Fox Hunt

A special train for the purpose of carrying passengers and horses from Princes Bridge station at eleven o’clock last Tuesday morning arrived at Dandenong at 12pm. Mr F. Row of Stamford Park, Rowville, has for some time past had to persevere with depredations committed by foxes both in his poultry yard and with his stud lambs. The excellent cover afforded Reynard in teatree scrub and the ranges thereabouts has caused them to multiply to such an extent as to cause severe loss to those engaged in farming pursuits. Mt Watson therefore decided to have a ‘go’ at them, and with that intent invited those who could accompany him.

The hunting party consisted of the master, Mr George Watson, his Excellency the Governor, and the Countess of Hopetown, Mr Rourke, Miss Chirnside, Miss Hobson, Mr Rourke, Mr T. Manifold, Mr F. Row, Mr R.F. Row, Mr E. Row, Brush, Mr Houldsworth, Mr Short, Mr R. Watson, Mr Blake, Mr Gibson, Lt Johnson, Mr Pocklington, Mr Ashley, Mr O. Williams and Mr O’Brien.

Leaving Dandenong without delay, half an hour sufficed to take us to the tobacco plantation, where we were met by Mr F. Row, of Stamford Park, who afforded information that on Saturday last he had trapped a fine dog fox in his poultry yard, and that a few days previous a neighbouring farmer had destroyed two others with the aid of a couple of greyhounds and a sheepdog. This augured well for a good day’s fox hunting, which we would doubtless have had, had it not been for the recent rain which inundated the low-lying land and ti-tree scrub, causing the foxes to take to higher parts.

At the suggestion of Mr Row, who acted as pilot, the master entered a thickly timbered paddock with belts of scrub here and there. The hounds on being thrown forward thoroughly tested every hole and corner, but to no purpose so far as Reynard was concerned. They were, however, successful in putting out a hare, which took us across the Wellington Road double, the second of which had a wire fixed on the top of the posts, and over which McGinty, Robin, Troubador and Contessa flew, the others availing themselves of a friendly gate down the hill, which let them into the tobacco flats paddock, which was more or less covered with water, making it very difficult for hounds to hold the line, and where a drain running a banker caused trouble. Bending to the left we jumped a drain and fence into the Stamford Park Estate, out of which we found ourselves on the property of Sir William Clarke; thence through some crops and across Ferntree Gully Road into Mr Ashley’s farm, where the hounds threw up their heads, thus giving riders and horses a respite, which was very welcome, as during the last mile or two the going was over a very heavy country,

Another hare having been found, she took us across Haynes’ and Mitchells’, and again into Stamford Park, where, very reluctantly (time wearing on), the master was compelled to stop his hounds to allow us to catch the special train back to town.

The bitter bit, however, had yet to be taken for, as we were returning to the station, a large dog fox was seen stealing away out of some scrub, the lateness of the hour precluding the possibility of hunting him. On passing Stamford Park house Mr Row invited the party to lunch, and here again time played a prominent part, allowing us but fifteen minutes to do justice to the many good things so kindly provided.