CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB. Adjourned Special Meeting. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1381, 10 May 1881, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB. Adjourned Special Meeting. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Last Night.

An adjourned special meeting of the members of the Cambridge Farmers' Club, to consider the financia^osition, was held at the Club-hou3e this afternoon. Present — Messrs Jolm ""Fisher (Vice-President, in the chair), Fantham, John Runciman, F. A. Whitaker, Wells, Seddon, Buttle, Hicks, Clarke, R. Reynolds, Lake, and E. B. Walker. The minutes having been confirmed, the Chairman said that in accordance with Mr Campbells resolution passed at the previous meeting, the committee appointed hud dr.iwn up a scheme, particulars of which he asked the secretary to re.id. The secretary read as follows: — " Suggestions to popularise the Cambridge Farmers' Club. (1.) To have the Clubhouse op?n daily from 9 a.m. to dusk, by having a man and ln& wife living on the promises, in return for which they will sweep out find light and take charge of the hon^e. (2 ) To have such newspapers and penodicals for use of members as the managing committee may deem advisable. (3.) To have writing paper, with pens and ink, laid out daily for the use of members. (4.) Members to have the privilege to introduce visitors, who are btrangers to the district ; the rooms also to be available for members to transact business with non-members. (5.) One room to be set apart as a smoking-room j the others as reading-rooms, where smoking will be strictly prohibited. (6.) That lots 394, 395, 396, to be offered for sale at £550. (7.) To raise by subscription the balance of the Club's liabilities, by inviting the members of the Club and owners of property in the districts adjoining-, to pledge themselves to contribute at the rate of 6d in the £ on the rateable value of their property on. the basis of the Highway Board, assessment (al the end of the present financial year, 31st October) ; annual subscriptions to be t2 2a. (9.) That the funds of tho Club be not liable for cattle shows and ploughing matches. (10.) Lecture 3 to be delivered at intervals by agricultural and scientific chemiVt-s; f mall admission to bo cnarjred to cover expenses. Mr Buttle said his reason for moving the adjournment a fortnight ago was that an opportiHiity might be afforded for disposing of the surplus land in the meantime. This, however, had not been affected. The Chairman said the Committee were in treaty with a gentleman to whom they hoped to dispose of the three acres. Mr Wells said strenuous efforts must be made to reduce the liabilities of the Club. If the debt were cleared off, their only charges would be for salaries &c. and for periodicals, which would only amount to a trifle. The Chairman said he hail a letter from Mr Machan, regretting his absence, but pledging himself to assist and act upon any measures which the meeting might decide to take. Some discussion then took place with regard to No. 7 of the committee's suggestions, the opiuion being that it would be difficult to get the concunence of large land companies, although it was contended they were the parties most directly intorebted in the well-being of the Club Mr Fanth.im said it Avas perfectly absurd that such men as Mr Maclean should only pay the same as men with, small holdings. He thought they should pay in proportion to their property. He might tell them candidly tli.it he meant to get out of his liability if matters were not speedily altered. By and bye, if things went on as at piesent the whole liability would fall on one or two members. If the large land-owners could not be got to a&sisfc, the bc&t thing the members could do was. to wind up the affairs of the Club. If the Club were placed upon a &ouud footing he would gladly (>ivc Ins subset iption. Iv the South Island, the large land-owners assisted institutions similar to this in a proper manner. After some further discussion, Mr John Runciman said be did not think tho proposal to rate would woik a3 it was impossible to get at the large companies. Mr Lake did not see why the managers of thc-c compauies could not arrange for tho payment of a rate of this kind as well as for Highway rates. Mr Whitaker said it would be well to adopt the &imtrestions subject to the conouuence of the large laud companies. Ho was about to leave the meeting, but before doing 1 so he would like, with the chairman's p^nnishion to add one suggestion to the list, v/hioh he had no doubt would be approved of in their entirety. It was this : Tn at at the next annual meeting the ballot be lowered from one in five to one in three. They should do a'l they could to popularise tho institution. They wanted more members to make the Club pay,and to do ■<o they must widen the basis of the Club. I Mr Hicks seconded the proposition ; the Misrgestion was therefore added to the committee's list. I Mr Fantham moved that the following bo also added to the list, " That in the event of No 7 proposition not being agreed to by the members not now present, and failing the amount of the Club's debt not being forthcoming within two month's from date, that the Clubhouse and land be sold, and that tho Club be wound up ; notice of the above to be sent to every member." This was seconded by Mr Lake, and after some discussion agreed to. Mr Whitaker then moved " That the whole of the suggestions be adopted." This was seconded by Mr Lake, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Wells, seconded by Mi-E. B. Walker, it was resolved "That the managing committee be requested to use every endeavour to secure the carrying out of the foregoing resolutions, especially in the matter of waiting upon the large property-holders ; asking their co-operation and support ; the committee to report progress at next meeting." It having been decided that the next monthly meeting should be held at 3 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.