S.C. HUNT CLUB.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12475, 12 September 1904, Page 4

S.C. HUNT CLUB.

The half-yearly general meeting of the South Canterbury Hunt Club was held on Saturday afternoon. Present: Messrs A. S. Elworthy, master (in the chair), P. A. and H. Elworthy, L. and H. Orbell, C. H. Gresson, F. P. Evans, J. Maze, F. C. Knubley, J. and W. Talbot, S. Higginbotham, R. H. Bissett, R. Bassett, E. R. Guinness, Jamieson, Maling, Wigley, Crobie, and Dr C. E. Thomas. The chairman read a letter from Mr Evans, resigning his position as secretary. YXr Evans stated that lie felt unable, owing solely to pressure of business, to keep the position. The work had been very pleasmt, and his business was the only cause for his resignation. Although he would 'ie unable to continue the secretaryship, he would always be glad to do anything he could for the Club.

Dr Thomas moved that the resignation he accepted with regret, and he and other members having testified to the efficiency • >f Mr Evans's services as secretary, the motion was carired unanimously. Dr Thomas was unanimously elected secretary for the next half-year. Mr L. Orbell having declined the position. ' Mr H. Orbell again brought up a proposal that the members of committee should ict in concert with the secretary-in their own localities, thus relieving him of part of his duties. After discussion, it was decided to let this matter -stand over for a committee meeting. The master ' moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr E., R. Guinness for his representation of the Club at the annual conference in Wellington, and asked him to ■nake a report to tfie meeting. Mr Guinness thanked the members for the compliment, and said it had given him pleasure to act for them, and he would be happy, .if asked to do go,-to act again ; .n future. A copy of the minutes of the conference was on the table, and beyond i few remarks he did not think it necessary to make any report. ' Mr Evans here read the report. Mr Guinness said that a matter of great importance to South Canterbury, brought •;p at the conference, was the importation if two stud hounds, one for each island. 1e had managed to secure for South Canterbury the £rst services of the South 'sland hound when it arrived, as the sug. ?estion emanated from this club. He eiolained that after some time the dogs would *>e exchanged, so that the colony would 7et full benefit of the importation. He Oso referred to one or two other points in the report of the conference. Mr H. Orbell moved that a, circular be i prepared and sent to affiliated olubs proposing that a steeplechase handicap be i organised to be run at the Chrisfchurch iirand National meeting, the clubs t& send

teams of horses to run, and to provide a. challenge cup, to be held by the club obtaining the most points, which are to be awarded according to the number of horses entered, stakes to be found by the Canterbury Jockey Club, and the distance to be ■ about three miles.

Mr Orbell explained that the race was to be open only to • qualified hunters. Dr Thomas strongly supported- the proposal, and it was carried. A rough balance-sheet showed the Club's receipts to have been—.Subscriptions £124 18s, Geraldine contract £65, balance from last year £29 7s Bd, estimated surplus from steeplechase meeting £2O, outstanding subscriptions £lO, total £249 5s Bd. The various expenditures with the hunting contract, £IBO, left a credit balance of £42 lis lid. It was agreed that this was very favourable 1 indeed, and indicated the Club's ability to carry on next year. The question of summering the hounds was then discussed, and Messrs Elworthy Bros, again undertook the contract on the same terms as last year. Under the circumstances, the Club considered itself justified in carrying on the hounds with a view to hunting" next year. Mr Evans proposed that the present £2 2s subscription be increased to £3 3s. This would materially decrease the Club's risks in many ways, and would not affect the membership. Other members approved of the change, and Mr Evans gave notice to move to that effect at next meeting.

The meeting passed a vote of condolence to Mr and Mrs Bond, sympathising with them in their recent bereavement, and then closed.