YOUNG ATHLETES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 3

YOUNG ATHLETES

KEEN ENTHUSIASM RENEWED ACTIVITY AMATEUR CLUB MEMBERS Features of the annual meeting of the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club, held last evening, were the large representation of the younger members and the great enthusiasm shown for renewed activity in the sport during the coming season.

The meeting was presided over by Mr. R. J. Quinn, who, in reviewing the annual report, already published in the Herald, and the balance sheet, said that' the unfortunate financial position of the club was due simply to the lack of support from the members, and as instances of this drew attention to the small proportion of subscriptions and registration fees that had been collected during the past year. He pointed out that although the club still owed £B4 on the floodlights, the instalments were extended over three years. Social Committee’s Work Mr. Quinn mentioned that many accounts had been paid through funds raised by the social committee and he paid a special tribute to the effort made by that committee to assist, the club financially. The actual indebtedness at that moment was £O3, and the club was faced with a big task during the coming year. “The most disturbing feature of the club’s position is not that we owe £63, but the reason why we owe that sum,” said Mr. J. E. Mercer, in supporting the chairman’s statement. Much could have been done to avoid the result of the year’s operations, he continued, and the time had come when they should study the meaning of the term “club.” The executive had worked hard in the interests of the sport and the officers were entitled to expect the co-operation of the members.

Speaking of what could be accomplished by the club, Mr. Mercer pointed out that in 1930 a new year was commenced with a debit balance of £3O, but at the close of the 12 months the club was in credit to the extent of £l7O. This achievement had been accomplished by collective effort.

Bitter Disappointment

The presentation of such a report and balance sheet had been the most bitter disappointment he had encountered in all his association with sport and he had begun to feel that the I club was not wanted in the Gisborne district.

Mr. Mercer paid -a tribute to the fine spirit shown by a number of the older club supporters, specially Mr. T. R. Gordon. He thanked, too, the ladies who conducted the card evenings and appealed to the members to put all they could .into the sport. Mr. W. H. James considered that the members had failed, not through wilful neglect of duty, but through thoughtlessness, and he suggested that during the season the incoming secretary should present a note to each member, advising the amount owing to the club. The speaker referred also to the work accomplished by the secretary, Mr. Mercer, and the valuable officer the club had in the chairman, Mr. Quinn. On the motion of Mr. L. Barker, seconded by Mr. A. McAneney, the report and balance sheet were adopted unanimously. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted. — Patron, Mr. T. R. Gordon; president, Mr. C. E. Brown; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. W. Coleman, M.P., James Tunes, C. R. McCoy, J. Hutton, P. Bailey, R. B. Walt, J. Algie, W. M. Wildish, W. Campbell, D. Harris, H. I-larley, C. Simmonds, and Brother Edwin: lion, secretary, Mr. J. E. Mercer; lion, treasurer, Mr. J. Tangney; lion, solicitor, Mr. E. T. Brosnahan; hon surveyor, Mr. E- R. Thomas; hon. auditor, Mr. J. W. Bain; club [Captain. Mr. A. McAneney; executive committee. Messrs. L. Barker, M. Taylor, W. Edwards. M. Campbell, W. H. James, A. Kane, S. Parker, R. J. Quinn and W. Wallace: social committee, Messrs. T. W. McGuffie, J. Stokes. F. Lee, J. Cleary, A. Kane, and F. Fergusson.

During the election of officers the chairman said he would like to see placed on record the valuable services rendered by Mr. Mercer, and he also thanked the treasurer and Other members of the committee for their assistance.

It was decided to raise the subscription .for seniors to 7s Gd * and for juniors to 3s Gd, school students being admitted to membership free. A recommendation that the charge for travelling expenses in the coming season be slightly higher, was passed to the incoming committee.