THE HOUNDS IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2358, 20 August 1887, Page 2

THE HOUNDS IN WAIKATO.

Tiiuhsdat bein'; the day appointed for the final meeting for the Pakuranga Hounds in Waikato this season, it was expected there, would be a large attendance, and the anticipation was more than fulfilled, for never have the sportsmen of Waikato rolled np in such numbers as on Thursday after noon, and not only the male sex, but a goodly number of ladies who went straight and well and fairly shared the honors of the chase with the gentlemen. The meet was at Gwynnclands, and a drag was laid round the old steeplechase course, which gave plenty of stiff fences that required negotiating. Among the many we noticed the f blowing :—Miss Walker on Warlock, Miss A. Walker on Shah, Miss Winnie Walker on Kobin, Miss Moon on Dick, Miss Storey on Tommy the Kat, Miss B. Storey on Paddy, Mrs McLernon, Miss Cochrane and several others. Messrs Pickering on a Randwick colt, D. MeNicol on Biddy, W. Carr on Coral, A. Bach on Masher, Pearson on Nancy, C. Glassford on Nora, N. Glassford on Volunteer, .f. McNicol on Merrylegs, C. Weal on Monitor, C. Goldsmith on Merryman, G. Walker on Fangh-a-Ballagh K. Permit on Don, A. Storey on Whakatane, N. I. Hunt on LornaDoon. W. Windsor on -Toe, J. Grice on Jerry, F. Walker on Arab Child, and last, but not least, Tom Brown, the huntsman, on Laddie. Amongst those who drove out were: Mr Glassford, from Richmond, with a four in hand, Mr W. K. Carter, Captain Daley, Mrs K. B. Walker, Mrs N. Hunt, Mr John Arnold, and several others. From Gwynnelands the. drag was laid by Sugar Mason, on a little Daydawn gelding. He was given -10 minutes start. The scent was picked up in the bush, and away went the hounds in full cry, followed by a field of over 70 riders. At the second fence an tin fortunate accident happened, Volunteer, ridden by Napier Glassford, getting one of his hind legs in the wire, broke it, and had to be shot. No other accident of any consequence happened. On the second time round the drag was overtaken, clean licked. It was at once taken np by J. McNicol, who got 10 minutes start, and gave the field a merry chase for another couple of miles. A,bout 30 riders finished in grand style, and thus ended the finest hunt ever held in Waikato. An adjournment was then made to Mr J. McXicol’* residence, whore unlimited supplies of refreshments were provided, and to which good justice was done. After hearty cheers for the host and the hunt, the company separated.

Ths Dinner-

The Hunt Chib dinner was held at the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, at 7 p.m., Mr J. McNicol presiding, ami Mr H. (I. Glassford occupying the vice chair. There were also present; .Messrs C. and X. Classford, C. Lake, C. Wcale, Kerr, .1. Elliott, E. Pickering, Tom Brown (huntsman), L. McNicol, A. Storey, Perrott, ]•’. Cane, Pearson, E. Porter, C. and 1). Craig, C. Shirley, W.' Windsor, J. P. Thomson. F. Rhodes, Goldsmith, W. T. Carr and several others. The President proposed “The Queen,” and said that it was in some measure due to sport that she was ruler over the greatest empire. The Vice-President proposed the health of the members of the Pakmanga Hunt, who had so kindly sent the bounds to afford them sport. In doing so ho said it had afforded him great pleasure to see the way in which the young blood of the Waikato was coming to the front. He had seen some of them that, day that went as straight as go, and who would not the old country. The Auckland huntsmen had good horses, but they had not stouter hearts than the young yeomen of Waikato. The meeting that day had been a great success —few accidents, good fences, and straight riding. He then referred to the trouble Mr McNicol had taken to bring the hounds to Waikahjy and eulogised him in no measured fci'ms, saying he was not only a good business man, but the quintessence of a sportsman, a remark that was evidently the feeling of the company, judging by the cheers that followed. Mr Classford coupled the name of Tom Brown, the huntsman, with the toast, and in a few terse remarks complimented him on the improved cond*4 tion of the pack. Mr Brown, in responding, said he felt highly flattered by Mr Glassford’s remarks. It was a pleasure for him to come to Waikato. He had always enjoyed it, but he must say that he never had had as fair a show as he had this season. The youngsters were beginning to find out that it was useless riding over the hounds, and conseqnenty they had better sport, The drags were, better than the Auckland ones, in fact ho had never seen better. He was sorry to say they had had bad luck with the hounds, having lost 5 couples with distemper. Then again, like every ime else, they were going in for retrenchoumt, and were cutting down expenses as much as possible. If he could have his own way, he would have the Inmnds all of one colour, and one size, and so that they would “ pack ” well. Mr McNicol then proposed the health of Segar Mason and Prank "Dodd, who had laid drags during the visit of the hounds. He was pleased to see so many present at the drag hunt that day. He was delighted to find himself on “stuff” that could carry him, and also to see the straight way in which the majority were going. He then cautioned some of the young members about jealous riding. The best way in a drag hunt was to get round the best way you can, but to always keep behind the bounds. Some of the younger members were apt to forget the latter portion, and consequently received the huntsman’s blessing- He also suggested that people should not be allowed to ride perfect scrubbers. It was in consequence of a scrubber colliding with him that p’rank Dodd was thrown during one of the hunts. The drags having been toasted, Mr Clement Glassford proposed “The Ladies,” which was drunk with musical honours, in which they were termed “Jolly good fellows.” The remainder of the evening was devoted to songs, yarns, etc., which were greatly enjoyed.