PLAINS’ GOLF

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32710, 8 May 1946, Page 5

PLAINS’ GOLF

OPENING OF THE SEASON

BIG DAY FOR THE CLUB

NEW LINKS AT MANGATARATA

'Saturday, May 4, was a momentous day in the history, of the Hauraki Plains Golf Club, it being the opening of its new links at Mangatarata. 'Since its inception’ the club has been On temporary links loaned by Mr J. Motion, oi Ngatea, but the committee had always had before it, the goal of a permanent home. Through the enterprise .of the West Hauraki Plains Recreation Voluntary Committee, the opportunity became available, and (Saturday saw by far the largest number of members and friends assembled for the opening of the 1946 golf season. Mr IW. Baxter, president of the club welcomed all present and said that it was due only to the generosity of Mr and Mrs Motion that the club had managed to keep its head above water, particularly through the past difficult years when the membership dropped! considerably. No rent had been, asked for the use of the property and members have cause to be deeply indebted to the patrons of the club, Mi* and Mrs Motion. He said it would now be possible to arrange for a 18 hole course as against the previous nine hole, and a big programme had been arranged. Much ■of the work already done had been membership had doubled’ that of the by voluntary labour. Already the previous year, and he hoped that the club would, gain strength by an even greater membership, Mr C. Rayner, secretary of the newly acquired recreational property, said that on behalf of the committee responsible for the acquisition of the area for recreation purposes he wished the Hauraki Plains Golf Club every success in its endeavours to establish itself in its new home. Also he wished to congratulate' and thank the club for its very practical help towards the efforts. Despite rumours to the contrary, not one penny of ratepayers’ money had been used’ in acquiring this property, the sum of £12150, including £soo' from the golf club, having been collected by public subscription, £5OO being a Government subsidy, a considerable sum would-be available from the art union, and the balance will be found by way of loan, the interest and sinking fund on which would be found by the property itself, by means of revenue derived from grazing-. Thanks were due to the Hauraki Plains County Council for all it had done to further the efforts but not one penny of -its ratepayers’ money had been spent on. the area to date. He asked all present, visitors and members alike to deny any statements that they hear to the contrary. In closing he once again expressed his committee’s desire to wish the club every success in the future. His remarks evoked apiplause from the audience.

Lunch and afternoon tea ’ were served by the ladies’ committee, and Mr Motion drove off the first ball.

Amongst those present were:—Mr and Mrs J. Miotion, Mr and Mrs C. W. Schultz, Mr and Mrs W. Baxter, Mr J. F. Mayn, Mr and Mrs E. A. Mahoney, Mr and; Mrs C. Rayner, Mr and Mi’s H. Porter, Mr and Mrs B. Main, Mr and Mrs> Birkenhead', Mr and Mbs Murphy, Mr and' Mrs. Ganley, Mr and Mis G. Paton, Mir and Mrs Otter. Mr and Mrs Burns, Mr and Mrs Butler, Mrs A. McClean, Mrs J. Pacey, Mrs Hinton, Mr and Mrs F. E. Hammond, Messrs, V. Dibble, F. Barker, G. Donaldson, F. Stretton, B. Paton, N. Paton and Miss A. Paton.