AUCKLAND METROPOLITAN PLUMPTON COURSING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 6

AUCKLAND METROPOLITAN PLUMPTON COURSING CLUB.

A well-attended meeting of those interested in coursing was held at the British Hotel on Tuesday evening, F. Lawiy, Esq., M.H.R., presiding. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, alluded in touching terms to the death of the late secretary (Mr. W. Wallace), and expressed regret for the unfortunate position of his wife and family. He was pleased to hear that Mr. H. H. Hayr and other gentlemen were busy collecting subscriptions for the bereaved family. The following letter was received from the secretary of the Auckland Racing Club :—To. W. A. Fenton, Esq., chairman of Plumpton Coursing Club. Dear Sir,—Your application to form a Plumpton coursing ground at Ellerslie has been laid before my committee, who are willing to allow you the use of their property upon the terms you stated you were willing to give, namely, that the A.R.C. committee do receive all revenues accruing from the gates, booths, and stands. They will not spend any money themselves in fixing up the ground for coursing, but will at all times assist you in carrying out the sport. The right to occupy the ground will be by lease for a term of seven years.” Mr. McEwin movtd, and Mr. W. Adams seconded, that the terms offered be accepted. In reply to Mr. Fisher as to what revenue the Plumpton Club would receive from the A.R.C , Mr. Percival said the terms were what the delegates offered. The Plumpton Club would have membership, entries, cards, and other pickings. There was no rent to pay, and the A.R.C. caretaker would assist m protecting the hares, and the club would give every assistance towards making the Plumpton a success. Mr. W. A. Fenton also spoke as to the terms offered by the A.R.C., stating that if the A.R.C. made any profit they would give added money to the prizes. The routine business of the formation of the club then proceeded. It was agreed that the name of the club should be the “Auckland Metropolitan Plumpton Coursing Club,” and that it be conducted under the National Coursing Club rules. Messrs. J. O. Evitt, J. Beehan, J. Wakefield, T. Macready, J. W. Russell, W. A. Fenton, and T. McEwin were appointed a committee with power to add to their number. The election of a president was left over, as the promoters were anxious that the Hon. E. Mitchelson should be their first president, and as he was absent from town no reply had been received from him. Messrs. W. F. Buckland, M.H.R., and W. S. Lyell were elected vice-presidents; Mr. James Dickey, treasurer ; Mr. A. Coates, secretary; Mr. A. F. Whitaker, solicitor; the Auckland branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, bankers for the club. A subscription list was opened, on the understanding that a guinea constituted members’ subscription for the year, and all above that amount was to be considered a special donation towards starting the club. was subscribed in the room. Mr T. McEwin moved that all former resolutions in reference to having the Plumpton in Avondale be now made to apply to Ellerslie. Mr. McKee considered the motion of order, as the Avondale Plumpton Club was still in existence, and this was an entirely separate club. Mr. Beehan seconded the motion, and the chairman ruled that it was in order.

Mr. Foley said he could not see how this meeting could direct how the money already collected for a Plumpton at Avondale should be spent. This was not a continuation of the meeting which formed the Auckland

Club to beheld at Avondale. It was an entirely distinct meeting, for the formation of another club. Mr. Beehan said the money subscribed for the Avondale Flumpton could be refunded to those who were disappointed in regard to Avondale, and that would be only right, but he thought the resolution was in the proper direction, and would save disputes afterwards. -“Mr. McEwin spoke to the same effect, and said the incoming committee would be in a position to refund the money subscribed for the Avondale Plumpton to any who claimed it. . . f The resolution was then put and carried. A vote oi thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.