NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 111, 31 October 1911, Page 7

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

} ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North i laranaki Hunt Club was lield on Saturday afternoon, Mr. J. Smith presiding I over a moderate attendance of member?. The balance-sheet allowed that or- ; dinary receipts, including balance brought , forward of £O3 5s 7d, and members' subj scriptions £IOB 13s, amounted to £195 , lis Bd, and the expenditure to £163 10s 4d. The receipts in connection with | the races were £S9 12s Od, and the j expenditure £lO3 10s 11<1. The ball re- | ce;pts amounted to £45. and the expenditure £53 ISs 3d. There was a balance after allowing for outstanding accounts amounting to £lO of £9 117s Bd.

The chairman moved the. adoption of the balance-sheet. Referring to the loss incurred in connection with the races, he said this was accounted for in several ways. In the first place the Hunt was deprived this year of bookmakers' licenses, which in the previous year amounted to about £3O. and then, whilst the public appreciated the Hunt, and believed in hunting, when it came to a matter of true sport they were somewhat lax in attending the meetings. They would see that, according to the balance-sheet, the gates at the last races only realised £23 Is Od against £OO in the jprevious year. This went to show that the mere fact that the absence «f a totalisator and bookmakers lessened interest in the sport. So far as the hunting was concerned, the past season had been a very successful one, and they were not by any means in a bad way so far as their finances were concerned. With a little more energy during the coming year, they would be able to I find ways and means of 'bringing up | their receipts to what they had been in previous years, irrespective of bookmakers and totalisator. The whole of the members must put their shoulders to the wheel. They were there to further the interests of hunting and the] races were held for the purpose of raising funds to assist in this object, the maintenance of the hounds and the huntsman's salary being no small item. Each of the members should endeavwr to obtain new members. He saw no reason why the membership should not be substantially increased. Some time ago a member of the Ministry visited the district and a deputation from the Hunt waited on him to ascertain if it were possible for them to get a totalisator permit. It was however, pointed out that the Racing Commission was sitting at the time, and that no more totalisator permits would be granted, and that no alteration would bo made to the findings of the commission for] twelve months, but the Minister gavej them his assurance that Hunt clubs would be considered in the event of any increase in totalisator permits being I granted after that time. On behalf of' tlio Hunt he heartily thanked the farmers—both European and Maori—lor the ! kind way in which they treated the hunt during the past season. He also tendered his thanks to the committee. He, bad -to 1 report that during the past sea- 1 son hounds belonging to the Hunt" had been exhibited at various shows, and that they liad again carried everything before them. This was very creditable, and proved conclusively that they were breeding the right sort. The report was approved after a short discussion. Office bearers were elected as follows: President, Mr. W. Birdling; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. E. F. Bllmdell, ('. Topliss, jun., F. Sahvay, X. King, F. Sampson; lion, surgeon, Dr. Leatham; lion. vet. surgeon, Mr. Taylor; master, Mr. I A. 11. llaUymibe; deputy-masters, Messrs. Chancy and. M: Matthews; committee, Messrs.. G.. Foreman', W. Ilookham, L. '.Tennint,': IT. B. 'George. W. Cole. W. lionergan, I'. Sampson, W. Bonlton, J. Mubin, 11. George, 11. Rook, A. K. Lash; lion, aiiditor,: Mr. A. N. liewlcy; huntsman.-; Mr.'A. "CI iff; secretary, Mr. A. L. 'kumffiiries • (r.e-elcctßd).

The • subscription was raised from £2 10s •to ~£2 15s, with a discount of 5s : i'f p4i&:br:J«nO!'3o. A day's license fee »as raised fronios to 7s Oil. It was:' decided, to send to the incoming, committee a recommendation to tlie effect that: dates for the ensuing season be arranged to meet the convenience of farmers over whose property tiie hunts .will take, place.

'- Votes of lhahks were accorded to the Indies' for their' assistance in connection iwiih the annual ball, to the farmers fof t the use M their properties, to the faitmers' wives ahd -daughters 'tor : eif'tertaining the members of the Hunt at the respective nfcets, to the press for the 'publicity' given to matters connected *with huntinfr. to the outgoing officers, •and nil who had in any way rendered assistance to the Hunt during the season. : 'A vote of thanks to the chairman t'Odeluded the meeting. '