Manawatu Hunt

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 6

Manawatu Hunt

MEMBERS PREPARE FOR 1938 SEASON

MR. S. G. PERRY RE-ELECTED MASTER The annual meeting of members of the Manawatu Hunt was held in Palmerston North last evening, the master, Mr. S. G. Perry, presiding in the unavoidable absence of the president, Dr. S. J. Thompson. President’s Report. The report submitted by the president, Dr. S. J. Thompson, was as under:—“The season opened on April 17 at Waituna and it closed on July 31 with the steeplechase meeting at Levin. During the season 32 hunts were carded. At most of these the attendance was good and the sport, taken right through, was of a high standard. In this connection mention must be made of the time spent and labour expended by some of our members in erecting jumps and preparing courses. The financial position of the hunt is fairly satisfactory and there was a small debit of £26 odd on the year’s working and the debit balance was increased to £77. Tho annual point-to-point steeplechase meeting at Levin was held on the racecourse and adjoining properties and it resulted in a good day’s sport. There was a fair attendance and a fairly good entry of outside horses. Thanks are due to those members of the hunt and other interested parties who made substantial donations to the trophy fund, which helped in showing a profit of over £l4 on the meeting. The hunt ball was held at Feilding and was a pronounced success. It is clear that this event, handled by an efficient committee, with the master as convener, fills a social want in the club, and it has become an annual event. With the advent of the Saturday half-holiday, most sporting events are held at the week-end, whereas in the past a number were held on Wednesdays. To some of our members the holiday makes no difference, but it should be a matter for serious and thoughtful discussion at this meeting as to whether we are acting in the interests of the hunt and of our own members, in leaving some Saturdays free because of other events held on that day. 1 wish to thank all those who have assisted during my, term of office, and wish to express to all property owners the thanks and appreciation of the Manawatu Hunt for the privilege of hunting over their farms. The report was adopted on the motion of the master, who took the opportunity of thanking the deputymaster and the members for the support accorded him during the season, which had been one of the most successful in the history of the hunt. Mr. Perry also thanked the huntsman (Mr. J. J. Waller) on the splendid condition of the pack. The hunsman then submitted his report concerning the pack and the prospects for the new season, and he also thanked members for their consideration during the past year. The treasurer, Mr. L. H. Collinson, reviewing the year, stated that the club’s only debt was the debit of £77 and that, financially they were in a good position, having quite a lot of property. Mr. N. M. Thomson, the honorary secretary of the Levin branch, reported on the work of the branch during the past year. The balance sheet and reports were adopted on the motion of the chairman, who thanked the treasurer (Mr. Collinson) and honorary auditor (Mr. Thomson) for their work in preparing the financial statement. Election of Officers. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as under: —Patron, Mr. J. A. Nash; president, Dr. S. J. Thompson; vice-presidents, Mrs. A. W. McDonald, Messrs. A. Kidd, S. T. O’Rourke, W. G. Shannon, F. S. Easton, A. M. Ongley, J. Kilsby, D. B. MoEwen, C. Brickland, R. V. Brown, W. W. Andrews and A. P. Smith; master, Mr. S. G. Perry; deputy masters, Messrs. T. R. Taylor (senior), F. S. Mcßeth, W. E. Taylor, C. Bills, D. A. Scott, G. Vickers (senior), W. Swainson and T. Mansell; treasurer, Mr. L. H. Collinson; auditor, Mr. N. M. Thomson; veterinary surgeon, Mr. R. H. Meade; general committee, Messrs. O. Perry, N. M. Thomson, R. L. Brown, W. G. Shannon, D. C. Blake, A. W. McDonald, J. Blenkhorn and H. Bryce. The appointment of a secretary was left over until next meeting. General Business. The huntsman (Mr. Waller) suggested that it would be a good thing if the hunt provided first-aid equipment and the idea was approved. Mr. Don Scott then indicated that he would provide the necessary equipment, his offer being accepted with thanks. Before the meeting was adjourned, the chairman made eulogistic reference to the work of their retiring secretary, Mr. W. McKenzie, who had at all times and over a very long period done his utmost for the club. Mr. Collinson added his tribute and a vote of thanks to Mr. McKenzie was carried .with enthusiasm.