Deerstalking Association - 25 years
Members of the Horowhenua branch of the NZ Deerstal¬kers Association will celebrate a quarter century of hunting in the Tararuas tomorrow night.
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The branch had its foundations on play 4, 1959, when 33 members formed it at a meeting in the St John Hall.
Former Mayor of Levin, the late E.W. Wise was elected patron. The foundation president was Mr Lionel Sayer, who died about 15 months ago.
In 1964 the branch turned its attention to fulfilling the need to provide training courses,
covering bush survival and hunting safety.
The first course was mounted in the Shannon area with 24 members going into the ranges. Some of the first juniors are now instructors.
Committeeman and former president Mr B.D. McAllister said the branch extended its potential in that area in late 1962 when it signed up the lease for Mangahao Lodge, one of the old married quarters left over from the building of the Arapeti No. 1 dam about 54 years ago.
As a base for hunting and training it has all modern conveniences and can accommodate 18 people. The lodge is still used for training and is made available to outside organisations, such as school parties.
The next big step folllowed an extensive project which drew support from the Levin business community. It culminated with the opening of Burn Hut, about 3.5km east of the bottom dam, in March 1972.
Over the years the branch developed a range and shooting complex at Shannon and a sighting-in range near Levin.
Mr McAllister said that as well as pursuing hunting, training shooting and social activities, the branch has also been to the forefront in the political arena through the NZDA.
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One of its greatest achievements was in securing a moratorium on hunting sambar deer. That was a major exercise for local members which started about five years ago.
The three-year moratorium expires soon and the branch will be working to have it renewed, with the Santoft herd threatened with extinction.
Many branch members are involved in the NZ Mountain Safety Council and about 20 are approved firearms instructors.
Public attention to the branch focuses primarily on its involvement with Search and Rescue of which it provides the nucleus with solid inputs of expertise and manpower.
Membership stands at about 120 and is increas¬ing. And for the first time the branch has its first fully paid-up senior woman member, Mrs Tania Webby, although other women have been deeply involved as family members.
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Tomorrow night's celebrations at Te Kowhai will be attended by all former presidents Messrs D.B. Pigott (1961-66), B.J. Mansell (1966-8), W.H. Feasey (1968-71), J.W. Fox (1971-73), B.D. McAllister (1973-76), J.M. Phillips (1976-77), J.B. Bartholomew (1977-78), B.L. Mitchell (1978-81), E.H. Hagger (1981-83) and P.G. Mann (1983- ).
Over the 25 years the club has been served by only seven secretaries, Messrs F. Rowe, P. Elliott, J. Kilmister, R.J. Lash, B.D. McAllister, H. Matthews and Mrs S. Mann. And there have been only five life members created - Messrs G. Wilkinson (deceased), D.B. Pigott, K. Aanensen, M. Higgies and B.D. McAllister.
The current branch patron is Mr Jack Blenkhorn.
