ROTORUA HUNT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 212, 2 May 1932, Page 2

ROTORUA HUNT

CLUB FORMED AMALGAMATION WITH BAY OF PLENTY CENTRES APPROVED 5 MANY NEW MEMBERS ELECTED Notwithstanding the wet weather i there was a very satisfactory attendance at the annual meeting of the Rotorua Hunt Association, held in the Druids' Hall on Friday night. The chair was occupied by the president, Dr. H. Bertram. Representatives were present from Whakatane. The,principal business, beyond the ordinary affairs of the annual meeting, was the consideration of a proposal to extend the activities of the club to include the Bay of Plehty districts and to alter the name of the association to Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt Club. Introducing the annual report the president declared that the past season had been a most enjoyable one and the financial position must be considered thoroughly satisfactory. Speaking of the proposal for incorporating the Bay of Plenty, he said that if the. proposal were adopted, they would be in a position to i employ labour to do what had been done voluntarily hitherto. They could have the paek loolced after and obtain the services of a regular huntsman. To go farther than had been possible in the past the establishment of a hunt club was neeessary. Tauranga and Te Puke had expressed willingness to join with Rotorua, and he believed Whakatane also desired to join. He expressed special thanks to the owners of property who had given facilities for hunters. Dr. Bertram then moved the formal adoption of the report and pointed out that its adoption .would mean aceeptanee of the suggested extension. Mr. F. Smith seconded. Support From the Bay Mr. Ward, of Whakatane, expressed pleasure at the proposal to extend the club's sphere, and said that there were 112 persons in his district ready to become members, and there were also 50 ready to join in Opotiki if they could be assured of hunting there. He considered the balance sheet presented a highly creditable one. The report was then adopted. The president said there were no figures available regarding the proposed membership from Tauranga, but there were 58 members promised from Te Puke. It was impossible to say what amount of hunting would be provided in each district. It would all depend upon finance. A formal resolution was then passed adopting the new name of the club. Working Executive Formed The president further moved that a working executive committee be formed, consisting of two members from Tauranga, two from Te Puke, two from Whakatane, and eight from Rotorua. Mr. T. Jackson said a working executive was necessary at once to enable the new club to funetion. It was necessary to become registered before they could apply for affiliation to the Hunt Club Association, and one month's notice had to be given. It was necessary also to draw up rules. The motion was carried and the election of officers proceeded with, as follows : — President and Master of the Hunt, Dr. H. Bertram; deputymaster, Mr. T. Jackson; whips, Messrs. F. Smith and E. C. Giesen; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. La .Trobe Hill; provisional committee, Messrs. E. A. Meredith, T. McConnell, T. Jackson, L. C. Ryan, F. S. Parlane, F. Smith, E. C. Giesen, and Dr. Bertram (Rotorua), Messrs. Jordan and Butler (Tauranga), and Mr. Vercoe and Major Bennett (Te Puke). The Whakatane members to be appointed later. Dr. Hay was appointed hon. surgeon. Considerable discussion took place upon the appointment of a huntsman, Whakatane suggesting that a professional man be engaged. _ It was decided to postpone the appointment until later, in the meantime Mr. T. Jackson will act. A number of formal resolutions were then passed for the purpose of providing the necessary administrative machinery for the new club. The Pack Mr. Jackson pointed out that before the club could affiliate it would be necessary to possess hounds. The owners of the dogs were prepared to give the club an option to lease the pack at the actual cost price of their upkeep. The pack had increased, and the club would get three times as many hounds as the association possessed last year. The feeding of the pack cost £60 a year, and the kennel work £15. The owners were prepared to lease the hounds for something lilce that amount. The offer was accepted. A large number of new members were elected from various districts, and it was decided that committees be appointed for the different wards; also that deputy-masters be selected for each hunting district. Opening of Season The opening of the season was fixed to take place in Rotorua on Saturday, May 17, the assembly place to be the R.M. corner. Local sub-committees functioning last season were reappointed.