The meet was at Trefancha at 3 p.m.; and a warm sonny day, tempered by a light south-westerly breeze, brought together a very large field of cross-country me, prominent among whom might be noticed the bronzed face of our respected Master, arrived only the same morning in Shanghai from shooting excursion, There was also a very large gathering of spectators to do honour to the hunt, and t amuse themselves at the expense of the unfortunate.
A.start was made shortly after the appointed hour, and paper found leading over the big water jump at the back of Trefancha, which Was however easily scrambled over, there being little or no water in it, From thence, at a merry pace, which quickly discounted the majority of the hunt, we headed our " wild erratic course" towards Jessfield; crossing the road which leads thither about a mile above the sSubbling Well. Bending back towards this historic fane," the paper led us over a succession of time-honoured good jumps at a rattling Il with a quick turn to the right it through a small detached village and grove, and out back of it..A check shortly after th both ponies and ridera a very welcome pite; and when scent was again found renewed energy we speeded on our " wild career " crossing the Sicawei road between Fahwah and the Hermitage. The Field was now beautifully reduced, and with few or no stoppages except for a moment, and at apace which, combined with the heat and clouds of dust, defied the utterance of a "tally ho," we raced on towards home (at The Lawn); the paper leading over some splendid jumps, which none but a "flyer" could hope to negotiate successfully.
The light weight cup was won we believe by Mr. Palamountain, on Shamrock, while Mr. Oxlade, riding a crack moke, took the heavy weight prize, very closely followed by Mr. Fabris on ' Cheetah." Two or three gentlemen arrived in advance of the foregoing, but were we hear disqualified as they had omitted to take two or three stiff jumps, (a hurdle among others).
Altogether, the hunt was a most successful one, and we congratulate the foxes on their line of country, and the careful way they laid the paper. As might be expected from the great pace throughout, -and the blinding dust, the spills were frequent, and in one or two instances threatened to be severe. As yet, however, we have not heard of anything more' serious. than bruises. We cannot close without recording our thanks to the worthy Secretary of the Race Club for the grateful beverage which he so kindly dispensed, and which it requires a hunting man at the end of a run, to thoroughly appreciate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.