THE MEET AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 961, 20 August 1878, Page 2

THE MEET AT TE AWAMUTU.

The following description of the Meet of the Pakurauga hounds, at Te Awanmtu, may not be uninteresting to your readers*. About 100 horsemen and ladies m.3t at noon at LeAvia' Hotel, an.d a few ttiiuutefl

later the whole party proceeded to the Block-house at Rangiaohia, where numbers were on horseback, m anxious expectation of a good day's enjoyment. The weather, whioii was beautifully fine, induced the pie- enco of many of the fairer sex, although few followed the hounds, lhe "Dniy:' (Mr Hakor) was started m a paddock of .Vl r Giffoid's, and after 20 minutes law, the huntsman proceeded with the hounds, followed by the Master of the Hunt (Mr S. Buokland) and about 60 other gentlemen. The first jump was at a high gorse fence, which was negotiated m splendid style, the hounds leading across the road into the Messrs Grierson's farm, m the direction of Mr Wetherills. Before reaching Mr WetherilTs paddocks, a few came to grief at a stiff white-thorn hedge and ditch. The pace was unusually fast, on account of the scent being so good. At Mr BophHrn's Jboundary fence, many of the ftwemost.in the hunt came down, inoludlng the Master of the Hounds and the Huntsman. The country being soft, none of the riders were hurt, and all were soon iv the saddle again. The dos:s then led through Cajvbett's, across the Cambridge road and Fox's, into Mr Robert Cunningham's, where some stiff jumps had to be taken, and again many came down. On descending the hill to the Mangapiko creek, the harriers were found to be baying furiously around a tree ; and, on closer inspection, the " Drag " was seen perched iv the topmost branches, with a countenance not unlike a " baker," after a hard night's work. Although Mr Baker is a swift pedestrian, the hounds had overtaken him. The "Hare" was again started, and after waiting the time allowed, the run was continued. On getting to the other side of a very wide drain— which was gallantly jumped by some, and bottomed by others— a fast gallop through the farms of Messrs Rickett, James Cunningham, and Ramsey brought the party to a halt at the Blockhouse. The distance gone over was i\ miles. Here the refreshment booth was freely patronised, and on a hat being passed around, £8 was collected for the huntsman. Thirty gentlemen then gave m their names as new members of the Hunt Club; After an hour's rest, the "Drag" started for Te Awamutu, another good run followed, and thus ended the firat day's hunt m this district. It is the intention of the farmers here to introduce harea before next hunting season. — Fbom a Gobreßi>ondent.