COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

Evening Star, Issue 19126, 18 December 1925, Page 9

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS

ANNUAL REPORT The forty-first annual report of the committee of tho Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association of Otago states: — The previous year’s statement showed a surplus of £309 15s 2d, and hopes were entertained that a better result would bo shown this year. Jn this wo have not been disappointed, tho headway being £503 15s Bd, the best result that we have had for many years, despite the falling off in club revenue. Tho calls upon the mortuary fund amounted to £216 2s 6(1, as against £375 lUs for tho previous year, which, of course, had a favorable effect on tho year’s profit.' The funds at November 30 last aggregate a total of £17,880 10s 6d. This year the sum of £460 19s has been credited to the fund from members’ subscriptions, which has been allocated in equal proportions to capital account and dividend account.. It being estimated that a further £250 may he 1 required to provide for ensuing years’ expected mortality, that amount has been transferred from reserve account, which brings the capital account to | £7,681 18s, with £4S() 9s 6d at credit jof dividend account, and £1,725 5s 7d at credit of reserve account. During the year six deaths occurred in the ranks of the association membership. Tho dividends paid amounted to £216 2s 6ci, which fell within the amount available for dividends at the commencement of last year, thus permitting a transfer to dividend reserve account of £256 Gs 6d. The amount of dividend account at close of the year, £IBO 9s 6d, has enabled the committee to again fix tho amount of tho maximum dividend for the ensuing year at £55. The takings for the year amounted to £6,515, yielding a gross profit of £1,891, as against £7,555 returning £2,073 for previous year. The percentage of profit on the year’s return is slightly better than bust year, but a .long way below tho percentage obtained in pre-war years. This is entirely owing to the high cost of goods. Tho dining room shows a gross profit of £202 6s 2d, as against £287 18s lid for the previous year—a very noticeable falling off. It is hoped that tho efforts of tho committee in having provided a very satisfactory menu tor lunch and tea at reasonable prices will bo recognised. Members arc reminded that they have the privilege ol inviting friends to cither of these meals. The billiard room revenue is still most disappointing, the return being £521, as compared with £SOO for previous vear—a slight improvement. Every effort has been made to maintain interest in the game, apparently with- , out much success. Subscriptions from club members amounted to £6ll 11s. an increase of £9 9s on the previous year’s figures. The club account has also been credited with its proportion of £1 Is out of every £3 3s, association members’ subscriptions in accordance with resolution . carried at a special mooting on June 28, 1919. This amounted to £l6O 19s. The position of the account at (he close of the year necessitated a draw upon the association account of £270 3s 7d, as against j £276 39s 2d last year. It will he noticed that no interest has been charged |on the capital employed. (Older ex- | isting conditions the prospects of the I club paying interest do not appear very hopeful. The cnminiUce again desires to place on record its appreciation of the capable services of the manager and his assistants throughout the year. _ . 'Die next conference of the United Association will be held in Dunedin on March 17 and IS next. Our association will have the double honor oi the conference being held in onr club rooms, and conducted under the presidency of .our own president (Mr Janies Brown). A sub-committcc has been set up to draw up a programme for‘the entertainment of our visitors, in which our good friends the “ Entertainers ” will play a leading part, and also make the necessary arrangements for carrying it out. The committee confidently looks to members to rally round and assist in making the function worthy of the occasion and to tho parent association of the dominion. The committee greatly regrets to have to record the deaths of six association members during the year—viz., R. Christie. B. Hatfield. William Reid, R. R. Kirby, C. S. Spnul, and John Scott; also chib member, 8.. Rowley. The deepest sympathy of the covnmitI tee and the association is extended to | the relatives of these late members.