HAMILTON GOLF CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15319, 21 August 1923, Page 6

HAMILTON GOLF CLUB.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

SEQUEL TO A MANIFESTO.

A special meeting, attended by about 40 members of the Hamilton Golf Club, was held at the Y.M.C.A. buildings last night. Dr. Douglas president at the club, occupded the chair. The purpose of the meeting, as stated by the advertisement convening it, was to fill the vacancies on the committee caused by the resignation of six of its members. It transpired, however, that only four members of the committee (Messrs Simmonds, Hammond, English and Hurdwood) had actually tendered their resignations, which fact, at one stage, threatened to result in a deadlock, the chairman ruling that the meeting having been called for the specific purpose of filling six vacancies (which in point of fact did not exist) could not proceed to other business until its primary purpose had been fulfilled. Two other members of the committee, who, it was believed when the advertisement was published, intended to resign had not done so, and a somewhat animated discussion between those affected revealed considerable difference of opinion as to what had taken place at the committee meeting of which the upshot was the calling of last night's general meeting. To place matters in order the president and Mr Fowler tendered their resignations, and immediately after Messrs Tate, Swarbrick, and Simpson put in theirs, thus leaving matters once more in the air, since thci-e were nine vacancies to fill instead of the requisite six. A wealth of argument failed to convince the chairman that the matter could, according to the club's rules, be dealt with In any other manner than by accepting the six earliest resignations received, and thereafter electing successors to the retiring committeemen. At the bottom of the whole business, as members of the club are aware, was a manifesto recently signed by some fifty players, and presented to the committee, in whiih cumpitints regarding certain conditions on the course were set out. Some members of the committee regarded the manifesto as an expression of censure upon the management, and decided to resign; others took a less serious view, and saw in the manifesto no ground for ceasing to retain office. The fasts were well known to all present, and in deference to the general desire for a clearing up of the position Ihc chairman consented, if the vote m favour proved unanimous, to suspend the ordinary rules of procedure, and deal with the whole matter.

The course suggested was eventually adopted, and the secretary (Mr E. H. Hammond), who had acted as ground committee, proceeded to criticise and dispute the allegations contained in the manifesto. His remarks implied that presentation of the document had been purposely delayed until the captain (Mr D. Hay) was on the point of leaving town, and that it was only by accident the latter had seen it prior to his departure. The correctness of this inference was denied by members prominent 'n drawing up the manifesto, and the explanations tendered by them on this point were later accepted by Mr Hammond.

The next stage in proceedings was the tendering of their resignations by all the remaining members of the committee, with the exasp-uin of Mr. D. Hay, who is absent from Hamilton, arid a ballot to fill the positions was held with the following result: — President, Dr. Douglas; vice-presi-dents, Messrs Strang and Simmons, Dr. Green, Messrs Swarbrick, and F. Bond. Messrs Fowler and Worlcy were also nominated, and Messrs English and Hurdwood declined to stand. For the four vacancies on the committee Messrs-Tate, Horton, Ellis, Worley, Simpson,-AVE. Robinson, MCKenzie,' and .N. Johnston were nominated, the first-named quartet securing election. .. Messrs Fowler, -h----la Mare, Ross, Hammond and Webb declined nomination. Messrs A. E. Webb and F. Luxford were nominated for the office of treasurer, the ballot resulting in favour of the former. Messrs Simmons," F. Bond, and J. Horton were proposed as ;vice-captain, the first-named being elected. In proposing a vote of thanks to the old committee Mr de la Mare said he felt certain that the feeling in the club ■ generally was one of appreciation of the hard and sterling work done by them, and especially by Mr Hammond. Other members spoke in similar strain, and the motion was carried by acclamation.

In replying, Mr Hammond expressed surprise that Mr de la Mare could hold the opinion expressed by him in view of the fact that fifty members of the club had signed the manifesto. The speaker felt that he (Mr Hammond) and Mr Hay had been "stabbed in the back."

The president expressed regret that a different method had not been adopted by signatories to the manifesto. Suggestions in the book kept for the purpose at the club house would have been more satisfactory. He was sure the majority of the club appreciated the hard and good work done on its behalf by Mr Hammond. . A motion recommending to the general committee that the ground committee should consist of three members instead of one was carried, and the meeting terminated about 10. 30 with the customary vote of thanks to the chairman.