BAY GYMKHANAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 72, 15 May 1945, Page 5

BAY GYMKHANAS

NEW ASSOCIATION FORMED

' FUTURE CO-ORDINATION

| A meeting of delegates representing a large number of Gymkhana committees in the Bay of Plenty was held in the Matata Hall on Sunday t May (J. There were present many well known laces and keen sportsm representing the different committees of the district. The meeting was convened by Mr Burstall of Awakeri in order to form an association of all Gymkhana Committees. Delegates present and the districts represented were as follows: Messrs J. D. Butler and N. Carter (Awakeri); Mr D. j Radcliffe. (Edgeeumbe); Messrs J. ( Williams, F. Henry and J. Paterson. (Matata); Messrs B. C hay tor and T. Wipaki (Matata Maori); i\lr Rowe (Ohauiti); Mr S. G. Williams (Omokoroa); Messrs J. Mortenson, F. Wolsey and W. Sparks ((Pukehina combined); Mr C. P. Taylor (Te Puna ancf Oropi); Mr G. B. Roan (Pye's Pa and Tauriko); Mr George Kelly (Poroporo Maori); Mr R. Haslam (Te Teko); Messrs W. Law ami A. Adams (Thornton); Mr L. Ducker and Mr and Mrs Wylde (Waimana). Mr L. Dueker asked Mr Burstall to explain the main object of an association. In repiy Mr Burstall expressed his opinion that an association should lie formed in order to preserve for all times, the wonderful sporting .spirit that had been aroused through gymkhanas which had been held in the Bay of Plenty district, in the last four years. He added also that an association would see that all meetings were conducted in a more uniform manner , and on account of the keen, interest shown by the younger generation of the district, steps 'should be taken to see that the sporting interest was not allowed to wane. One of the main duties of an association he stressed, would be to fix dates for forthcoming gymkhanas in order to avoid meetings clashing and also to form a good circuit. At this stage Mr Haslam seconded by Mr Henry proposed that an association be formed. Before a vote was taken it was decided by all members present that each committee represented at. this would. lie entitled to one vote only. Mr Wylde informed the meeting that, although he was delegate for Waimana, he had no authority to cast a vote on behalf of that committee. Messrs Radcliffe, Williams and Roan also were in the same position as Mr Wylde. Mr Radcliffe asked if any committee which did not vote on the matter would be barred from joining an association, and he was informed that any committee would lie most welcome in order to make the proposal a success. Alter a vote had been taken the proposal was carried without dissent. The following members were elected to the association:— President: Mr J. Pattie, Pukehina. Chairman: Mr D. Butler Awakeri. Secretary: Mr J. W. Paterson Matata. Also Messrs S. Burstall, Awakeri; F. Wolsey, Pukehina; E. Henry Matata; D. Law, Thornton; R. Haslam, Tc Teko. After the committee had been formed it was announced that the body would be known as the "Bay of Plenty Gymkhanas. Association" and a number of general rules were compiled and general business was completed. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Butler expressed his desire that Miss B. Burt and Mrs C. Wrathall of Matata be thanked for their splendid eoffrt in supplying the luncheon and afternoon tea, and the King's Picture Co. for the vise of jits hall.