MASTERTON HARRIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 March 1939, Page 9

MASTERTON HARRIERS

ACTIVITIES OF PAST YEAR

SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

CELEBRATION OF ANNIVERSARY.

“The twenty-sixth anniversary of the Club was celebrated with much enthusiasm by members, supporters and visiting harriers from the Scottish (Wellington). Hutt Valley. Wanganui and Dannevirke clubs, on Saturday, May 14,” the report states. “The continuance of members’ and the public s interest in the sport was well manifested by the large number of runners in all events and by the reception accorded them by the spectators. The committee, on behalf of all members and supporters of the club, extend to W. A. C. Pullar, an active member, their heartiest congratulations on his very fine achievements at the recent N.Z. A.A.A. track championships, namely, the winning of both the one and three miles events. It' is recognised also how fortunate the club is in having such a skilled runner, who. at all times is ready to give good advice, and as the result, many members have shown a marked improvement in form. In this respect your committee deemed it advisable to purchase a set Of weighing scales for the use of members in their training—a facility very soon appreciated by all members of the club. To C. Pringle, winner of the Cameron Cup, we express our deepest sympathy and on behalf of the club extend to him our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery and an early return to membership. “During the year numerous novelty runs, including hares and hounds and teams races, were held and from their popularity it is considered advisable to continue with such changes from the more serious side of racing. The club is fortunate in possessing a number of junior runners from whom there is much promise and it is intended to foster and encourage this branch of the club, on which depends our future strength. A very notable improvement felt during the year was the outstanding increase in membership, and all members are exhorted to introduce further newcomers to the sport of harriers. Trips during the season to Wanganui, Hastings and Dannevirke were greatly appreciated by the members of the club, and it was more evident than ever that the sport of harriers is the means of cementinb friendships nevei’ to be broken: Dances held by the club during the year more than retained their great popularity.

YEAR'S EVENTS. "Details of the year’s activities are as follow: —Provincial Championships: The club was represented in both A and B grades at the Wellington provincial championships held at Silverstream and had the honour of having, in R. N. Shaw, the first Wairarapa man home. By filling seventh place, Shaw qualified as emergency for the New Zealand championships in the Wellington team. Inter-club. —Benson Trophy: This trophy was retained by the Wanganui Club in the two home-and-home‘contests after very interesting races. The club congratulates Wanganui in staving, off our challenge. Sanders Cup: The club regained this trophy after a very exciting encounter with the Hut Valley Club, run on the home course. Keats Trophy: The club visited the Hastings Club and managed to lift this trophy once again from the holders. Southerwood Trophy: Napier were unsuccessful in their attempt to lift this trophy in a race run over the local course. District Championships: In the five miles district championship, the club was well to the fore by providing the first three men home in W. A. Pullar. R. N. Shaw, and G. Gregory in that order. However, although not enjoying quite the same success in the ten miles district championship the club was well placed and we would like to extend to the Kiatere Club our sincere congratulations on their fine showing in this event. Club events: — Club championship (Wyeth Cup), G. Gregory; Shaw Rose Bowl, J. Shaw; Cameron Cup, C. Pringle; Willis Cup. G. Fredrickson; junior championship (Cairns Cup), P. O’Brien; Bell Cup (handicap races), K. Cairns; Anniversary Day 5-mile invitation, T. Bartleet (Scottish); Anniversary Day steeplechase, W. Pullar. SUPPORTERS THANKED. “Appreciations—Once again the club is deeply grateful to the Ladies’ Committee for their untiring efforts during the year. The enormous social success enjoyed by the club is entirely due to these members, who so readily and graciously give their time and valuable help. We are greatly indebted to Mr and Mrs Geo. Shaw • for again showering their hospitality upon us on the occasion of the visit by the Wanganui Harriers and later when the final for the Rose Bowl was also run from their home. The club is most fortunate indeed in having two such sterling supporters. Our thanks are due to the following for their generous donations: Mr I. D. Cameron, Mr and Mrs Geo. Shaw, Messrs. J. Robertson, M.P., G. R. Sykes, J. Cairns, T. Wyeth, senr., C. A. Willis, L. A. Keats, W. H. Long, S. Vi Gooding, J. J. Hunter, L. S. Nicol, S. Gilman and R. Bell. The committee wishes to thank all members and supporters who billetted visiting harriers and all < car owners who so generously placed their cars at the disposal of the club. To all property owners we express our thanks, for permission to be allowed to run across their lands and in this respect we hope to maintain our good relations and ensure them of our deep respect for the fences, etc., we encounter. To the Borough Council for permission to use the Park dressing shed and all the facilities of the Park Oval, we express our sincere gratitude. To Messrs. J. J. Hunter and J. Kitchener, both associated with the club since its inception twenty-six years ago, the club-owes a debt of gratitude for the unfailing manner in which, week after week, they lay the trails. The work of these .two valuable members is readily appreciated by all, members of the club.” In conclusion, the committee stated that it could look forward to the coming season with the utmost confidence and it felt that it could rest assured that members and supporters would do their utmost to prove that this confidence was not misplaced. The report is signed by the chair--man. Mr. R. Gully, and the secretary, Mr. J. H. Haise.