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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Social

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Social.

Sports, pastimes and other forms of recreation are well provided for in Blenheim, which has three social clubs; namely, the Marlborough, the Blenheim and the Working Men's. The Marlborough Racing Club holds a two days' meeting twice a year on its well appointed racecourse, where the local Trotting Club also holds meetings. Athletic and social clubs are well supported, and sports and recreational exercises are held on borough reserves and private grounds. The Rowing Club's shed stands at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa, and motor launches, pleasure boats, and racing outriggers are often seen on the beautiful reaches of the rivers. The Acclimatisation Society has stocked all the rivers with trout, and the largest of these fish yet (1905) angled in New Zealand—a 30-pound trout, preserved in the Tourist Department's rooms in Wellington—was landed within a very short distance of Market Place, Blenheim. Young fish are still yearly distributed from the local hatcheries. The Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association has private grounds, on which it holds successful annual shows. Blenheim has a Literary Institute, with a public reading room and a good circulating library, but the institution is at present (1905) open only on three days of the week. Marlborough has a bright and bracing climate, abounds in fine scenery, and has much to interest the artist, sportsman, and tourist.

Sports.

The Blenheim Rowing Club was founded in the year 1885 by Messrs H. Dodson, A. Green, and others, and has always been a strong and popular club. The boating sheds are situated at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa rivers, and the club possesses seven racing skiffs, and five pleasure boats. The Opawa has some excellent stretches for boating purposes, and the weekly practices on the river from September to April are well attended. The Blenheim Club always takes a good position in local and interprovincial regattas. In the year 1900, it was selected by the New Zealand Rowing Association to represent New Zealand against the Australian States at Sydney, and succeeded in gaining second place. The club has a membership of about 120. Officers for 1905: President, Dr. Anderson; Vice-President, Mr. James McKinley; Captain, Mr. J. W. Girling; Secretary, Mr. E. Griffiths.

Mr. James McKinley , Vice-President of the Blenheim Rowing Club, has represented the club at many regattas. He became a member at its foundation, and has occupied almost every office in connection with it, including that of captain, which he successfully filled lor many years. Mr. McKinley was born in Pieton, and is a son of the late Mr. James McKinley. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and for several years was variously employed at general work. At eighteen years of age, he learned carpentry under Mr. David Wemyss, of Grove Road; subsequently, he spent some years as a page 334 journeyman, and in 1898 started in business on his own account as a builder and contractor. Mr. McKinley
Maeey, photo.Mr. J. McKinley.

Maeey, photo.
Mr. J. McKinley.

has been very successful. He has built several of the prominent buildings in the town, as well as many smaller ones, and keeps five journeymen constantly employed. Mr. McKinley is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Blenheim Defence Rifle Club, and of several minor bodies. He married Miss Mills, of Nelson, in the year 1891, and has two sons and two daughters.

Societies.

The Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association was established about the year 1880, and Messrs W. B. Parker and Robert Allan were two of the most prominent of its promoters. The Association has been regarded as the centre of the industrial activities of the province, and is in a prosperous condition. The debenture system. originated some time ago by Mr. Stephen Tapp to augment the funds, has been a successful one. The show ground, which belongs to the Association, is a valuable property of thirteen acres, and possesses a fine frontage to Maxwell Road. An exhibition is held annually in November, and over 6500 is distributed in prizes at each show. There is a membership of about 400. Officers for the year 1905: President, Mr. A. McCallum, junior; Vice-President, Mr. Patrick Meehan; Secretary, Mr. J. J. Corry, and Treasurer, Mr. R. McArtney.

Mr. Archibald McCallum , junior, was appointed President of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association in May, 1905, He was born on the 27th of April, 1860, in Blenheim, and is the third son of Mr. Archibald McCallum, senior, who is further referred to under the heading of Farmers. Mr. McCallum was educated at the local Borough School, afterwards learned farming on his father's property, and started on his own account in the year 1888. For a time, he worked a leasehold section at Spring Creek in conjunction with his farm near Blenheim, but this he subsequently disposed of. Mr. McCalltim's property consists of 225 acres of the best agricultural land. In September. 1902, he established a flour mill in Blenheim, on Grove Road, and carries on a large local and export trade. Mr. McCallum is a member of several social clubs in Blenheim, and is president of the Marlborough High School Old Boys' Football Club. He is married, and has four sons and one daughter.

Protected. Agriclitural and Pastoral Show, Marlborough, 1904. Macey, photo.

Protected. Agriclitural and Pastoral Show, Marlborough, 1904. Macey, photo.

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