NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 145, 6 November 1912, Page 7

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the North Taranaki Hunt, to be presented at the annual meeting to be held on Saturday night, is as follows: — 1 In presenting the ninth annual report and .balance-sheet your committee iias to congratulate members 011 the vury successful season just passed. In spite of the bad weather during the winter some splendid sport was enjoyed, and the attendance at most of the meets was far better than in past years. The number wlio followed the hounds also increased and your committee was pluased to see amongst them several ladies who rode straight, thus setting an example bo many of your male members. The amount collected in subscriptions far exceeds the amount collected in any one year, in the past, a fact which is a fair indication of the future prosperity of our Hunt. During the season several meets were .held in Stratford, as it was thought that by extending our operations over a larger area of country, that it would bo the means of considerably increasing our membership. Unfortunately, however, the sport was not taken up enthusiastically by the Stratford people, and in consequence did not benefit the Hunt to any great extent; your committee would therefore recommend that the Stratford meets be discontinued next season, j At the invitation of the Taranaki people, a meet was held in that district, and although the runs were not numerous or lengthy a very enjoyable day was spent. The Opunaka people generously subscribed the sum of £25 12s towards the funds of the Hunt, and for Which the thanks of your members is due. Your Hunt is invited to repeat the visit next »eason, when you will be assured of a very hearty welcome. The annual ball was held as usual this year, and socially proved a huge success. Unfortunately, however, the a ttendance did not come up to expectations, and consequently there was a considerable debit balance. Thanks, however, to the generosity of some of your members the .deficiency was made good. The annual race meeting, which waa liekl this year, principally witih the object of retaining the Hunt's racing per- . Mit with a. view of getting a totalisator permit in the near future, was from a racing, point' of view successful indeed. Unfortunately, however, it was not as .-successful financially as it might have been if the Taranaki Hugby U/tion hadl not arranged a representative foctball match on. the same day. The Taranaki Jockey Club showed' their sympathy for your Hunt in a very, . practical mxnner by a generous donation of £SO, 'and for which the thanks of all your members is due. This donation, coining as it did, at a time vh.-n it was Bbrely needed, practically saved the Hunt from extinction. Praise is (ti.e t; your huntsman for the splendid condition in whicli the pack was turned nit at each meet, a"rid fqr the able manner in which the hounds'were-worked. . ; i