed on, A grand view was obtained by your correspondent from a hill, and with the assistance of a field-glass everything could be seen from start to finish. The course followed™ just whatl thought hunting should be. The fox on this occasion was Mr C. It. Bid will, mounted on his fine butter Pierrot, who, with a lew minutes start laid the trail. Everyone now wended bis way to the PihnUiea homestead to satis':y the inner man. It would only he superfluous to enumerate the many good i things which were provided. . Not only were all members of the Club invited to the repast, but even a more nume ous attendance of visitors partook of :the-good cheer. Fully 100 people must hare shared the hospitality of the. Master of the Hounds arid the genial hostess, Mrs 0. It. Bidwill, After full justice had been done to the luncheon and all appeared in great spirits,, a'move, was made to try and get up with " Mr Fox " in the second run, but Pierrot was too fleet 61 foot to bo caught. The following huntsmen essayed this spell Messrs W, E. Bidwill on Canute; 0, R. Bidwill, Pierrot; P. Pearce, Nuts; G. S. M. McDermid, Guy Fawkes; Vallate, Falsehood; 0. Vennoll, Sir Tatton j A, G. Pilraer, Exchange; W. Williams, Timothy ■ J. M artin, Count; A. Selby, No Name; 6. Tully, Tairoa; C. Pharazyn, Miro; G. Carter, The Donkey; W. Bicknell, Union Flag; Sheen. Tawatai; H. Hume, Lioness j J. A, McCarthy, Dispute; A. N, Mcintosh, Leila; E, MoKerrow, Wangainioana; T. Tocker, The Camel; F, Dixon, The Giant; Whitton, Booties; and Uu - reen, Pihautea. The second run was over fences log jumps, creeks, ploughed fields and many other checks to progress too numerous to particularise. It was thoughtfully arranged to allow the ladies in particular, und spectators in general, a chance of seeing most of it from the Knoll, on which stands the fine Fihautea residence, and the sight was a very pretty one, nearly forty horsemen flying across the fields ir the vioinity of the homestead. It was an inspiriting spectacle, and the final jump on returning home will long be remembered as the best feat of jump* ing seen in the Wairarapa. A low jump was at hand, but about a dozen horsemen, with both their own and their steeds' blood up, took a short cut over a post and rail fence nearly live feet high. Po ended one of the fiaer.t meols which has taken piece in the Wairarapa. Both huntsmen and spectators dispersed about five o'clock, apparently delighted with theirday'd outing, The press was well represented ou the occasion, no less than four re--1 porters being present.