GOLFING AT STRATFORD

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1934, Page 8

GOLFING AT STRATFORD

CLUB IN GOOD POSITION.

MEMBERSHIP SHOWS AN INCREASE.

There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Stratford Golf Club on Monday night, when a successful season was reported. Mr. R. B. Anderson presided. The annual report stated that the financial condition of the club continued to improve. The sum of £75 was paid off the liabilities during the year. The liabilities now were mortgage £375 and guaranteed load £3OO. The position, taken in conjunction with the improvements to the links, must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. Permanent improvements made during the year cost £3l. The playing conditions were yearly becoming better and it was possible to play golf all the year round under conditions that were generally appreciated. The summer season, a particularly pleasant one, was taken advantage of by an increasing number of members. The grazing rights had been leased for a further term of two years at a rental of £56 10s. That should allow the club to put its finances in order to be in a position to take full charge of the property at the end of the term. The report showed that the membership at the close of the season was 69 ladies and 60 men, an increase of 11 on the previous year’s figures. Twelve matches were played with other clubs, six being won, four lost and two halved. A challenge was again issued for the Seafield Cup but the Eltham club proved too strong. Carryers Ltd., Messrs. E. S. Rutherfurd, N. P. Green and J. W. Boon presented trophies and the ladies of the club had done more than their fair share in making the club a success. The grounds superintendent, Mr. G. G. Newell, put in a lot of time and work on the course and the good playing conditions were largely due to his efforts. The club championships resulted as follows: Men’s championship, G. G. Newell, runner-up R. B. Anderson; intermediate championship, J. J. Sullivan, runner-up A. Budge; junior championship, T. D. O’Leary, runner-up T. F. O’Neil. Ladies’ championship, Mrs.. N. P. Green, runnerup Mrs. C. Williams; junior championship, Miss Elsie Anderson, runner-up Miss Edna Anderson.

Receipts for the year totalled £485 13s 6d, and included members’ subscriptions £353 17s 6d, levy £3l, grazing rights £56 15s, profit from dance and donations £lB 9s. Cash in the bank at February 28 was £9 6s Bd. Expenditure totalled £465 3s 2d and included wages £143 15s 4d, interest £4O 18s 9d, rent £5O 10s, rates £23 15s 2d, repairs £l9 9s 7d, seeds and manures £l5 ss, trophies £24 5s and loans repaid £75. The cash in the bank on February 28 was £29 17s. The club’s liabilities totalled £697 Bs, including mortgage £375, loan £3OO and interest £22 Bs. Assets included leasehold property £7OO, buildings £235 and equipment £29. balance £29 17s, leaving a balance of assets over liabilities of £296 9s. Members could congratulate themselves oh another successful year, the season showing a profit of £2O 10s 4d, said the president. There was a fairly heavy .expenditure to be met early in the season, particularly for top-dressing. Mr. Anderson paid a tribute to the work of committee members in making the links i since their opening in 1930 the best outside New Plymouth in Taranaki. In the meantime the club had reduced the liability and he considered the policy should be continued with a view to taking over the property in a year or two with a view to farming operations by the club itself. The secretary was to be. congratulated on that only three subscriptions so far were outstanding of a total membership of 129. In seconding the adoption of the report and balance-sheet Mr. E. S. Rutherfurd said he thought the club had been under very efficient management. Mr. J. S. Lyons said more revenue might be obtained from locker fees. The annual ball proceeds also seemed rather disappointing after the efforts made by the ladies. Mr. Anderson said that with the number of cars now used few availed themselves of the surplus of lockers available. The dance proceeds he thought would continue to drop, although £27 was very acceptable. Mr. W. D. Young stressed, the social aspect of the annual ball. The question of subscriptions in relation to the greater facilities for summer golf now existing was discussed. It was decided that the inclusive subscriptions be men £4, ladies £2 17 6d, country members £3 5s (men) and £2 5s (ladies), all reducible by 10s. Miss E. M. Harper, Mesdames C. W. Morey and C. Short were elected new members.

It was decided to make March 15 opening day for the season. Mrs. R. Fryday asked that consideration be given to a suggestion that part, or the whole, of the verandah be glassed in to provide extra accommodation for visitors, also that the system of providing afternoon tea necessities be revised. The matters will be left for favourable consideration by the incoming committee.

The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. R. B. Anderson; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. E. S. Rutherfurd and J. S. Lyons; club captain, Mr. G. G. Newell; committee, Messrs. J. W. Boon, H. W. Douglas, T. A. Irvine, D. S. Morris; secretary and treasurer, Mr.. F. P D. Jefferies; auditor, Mr. P. Skoglund. The secretary’s honorarium was raised to £lO 10s and the hon. auditor will be invited to avail himself of the privileges of the links.

DRIVER’S FAILURE TO SIGNAL.

COLLISION AT INTERSECTION.

John O’Hagan was fined 10s and costs 10s at the Eltham Police Court yesterday on a charge that he failed to signal his intention to make a right-hand turn from High Street into Bridge Street when driving a motor-car on January 20. A charge of failing to give way to a vehicle approaching from the right was withdrawn.

Sergeant Henry stated that a collision resulted at the intersection between O’Hagan’s car and one driven by a man named Rowe, of Waiuku. O’Hagan was driving from the direction of Stratford and was turning into High Street, while Rjwe was driving from Hawera towards Stratford.

In pleading guilty Mr. Chrystal on behalf of O’Hagan said the latter was frank about the matter and told the police he did not remember whether he signalled or not. He thought Rowe was so far away when he attempted to turn that there was no imminent danger.. While O’Hagan might have been originally at fault, he thought Rowe’s bad driving was just as much to blame. Rowe blundered on and crashed into O’Hagan’s car. He considered the offence more a technical one and asked for a light penally.