WAIPA GUN CLUB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7138, 28 November 1949, Page 4

WAIPA GUN CLUB

SUCCESSFUL OPEN SHOOT VISITING SHOOTERS DO WELL One of the most successful open shoots yet staged by the Waipa Gun club was heald on the grounds of Messrs Morrison Bros, property, Park Road, yesterday. The day was beautituily fine and was ideal for shooting, so that some excellent performances were put up. The popularity of the club among followers of the sport was strikingly, demonstrated by the large numbers oi shooters who travelled' long distances to participate in the several events. Shooters came from Palmerston North, Waitara, New Plymouth. Whakatane, Taumarunui, Rotorua, Te Kuiti, Waitomo, Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Cambridge, Katikati and Huntly. In addition local club members were present in large numbers. The club yesterday were honoured by the presence of Mr T. Glenn (Ngahinepouri), president of the New Zealand Gun clubs, Mr L. E. Role (Ngongataha), official secretary, North Island Gun clubs and Mr Gor don Wallace (Hamilton), official referee North Island Gun clubs. Ml Glenn is in his first-year of three as Dominion president, having for three years been vice-president. Mr Glenn in course of conversation with a Courier reporter, said that there were 76 clubs in the North Island, forty, of which were in the Auckland dis trict.. Mr Glenn was highly complimentary of the Waipa Club’s grounds, and set-up and he complimented the president, Mr L. Marsh and his fellow officers and members on that fact. Mr Pole expressed appreciation of the club’s outstandingly generous hospitality and visitors can all heartily endorse Mr Pole’s commendation. The success of the club has not been attained without hard work and en? thusiasm and Mr Marsh and those associated with him in the running of the club have not lacked those two qualifications, which are the essentials for success in any organisation. The numerous helpers, some of whom are behind the scenes and the ladies who are always to the fore in dispensing refreshments, also play an important part in making for the high reputation that the club has established and maintained. Yesterday’s shoot amply emphasised all the points outlined above. A trophy donated by Mrs Turkington assisted the club’s funds to the extent of £4 14s, a further evidence of assistance so willingly rendered.

Visiting shooters did well the two principal shoots .being annexed by outsiders.

The presentation of trophies was made by the president, Mr Marsh, who first of all thanked all present for their attendance, especially the shooters who had travelled such long distances and the official visitors whom he said kept the sport clean. Mr Marsh also congratulated the winners and the runners-up, who had also put up good performances, but who were unlucky on the day. Mr Marsh also thanked the ladies who dispensed lunch and afternoon tea and on his call three hearty cheers wens accorded them. Mr Marsh then presented the trophies arid the winners were accorded a hearty round of applause as they received their rewards for their skill.

Mr Dobson, a vice-president of the North Island body expressed the thanks of the visitors to the club for their unbounded hospitality and the excellent manner in which the shoot was conducted.

The following are the results:— Eye Opener (10 birds): Dr Trott (Rotorua), E. Lightfoot (Taumarunui) and H. Bennett, tied for first place. Ten Bird Sweepstake: C. Haggie and J. Whiske tied for first place. Seven shooters tied for second place £5O, 20 bird handicap: E. Green (Matamata), was first having shot the possible. C. Haggie, T. Glenn and R. Baker each shot 19 birds and they tied for second.

£25 Trophy Shoot (15 birds): First Baker (Kihikihi), second prize, electric kettle won by E. Lightfoot (Taumarunui), and the third prize a set of carvers was won by Dr Trott (Rotorua). Baker and Lightfoot each shot the possible and in the shoot-off Baker was successful; five shooters each shot 14 birds and in the shoot-oft Dr Trott was successful in gaining third place. £2 Sweepstake (20 birds): O. Turkington and C. Haggie first with possible; A. Baker and E. Green, second with 19 birds.

Gym Crack (7 birds): C. Benton, O. Turkington, R. Baker, E. Green. C. Lane, C. Haggie, six birds each. Box Skeet (5 birds): C. Haggie 1, C. Benton 2. Novice Shoot (5 birds): A. Quinn and D. Gadsky 4 birds 1.