Perhaps one of the most unique annual meetings ever held in the history of clay target shooting was conducted by the Newstead Gun Club on November 11th, 1911--a date that had no significance at the time, but would, seven years hence, become immortal and live forever in the memories of those who would remember the world wars yet to come. The Club members were meeting onboard the pleasure cruiser, Imperial III, cruising in Charlottetown Harbour. Imperial III was a large power vessel, privately owned by Bruce Stewart of Charlottetown, founder of Bruce Stewart Ltd. who manufactured the popular Imperial Marine engines on the local waterfront. Bruce Stewart had owned a series of pleasure craft, each named following a new development in the evolution of his marine engine. The craft that the gun club was aboard was the third in the series...Imperial III.

At the meeting, the members re-elected Fred Hyndman as their President, and Frank Heartz as Vice- President. Heartz was very active in a variety of local organizations, and had just recently been made Honorary—President of the Abegweit Athletic Club. The perennial Secretary/Treasurer, Judge Lou Haszard, was seriously ill, and, in his absence, Ernest Peake accepted the position in an acting capacity. This day, on the water, three new members were voted into the Club...They were William F. Tidmarsh, local manager of the Portland Packing Company, A. W. Appleton, anda Mr. T. Vessey. The new electees, and all new members from this point on, were charged an initiation fee of $5.00 to cover ongoing trap expenses, Since the traps themselves had been paid for by the older members of the Club.

Following the meeting, the Imperial III dropped anchor off John Hyndman's cottage at Rocky Point, and the members in attendance, who had thoughtfully brought along the club traps, some ammunition and their guns, went ashore and proceeded to have an enjoyable round of trap shooting, with the results Yanging from Al Hyndman's score of nine out of twelve, to R. B. Rossborough's disappointing shutout.

—--89--