THE PAKURANGA HOUNDS AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1584, 29 August 1882, Page 2

THE PAKURANGA HOUNDS AT TE AWAMUTU.

According toadmtisement, the hounds met at Te Awamutu on Friday last, where about fifty settlers assembled to join in the hunt. Among those present were Messrs Percival, Watcrhouse, and sevetal ladies from Auckland. The throw oft' wa& mule on the farm of Mr Westney at about twelve o'clock, the hunt having pai taken of lunch provided by that gentleman. The day's sport which ensued was probably the dullest since the aim al of the hounds in Waikato. The properties of Messrs Rutherford, We&tney, and Bosanko, were hunted through, and though several harss weveiaiscd, no kills were effected. There were likewise too many rabbits drawing off the hounds, and as each paddock was enclosed with a wire fence the runs v ere ahoi t and unpleasant. As usual Mr J . S. Buckland acted as master. The hunt terminated at 4. 30 in the afternoon, when all adjourned- to an excellent dinner which wa& laid out in the Cential Waikato Hotel.

The Dinner. The guebts having clone justice to the spread, and the table having been cleared, the chairman, Mr Bucklaiul, in a few complimentary remarks, pioposed the health of-MrWestncy, who had so liberally entertained them that day, and who had everted himsclt to no inconsiderable extent, to affoid them a good day's hunting. If they did not enjoy themselves it was not his (Mr Westney's) fault ; but they might attribute it to the nature of the country, and other unavoidable circumstances of which they were doubtless awaie. The toast was drunk with the usual musical honors, and was responded to by Ml Westncy, who thanked all present for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received, considering the little he had done to deserve so high a compliment. The healths of the " Huntsman " and "Whip" were also proposed and were responded to by Messrs T. Brown and Goodman. Mr Buckland, in proposing " Prosperity to the town and trade of Te Awatnutu," coupled with the name of the worthy chairman of the local board, Mr Sloane, took occasion to congratulate the town on the pi ogress it had made in the past, and which, from present appearances, it was likely to make in the future. In sporting matters Te Awatnutu had always come to the front ; for their late race meeting, and the tnennev in which the settlers had turned out on that day to follow the hounds, amply proved the fact. The toast, which was warmly received, was responded to by Mr Sloane. "The Visitors," coupled with the names of Messrs Percival and Waterhouse, was proposed by Mr Rutherford, and received with the usual musical enthusiasm. Mr Perch al, in responding thanked the chairman for the manner in which the toast had boon received. He always liked to come to Waikato to enjoy a day's sport, and though that day's hunt had not come up to expectations, still he could not deny the fact that he had enjoyed himself thoroughly, and was authorised to say by the ladies who accompanied him from Auckland, that they had enjoyed themselves likewise. He was sorry more Auckland sportsmen were not present that day ; but this migt be accounted for by the excessive railway charges. Indeed, several gentlemen had agreed on coming up to hunt in Waikato, and went to Mr Macdonald to ascertain what reduction he would be prepared to make if a number of them with their horses came together. So unsatisfactory had been the reply they received that they were obliged to abandon the idea altogether. These things should be represented in the proper quarters, and he would recommend to Waikato settlers the advisability of communicating with their members now at Wellington, asking them to have some alteration made, if possible, in the charges on occasions ' such as that under notice. He could not j see why Waikato people should not have their hunt annually, or even two or three times annually ; and he for one would do his best to let them have the hounds as often as they required them. He hoped to see more Auckland visitors at the next Waikato meet. Mr Percival proposed " The Settlers of Waikato," which was responded to by Mr T. Parker. Several other toasts, including that of Mr J. S. Bnckland, to whose personal exertions was mainly due the success of the various meets in Waikato, " The Ladies," " Mr C. J. Storey," and " The Press," were proposed and responded to. The remainder ot the evening was taken up with a musical programme, and ■was spent in a most enjoyable manner. The hounds hunted at Piako yesterday. There was a large muster of sportsmen, aucl some grand spprt ' ensued. Tomorrow the hounds, as will be seen by advertisement, meet at.Gwynne's Hotel, Hamilton, when 'a* 'drag hunttiyill take place. ' / ~ ! „

- A.MAN.is like an egjf j' kee^him'in hot Vat&r and he will become hwdeii^cl, " ">