HUNTING GOES ON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 8 March 1941, Page 6

HUNTING GOES ON

CONTESTED ISSUE CLUB MEMBERS' DEBATE FARMERS’ ASSISTANCE VIEWS OF THE TROOPS Whether hunting should be proceeded with during a season which might see the war reach its most critical stage was the principal issue raised at the annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Hunt Club, held last evening, a debate of. some length ending with a unanimous decision to carry on as long as possible. Soldier members of the club were present m good numbers, and solidly favoured keeping the pack together and the hunt in operation while it remained possible. After routine business had been disposed of, the master of hounds, Mr. 11. H. Dods] referred to the prospects of the new season, and stated that over a period of years the club had built up one of the finest packs of hounds in the Dominion, and he felt that it- was a duty on the present members to carry on. They had a duty to the dub arid a duty to the members serving overseas, who would wish to take tip hunting again on their return to civilian life. He felt that the case called for no half-hearted treatment, Mr. Dods continued. Before they could levy members for subscriptions, they would have to make definite arrangements for carrying on; otherwise the whole of the season's activities would fade out. The upkeep of hounds was no small item in the club’s budget, and he thought all members should do what they could to keep the club going. Suspension Advocated Mr. H. Allan stated that he considered the hunt . should suspend activities for the 1941-42 season, in defrence to the views of those who had sons and relatives in the fighting fprces. He felt that the club would lose the sympathy and support of the farming community, and would have difficulty in arranging for hunting country. He added that he would not like to approach any property-owner who had a son serving with the forces. The upkeep of hounds, Mr. Allan said, could be arranged in the same way as in any off-season, and there would be no need to break up the pack or allow it to deteriorate. He moved that hunting should not be carried on during this season, and the motion was seconded pro forma by Father Curley. Mr. F Tolerton said that he could not support Mr. Allan’s views. He contended that the sport should be carried on as long as possible, and that nothing would be gained by giving up. His attitude was shared by Mr. W. D. Morley, who said that men who had served in the last war would agree that there was no objection to any activity which would not interfere with the war effort. Altitude of Soldiers Similar views were expressed by Mr. T. Fraser, and the attitude of men serving in the forces was stated by Lieutenant C. Monckton, one of a group of members on leave from camp.

He said that the question called for consideration, and that everyone realised the war would require all the effort that could be given to it. Sacrifices which must be made ,n° doubt would be made with the best possible spirit. Many men were going overseas to meet the enemy face to face, and he felt that theirs was the easier choice, for they knew what they had to do.

“There is just as necessary work to be done at home here,” continued Lieutenant Monckton. “We must not lose sight of the fact that this is our iome, and it is here that we hope to return when the war is over, to take up the work and the sport which we used to know. The sooner we can return to normal life the better, arid if we returned to find that horses were just as fit, and hounds as hard to follow, and the master just as outspoken when members press his pack too hard, we would feel that we had not gone away in vain.

“Admittedly it wjll not be.easy for the club to carry on this season in the face of petrol restrictions, shortage oi horses, the increased war effort on farms which will close certain country to us, and possibly, most important of all, the opinion of the public. Until other sports bodies cease to function, however, I do not see why the Hunt Club should cease its activities.”

Scope of the Sport

The speaker urged members to consider the scope of the sport, pointing out that it appealed to men arid women of all ages, and was probably the only sport in which professionalism had no hold. If hunting stopped, show jumping and many others forms of competition would suffer badly and it would be necessary to send horses put to other districts to qualify as hunters.

“It is up to members to give all the support tney can to keep the club going,” he concluded. “Those of us who will go overseas do so with the firm conviction that we leave the club in very capable hands, and we hope that every effort will be made to keep the club going.”

Mr. W. Wilson also supported continued activity, and made an offer tc train the horse, of any member serving overseas for racing engagements. The offer was accepted with acclamation.

Father Cucllev held that all should assist in. carrying on the sport. A hunt club was a big asset to any district, he considered, and was worth some inconvenience and personal effort to keep going. The public should be convinced that hunting men and women took the war just as seriously as anyone, and that the carrying ' on of any sport was not deleterious to the war effort. After fijrther discussion, the motion proposed bv Mr. Allan was lost. Occasion was taken by the chairman to express to members of the club serving in the forces the best wishes of all hunting men and women. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as under: —Patron, Mr. C. J. Tietjen; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Tolerton; hon. auditor, Mr. I-I. M. Porter; committee, Messrs H. Allan, L. G. Woodward, M. R. Moore, C. Monckton, J. Jobson, and Father Curley. The deep obligation of all members to the ladies’ committee was expressed by the chairman, and endorsed by Mr. Tietjen and other sneakers.