Ngawis sheriff bags a unique haul

Alleged Ngawi vigilante Garth Gadsby was yesterday shining his sheriffs' star and a unique haul of shooters' shields won alongside his Western Lake Gun Club deputies last weekend despite surrendering his firearms licence last month.
The win at a shoot in Wanganui gives the club of 99 paid members, of which fisherman Gadsby is president, the unique record of having held all four major team trophies for the southern North Island in one year, including the Dale Shield, the H H Morris Shield, the Margaret Cook Shield and the Collinson Cup.
Gadsby is now awaiting a trial date to be set after pleading not guilty in Masterton District Court to a count of reckless discharge of a firearm related to an incident a year ago at his South Wairarapa coastal settlement when he is alleged to have shot at fleeing burglars.
Gadsby was bailed after the depositions hearing to reappear for a trial date to be set in Wellington District Court on October 16 under condition that he surrenders his firearms licence and firearms.
Gadsby said he had discharged a borrowed firearm during the Wanganui meeting last weekend but was under supervision on a duly recognised shooting range and had spoken with his lawyer about his obligations.
"They haven't proven me guilty of anything yet and I'm not prohibited from using a firearm in that situation. So as far as I know it's okay bit late now if I did breach bail anyway," he said.
Gadsby has been involved with the Western Lake club for more than two decades, he said, after shooting his first rabbit when only 3 years old and owning his first shotgun at 13.
His father Top Gadsby at 88 is the oldest member of the club, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, as was his mother and fellow honorary club member Maisie, after whom the club kitchen is named "because she wanted somewhere proper to make food and drink on a meeting day".
The single trap down the line range has doubled in membership since 1991, he said, as has the clubroom itself with community and club working bees during which members added the kitchen, a toilet and a dance floor.
Gadsby was yesterday mowing lawns and touching up paintwork about the clubrooms ahead of his 60th birthday celebration tonight as the facility now doubles as a community centre, he said, with weddings and social occasions held there along with shooting club meetings.
Gadsby said that if he is found guilty of recklessly using a firearm it will be his first ever conviction and that he fears he would be prohibited from using a firearm as part of his punishment.
"It would mean my wife and I couldn't go on our first international trip together that we're planning to take in two years' time and I wouldn't be able to shoot competitively here or anywhere else.
"But I'm going to fight this charge to the bitter end. I won't give up."
A community fund raised by his Ngawi neighbours and fellow gun club members has now reached a total of more than $12,000, he said, and "every cent would go toward defending this charge".