DIAMOND JUBILEE OF ANGLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24721, 25 September 1941, Page 4

DIAMOND JUBILEE OF ANGLING

TF all the water that has flowed *- beneath the bridges of this province since the Otago Angler’s Association came into existence could be reclaimed, it would be more than enough to keep the Shag River flowing bank-high in the driest season. There would probably be enough over as well, to flush the wfeed out of the Tomahawk Lagoon. The association has reached its sixtieth year, and the diamond jubilee celebrations are being undertaken on a scale which, considering the petrol restrictions, is little short of magnificent. There are to be special competitions, special prizes, special medals for officials of long standing, and, it is hinted, special fish in the rivers for members to catch. These last, of course, will not be available to non-members or visitors to the district.

The actual, origin of the association has been the subject of- some controversy, and. indeed, at one stage, interest in this point came close to eclipsing interest in angling, But that, naturally, was during the off season. It seems that on August 24, 1881. a meeting was held at the Athenaeum at which a committee was set up to take the necessary steps for the formation of a club. Even at this stage the aims and objects of the originators were ambitious. They were not satisfied only to fish and form a club so that they would be assured of. an audience to which to talk about fishing.

but they set out to ensure similar advantages in the country districts by declaring their intention of sponsoring branch clubs in what were then the wilds of Otago. It is claimed that the Otago Anglers Association is the oldest body of its category in the Dominion. This claim was published some years ago. and since no one contested it, the association has adopted the belief, that it is the pioneer anglers’ association in this country. One of the hardy pioneers still' remains in the person of Mr George M. Marshall, of Alexandra. The records do not state whether Mr Marshall is still an angler, but there can be no reasonable doubt on the point. Once an angler, always a fisherman, despite advancing years and increased cost of the fishing licence. The jubilee president, Mr H. G. Williams, of Dunedin, is a life member of the association, and has the distinction of being one of the four eldest surviving members of the association. He joined the ranks of the fishermen before 1889, and gained the presidency for the first time in 1910-11.

At that time, as to-day, no more enthusiastic member had ever sat in the chair at the deliberations of the committee, and in his term as president, the membership achieved the record figure of 112. This figure was eclipsed in 1928 -and 1929. when the totals were 117 and 120 respectively: but Mr Williams has sponsored a membership campaign again this year, and is hopeful of attaining a total of 300 members. Closely following Mr Williams in length of membership are three Dunedin sportsmen who have taken a prominent part not only in the sport of angling, but in all matters relating to the work of the Otago Acclimatisation Society They are Mr ,T. Long, who has been a member of the association since 1897. Mr C. A. Wilson, now vicepresident and a life member, who joined in 1905% and Mr J. Hutchison, who becapie a member in 1906. The first president of the association was Mr P. F. Stoddart, who occupied the office for a period of 10 years. This record was improved later when Mr R. Chisholm was president for 13 years. 12 of which were successive terms. Since 1905. the office has been a rolling one, and no one person has spent more than one year in it. One of the chief features of the jubilee year is the building of a, hut. to be the property of the association, on the River. The proposal arose out of an angling trip organised about last Christmas for the benefit of two members of the nersonnel of the visiting Antarctic Expedition vessel U.S.S. Bear. The arrangement was a hurried one. sind it was found when the Otago Acclimatisation Society agreed willingly to lend the services of its ranger to accompany the visitors, that there was . no. place such as many other angling bodies possess to take them Arrangements for the erection of a

suitable camp, to be known, it is re-

ported, as the Harry Williams Hut,

have'now been completed, and the innovation is expected to be a considerable asset to the association.

To Join the Navy The Caversirhpj Club is. soon to lose another yaluSble member, R. F. Morrison., one of the most promising junior athletes in Dunedin, is joining the Royal Navy. Morrison is a good all-round .performer, and has won numerous events, including Otago junior titles, iHis best event is the 440 yards, and he has given promise of going, far as a quarter-miler He will be a losp to the Caversharh Club and to athletics in Otago,