SPORTSMEN FOREGATHER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 76, 20 May 1946, Page 5

SPORTSMEN FOREGATHER

A MEMORABLE ‘SMOKO’ ROD & GUN CLUB SOCIAL In accordance with the word - ing on its programme, the Whakatane Sod and Gun Club’s annual ‘Smoko’ which took place in the Caledonian Hall last Saturday evening was one oi' ‘right good company and right good cheer.’ Approximately one hundred and fifty sportsmen gathered from all parts of the Eastern Bay, Tauraitga, Taneatua and Rotorua being represented along with a healthy proportion of

local anglers, and riflemen. President Jim Rivett, capably occupied the chair, and made an excellent host to all present. Bis cordial welcome and invitation to one and all to be completely at ease was taken for its full meaning and a very pleasant and sociable evening took place. From the point of view in viands, the occasion would be hard to beat anywhere. The tables fairly groaned under the weight of the tastefully prepared trophies, of the chase. Pheasant, duck, and venison lay side by side with equally tempting dishes of deliciously smoked trout. New Zealanders live high, but the spread at last Saturday’s gathering was a tribute in itself to ihe veidtable sportsman’s oaradise of which Whakatane is the centre. The hall, hung with bunting and flags made an admirable background for the proceedings, which entailed also the bustling figures of trenchermen, waiters, and aproned stewards who kept the tables in a pei-manent state of full replenishment.

Chairman’s Welcome

Responding to the toast to the 'Whakatane Rod and Gun Club’ Mr J. D. Rivett said that the evening had as its objective the getting together of all good sportsmen, not merely to cultivate goodwill but to ensure that a united front could be shown in the interests of good sport to the Government whenever it was necessary to make an approach. He emphasised the need for numerical strength in order to gain full recognition of the rights and claims of the sporting-minded public. By means of these social gatherings they could build up and consolidate in order to gain better acclimatisation facilities and other things which were vital to the true sportsman.

Good Wishes Extended

Responding to the toast of ‘Kindred Clubs’ Mr H. Cuff (President of' the ,Tauranga Acclimatisation Society) emphasised the need to keep the work of the Society in the hands of those who understood it best. Unless this were done there would be Government interference. He admitted that there were many difficulties.- Birds were in short supply, and two members of his organisation were actually . rearing fingerlings in order to maintain stock. He wished the Whakatane Club all success and congratulated it on the remarkable progress it had made. Mr A. Mitchell, of the executive of the Taneatua Club also extended his good wishes, remarking that progress could only be made by a Continuation of the good relations existing between the clubs. He sincerely hoped that by combining forces sporting facilities in the Eastern Bay could be put on a very fine footing. Haggis Ceremonial An unusual feature of the evening was the piping in of the ‘haggis’ a gesture borrowed from the Caledonian Society, under pressure of several members of the executive with northern blood in their veins. The Scottish fare was laid in front of the president together with a pile of other more seasonable offerings carried in triumphantly by a band of stewards. Burns address to the Haggis, was given as a final touch.

The social side of the evening was in the hands of Mr Ted Hayden who from the stage proved himself a very capable and lively officer in that capacity. Quips and stories were the order of the evening, and these together with fishing and shooting reminiscences made for some laughable and hectic interludes. Splendid items punctuated proceedings, these being supplied by Dr. Fletcher Cole, who sang ‘The Gay Highway’, ‘The Cobbler’s Song’ and ‘There’ll Always Be An England’; and Mr Hans

Hauesler, who once again demonstrated that there was no end to his remarkable repertoire of chalk studies. Trophies Presented Opportunity was taken during the evening to present the Lodge Cup (Club Championship) to Mr S. Kerr, and the President’s Shield to Mr S. Hirst. Both presentations were made by Mr J. D. Rivett. The toast list was as under: ‘The Rod and Gun Club’ Messrs. B. S. Barry and J. D. Rivett; ‘Kindred Clubs’ Messrs. C. Hudson and H. Cuff and H. Mitchell; ‘Kindred Sports’ Messrs S. Kerr and Lee King; ‘The Ladies’ Messrs W. Kenyon and F. Abbott; ‘The Press’ Messrs. Clarke and C. Kingsley-Smith; ‘The Workers’ Mr J. D. Rivett and Mr J. Hanright.