MANAWATU HUNT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 February 1932, Page 8

MANAWATU HUNT.

KEEN INTEREST IN LEVIN. The annual meeting of the Man-a-watu Hunt was held at Palmerston N. , on Saturday night, Mr D. B. McEwen '(president) presiding over a good attendance of members, PRESIDENT’S REPORT. The President read his annual re- j port, as follows; — . , ‘ In reporting on (the 1931 season, it is gratifying to be able to say that notwithstanding the slump conditions that obtained we had a most successful season from a hunting point of view. Again we have to express our gratitude to the settlers in the vast area we hunt, tor their kindness in -allowing us to hunt over their propel y. Not only for this, but for their kin r hospitality as well, which needless to say, is greatly appreciated. The number of hunts were arranged were well attended, the general pun also taking a keen interest in the sport. Hare hunting was the vogue in the noithern eud of the district, while tie ‘“drag” gave great enjoyment to the ’large fields in the southern end. •No steeplechase meeting w T as held during the last season, but in the_ ordinary course, a two-day meeting will be held this year, on the last day of this racing season, and the first day of the next racing season. The usual point-to-point steeplechases were arranged to be held at Te Matai, but owing to a paucity of entries, tue event was cancelled. As it turned out, it was just as well that this was done, as on the day appointed for the gatherpm the weather was atrocious, and would have simply ruined the event. However, our Levin friends hcln int-to-points on a C Q Urse which proved eminently suitable for the purpose Good entries were received for all tno pvents and the gathering was splendidly carried out by the officials there. The fixture was pronounced one of the held in Manawatu, both from a racingpoint of view and financially. ■ Speaking of finances, it is regretted Khat these are not at all flourishing, as will be seen from the balance-sheet. The Manawatu Racing Club is asking for a modification in connection with the arrangements made for the use of our totalisator permit, whilst the revenue formerly received from the Ivai-r-inea County Council has ceased, that •body having cancelled the arrangement we had owing to having completed the roads and not needing any gravel from our property. It has been suggested that we should start the season earlier than has been the custom and end it sooner, on account of the lambing and dairy season starting i earlier than used to be the case It was thought this would interfere'with those who indulged in hare hunting, but on making enquiries we find this will not be the case. In the district where hare hunting takes place, hares are declared vermin and can, be destroyed at any time. Last season it was found that hares were too numerous, scents crisscrossing and thus spoiling the sport. Before closing, I have to thank the committee and officials for their support, one and all working energetically to make everything go well, in which they were most successful. The master, Mr L. H. Collinson, expressed his hearty thanks to the de-puty-masters for their help during the season in preparing for the various hunts, and more particularly the keen interest displayed by those in Levin, whom he congratulated on the success bf their efforts. He* reported that the property of the Hunt was in good ordc,r the residence and buildings being well looked after. Hounds were also in fine condition-and they were to be congratulated in having so keen and worthy a huntsman as Mr J. J. Waller. ' The annual balance-sheet was read, and this, together with the reports, was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

'The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Mr J. A. Nash, ALP.; president, Mr D. B. McEwen; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Andrews, J. J. Bryce, E. Y. Brown, L. 11. Collinson, A. Kidd, E. McDonald, D. Pringle, W G. Shannon; master, Mr L. H. Collinson; deputy-masters, Messrs Tj. E'. Taylor (Kiwitea), S. G'. Perry (Waituna and Makino), J. Shaw (Eangitikei line), D. Scott and L. Collins (Aokautere), H. Beatson (Peilaing), D. B. MeEwen (Kairanga), G. V. Shannon and P. Edmonds (Te Matai), J. Q. Cameron (Carnarvon), T. O’Eourke, J. Kilsby and N. Vickers (Levin); committee (in addition to the above), Dr. S. J. Thompson, Messrs N. Horrolbin, H. J. Johnston, F. S. MaBeth, W B. Taylor, J Taylor, W. E. Thomas, N. M. Thomson, C. G. Wood; executive, Messrs W. W. Andrews,"* L. 11. Collinson, D’. B. MeEwen, W. G. Shannon, T. E. Taylor, N. M. Thomson; treasurer, Mr L. H. Collinson; hon. \et., Mr E. H. Meade; auditor, Mr N. H. Sinclair.

Mr Kilsby reported on the very valuable assistance they had received from the Levin Racing Club, especially in connection with their point-to-point steeplechase meeting. Should padlocks be in condition, it is proposed to open the hunting season earlier than usual, with a shorter pencd, so as to have, it over before the lambing and dairy season commences.