RAHOTU.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 95, 31 May 1895, Page 2

RAHOTU.

(Our own Correspondent.) The 24th May, 1895, the 76th anniversary of the birth of our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, was, contrary to the usual custom, a fine day. The only excitement up this way was the rifle competition for Mr W. C. Phillips’ trophy. There was a good number of competitors, and in one or two instances some very good shooting was made. I mention Mr W. C. Phillips’ score as one which would take so ne beating, especially at 600 yards, where he put on 24 out of a possible 25. The winner turned up in Mr D. Whaley, a handicap man. Several lady friends of the club kindly provided refreshments during the day, and altogether a very pleasant ti ne was spent. Owing to the lateness of the start, several of those who were last to fire were somewhat handicapped by the failing light. Appended are the scores; Hp 200 500 600 Tl

At the conclusion of the firing, a special general meeting was held, the business being to consider what steps the Club should take with reference to the “ Egmont ” trophy, presented by Mr McGuire for competition between the Rahotu and Manaia Clubs, and wou by the former. Captain Morrison presided, and explained that one of the conditions under which the cup was presented was that the winning Club should fire oft’ amongst themselves to determine who should be the individal winner, and that no handicaps were to be made. Now, if that rule were adhere d to, there would be only one or twe members who would be able to compete, and the members wished to make the events into handicap matches, so that all would have a show.

Resolved, on the motion of Mr Phillips, seconded by Mr Rothery, “ That the ‘ Egmont ’ trophy be fired for at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and that handicaps be made for same.” Resolved, “ That in the event of Mr McGuire objecting to handicaps being made for these matches, the members agree that the highest score from scratch take the trophy, and that the Club hold possession until Mr McGuire’s decision is known.” [E. R. Morgan-Wagstaff,] . It was resolved to hold the first match for this prize on Saturday, June Bth, and four-weekly after that.

Several other matter were dealt with, oue of which was that the names of final winners of trophies be engraved thereon at the Club’s expense. The meeting then adjourned.

The annual general meeting in connection with the Rahotu Public Hall on Saturday evening, May 25th. Mr Chapman took the chair, and explained that the meeting would probably have been ’held during the month of April, had not the auditor been absent, so that he thought it advisable to postpone the meeting in order to have the accounts audited up to the end of the financial year. He then read the advertisement convening the meeting.

The minutes of the last annual general meeting were read and confirmed.

The balance-sheet was then read, showing a credit balance of £1 19s. Tha statement of assets and liabilities was as follows: Assets—Building, £180; land, £10; cash, £1 19s ; total, £lll 19s. Liabilities : Balance of loan account, £6 6s.

The Chairman then proceeded to read the annual report for the year ended 31st March last.

The Chairman moved, “That the report and balance-sheet, as read, be received and adopted. Seconded by Mr O’Sullivan, and carried.

The next business was to proceed with the election of a committee for the ensuing year, the Chairman mentioning that the outgoing members were eligible for re-election, as also were any other subscribers present. Mr Coffey took exception to the word “ subscriber.” Heconsideredevery man, woman and child in New Zealand was a 44 subscriber,” inasmuch as that the building had originally been built by the Government.

The Chairman differed from Mr Coffey. Only a portion of the hall had been built by the Government, the upper w’alls, floor, stage, and supper room having been erected by the Committee.

Mr Coffey : 44 Then I am to understand, Mr Chairman, that this is not a public hall.”

The C bairman : 44 1 think we had better proceed with the election of the committee, as they had already wasted too much of the time of the meeting.”

Mr Coffey : 44 If you are asking me to sit down, I will do so.”

Mr Harrison : “I wish to say a few words, Mr Chairman. This is a public hall, and this a public meeting. I therefore claim the right as one of the public, to vote at the forthcoming election. I read the advertisement convening the meeting, but it was not in form, as it read : “ a meeting of 4 subscribers ’ would be held,” &c. Now' I understand that the hall does not belong to a private company. I

therefore, sir, hold that the public have a perfect right to take part iu the proceedings there to-night.” [The Chairman here ruled Mr Harrison out of order.”] At this stage Mr McCullum rose and proposed that the election be postponed until the question of who were to be entitled to vote —subscribers only, or all present —had been decided by the meeting. Mr Anderson: “ Who are to decide this ?”

