NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1917, Page 6

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT.

' ANUTJAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Taranaki Hunt was held at the olticc of tlio secretary (Mr E. 1,. Humphries) on Saturday afternoon, Mr IT. B. Chaney presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report referred to the success of the past season, and pointed out that as a result of the total isator permit tho balance-sheet showed a profit of £334. A sum of £l-21 10s had also been spent in the erection of up-to-date kennels, and £(ls had been paid as rent for the land row occupied by the hunt and leased from Mr Sampson. The former wjuld not he recurring- for a number of years, but. the latter would be an annual charge. The membership now numbered' 102, and subscriptions showed an increase on last year. Many of the members had joined the expeditionary forces and were now doing their bit for the Empire.' These members were being kept financial on tho books. Last year the hunt had the pleasure of hunting over some totally new country, the excellence of wliich was a pleasant surprise to the members. The committee could not find words with which to express its gratitude- to the farmers of North Taranaki for the kind ami hearty manner in which the hunt had been made welcome to all parts of the district. ' In spite of the extremely wet day the hunt had the misfortune to strike for its race meeting, the gathering was a distinct success, and the committee took this opportunity of expressing its sincere thanks to the Taranaki Jockey Club for the use of their beautiful grounds and appointments, to the individual members of same, to Mr J. R. h. Stanford, to Mr E. P. Webster, and all others who so kindly assisted in bringing about such a successful meeting. The committee, recommended a donation of '£3 being given the Taranaki Agricultural Society for an event to -be competed for by the farmers at the winter s'how. The committee appealed to all members and friends to do their utmost to' keep' hunting going during the coming season. There' were many reasons for doing so, notably its influence in the breeding of horses suitable for army purposes. \ The committee also ' tendered its thanks, to Mr A. P. Moore for suggestions in connection with the kennels, which the club liad carried out, special reference being made to the supply of clean drinking water. On the motion of the chairman and Mr W. T. Hookham, the report was adopted. It was stated that the Hunt Club had a cash balance of £2OO apart from other assets. Officers were elected a.s follows for the ensuing year:—Patron, Hon. 0. Samuel; president. Mr A. Alexander; vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. Clifford* E. W. Wheatley. C. Topless, N. King, IT. Leppcr; roaster, Mr A. H. Halcombe; deputymasteri. Messrs B. 11. Chaney, L. Jenliins. E. Mason; secretary, Mr 'E. L. Humphries: aiidffbr, Mr C. Webster; committee. Messrs W. C. Weston, I'. H. Pepperell, W. T. Hookham, 0. Foreman, A. Woods,' X. Fulton, W. Colo. E. P. Openshaw, E. Pepperell, W. James, P. Sampson, J. Cole, with president, vicepresidents, master, and deputy-masters cx-officio; lion, surgeons, Drs. Wylie and Fookes; lion, veterinary surgeon, Mr E. Mason. i

Mr E. J. Rook was reappointed huntsman for the'ensuing year. The huntsman will appoint his own whip. Mr A. H. ilaloombe expressed the appreciation of the hunt for the kind and hospitable manner in winch its members were entertained by the farmers last season. The farmers throughout the district had always been most kind to the hunt, and he expressed the hope that the good feeling which had existed in t'he past would continue in the future. It was decide* to open the season on May 3. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Flalcuiuhe, Chaney, and the secretary, was appointed to draw up the season's programme. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers and to the chairman for presiding.