LARGE MEETING DECIDES TO FORM ARCHERY CLUB

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 75, 8 April 1949, Page 5

LARGE MEETING DECIDES TO FORM ARCHERY CLUB

Over 60 people attended a public meeting at Whakatane on Wednesday night for the purpose of forming an archery club in the district. Both men and women, with a fair sprinkling of boys and girls, after watching an exhibition by members of the Opotiki Archery Club voted for the formation of a club at Whakatane.

To prepare preliminary arrangements an interim committee was set up to inquire about the necessary equipment and the establishing of the proposed club. Opening the meeting Mr R. T. Morpeth, welcomed members of the Opotiki club and expressed pleasure at the large attendance. He apologised for the absence of the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry. He said he hoped a club would be formed at Whakatane as it would then be able to provide first class competition with Opotiki. Mr Morpeth referred to the organising of the meeting, which had been done mainly by Mr J. London. He then introduced members of the Opotiki club, the president, Mr W. E. Larmer, the field captain, Mr B. Chatfield, and the secretary, Mrs Chatfield. Opotiki Keen (

Mr Larmer said that Opotiki were keen for a club to be formed at Whakatane. Their club had only been in existence since October but (had made much headway since then. He described the set up of a club and referred to the fact that archery was an all season sport, outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter. Opotiki at present, had a membership of about 50. What equipment would be needed and advice on how to get it was given by Mr Chatfield. He outlined the correct behaviour while on the court and then, with Mrs Chatfield and Mr Larmer, gave an exhibition shoot.

Mr Chatfield stressed the fact that the Opotiki club was started by individuals who knew almost nothing about the sport. It was only by reading books and constant practise that they had managed to get firmly established. He mentioned too, that equipment was often delayed in being delivered but it was important that members , stuck together until all were equipped. During his address Mr Chatfield said that Opotiki were (holding its club championships on Easter Monday and extended an invitation to Whakatane members to be present. Club Formed Following the exhibition shoot about 44 people voted that a club be formed, the name of it to be decided later. On the advice of the Opotiki members it was decided to limit, for the first .12 months, the age of membership to not less than 16 years. Before the meeting concluded Whakatane members were measured for bows and arrows by Mr Chatfield.

After the interim committee has met a further,public meeting of intending members is to be called to finalise arrangements for the formation of the new club. Interim officers elected:— President, Mr J. London; committee, Messrs J. Dickson, D. G. Stevens, A. G. Stenhouse, Mrs J. Lynds, Miss A. Bathe; secretary, Mr B. Miller.