PUKEKOHE GUN CLUB.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 256, 6 March 1917, Page 2

PUKEKOHE GUN CLUB.

Complimentary Shoot and Social. Members of tho PukekoLe Rod and Gun Club assembled iu force on the Club's range on Friday afternoon on the occasion of a farewell shoot arranged in honour of LanceCorpl. W. H. Hawke, who was on his tinal leave, and it was exceedingly appropriate that the guest of the afternoon, who shot consistently throughout, should have annexed two of the trophies presented, his wins being highly popular. The results were as follows :

Trophy presented by Mr Ivan Motion—five birds;—W. H. Hawke (10yds hep) 5 birds, S. Fitness (15yds) 5, W. McNally (14yds) 5, B. Hart (12yds) 5. Ten others competed. Hawke killed all bis birds with the first barrel and won on points.

Two trophies presented from Waiuku live birds ; B. Hart (12yds) 5 birds (winner) 8. Fitness (loyds), W. McNally (14yds), J. Wright (14yds), McNeil (14yds), J. Reynolds (13yds), E. McCormick (12yds), E. McGough (12yds), and W. H. Hawke (10yds) all tied for second prize with four kills apiece and on shooting-off Daysh won Ten others competed. Trophy presented by Mr H. G Lysnar—five birds: H Jull (15yds), Hart (14yds) and Hawke (10yds) each had five kills and on shootingoff Hawke won. Thirteen others competed. Trophy presented by Mr W. McNally—five birds :H. Jull (15 yds) and J. Reynolds (13yds) made five kills and Reynolds won on shooting-off. Fifteen others competed. Trophy presented by Mr W. Wright—five birds : Jull and S. Fitness (15yds), J. Wright (14yds), McCormick (13yds), and R. Fitness (10yds) all had five kills and in the shoot-off McCormick won, with Jull second. Ten others competed. At the close of the contest the prizes were presented to the respective winners by Mr C. K Lawrie. the president of the Club, who paid testimony to tho kindness of Mr T. Kennelly in placing his ground at the Club's disposal at all times. Mr Lawrie went on to say that the gathering that afternoon was held as a farewell to Lance-Corpl. Hawke who had been a prominent member of the Club since its formation. They all hoped he would return safe and sound.

Mr Kennelly thanked the President for the kind remarks made concerning himself. He assured the members that he was only too pleased to place his paddock at the disposal of the Club and to assist them whenever possible. Mr Ivan Motion expressed his pleasure at being present and wished Lance-Corpl. Hawkegood luck. He felt sure all the members appreciated the help rendered by the tradespeople to the Club by donating the prizes and assisting them in various ways.

Hearty cheers were given for their departing member who was later in the evening entertained at a largely attended smoking concert in the Premier Hall, Mr C K. Lawrie presiding. The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the the toast " The Army and Navy " proposed by Mr Coady in an appropriate speech. Mr F. Perkins, in responding, remarked how proud they should feel at belonging to the British Nation.

The toast, of " The Boys at the Front " was proposed by Dr Wake. Men, he said, went to war not because they were compelled but as a sense of duty. " The Allies " was proposed by Mr A. B. Barter in some wellexpressed words. The President, Mr C. K. Lawrie, in proposing the toast of " Our Guest.," referred to Lance Corpl Hawke's many good qualities and to the helpful association he had given the Gun Club. In the name of the Club he asked him to accept as a memento of many happy days spent on the Pukekohe range a pipe and tobacco pouch. Lance-Corpl. Hawke, who received quite an ovation, in expressing thanks, said the gift would remind him of old friends He trusted the pipe would prove a pipe of peace. The toast of " Kindred Sports," submitted by Messrs J. Costello and J. Beatty, was replied to by Messrs Frank Graham and D. Jamieson.

" The Ladies " was humorously proposed by Mr Pollok. During the evening songs were rendered by Lance-Corpl. Hawke, Messrs Davies, A. Lea, R. BUky, J. T. Hewson, while recitations were given by Messrs H. V. Gribble and Mayes.