TAIHAPE HARRIER CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 12

TAIHAPE HARRIER CLUB

MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR OPENING ON MAY H (Own Correspondent.) TAIHAPE, April 19. The first year of the Taihape Harrier Club's activities, has proved a most successful and enjoyable one, and future prospects are very bright. The annual meeting was held last evening in the Fire Brigade Hall, when the club captain (Hr. H. Boys) presided over an enthusiastic attendance. The annual report was then presented. The official opening run, held on June 26, 1938, marked the inception of a Harrier Club in Taihape. Although the membership had increased quite beyond expectations at the preliminary runs it was found when starting time came, that due to several members being unavoidably absent, less than a dozen runners faced the starter. Invitations were received by the Taihape Harrier Club from the Wanganui and Marton Harrier Clubs to visit them for a race, and locally from Messrs. A. Thurston, R. S. Treadwell (Mataroa). A. Adlam (Ngawaka), and Mrs. Steedman (Mataroa). Though handicapped somewhat by a late start in the season the club progressed very satisfactorily both in social activities and the actual running, Invitation runs were held at the residences of Messrs. A. Thurston and R. S. Treadwell, of Mataroa. The invitations extended by Mrs. Steedman and Mr. Adlam were, unfortunately, unable to be accepted owing to the lateness of lhe season. The Wanganui Club sent a big team to visit Taihape and this :ace created a lot of interest and did much to put "harriers” on the map in Taihape. Later in the season a visit was paid by the local club to Wanganui, but owing to mechanical trouble only one car reached Wanganui, and the Wanganui Club very sportingly lent a number of their best runners to make up a team lor lhe visitors. A team of four runners, R. Spence, D. Treadwell, A. Thurston, and C. Arthur competed in the West Coast championships, held at Palmerston North, where D. Treadwell secured ninth place in the A team race, which was a very creditable performance. During the season great assistance in lhe running of lhe races was rendered by Messrs. W. Smith, H. Johnston. F.. Finn, R. J. Gibbs, C. Capill and F. Ireland. On the social side a series of card evenings were run by D. Treadwell and R. Spence whose efforts helped greatly towards the resources of the club. A three-mile road race held over the Main South Road, followed by a function at which members were lhe guests of Mrs. Lelievre. marked lhe close of a successful season. The cup donated by Mr. H. Johnston for the member scoring the highest, number of points during the season was won by D. J. Treadwell. The cup donated by H. H. Boyes was won by E. Walker. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron, Mr. H. A. Belk; president, Mr. H. Johnston: vice-presidents, Messrs. H. D. Bond, D. Neagle, R. L. Lawson, H. Gray, W. A. Smith, R. S. Treadwell. J. Bridson, R. Kiely, R. J. Gibbs, Mrs. Lelievre; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. Treadwell; hon. auditor, Mr. R. D. Mayson; executive committee, Messrs. H. Boys, Floyd, C. O'Hanlon; handicapper, Mr. H. Johnston; delegate to Wanganui Sub-centre. Mr. S. Hurley. It was decided that the club colours be the same as last year. The subscription was fixed at ss. The election of a captain, vice-captain, and coach, was held over till a later date. It was decided to hold the official opening on May 14. The meeting approved of Mr. L. Skeet’s suggestion that a novice race should be held early in the season, and the matter was left in the hands of the secretary to arrange. It was resolved to hold the first training run of the season on April 23. The chairman reported that the West Coast championships would be held at Wanganui this year. The following new members were elected: Messrs. Beauchamp and Floyd. An invitation was received from the Masterton Harrier Club to attend their 27th. anniversary, on May 13.