ORAKEI GOLF COURSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 284, 1 December 1941, Page 4

ORAKEI GOLF COURSE

COMPANY AND THE CLUB

WILL MEMBERS TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY ? "Whether the Orakei Golf Club Is to continue does not rest with me, nor does it rest with your committee; it rests with you," declared Mr. I. Simson, president, in his address to members at the prizegiving of the Orakei Golf Club on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Simson explained that the company which had financial responsibility for leasing and maintaining the course and buildings found that It was running at a loss, and had decided to liquidate. Notice to this effect had been given to the Crown and to the club. As a consequence the committee had opened negotiations with a view to seeing what arrangements might be possible, whereby the club could carry on. Both the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister for Housing had been interviewed, and it had been ascertained that the. land would not be required by the State for housing; it would be too costly to develop. In considering the possible terms of a lease of not less than five years under a secure tenure, it had to be borne in mind that the company was paying £100 annually in rates, so that the club's offer would presumably have to be something in excess of that figure. The committee had had the buildings and equipment valued. The valuation had been on the basis of the value for removal of the building. Included in the plant was a tractor, but money would have to be spent on this machine to make it thoroughly efficient. The committee, added Mr. Simson, had made a tentative offer of £500 for all equipment and timber and iron. The company's estimate of value was £875 and they had stated their willingness to accept £825. The committee was nowfaced with this position—if the club did not take over these assets the companywould be forced to realise elsewhere. "If," said the president, "we agree to pay the company off we will have to find .approximately £1000 and the only way this could be done would be by members agreeing to take up debentures, say £5 or £10 each, to find that amount." Concluding, Mr. Simson said the committee would meet again on Wednesday next and within a few days would call a general meeting, at which members would be asked to finally deal with the position. "I think," he added, "you should do your best to insure the club's continuance."