Former church converted into clubrooms

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 35

Former church converted into clubrooms

After almost eight years of reconstruction work, the former Methodist church at 30 Lincoln Road will be officially opened this Saturday evening as the new

clubrooms of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Deerstalker’s Association. The premises will be opened by the association’s

national president, Mr John Bamford, of Balclutha, and the evening’s celebrations will include a dinner and dance.

The association bought the former church for about $30,000 after it had been extensively damaged in the August storm in 1975. The church was originally built on the site in 1919. The restoration work has taken thousands of voluntary manhours of club members’ time to bring the hall to its present condition. The value of the property is now estimated at $lOO,OOO.

Major repairs were necessary to the front of the building, which had collapsed during the storm, bringing part of the roof structure down. The hall floor suffered badly from exposure to the weather and had to be replaced completely. Apart from these major repairs, the hall received a coat of paint, and a new toilet block was added.

The grounds have also received attention, and many shrubs and trees have been planted.

The whole exercise required a large amount of finance, first to buy the building, and then for the repairs. Some moneys for the

original purchase were pledged by members in the form of debentures, and extensive fund raising covered the rest.

The completion of the hall has given the North Canterbury deerstalkers a fine asset and club facilities, giving much impetus to local membership. As a result, the branch has maintained a large membership, and is today the largest New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association branch in the country despite a falling national membership. The hall is extensively used for branch activities, both for senior and junior functions, and is available for outside hire.

“We have very reasonable hire rates, and would like to see the hall used more by the local community and local associations, perhaps on a regular basis,” said the branch secretary, Mr Dave Saunders. “Now that the clubrooms have been completed, we would like to see them used more often. It is a shame to see them lie empty,” he added. Branch activities cover many facets associated with deerstalking, including training on firearm safety, bushcraft, stalking techniques and range shooting.

Organised hunting trips

are arranged on a regular basis catering both for small and big-game hunting, offering new friends an ideal introduction to the -sport. The branch also offers a social programme including dances, picnics, fishing competitions, and many impromptu gatherings following working bees, shoots and hunts.

Despite declining animal numbesr in our forests and mountain lands, deerstalking has maintained its popularity, if two recent studies by Lincoln College at Lake Sumner and Kaimanawa State Forest Parks are anything to go by. The establishment of recreational hunting areas under the 1977 Wild Animal Control Act has given recognition that hunting is a legitimate pastime, and assured continuation of the sport. Canterbury enjoys two recreational hunting areas at Lake Sumner and OxfordMt Thomas.

A number of other proposals are under consideration for recreational hunting areas status. The setting aside of an area for thar is being keenly persued by Canterbury hunters. The North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association has much to offer to Canterbury deerstalkers and always welcomes new members.

The branch has a wide membership base and is open to anyone with good character who is willing to abide by the association rules.