THE LIGHT HORSE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5603, 9 April 1943, Page 3

THE LIGHT HORSE

TE AWAMUTU ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING HELD The third annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Light Horse Association was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, Mr H. Weal presiding over a good attendance of members. Prior to the commencement of business, those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of members who had died since the last annual meeting. An apology for absence was received from Mr A. S. Wyllie. PRESIDENT’S REPORT The president, Mr H. Weal, reported as follows: “The Association’s third year has been one of further success. During the season the weekly hunts have been well attended, a notable feature has been the improvement both in riders and in their mounts. Once again I with to extend to those landowners who have placed their properties at the disposal of the Association, our very sincere thanks and appreciation. Their co-operation makes possible a form of sport that has for its object the improvement of the light horse in the district and the encouragement of a healthy and enjoyable past-time. An innovation this year was the staging of two gymkhanas. The first was held on the 3rd of October and the second on 13th March. Providing as they do an opportunity for everyone to compete in at least some of the events, the fixtures have been deservedly popular both with our members, and as indicated by the financial results, with the public also. Our special thanks are due to Messrs Morrison Bros, for permitting us to use their farm as the venue of the gymkhanas, and also to the many willing helpers, not forgetting the W.A.C., whose efforts made them such enjoyable features of this year’s activities.

We have been much indebted to the ladies of this Club for providing afternoon tea each Saturday, and the social atmosphere thus engendered has done much to further a happy spirit amongst our members. The balance sheet shows that we are on a much improved financial footing, and with the enthusiasm that is already manifest at this, the outset of the new season, it is evident that we can look forward once again to a successful year.”

The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed a credit balance of £63 10s Bd. The chairman and Mr Empson remarked that the result of the year’s working was very satisfactory. OFFICERS ELECTED Patron. Mr J. G. Wynyard; president, Mr J. A. Johnson; vice-presidents, Messrs J. T. Young, S. A. Empson, H. C. Rainey, and E. H. Cucksey; secretary and treasurer, Mrs Wj. B. Hughes; committee, Mrs E. Storey, Mrs R. Weal, and Messrs L. A. Johnston, E. Storey, K. Jones, W. Morrison, H. R. Clarke, A. Nicholas. L. R. Kay, and G. Walker: master, Mr RJ. Weal; deputy master, Mr A. S. Clarke. Tributes were paid to the work of the retiring secretary, Miss Patricia Taylor, and she was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. In electing Mr Wynyard as patron, warm appreciation of his work for the Association was expressed, Mr Empson stating that much of the prosperity enjoyed to-day was due in no small measure to his early efforts and organisation. GENERAL It was decided that subscriptions remain as last year, namely, men 10s, ladies ss. A donation of two guineas was made to the St. John Ambulance. It was decided to have the opening day for the season on Saturday, 17th April, on Mr J. G. Wynyard’s property. The offer of Messrs Jacob and Spiers to place their properties at the disposal of the hunt was accepted with thanks.. An invitation was received from the Otorohanga Hunt to attend its opening day to-morrow. Mr Wynyard moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs J. A. Johnson. R. Weal, L. R. Kay, and A. S. Clarke, investigate the possibility of obtaining a suitable thorough-bred stallion for the purpose of breeding hunters and remounts in the district. This was seconded by Mr P. Murphy and carried. RACING CLUB The annual meeting of the Light Horse Racing Club was held after the meeting of the Association, the president’s report reading as follows: The third annual report of the Awamutu Light Horse Association Racing Club, presented by Mr Weal, read:— The Club’s activities have been maintained during the past season and we again held' a picnic race meeting and a point-to-point meeting, and both fixtures were very successful. The picnic race meeting was held on Ist August and net proceeds were on this occasion divided between the Patriotic Society and the local St. John Ambulance Brigade, each of these bodies benefitting to the extent of £43 13s 9d from the meeting. In this connection it is worthy of note that since its inception the Club has been instrumental in raising just on £3OO for patriotic and ambulance funds. On 29th August our second annual point-to-point meeting took place. Favoured by a beautiful day, the fix-

ture provided a very pleasant day’s outing for riders and patrons, and some - keen racing was witnessed.

I wish to place on record our thanks and appreciation to the Waipa Racing Club for once again allowing us the free use of their course, and to Mr Gordon Walker for placing his property at our disposal for the pointto point meeting. To the officials who worked so untiringly to make these two gatherings the success they undoubtedly were, I extend my grateful thanks, and with their continued cooperation I look forward confidently to the further progress of the Club. The balance-sheet showed the Racing Club to be £32 6s 4d in credit. Mr L. A. Johnston was re-elected honorary secretary and Mr M. Barnett auditor.