desire to keep it that way. They did agree to allow members to bring guests, as long as they were not from the Charlottetown area, and that those who were nomi- nated for membership would be required to pass a unique procedure...the "bean" test. Each member would cast his vote secretly in a selected area. There were two jars of beans, one with white beans and one black. The member would select one bean and place it in a third dark colored jar. A white bean was a vote "for" and a black "against." If the proposed member, whose nomination had already been moved and seconded, received three black beans in the vote it meant exclusion from membership. This method of voting would continue through the life of the Belvidere Gun Club.

The deteriorating weather on January 24th, 1885 was the beginning of one of the worst storms in Island history, and led to a now well documented drama _ three days later, when a three ice boat fleet with 22 passengers and crew, having left Cape Traverse, P.E.I. for Cape Tormentine, N.B., endured terrible and tragic hardship for over 48 hours on the Northumber- land Strait.

Four shoots were held through the winter of 1885 and the membership turnout for each was excellent. It might well be speculated just who was the top gunner at each...Bill Hobkirk missed only nine targets at the four competitions, but still failed to achieve what had become his major goal, to have a perfect day without a miss, an accomplishment that was still a few years away.

The new trap, a "Leggett" model, built by Chamberlin Cartridge, finally arrived in early April, but unfortunately the Club was almost out of targets and a get together to try it out would have to await their arrival. Three baskets did arrive in early May, and on Saturday, the 9th, they headed for Falconwood to shoot at the first doubles ever thrown on P.E.I.

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