AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 66, 18 March 1907, Page 3

AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB.

On Saturday evening the annual meeting of Auckland Golf Club was held in the Chamber of Commerce. The Hon. S. Thome George presided. The committee presented the annual report ■which showed that the membership had greatly increased during the year, due to th« interest taken by members. The playing members numbered 98, the largest on record, while there -were 61 honorary members, 11 country members, 8 boy members, 16 absentee members, miking a stotal of 194 members. The finances -were greatly improved, and notwithstanding the fact that £125 was paid in connection with options and £50 allowed for outstanding debts for last year and various writings down for bad debts and depreciation, the accounts showed a credit balance of £58 Is Bd, which was carried to the capital account. The lease of One-tree Hill Domain would expire in June, and although the committee had made arrangements to secure that the club should not be required to leave without reasonable notice, it must be recognised that the tenure of the links was unsatisfactory, and that conditions might be imposed at any time which would seriously hamper the game. The committee had several other properties under consideration, and at present negotiations were in progress with the One-tree Hill Domain Board for a further tenancy, but the desirability of securing a freehold property should not be lost sight of. The members were reminded that the links were on a public domain, and while the conduct of members was all that could be desired, there were occasional instances in which the rights of the public were not considered as they should be. It would greatly assist the negotiations with the Domain Board, if members would exercise the utmost care when anyone was in proximity to the play and do their best to discourage and prevent any want of consideration in that respect. During the year a. handsome memorial tablet, subscribed for by the members, was placed in the clubhouse to the memory of the late Mr. C. E. S. Gillies. Dr. Bamford, Captain, Dr. T. Hope-Lewis, Messrs. J. W. Hall, Geo. Bloomfield, and J. S. fry and Sons were thanked for presenting prizes during the year. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated the club on its sound financial condition. Speaking of the increased popularity of the game, he advised that in securing land within easy access by tram or train, consideration should be given to purchasing an area larger than actually required, so that advantage could be taken of advanced values to dispose of the excess to such profit as would go a long way towards reimbursing the club on the original outlay. Dr. Bamford, in seconding the motion said that the present satisfactory state of the club was in no small degree due to the care and energy of the secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. W. Bruce. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:— President, Sir John Logan Campbell; vice-presidents, Hon. Thome George, Dr. T. Hope-Lewis, and Mr. J. Upton; cap- i tain, Mr.W. Heather; committee, Dr. Bamford, Messrs. H. Gilfillan, jun., J. C. Burns, G. Bloomfield, and W. B. Colbeck, hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. W. Bruce. A special committee was instructed to make an inspection of land at St. John's and Otahuhir, although it was pointed out that before a reliable opinion could be given the properties would have to be seen under both printer