GERALDINE ANNUAL PUBLIC SPORTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1694, 4 February 1888, Page 2

GERALDINE ANNUAL PUBLIC SPORTS.

The first annual meeting of those interested in the Geraldine public sports was held at the Crown Hotel, Geraldine, on Thursday evening last. There were present—Messrs R. H. Pearpoint, J. Cunningham, J. W. Pye, J. Turner, J. P. Kalaugher, jun., R. Darlow, H. Healey, J. A. Quin, E. Millard, G. Ward, J. Houghton, R. Crocker, and the Secretary, Mr E, H. Pearpoint was elected Chairman, and read the advertisement calling the meeting.

MINUTES.

The minutes of the general meeting held after the sports were read and confirmed.

BEPOBT AND BABANCE-SHBET.

The Secretary read the report and balance-sheet for the year. The report ran as follows In coming before the public with their first annual report and balance-sheet this Committee have much pleasure in being able to place such a satisfactory statement before you.

When the question of holding sports was first mooted the idea was taken up with enthusiasm, and the Committee's request for donations was liberally responded to. The sum of £47 Is 6d was subscribed by the public. The liberal programme the Committee were thus enabled to advertise draw a large number of competitors from all parts of Canterbury. The nominations for the handicap events amounted to 117, being the largest number received for a sports gathering in South Canterbury. The post entries were also large, being 62, and making in all a total of 179 entries. The fees derived therefrom amounted to the substantial ism of £25 Is.

As you aro aware, the sports gathering took place in the Geraldine Park on the 17th of March last, and was a signal success. The public attended in large numbers, and the sum received at the gates amounted to £34 7s sd, making a grand total uf receipts for the year from all sources of £lO6 9a lid.

The expenditure for the year by prizes and working expenses amounted to £72 5s lOd, leaving a balance to credit of £34 4s Id* The Committee were also presented with special prizes for different events by various donors, of the aggregate value of £8 14s.

The accounts have been duly audited, and, with the bank-book, are on the table for your inspection. The Committee wish to express their appreciation of the libora’ity of all those who so heartily contributed towards making the sports of the past year such a signal success. Their duties were also much lightened by'the assistance rendered by several gentlemen who kindly consented to act as stewards on the day of the sports. The Committee of the Oddfellows’ Sports, Tamuka, also materially assisted this Committee by the use, free of charge, of various articles, and the Trustees of the Oddfellows’ Lodge, Geraldine, granted the use of their stage and seats on similar terms.

It will now be the duty of this meeting to elect a new Committee in the place of the present one, the members of which retire, but are eligible for re-election. On tHe motion of Mr Quin, seconded by Mr Turner, the report and balancesheet were adopted as read. DATE or MEETING. It was pointed out that the,. l7th of March falling on a Saturday, it would be hardly possible to hold the sports on that day. On the motion of Mr Kalaugher, seconded by Mr Turner, it was decided to recommend the new Committee to hold the sports on Thursday, March Xsth.

Mr kalaugher also suggested that the services of a local handicapper should be obtained, and that the entrance fees should be reduced.

The Chairman pointed oat with regard to the entrance fees that when last year’s programme was drawn iip the Committee were not aware what sum they might expect from the public, and, having made themselves personally responsible for about £25, they wished to secure themselves in some little measure by means of the entrance fees. With regard to getting a local handicapper, Mr J. P. Bell was considered as good a handicapper as there was in South Canterbury. If they had a local man the same difficulty would arise with outsiders, and they would get no competitors outside of their own little district. Both matters, and any other suggestion that they felt inclined to make, would receive the careful attention of the new Committee.

A few trifling suggestions touching the sports meeting were then made, and a note of them taken by the Secretary. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing officers and Committee for the way in which they had managed the business of the past year. '

ELECTION OF OPPICEES.

The election of officers and Committee for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: —President, Mr R. H. Pearpoint ; Vice-President, Mr J. Cunningham. On the motion of Mr Darlow, seconded by Mr Quin, the number of Committee was increased to ten. The following were then elected: Messrs J. W. Pye, R. Darlow, R. Taylor, W. Heney, T. Markham, G-eo. Ward, J. Turner, N. Dunlop, M. Spillane, and J. Mundell; Treasurer, Mr J, Cunningham; Secretary, Mr H. JS. Hiskens, both re-elected.

SUBSOBimON.

A subscription list was handed round in the room, and the sum of £6 13s collected. It was decided to get out subscription books immediately, and make an active canvass for funds to carry on the sports. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.