OTAGO GUN-SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13863, 28 March 1907, Page 10

OTAGO GUN-SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

The first annual meeting of the association was held at the Palace Hotel, Moray place, last evening, the president (J. A. Hutchoson) in the chair. Thero was a fair attendance of members. The secretary (Sir W. B. Tavcrnw) read the annual report, which contained the following clauses:— Although the operations of the association have been conducted on a limited scale, the result of the year's work has been fairly satisfactory. Membership cards lmve been issued to 32 sportsmen, although a very large number of sportsmen regard themselves as members, still the association's receipts have not been increased by their particular subscnption.

regard fo shooting privileges, your committee lias received many encouraging and courteous letters from large iiuiholders imd farmers, in some cases extending invitations shoot over their property, in some districts, notably portions of Central Otago, exclusive permission for shooting privileges have been obtained by the association, tho property-owners in question having recognised in our rule 3 a sufficient guarantee that stock and other property will not be in any way disturbed. Letters of approval of our ■rules have also been forwarded by country residents in many parts of Otago, and information likely to bo of considerable service to sportsmen has been supplied in an extremely obliging manner. During tho year your committee has bold 10 meetings in addition to two public meetings. Your committee, appreciates tho ' energy which your president has put into the work of bringing the associajion into prominence; ho has not lost an opportunity of furthering its interests. Several communications have been received from tho Colonial Secretary with reference to sporting matters, and the committee would tender its thanks for the information thus placket at its disposal. In this connection the committee's thanks arc »l=n due to Mr T. K. Sidcy, M.H.R., for his prompt and obliging assistance: The 'resolutions which you adopted ro the Animals Protection Act were forwarded to Wellington, and will no doubt have some bearing on future legislation, as the Colonial Secretary lias since intimated to us that, in his opinion, it is desirable to limit the bag. Members of the executive have on various occasions visited outlying districts, and have held two meetings on the Taieri. and although ,-their effort lias not actually increased the membership several sportsmen in that district bave constituted themselves into small committees to further the interests of the association, A silver medal, presented by the president for competition amongst tho junior members, was awarded to Mr K. Baker. Your committee- is pleased to report that several members of the Gun Club'and the Acclimatisation Society are associated with us in our endeavour to place gun sport upon a favourable footing. Tho report was adopted. After some general discussion regarding sporting matters, the election of officers was proceeded with, .and resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. A. Hntclieson (reelected), vice-presidents. Messrs K. N. Rreenslade, A. C. Cooper, T. Crossknd, S. •Tohnston, AV. Skiteh: secretary and treasurer, Mr T. Overtoil; Management Com-mittee-Messrs Wilson, Baker, Taverner, Peirtberton, Graham, and Burgess. General regret was expressed that Mr W. B. Taverner was, owinp; to pressure of business, unable to retain the office of secretary. Several gentlemen wero elected members ■of the association, and with the strong committee elected, confidence in the future work of the organisation "was expressed.