SPORTSMEN MEET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 63, 10 April 1945, Page 4

SPORTSMEN MEET

ROD AND GUN ACTIVITIES

OLD CLUB TO BE CONTACTED) A large and enthusiastic group o! sportsmen assembled in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday ; 2(jth March to discuss the formation of a Whakatane llod and Gun Club. Mr J. D. Rivett chaired the meeting. Several members brought up the question of the old Rod and Gun Club which. has been in rcccss for some years. The chairman strongly advised against the forming of a new club at present until a definite answer was obtained as to the future activities of the old Rod and Gun Club composed mostly of Taneatua members of which Mr Walter Semmens was president. The cartridge shortage was" also freely discussed and members were of the opinion that if the old club were revived, or a new one formed representations should be made to the right quarter concerning the equal distribution of cartridges.

Fishermen were, also to be heard on the acute lack of small fish in the various streams. This is due undoubtedly to the present system of releasing fry and linger! ing trout ? to the detriment of proper breeding.

Liberation of pheasants ami wild l'owl was another matter that required urgent attention and proper supervision by an authorised body in this district. These matters, it was decided were an Acclimatisation concern, which could be pushed along by an active Rod and Gun Club. The general opinion was that at present clay bird shooting was only a secondary consideration until the ammunition shortage was overcome. The I'ollowig motion was then moved by Mr Roy Butler and seconded by Mr D. Pearce: "That this meeting of sportsmen communicate with the old Rod and Gun Club and request that they meet these sportsmen on April 9 as a special general meeting with the intention of combining to re-establish the present Rod and Gun Club." * This motion was carried unanimously and it was. deckled that it was now up to the old Rod and Gun Club to get things moying in the right direction. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair. The meeting indicated in the mo, tion took place last night. A full report will appear shortly.