MIRAMAR GOLF CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1927, Page 21

MIRAMAR GOLF CLUB

ENTRANCE FEE RAISED

REDEEMING DEBENTURES

The annual meeting of the Miramar Golf Club was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening, the vice-presi-dent, Mr. M. J. Crombie, presiding over an attendance of some 80 members. An apology was received from the president (Mr. A. E. Mabin). "

The club captain (Mr. L. D. Hurst), moving the adoption of the repcrt (already published), referred to the increased playing strength drawn from new members elected. The playing strength was now 247, more than the course could comfortably contain. Rather than a further . increase, he would :s.ke to see a reduction, so as to give more comfort at week-ends. Income had increased considerably v; jh last year, about £'400. Last year's overdraft of £459 had been reduced to less than £2. Everyone was working well together now. Capta-i A. E. Conway seconded the motion, • The chairman congratulated members on the report and balance-sheet, showing an.excess of income over expenditure of about £350. •' ' . The report and balance-sheet" were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted.— Patron, His Excellency Sir Charles Ferguson, Governor-General of New" Zealand; president, Mr. A. E. Mabin; vicepresidents, Messrs. M. J. Crombie and C. W. Magnus; captain, Captain A. E. C mway; committee, Messrs. C. M. Bowden, M. Burnett, S. Gambrill, K. C. Ross, and Major Stamp-Taylor; auditor, Mr. E. H. Liddle.

Asked by Mr. A. B. Sievwright what course improvements were contemplated this year, the chairman said he knew of none except those outlined in the report. Mr. L. D. Hunt said that so 'far as he knew the reconditioning of the clubJiouse was all that w .s in view. MEMBERSHIP FEES. Mr. L. D. Hurst moved (notice having been given) that the.entrance fee of new men members, both ordinary and mid-week, be increased from £8 8s to £10 1' . For a number of years members had built up what was regarded as a premier' course in New Zealand, and new members now came into all these benefits. ' t " Captain Conway seconded the motion. New members should ontribute something towards the benefits they received. Mr. A. Erskine agreed. The motion was carried, with one dissentient. SAFEGUARDI" G DEBENTUREHOLDERS. Mr. Erskine said it should be possible to pay £200 more a-year into the sinking fund, with the object of redeeming the debentures and paying interest on mortgage. Until 1925 £1000 had proved sufficient for these purposes, but since then the interest on mortgages had greatly increased. ■ No debentures had been redeemed this year, nor would this be possible in the future unless the amount set aside was increased to £1200. In 1929 mortgages would again be revised, and probably increased interest would again have to be paid. He mov d the necessary amendment to n" • 10 (a) to make such payment to the sinking fund possible. Mr. M. Burnett seconded the motion.

Tho m.-'-tor, said the chairman, was not one for tho .iscretion of tho committee, and lie asked the meeting either to leave the rule as it was or alter it. Tho rule was for the protection of de-benture-holders. '

Captain vJonway said that he did not wisli the club to suffer through shortage of funds to expend upon the course. Interest would appear to amount to over £SOO. jThere appeared to-be nothing in the rules making the redemption of debentures obligatory. Was it wise to sink money in redemption in this way, and have to raise an overdraft for current expenditure? Mr. C. M. Bowden agreed with the increase, but did not think it sufficient, -lie suggested that the incoming committeo should report to the next annual meeting. Mr. H. E. Aplin suggested an increase of £100 instead of £200, which was supported by Mr. E. H. Liddle. Mr. J. H. Drr.ko said it seemed to resolvo itself into '-.o qr--,t!on of whether members were prepared t->. safeguard debenture-holders to any extent whatever. He thought that some- extra provision should bo ma.C.o to meet the position in 19.29. Mr. E. H. Licldlo said "that old members were largely "carrying the baby," but thero were debenture-holders >ot interested in tho club itself—purely investors, who should be safeguarded. Tho amondment of the rule as moved by Mr. Erskine was carried. THE BLACKBALL DISCUSSED. Mr. T. E. James moved (notice having been given) that tho present system of election of members bo revised. The present method was not an up-to-date one. It permitted a perfectly estimable applicant to be turned down after having been nominated,, and his name placed on tho board, perhaps through the action of one, or tw- members on the Lection Committee. It should-be possible fcr a man whoso application was refused to be allowed to withdraw his .ipplicaion without being blackballed. Mr. Col will agreed that a person should have the opportunity of withdrawal without being, subject to the indignity of blackballing. Mr. A. Erskino said that the system was neither cumbersome nor unwieldy. What ws-q suggested, in fact, was that the committee be the election committee. That had been the practice once, but the committee had repudiated the -"sponsibility. Then the vote of every member had proved unwieldy and expensive. . The club was not the only one with tho present system, which worked well elsewhere. The motion was lost. JUNIOR MEMBERS' FEES. Tho question of tho fees for in ' r i: --iibers was ra.sed by Mr. A. J. Toogood, w .o moved as\a recommendation that sons and daughters oi members be allowed to enter the club as junior mid-week members at £1 Is to IS years of age and £2 2s from 18 to 21, which' was seconded by Mr. L. D. Hurst. The recommendation to the committee was approved, with a limit to 15 years of. age, the committee to consider th mr er.

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