STRATFORD GUN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 73, 19 November 1912, Page 5

STRATFORD GUN CLUB.

The following is tho annual report of the Stratford Gun Club, winch holds its annual meeting cn Wednesday night:— ‘‘On presenting its seventh annual report and balance-sheet, your committee lias again to congratulate members on the sustained interest manifested in inanimate pigeon shooting. Not the least pleasing sign is the formation of several new gun clubs in .other parts cf Taranaki, and it can be said tnat at no other time has this form of sport been in a more healthy or vigorous condition. Traversing last season’s operations, the chief attraction, the ‘Nobel Balli.stite Cup,’ was again competed for, and although tho entries were not so numerous as for tho previous year, a keen contest resulted, and Mr. H. Campbell, shooting consistently throughout; claimed the title as holder for the year. Owing to bad weather experienced during November and December shooting dia not commence until after Christmas, but it is hoped than an earlier start will bo made this year. During tho season under review, a match was shot with the Stratford Rifle Club—two competitions being bold—one with rifles on tho rifle range, and the other with shot-guns. This aroused a Jot of interest, and resulted in a victory for the riflemen by, 18 points. The' lady friends of the members of both clubs combined to secure success by providing and dispensing afternoon tea, and the innovation proved a thoroughly enjoyable one, and your committee hopes that .this match will bo made an annual one.

“Perhaps, however, from a shooting point of view, the most important event of the season was the Taranaki Inanimate Bird Championsh'p, ar ranged by your committee, with the consent of the New Zealand Gun Club Association, and held on April 25c.h last. This was a £1 sweepstake, and attracted thirty entries, including shootists from all parts of Taranaki. The competition proved an unqualified success, and your, committee also recommend that this event, with the match, Rifle Club v. Gun Club, should be made an annual fixture, providing consent can bo obtained. After a tie between Mr. C. J. Tuck, N. Marsh and R. Linn, the former established his claim as the champion shot of Taranaki, and received a gold modal suitably engraved. During the year several members competed in sweepstakes arranged by neighbouring clubs, with a moderate amount of success. The ciub desires to express its thanks to the Stratford Racing Club for again permitting tho use of the,Racecourse for shooting competitions, to Mr. A. CMan- for placing his grounds at tho. club’s disposal when the Racecourse was not available owing to golf matches, to the Stratford Golf Club for allowing gear to be kept in its pavilion, to Mr. W. J. Morrison, for his excellent handicapping, and to Messrs Stewart, T. Mercer, and T. I). Colson for donations and trophies. “Your committee is daily expecting the arrival from London of a match shooting gun, ordered from the wellknown firm ,of Chris. Boswell and Co. It is intended to. shoot for this gun in a sweepstake, the entrants to be members of the Stratford Gun Club. It is confidently anticipated that this sweepstake will lie the means cf arousing enthusiasm amongst.our members. “The balance-sheet shows a credit of £5 15s 2d, and £1 5s is still to lie collected for birds and ammunition. In concluding, your committee confidently hopes for a successful season for 1913.”