OTAGO HUNT CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25805, 28 March 1945, Page 9

OTAGO HUNT CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Hunt Club was held last evening in the club’s office. The president, Mr B. S. Irwin, was in the chair. There was a large attendance, and keen interest was taken in the election of five members to fill vacancies on the committee and the position of vice-president. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said the large at.endance showed that members were taking a keen interest in the afFairs of the club. In the early days, when the club was revived, it had to depend on “ cap ” takings at the weekly meetings and subscriptions, and it was found extremely difficult to carry on its activities. After a number of years a permit was obtained to hold race meetings, and from then on the club’s finances had steadily improved. The primary object of hunt clubs was io foster the sport of hunting and to educate young people to take an active part in the club's activities. During the past five years difficulties had been encountered, through members being in the armed forces, but it was hoped that it would not be long before they were all home again. Mr J. S. McKay had agreed to supply the huntsman, whip, and horses for the ensuing year, and was- thus not eligible to stand for the committee. Owing to the restricted number of racing permits available, the Racing Conference had granted the 1944 permit to the Dunedin Jockey Club for a meeting to be held in conjunction with the Otago Hunt Club. The D.J.C. had very graciously handed the permit to the Otago Hunt Club, and the chairman considered that it was a very sporting gesture on the part of that body. It was with deep regret, Mr Irwin added, that the copimittee had to record the death of its eldest member, Mr James Mowat, who was a life member and also an ex-master and a member of the committee for a number of years. The club had also suffered a severe loss through the recent death of Mrs T. Dalziel, who had been a keen supporter. Mr W. N. Muirhead congratulated the club on the healthy state of its finances. Subscriptions from members did not go very far towards paying the expenses of maintaining the kennels, etc., and the club had to rely on the proceeds from the race meetings to carry on. The club was fortunate in having as its president Mr Irwin, who had been of great service to the club for a very long period.

The following office-be-rers Were elected Patron. Mr J. M. Samson; president, Mr B. S. Irwin; vice-president. Mr J. E. Brunton; committee—Messrs W. P. C. Clifford, K. Russell, G. J. Bartcn. M. Simon, and T. Fogg; auditors, Messrs \V E. C. Reid and Co. The committee later appointed the following officials for the season Treasurer, Mr J N. Murdoch; master, Mr J. E. Brunton; deputy master, Mr W. Muirhead; honorarv whips—Messrs K. Russell, S. R. Robb, and F. Ford. It was decided to hold the first meet of the season at Seaview on April 21.