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THE MELBOUBNE HOUNDS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE AUSTRALASIAN.
Sir,—Essendon crossroads has become such a
favourite meet that Mr. Watson has adopted it on
three occasions this season already, and each time
there has been a good run from there. No other
place commands such a crowd, and there is never
any complaint about horses getting hurt over the
Essendon country.
Last Saturday the meet was at this favourite tryst,
when about 150 of ths pick of the hunt were in at-
tendance. It is unnecessary to name all who were
present, even if I knew them, but I may state that
almost every member of the club took part in the day's
amusement, and a finer hunting day could not be
desired. Although I cannot call to mind the names
of the gentlemen who were present, it is quite dif-
ferent as regards the ladies, some of whom were
always in the lead, and cannot be overlooked. Lady
Robinson never misses this meet, and on this occasion
she greatly enjoyed the day's sport. Mrs. Price, Miss
Highett, and Miss Watson were also out, but I was
sorry to miss another lady who always distinguishes
herself in the hunting field as she does in the ball-
room, namely, Miss Ghirnside, whose fine horse, Ajax,
was hurt last week in the Braybrook country, and she
has not yet obtained another. However, I trust we
shall soon have her again with a horse in every way
worthy to deny so intrepid and fearless a rider.
The throw-off on this occasion was in a different
place from that usually chosen for the purpose, for
instead of resorting to Cripp's paddock we went along
Woodlands-street, and, turning up by the side of Mr.
Napier's house, the hounds were thrown into Mr.
Kernan's paddock, where the deer had been uncarted
some time before, and had gone away in the direction
of Broadmeadows. Having crossed over Mr. J. M.
Peck's property we went along by the Moonee Ponds
Creek until reaching the property of the late Mr.
John Hall, then turning to the left the line was across
the Bulla-road, just beyond the Farmers' Arms
Hotel, into Sharpe's paddock, from whence we
crossed the road separating it from Mr. Sam Mans-
field's land, then turning to the left we crossed the
road leading from Keilor to Broadmeadows, and
passed into Williamson's paddock, from whence we
recrossed the road into Crotty's property, where Mr.
Watson had the bounds stopped for a double pur-
pose—first to breathe the horses after one of the
severest bursts through exceptionally heavy ground
we have had this season; and, secondly, to allow
those who were unable to keep on terms with the
hounds during the early part of the run, to get up
and have a fresh start on equal terms with their more
fortunate brother sportsmen.
After a few minutes' check the hounds were laid
on again, and went along through Crotty's paddock
and across Connor's road into Mr. H. Delahey's pro-
perty, heading towards Keilor chapel, and just on
arriving at the back of that edifice the hounds took a
sharp turn towards Arundel, skirting which they
passed into Annandale, through which they actually
raced, entering Mr. Nab's property, and then turning
to the right faced towards the Beechtree Hotel, on
the Bulla road. Here the ground was extremely
heavy, producing several cases of "bellows to mend "
—a complaint in which the stag must have partici-
pated, for on jumping into the road by the side of
the hotel he evidently made up his mind to stick to
the hard ground instead of again venturing knee-deep
into the grass land of Tullamarine.
After running along the Melbourne road for about
a mile, the deer was overhauled by his enemies, when
turning round to face them he saw his opportunity,
and suddenly dashed right through the pack and
headed towards Oaklands Junction, but finding it im-
possible to shake off his pursuers, he popped over a
fence on the left and made for a deserted house about
a hundred yards from the road, where he took refuge,
and as there were 60 or 70 horsemen at hand, the
hounds were at once whipped off, and the stag was
taken, nothing the worse for his nine-mile run. This
is the third of the seven stags presented to the club
by Mr. K. Chirnside, of Carranbaliac, and although
his first appearance in public, certainly acquitted
himself in a most satisfactory manner.
The ground throughout was extremely heavy and
trying upon horses. The consequence was that falls
were very numerous, owing to the slipperiness of the
approaches to the fences and the blown condition of
such of the horses as were burdened with welter
weights; but it is astonishing how Mr. Watson, who
may fairly be classed as an extra welter, escapes on all
occasions. Miss Watson and Mrs. Highett took their
places in front at the start, and remained there
throughout the hunt. Their light weights greatly
favoured them over the deep, heavy ground.
The hunting so far has had no equal for many
seasons, for with the exception of one day at Bray-
brook, when the Saltwater River spoiled sport, there
has been nothing but success since the hunt-
ing commenced this year. For this we are
in a great measure indebted to the Messrs.
Chirnside, who have so generously provided
the game. The imported stags are not yet fit to
hunt, their antlers being still "in the velvet," how-
ever, it we should, from any accident, run short of
animals suitable for the chase a month or two hence,
I have no doubt the Britishers can be called upon to
do duty, so that there is no danger of our running
short of game.
CERVUS ELAPHUS.
$