THE PAKURANGI HOUNDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1079, 24 May 1879, Page 2

THE PAKURANGI HOUNDS.

The hounds met at the National Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday last, at noon, and proceeded out to Broadmeadows. Mr J. S. Buckland was not well, and Mr James Taylor acted as Master of the hounds. Only about a dozen started with them from the township, but on arriving at Captain Walmsley's paddocks, the number of the field had swelled to fifty or more. The hounds immediately threw off in the large paddock, and three hates started out of a clump of ti-tree. After a little delay, the scent of one was followed, at a fair pace, into an adjoining field, and then back again aud across the road, to Mr Allwill's farm. Several fences were taken in the run, and at last the hare was bailed up in cover, and caught. Another, hare was soon drawn from tho scrub, and after a short ran I across a paddock sown with wheat, and down two other fields, was lost in cover. Puss was shortly turned out again,.and gave a good run back to' her old cover. Here several ethers were started, and after many fruitless attempts to get a fair run, the hounds were called off, and, with the field, returned to Broadmeadows. Hares were too plentiful, and there was too much cover. Part of the pack would follow one, and part another.' At Broadmeadows, a hare was found, alter some time, and gave the pack a good run, but the direction she took, put the field at fault, on account of wire fences. The clouds, which had been threatening for some time, now began to drop with rain, which gradually increased to a steady downpour. A few more attempts were made to get a fair run, bat were unsuccessful. The hounds were then called off, and a start was made homewards.

The field, though nob so numerous as at former meets, was better mounted on the whole, but owing sto the fact- th.it hares were too numerous, and cover too plentiful, and wire fences too impracticable, the capabi ities of the horses, and the pluck of their riders were not cilled forth as much as they micrhb have been, had it been otherwise. But on the authority of the huntsman, it may be stated that the field was much more orderly than on former occasions, and there was more care taken not to override the hounds. The condition of the latter reflects great credit on Mr Roberts, the huntsman, but, in consequence of their being no proper provision made for cooking- their food, and so having 1 to be fed on raw flesh, and also off the strongly scented drags (in some cases odoriferous enough for the huntsmen to follow without the pack at all) which hail been used to make a hunt at places where hares were wanting, the noses of the hounds were not up to the mark, and in some 'degree spoiled. However, on Saturday, they ran aud worked as weli as hounds could be expectod to do.

The hares, again, are bred in some particular clump of scrub, and have not to travel far for feed, as they have to do in England in frosty weather. Consequently, they never run far from their own cover, if they can help it. Taking this into consideration), and the amount of cover available for them, a really good hunt cannot, at all times, be expected. The hounds, too, are grumbled at as being too slow. But this is a young country, and we must make small and slow beginning's. With faster hounds, better and faster horses are wanted, and perhaps it may be said better riders. Not better riders, very likely, as far as sticking on aud pluck are concerned, but these are not all the qualifications of a good equestrian. Good judgment and fine fingers with the reins are required to make good huntsmen. No doubt these will all come in the course of a few years, and probably, even, next time the hounds pay us a visit, great improvement will be discernible, and lovers of the sport will not have occasion to complain that it was tame. Much might .be done to make the visit of the hounds more appreciated, and to increase the number of members of the Club, i^

a dinner was to be given at some convenient place in the Waikato, at which the Auckland hunting patrons should be present. The pack has returned to the neighborhood of Anckland.

Ukdeb the heading of "A Bit of Blood," the Fakaerston paper has the following: —"Paragraphs, are continually benjg written relating races between horses of flesh and those of iron, bat they generally have reference to half •hour .spurts. The following, however, is one of a different character, being a contest between the metal charger and a charger of mettle from Wanganui to Falmerston. Mr Henry MaNoil bad some friends goodbye in Waag&ui, as they were starting from Wanganui in the train, and in doing so jestingly remarked that he would be at the latter town first. He then harnessed his horse and in company with Mrs McNeil, Mrs Robinson, and another lady, started along the road, a journey between 63 and 70 miles. He arrived in Falmer-

ston at four o'clock, and after driving home and depositing his cargo, repaired , tp meet his friends in the approaching train, who, as may be imagined, were considerably amazed to see him. It may be mentioned that Mr McNeil turns the

scale at 19 stone, but gallantry forbids us giving the weight of the ladies, although we may say they were neither Aztecs nor Lilliputians." Ladies and Gentlemen wishing to furnish their Mouses would be well repaid by a visit to the City .Hall Aroade, the finest Show room in New Zealand, and containing the largest stock of Carpets and greatest variety of Furniture to be seen anywhere in the colony. The large business transacted in thiß Establishment is due to the Very moderate prices charged and zealous attention paid to the wants and wishes of its patrons. The Proprietors have suoce«sfully initiated the London system of combining the various departments of Drapery,' Ladies and Gentlemen's - Clothing, with House furnishing in all its brandies. Country Settlers' requirements are especially studied, and, as regards Furniture, they will find made, ready for delivery, Sittingroom Suites in great variety—Bedroom Furniture, comprising hundreds of Bed* steads in Iron, Brass, and WoodBedding of all sizes, Wardrobes, Chests of Drawers, Wash Stands, Toilet Glasses and Tables, Toilet Ware, Fenders and Fireirons, &c, &c, &c Purchasers find it to their advantage to deal/ with the undersigned, as they keep goods especially suited for their establishments. Give your order to Houoway, Garlick, and Crakwj'LL, City Hail Aroade, Queen-street; Auokland.