OVERSEAS CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19135, 1 April 1924, Page 9

OVERSEAS CLUB.

' ANNUAL MEETING. QUESTION OF FINANCE. A DISGRUNTLED MEMBER. The twelfth annual meeting of the Overseas Club was held last night, and was not largely attended. Mr H. L. Tapley (president) presided. Before tho minutes were read Mr H De Spong expressed the opinion that a quorum was not present, but it was found that over the required number was :n attendance. Mr Tapley expressed disappointment that the attendance was not larger, as some matters of importance were to be discussed in connection with the premises. Ho also expressed regret that the membership nad dwindled. Last year there were over 800 members shown on the books, but when requests lor the payment of subscriptions were sent out there were a. number of replies disclaiming membership. It seemed that in the early days of tho club there had been many members who had not paid anything in subscriptions, nor nad they received notice of the meetings. The membership had been now "boiled down’’ to 213 females, and 100 males. But he was sorry to say that, even after an earnest and tactful appeal, a number of uioso people had not paid their subscriptions. In consequence, the balance sheet showed a small loss.

The report, which covered the work done during the year, was read by Mr J. H. Walker, who moved its adoption. One clause in the report read:—The position in regard to the lease of the dub room caused a great deal of thought owing to the leases of the hall falling off. The executive recommends— “That the incoming executive have power to terminate the lease subject to the permission of the landlords, and that the executive have power to make suitable arrangements for tho rent of a hall and in regard to any other matter arising.” Iho motion was seconded by Mr J. Ash, who dealt with the importance of keeping alive during 'the present time of keen interest in Imperial affair* a body such as the dub, which stood firmly for loyalty and the encouragement of unity and co-operation between the various parts of tho Empire. The adoption of the balance sheet was moved and seconded. The income from subscriptions was £166 16s 6d. Referring to the financial position, in speaking to tho motion, tho Chairman said that the hall nt present occupied by the dub was very little used by members. But, whether tho dub 'let the hall or not, it had to pay over £l4 per month for rent. It was therefore thought it would be . wise to do as- the Wictonia Club did, and to lease premises as they were required.- In addition to the rent for the present hall, tho dub had to pay £4O per year for cleaning and lighting. In seemed to him that a good deal of their expenses went in the provision of social entertainment for members, and unless a charge for admission to these functions was made he thought they would agree that the subscriptions of 5s 6d for ladies and 10s 6d for men were quite inadequate.

Mr De Spong declared that the hall had not cost the _ olub anything; they really showed a profit on it. But the position so far as the balance sheet was concerned was more serious than had been shown. From starting with a credit balance of 2s 7d they had contracted a debit of £93 6s in a year. Mr De Spong went on to explain how ho reached his conclusions, and then to declare that the affairs of the club were not being conducted in a business way. Unless there pas an improvement the club would drift into liquidation. The trouble was that the business of the club was not done in the rooms. At times step® were taken and the executive knew nothing about them. There had been an example of that only this year. He had been a member of the executive for the past throe years, continued the speaker, and no one had done more in the dub’s interests. '“Why,” he said, “I’ve crossed the road and swept this floor, and on one occasion when the liftman refused to work the lift because ho had not been paid for months I guaranteed that he would get the money in the morning. One doesn’t ex-' pect,” Mr De Spong proceeded, “that when he joins the club ho will meet with scandal— I am sorry to have to use the word—but it is worth remembering that while it may injure reputation, it cannot injure character.” Then there was the matter of the nominations. He had not been nominated—he did not wish to be. But the nominations submitted were hot left with th& secretary within the prescribed time. This the chairman denied, stating that ho had a solicitor’s opinion on the matter. After further reference to the balance sheet, Mr De Spong announced that he had boon classed as disloyal because ho opposed giving £5 5s for a wedding present to the Duke of York when the club owed money. The Chairman said that Mr Do Spong was evidently trying to give the impression that ho had been the only member of the executive fo give proper consideration to the club’s affairs.

Mr Do Spong: Not at all. Mr Tapley wont on to criticise Mr D© Spong’s references to the balance sheet. It was stated by Mr H. E. Barrowdough that Mr De Spong had allowed his grievance to dispel his judgment in some respects. Tho position was nothing like as bad as Mr Do Spong would lead them to believe; there was no need for pessimism. Mr De Spong made a number of interjections during Mr Barrowelough’s remarks, and the latter commented that Mr Do Spong’s density was evidently as great as his sense of grievance. Mr De Spong rose again, and he and the chairman did a IHtle waving of arms towards each other. The Chairman: Please sit down, Mr De Spong; I can’t allow you to make a speech on the subject. Mr De Spong: May I make an explanation ?

Tile. Chairman: No! Mr De Spong (rapidly): All the figures I have mentioned are to bo seen in your balance sheet.

Mr A. E. Usherwood stated that if they gave u» the rooms they would kill the club in 12 months. There might be an impression outside that the club , was full of factions, but ho could assure them that the trouble was all caused by a few members. “Get rid of those members,” he declared, “and you will have a club that would be a credit to any part of the Empire. They were with us during my term of office. We tried to get rid of them, but they stuck, and some of them aye with us today.” Mr De Spong wanted to know if he were included among those who were causing the trouble. He had managed to work quite amicably during Mr Usherwood’s form.

Mr Usherwood’s reply was a quiet laugh. Sir W. R. Brugh recalled the early days of the club, and offered the opinion that it might bo better to drop tho hall in the circumstances, and spoke of the desirability of doing something to stimulate fresli intercut in the organisation. Mr Usherwood raised the matter of the executive consulting with the club members before taking a step in the nature of closing down the hall, and eventually, after the report and balance sheet had been adopted, it was decided to recommend, on the motion of Mr Brugh, the executive not to close the rooms if it were reasonably possible to keep them open. Tho Chairman said that steps would be taken to call some of the other members of tho club together to consult with the executive, (his being on the linos of a suggestion made by Mr Usherwood. The election of office-bearers resulted : President, Mr H. L. Tapley (re-olocted unopposed) ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. H. Walker and H. E. Barrowdough, Hon. W. D. Stewart; hon. secretary, Miss Geerin; hon. treasurer. Mr James Connor; executive—Mesdaines E. S. Clark, G. Kitchie, Miss Campbell, Dr Caxmalt Jones, Messrs E. R. Smith, F. H. Dampen, J. S. Douglas E. S. Clarke, D. Larnach, F. W Knight' R. Gilkison, J. Ash, J. Gaudin" and a’ S. Bush. .

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