OTAGO CYCLING CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 42

OTAGO CYCLING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Ota go Cycling Club was held in the club's rooms at the Octagon on Wednesday, the 3rd inst. The President (Mr H. B. Courtis) occupied the chair, and there was a full attendance of members.

Mr F. W\ Hart, Wellington, -wrote thanking the club for electing him an honorary life member.

Mr C. H. Cotton, the club's delegate to the League of Wheelmen, wrote congratulating the club on the successful year which had just been concluded.

The annual report, which has already been was taken as read. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, referred to the successful year which the club had just gone through. The financial position of the club was also most satisfactory. Their liability to the National Bank had been reduced to £28 6s sd, and it was to be hoped that next year this amount would-be wiped off altogether. If the second day of the cycling meeting had been as financially successful as the first day the committee Avould have been in a position to announce the removal of the deficit. The second day was practically a loss. However, (they had come out with a profit of £8 11s 7d after paying all expenses. The billiard tables had added to the receipts to the extent of £133 2s 3d, as against £128 19s lid last year. He moved the adoption of the report and balance pheet.

Mr Myebs seconded the motion. He also referred to the satisfactory position of the club, and said it was gratifying to note that the asGets exceeded the liabilities by £203 odd.

Mr It. J. Jay stated that in his capacity as auditor he wished to refer to the paragraph in the report dealing with the finances, and that part of the paragraph which slated that the liability was wrongly stated as £75 in last year's balance sheet, the actual amount being £104. Tho speaker said that the impression might be formed that the wrong amount being put in the balance sheet was due to dishonesty, "whereas it simply arose out of ignorance of the art of bookkeeping on the part of last year's treasurer. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS.

The Chaibman stated that in accordance •with a new rulo all nominations for officebearers had to be in before the meeting, lie had nominated Mr J. M 'Donald for the position of president, and as that was the only nomination he declared Mr M 'Donald elected.— - (Applause. ) Shortly afterwards Mr M'Donald took tho phair, and in thaking members for the honour conferred upon him, trusted that the club .would have a successful year. The following office-bearers were then elecfed :— Vice-presidents— Messrs H. B. Courtis,

S. Myers, A. Thomson, M. J. Scobie Mackenzie, M.H.R., W. A. Sim, and Dr Stephenson. Messrs W. Begg and A. Munden were proposed for the position of captain, and a vote being taken Mr Bogg was declared elected. Messrs E. Crawford and W. M'Kinley were proposed for the position of deputycaptain, and a vote being taken Mr Crawford was declared elected. Mr A. E. Alloo was elected junior deputy-captain, unopposed. Mr A. Harris was elected treasurer, also unopposed. The following were elected as the committee: — Messrs Gunthorpe, Jago, Will, Moller, Stokes, Munden, and Cowie. The following were also nominated: — Messrs Mitchell, Johnston, Townsend, Buchanan, and Dunne. Mr C. H. Cotton was re-elected the club's delegate to tho League of Wheelmen, and Messrs R. Jay and A. Mathews, auditors. With regard to the election of secretary rule 5 was amended by striking out the word "honorary" from before the word "secretary." I* was then resolved that the coin inittee appoint the secretary.

PBESENTATIONS.

The Chairman stated that he had a,pleasing duty to perform, and that was to hand over to their retiring president the photographs of the office-bearers of the past year. Tho photographs were enclosed in a large and handsome gilt frame. In _ making the presentation, the chairman said that Sir (Jourtis had held the position of president , for two years, and had fulfilled the duties pertaining to the office in a manner which did much to bring the club to its present j prosperous state. — (Applause.) Mr Cotjetis acknowledged the handsome ! gift with a few appropriate remarks. | Mr Myers stated that he had thought that he would have had the pleasure of handing to Mr O. Home that night some tangible recognition by the club of the bravery he tiarl displayed in attempting to save life at "Waikouaiti, but he regretted the object which it was proposed to present to Mr Home way not in hand that evening. Mr Home had boen returning home from a cycling tour, and on passing Waikouaiti he was told that a gir] had unfortunately got into the river. He plunged in immediately without stopping to divest himself of his clothing, and after several attempts brought the girl to shore. — (Applause.) Efforts were made to restore animation, but unfortunately they were not successful. The fact that the girl had lost har j life, however, did not detract from Mr Home's heioic act. It was decided to raise the funds to purchase an article of jjresentation, and with that object shilling cards were sent out. The fact that Waikouaiti had delayed in comimmicating with those who had charge of the matter prevented the presentation being ready that evening. A reply was only received en the preceding evening, and it was then foun.l j that the Waikouaiti people co soon forgot an j heroic deed, and that not one shilling wa3 i collected there. However, the speaker was pleased to be able to announce that sufficient i was in hand to present Mr Home with a watch to replace his own, which had been practically destroyed in his laudable endeavour to save life. — (Applause.) Tha mailer had also been brought under the notice of Dr Coughtrey, who promised to refer it to the Humane Society. — (Applause.)

Votes of thanks to the retiring officebearers, the chair, etc., closed the meeting.