The Chrietmas Hunt Great numbers of keen sportsmen and their friends turned out on Saturday afternoon, al] thirsting to win the Christmas Hunt which is the only "Special Hunt' of the season, at the corner of Warren and Hungjao Roads.
The hunt started just a trifle late, due to the necessity of having its photo taken by a revolving camera that looked more like a swivel gun than anything else. Then came the usual short Christmas speech and with a whoop and a yell the hunt was off.
First the dust! That was awful! It was responsible for all falls in the Christmas hunt, and they were many; at one time riders came off like autumn leaves in a southwest gale. Mr, Massey was first perceived slowly mounting his pony after a fall, then a naval officer, whose pony Scapa Flow had collapsed under him and was found to have died of heart failure. Much sympathy is expressed to Mr. Stitt at the loss of this gallant hunter.
The course included the Artery Creek Double Platforms, the Wild-ernes, Corinth, Forth, and then an excursion over the Rubicon Creek and back again, over Family Tree Creek, to Westward Ho, then left-handed over the Westward Ho jumps, the Bath Tub, Barrier Creek and the finish on Bee line. The course was not long but the pace was hot—indeed it was hot. The first seven riders went down that Barrier Creek like scalded cats, all clinging on to each other's eyelids, so to speak. One felb, than another, but the rest pressed on, for was not the Christmas Hunt at stake? Then, at last, on those terrible flats by the Bee line, Bremner began to falter, and the field strung out just a little, till, at the last jump Dr. C. N. Davis on Sherwood forged ahead, the winner.
At the close of the hunt two cups given by Mr. and Mrs. Ayscough were presented one to Dr. Davis, and one to Mr. J. J. Paterson, who though not on the card, was the first heavyweight rider (seventh) ta the flags.
The card read as follows 1—Dr.~ Noel Davis on Sherwood.
2—Mr. F. A. Pollock on Bachelor Gay.
3—Mr. J. V. Botetho on Tiga.
4, it. J. E. Andrews on Girondin.
5.—Mr. A. T. Campbell on Hairpin.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.