Opunake Racing Club.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 24 September 1895, Page 2

Opunake Racing Club.

The adjourned annual general meeting was held in Kennedy’s Hotel, on Saturday evening. Mr E. Shove, Vice-president, occupied the chair. The balance-sheet was read and adopted. The Course Committee’s correspondence rc the Opua course was then read. Resolved, That the report be received, but that no further steps be taken. [Wagstaff-Carroll.] Mr Dransfield then moved, and Mr Seekamp seconded, That Mr Pearce’s offer for a course at Pihama be accepted. Mr Knowles stated he had received a letter containing modified terms for a course on Mr Breach’s place, and he moved, That it is advisable to procure a course on Mr Breach’s property. Mr J. Gardiner seconded the amendment. The letter was then read offering the same part of the farm as originally offered at a rental of 15s per acre. The Hon. Secretary said that Mr Breach had requested him to state that he was not approaching the club in any way, and that he had only made the offer at the earnest solicitation of a few members of the club. The terms in regard to Mr Pearce’s offer were then read. The Chairman was asked if the guarantee of £llO towards making the course on Mr Breach’s still held good. Mr Knowles said it did. Mr J. R. Stewart’s report on Mr Breach’s place was then read. Mr Dransfield did not think it was feasible to drain it so as to prevent it being sloppy. Mr D. McGregor said it appeared to him that the town was trying to run the racing matters instead of the club. He thought those who had worked hard to make the club a success should receive the help of the people. Mr H. Wagstaff asked if it was compulsory to pay down £1 an acre, as the club’s funds were low, and this would deplete them very much. Mr Pearce said he was prepared to to meet the club and would accept 10s an acre down, and they might also pay off 10s an acre at any time they were in funds, and get the rent reduced proportionately. Voting was then taken on the proposed courses. For Mr Breach’s : (6) T. Knowles, J. Gardiner, W. Christie, G. Gardiner, A. Clarke and J. Stewart.

For Mr Pearce’s : (25) J. M. Hickey, D. Leahy, E. B. Vine, J. Guy, D. McGregor, J. McKenzie, W. Pearce, Koi Ngamare, B. Vickery, ,M. Dillon, M. Carroll, M. J. Brennan, T. A. B. Bailey, W. F. Robinson, H. Wagstaff, F. Oalgher, N. Shove, A. Good, O. Dransfield, A, Seekamp, D. Markham, E. Edmunds, J. Lambie, E. Shove, G. W. Rogers. Messrs J. M. Hickey, W. D. Scott, and G. W. Rogers were appointed trustees. A member asked if it would take much expenditure to make Mr Pearqe’s course fit to run on for next meeting.

The Chairman replied it would not, but that it would be necessary after the meeting to plough up the course and put it in good order.

Mr Pearce said he would contribute £5 5s towards course improvements, which offer was received with applause.

The election of officers was then proceeded with. President: Mr R. H, Nolan ; Vice-Presidents : Messrs T. Knowles, F. McGovern and H. J. Newman ; Judge : Mr A. W. Budge ; Starter ; Mr A. Wills; Clerk of Scales : Mr W. D. Scott; Clerk of Course :Mr J. Lambie; Handicapper; Mr J. E. Henry.

Committee: Messrs H. Wagstaff, J. Lambie, J. Gardiner, J. McKenzie, M. Carroll, J. M. Hickey, D. Markham, W. F. Robinson, D. Leahy, Bushe Bailey, W. Pearce, E. Edmunds, M. J. Brennan, 0. Dransfield, W. D. Scott, Rua Moetahuna, W. Christie; five to form a quorum. Stewards : Messrs J. McKenzie, A. Good, H. Wagstaff, J. Gardiner, F. Calgher, J, Lambie, J. M. Hickey, W. D. Scott, E. Edmunds, M. Carroll, 0. Dransfield, A. Clarke. The following new members were duly elected : —Messrs F. McGovern, H. Parsons, John Coxhead, R. Watson, G. P. Armstrong, S. Campbell, C. Hickey, E. O’Sullivan, V. Harrison, J. Duffy, H. Middleton, H. E. Good, H. M. Good, and Woolmer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the hon secretary for the able manner iu which he had conducted the business of the club. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceeding.

A meeting of the committee was held subsequently, and Mr Brennan elected chairman. The trustees were authorised to complete arrangements with Mr Pearce and take possession of the course. The following were appointed a course committee ;—Messrs G. W. Rogers, W. D. Scott, J. M. Hickey, J. McKenzie, J. Lambie, D. Leahy, Brennan, Edmunds, and J. Gardiner, and it was arranged they should meet on the course on Wednesday next at 2 p.m.

The 3ommittee then adjourned till Friday. October 4th.