WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 239, 18 November 1940, Page 8

WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING ITEMS FROM THE BALANCER SHEET The Whakatane Golf Club held its annual meeting" on Thursday evening with what was described as a disappointing attendance. The retiring president, Mr L. W. Luxton, in presenting his report, reviewed the year's activities as summarised in liis speech on closing da 3- and which summary appeared in Friday's issue. In addition Mr Luxton congratulated Mrs Bullard on her success in the Coronation Medal competition, thereby bringing distinction to herself and the Whakatane Club. Other references made by Mr Lxix ton in his address included an expression of appreciation of the services rendered by Mr A. Clark, the ] former secretary; • the many years jof service by Mr A. Powdrell as supervisor; thanks to the members of the Club for gifts, of plant an,:l materials; the proved efficiency of the water scheme/ which was seen in' the wonderful improvement to the course; thanks to the committee for its support and to the ladies for their untiring efforts on behalf of the club.

The Balance Sheet The report and balance sheet were adopted, Mr A. Bridger congratulating the treasurer, Mr C. A. Suckling, and the committee on the very able financial report and balance sheet tabled. They showed very efficient administration by the club j executive. Comparing the major items with the figures for last year, Mr Suckling said that the club had commenced the year with a credit balance of £74, as against £"383 last year. Other items, with last year's figures in parentheses, were: Subscriptions, Men £333 (£358); Ladies £156 (£202); Green Fees £36 (£31); Entrance Eees £28 (54). O'n the expenditure side: Labour £228 (£223); General Maintenance £128 (£115); Plant account £222 (£24) —this being accounted for in the main by the purchase of the Triplex mower. Debenture issues stood at £150(1 (£1501), Assets included Land and Buildings account £1385 nett (£1316); Plant account £454 (£338). The Course Development account stood at. £1073 (£29B)—the water scheme being the chief item in this account. The Sinking Fund account showed. as £658 (£560), "Revenue was slightly less and expenditure rather more than last year," said Mr Suckling, "and I am afraid that will continue. It is not our fault but a reflection of general conditions. An increase in subscriptions will not be sufficient next year—we will have tc practise the strictest economy." At this stage Mr Barry said members might be interested to know that there were no outstanding subscriptions. All had been paid and there was no writing-off.

Tribute to Past President Following his election as president, Mr F. J. Reynolds paid a tribute to tlie retiring president,,, Mr Lux ton, who, said Mr Reynolds, liatl tilled the office with distinction. He had fitted into every groove, into every hill and hollow of the club's activities. He had hud the most strenuous and arduous time experienced by a president since the club was established. On Mr Reynolds' motion a vote of thanks was accorded Mr Luxlon.

Question of Meeting Date Mr Billiard dreAV the , meeting's attention to the disappointing attendance. It meant either a supreme confidence in the existing executive or a lack of interest for some reason unknown. Each year saw the same poor response and it was a suggestion that the club should hold its annual meeting immediately prior to the opening of the season.

This view was supported by Mil Barry, who said that a date just before the opening of the season would draw the attendance of members because their thoughts would be on golf and not on the sports which followed the golfing season. He moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to give the matter consideration. Mr S. Spence, moving a vote of thanks to the Club Captain., Mr J. Bullard, said Mr Bullard had given three yeares of inestimable service to the club and individual members. Messrs J. Mnssett,, C. A. Suckling, B. S. Barry and F. J. Reynolds also referred eulogistically to the services rendered by Mr Billiard .

A motion of thanks to the ladies for their work and co-operation concluded the meeting.