Mr Coffey ; “ Mr Chairman ” . The Chairman ; “ Bit down, will you ! You have already taken up far too mufih of the time of the meeting.” Mr Morgan: “What constitutes a subscriber ?” The Chairman ; “A cash subscriber.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Collins.

An amendment was then proposed by Mr Anderson, seconded by Mr Gilhooly, “ That the election be proceeded with, and subscribers only be allowed to vote.”

The amendment was put and lost, and the resolution was carried.

Mr Morgan: I consider that although I have not placed my name on paper for a subscription, thus making myself what the chairman calls a “ cash subscriber ” : still I have contributed quite as much, if not more, to the Hall than many of those who had signed; and, further, I hold that, whether I have subscribed or not, as a settler in this district to which the hall had been handed over, am fully entitled to demand to be allowed to vote on any question in connection with the Hall.

The Chairman ; It seems to me quite absurd that, because the Government had built a portion of the hall, the public should desire, or, I should say, demand, a voice in the matter. Alterations &c., have been made, and, I ask, who has paid for them ? Voices: The Public.

Mr Morgan, continuing : Was there not, at the last annual meeting a debit balance ? Chairman : Yes. Mr Morgan • And is not this all or nearly all, paid off ? Chairman : Yes.

Mr Morgan : and who has helped to pay this off ? Is it not the public ? Surely this cannot be disputed ! Proposed by Mr Rothery, seconded by Mr Gregory, “ That all ladies and gentlemen present haye a vote in election of committee. —Carried. The Chairman rose and said that under those circumstances he would have nothing further to do with the meeting, and considered those present had paid a very poor tribute indeed to the ability and motives of those gentlemen who had so successfully carried on the business in the past. He then vacated the chair. There seemed then to be a bit of a deadlock for a while, no one appearing to be willing to take the chair. Eventually Mr Gane took the chair in order to conduct the meeting until finished.

Before proceeding with the election Mr Harrison wished to have it decided how many were required to be elected whether four to act in conjunction with three trustees, or seven independent of the trustees. Mr Gane said that’ under the circumstances he would have to rule for four, although privately he was of opinion that seven should be elected. Nominations were then received, and a poll taken resulting as follows; —J. Colmer 27, J. Rothery 26, Miss Walford 28, V. Harrison 21, A. Wills,. 14, W. Harvey 6. The first four were declared elected.

This was all the business, and the usual compliment to the chair terminated the meeting. At a meeting of the new committee held immediately afterwards, Mr J. Colmer was elected Chairman. The meeting adjourned. '

The second of the fortnightly Quadrille Assembly dances was given on Friday evening, and was a splendid success. Several ladies kindly brought along refreshments, which it is needless to say, received the punishment they deserved for being there. Mr Wi Kupe has had to discontinue work on his metalling contract on the Kahui East Road on account of unfavorable weather. 27th May.

D. Whaley ... 17 18 24 10--69 W. C. Phillips . .. sch 21 20 24--65 J. Eothery 9 15 23 17--64 A Cullen ... 9 17 21 15--62 T. Bradley ... 17 17 18 9--61 W. Mills ... 9 16 16 17--58 H. Barratt .. 14 12 19 12■57 J. Wagstaff .. sch 15 19 21--55 A. Chapman ... 9 17 13 16--65 F, H. Morgan ... 14 21 13 2--50 L. Wiley ... 5 8 17 14--44 J. Lusk ... sch 16 18 11--44 J. MeCullum ... sch 18 16 5--89 J. West ... 21 12 4 2--30 E. Sutton ... sch 18 18 2--88 E. E. Morgan ... sch 15 9 12--36 F. Phillips ... 14 15 18 rtd A. Morrison .. 14 10 6 rtd