OHAI ANGLERS’ CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 21822, 27 September 1932, Page 10

OHAI ANGLERS’ CLUB

SOCIAL EVENING.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

(From Our Correspondent)

The seventh annual social evening of the Ohai Anglers’ Club took place in the Ohai Public Hall on Friday evening. This popular event, which is always eagerly anticipated by the local angling fraternity, proved a great success. Although visitors were unavoidably absent, the local club was well represented by members, their wives and lady friends. The function was carried out under the capable direction of Mr D. Cameron, chairman, who deputized in the absence of Mr W. Excell.

In his opening remarks Mr Cameron stated that he considered angling one of the finest sports, not only because of the skill necessary, but because of the sporting spirit which seemed to exist among all anglers, particularly in the Ohai Club. He was pleased so many ladies were taking an interest. The Ohai anglers he considered indeed fortunate in being close to such a good stream as the Morley. The largest trout caught in Southland last season was pulled up from this stream and weighed 19Jlb.

Mr I. Talbot mentioned the valuable information and advice received from the Invercargill Club and. regretted that no representatives were present. He had also found the Southland Acclimatization Society a most agreeable body with which to work, and remits sent in were always favourably dealt with.

In responding to the toast to “Kindred Clubs,” Mr E. W. Hunt remarked that Ohai was indeed well represented in all branches of sport. Practically all sports suitable to the conditions were played in Ohai. He made special mention to the school football and basketball teams.

In proposing the toast to the “Southland Acclimatization Society,” Mr D. Nicol stated that thanks were due to that body which worked so assiduously to promote the interest of all sports within its scope. Being secretary of the local club, he had had a fair amount to do with the society, and had at all times found it a most fair and helpful body. Its meetings, he considered, were most interesting, and he thought it spoke volumes for it that when the local hatchery proved unsuccessful it was soon ready with assistance.

Mr Dodds said that owing to such a scattered district, he considered the work of the Acclimatization Society very difficult. At all times he had found it very willing to give information, and proposals sent in were always quickly and favourably dealt with. He suggested that the Anglers’ Club apply to the society for permission to rear or liberate quail in and around the district as conditions were most suitable for this branch of sport. During the evening a presentation of an eight-day clock was made to Mr J. Dodds, the clock being inscribed as follows:—“Ohai Anglers’ Club. Presented to John Dodds, by the officers and members of the O.A.C. in recognition of services rendered from 1927-31,” In presenting the clock, Mr Cameron said that Mr Dodds had practically fathered the club since its inception. He had been secretary from 1927 to 1931. Mr Talbot and Mr Nicol also spoke in terms of praise of Mr Dodds’ work. Mr Talbot said that Mr Dodds had spent a great deal of his time in the interests of the club. Mr Nicol stated that Mr Dodds had always been ready to help him in any matter about which he had had any doubt. In returning thanks Mr Dodds said that up till last year he had been secretary of the Ohai Club since its inaugeration in 1927. He would always remember -with gratification the honour conferred on him that evening. The work had been difficult, he admitted, but unless he had had good followers to back him in his duties and objects, the work would have been useless. Mr J. Mair, who has joined the ranks of the benedicts, was presented with a weather glass. Mr J. Thomson thanked all those who had contributed items, thus helping considerably to make the function the success it was. Prizes were distributed as follows! Heaviest Bag, Labour Day Competition (donated by Mr W. Excell): Mr J. Mair. Largest number of fish for the season (donated by the Southland .Acclimatization Society): Mr S. Blight. Heaviest fish (donated by Messrs A. and W. Hamilton): Mr R. Wilson. Youths’ prize (donated by Messrs A. and W. McCarthy): Master Charles Braithwaite. Heaviest fish: Miss Edith Braithwaite. Largest number of fish (donated by Mr W. J. A. McGregor): Mr Nicol. Following was the programme: Violin duet, Messrs Coulter and Nicol; song, Mr Tiplady; guitar solo, Mr Coulter; concertina solo, Mr H. Kilburn; quartet (instrumental), Messrs Coulter (guitar), H. Kilburn (concertina), Nicol and Bennie (violins); recitation (humorous), Miss Barbara Wilson; _ trio, Messrs Heller (piano), Nicol (violin) and Coulter (guitar); song, Mr Coulter; song, Mrs Roffle; duet, Messrs Kilburn and Raffles, assisted by Mrs Clark (piano), Messrs Coulter (guitar) and Nicol (violin); song, Mr E. W. Hunt. Mrs Clark and Mr Kilburn played the accompaniments.