RIVAL CLUBS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 952, 27 July 1903, Page 3

RIVAL CLUBS.

I THE FARMERS CHOOSE TO DIFFER. There was a large attendance at the meeting of the Farmers’ Club held on Saturday aftornoorf, but no amicable arrangement was come to upon the muchvexed question of club-rooms, and the result will probably bo that instead of one strong and united club Gisborne will be able to boast of two Farmers’ Clubs. Mr C. J. Parker presided, and stated that the Committee had met that morning and drawn up a report. " They say tha' • the farmers will not combine, but I hav< not lost all hope of that,” remarked th< Chairman as he called upon Mr Birroll tc read the report, which was as follows : The Committee beg to report that im mediately after last Saturday’s meeting Mr Dunlop was interviewed, and he led some of your Committee to believe he would extend the time for this Club accepting his offer regarding his rooms for a weik, which we regret to say he subsequently refused to do. Since then the Committee thought it advisable to write to Mr Dunlop in the matter to ascertain if bis rooms were still available should the meeting to-day decide to accept his offer, V'/e were given to understand that some of the members of the Committee who ’resigned after last Saturday’s meet mg are arranging to start another Farmers’ Club in Mr Dunlop’s rooms. Wo have this morning received a reply from Mr Duniop to tbe effect that his rooms , nra not now available. Mr Harding has , given us two alternative offers for con , “ideration, which it will be for the meotiog to deal with. It might be advisable , for this meeting not to come to any final decision until the annual general meeting, I which takes place next month, according to tho • rules, whon other members who I have sent in their proxies may have aD opportunity of being present and voting, I as their proxies are now made unavailable I in consequence of Mr Dunlop’s rooms being withdrawn. We much regret this, as the Ciub would have to-day known the voice of a largo section of its members, by which we would know their feeling in the matter, and we feel sure would have met with genoral approval, whether it be to remain in the present building or remove to Mr Dunlop's. In conclusion, we much regret that some of our Committee should have resigned in eonsequenoo of last Saturday’s meeting being adjourned for I one week, as we fail to see what injustice was being done, especially as the last meeting decided to use the ballot votes at to-day’s meeting, but in consequence of Mr Dunlop’s offer being withdrawn they cannot now be used. Tho Committee hopes that the members will remain loyal to their Club, ared give what support they can to improve the interests of the Club in the futuro.

The following letter had been sent by the Committee to Mr Dunlop “ I have beon instructed to ask you if in tho evont of tho special meeting deciding to remove to your rooms, would your rooms be still open on the terms you previously offered ? Trusting that we shall receive a satisfac-

tory reply.” Mr C. Dunlop wrote in reply : “ I am unable to renew my offer to-day. It was very fully discussed at your meeting last Saturday, and which was adjourned to enable Mr Harding to make an offer I understand you will have one from him before you to-day, and the absence of mine will enable you the better to discuss the meries of his,Space and terms should be taken iifto account. These are important factors. Of course, you need not accept Mr Harding’s offer to-day, unless you wish to do so, hut can postpone your final decision. Remember, I practically offered to take you as monthly tenants, and if he agrees to do, so, too, you can remain from month to month. When I made you a very favorable offer, I understood your Club was weak, but I thought that it could be made strong. (Laughter), My assistance was not rendered at your funeral, and my rooms fitted up to receive your remains. (Laughter.) 1 was ‘chief mourner’ at a Farmers Association funeral once, and don’t wish to be again. (Laughter.) lam sorry my offer caused a storm, and if I may, without diffidence, oijer you a word of advice, I would say, remember your club was not formed for Mr Harding’s benefit or mine. Let common-sense prevail —pull yourselves together, set to work and endeavor to reDair your ships, and throw overboard your Jonah. (Laughter.) Two Farmers Clubs in Gisborne will not succeed.” Mr J. A. Harding wrote : “ Re Club rooms, I am to make a reduction in the rent of room from £7B to £52 for another term of one year from expiration of the present lease. lam also willing to erect a billiard-room, 26ft by 18 ft., inside at the back of the present Club room, the rent of the same would be about £2O or £25 per annum, the Club to find their own billiard table and furniture.”

Mr PI. Lysnar : I propose that a vote of thanks be accorded to Messrs Wallis, Plood, and Clayton for sending in their resignations front the committee.

The Chairman : A vote of thanks for sending in their resignations ! Mr W. D. Lysnar : It is not necessary. ' ..... Mr Bilham : I think, when they look carefully into the matter, they will regiet being so hasty. Mr F. Lysnai'. - It is to be hoped they will resign from the Union. The Chairman : Mr Dunlop having .withdrawn his offer, it narrows down •the business for which we were called together ; so much so, that I am not sure it would be wise to enter into Mr Harding’s offer at this meeting. The matter can stand over until the annual meeting, to be held next month. There is also the question of the billiard-room to consider, although I do not think there are many of the farmers who play billiards. Mr Bilham : I was one of those who voted for the adjournment until to-day. I did so, not because I was against the Committee for what they have done, but that I was the spokesman for a number of members who were not clear as to what the circular meant.Mr Birrell : If the- Club goes in for a hilliard-room, the attendant can have the £3O I now receive. You world ’then have somebody here a The regretted that Mr Dunlop's offer had been withdrawn, as he was favorably disposed towards it. , Mr Lysnar proposed that the matter should stand over until the annual meeting, and in the meantime they could continue as before. Mr Tuohy moved as an amendment that Mr Harding’s offer be accepted. They should have the backbone to settle the matter that day. Mr McLoughlin seconded the motion. Mr Rogers said that one disadvantage of Mr Harding’s rooms was that, being licensed premises, a prohibited person was not allowed to enter them. Mr Walsh said Mr Rogers was in error; the Farmers’ Club rooms were not part of the hotel premises. Mr Birrell pointed out that the Magistrate had already decided that the rooms were no part of tho hotel Mr Tuohy : 1-Ie is a sensible man, Mr Somerville urged that no decision should be arrived at that day,or else twenty-three members would be ruling one hundred and twenty members of the Club. He also desired to point out that a movement had been started by a number of farmers to have club rooms at Dunlop’s buildings. Mr W. D. Lysnar : Do you mean to say that they are setting up an opposition Club to this '! Mr Somerville : ,Yes ; that is as I understand it. Mr Lysnar : Do you come with I any request from that section, i Mr Somerville: No ; I am quite ■ unbiassed. I come here as an ordinary member. " . ' Mr Lysnar : We ought to know our ; position. Are these people trying i to injure this Club ? Mr 3, ‘Lysnar: Yes; they say

that they will burst it. They told me that that , was their intention.. Mr W. D. Lysnar : It simply shows that they are affected by personal motives. A voice : That is just what it is. Mr Lysnar : I do hope and trust j that members of the Union will not sanction anything of the kind ; and n they join the Opposition Club they do sanction it—they approve of the affairs o t the Union being run on j personal lines. In regard to the I withdrawal of the offer, Mr Dunlop did cmphaeically agree to an exten- + l0 + time. He was on his way I

i w muse rooms to do it, when he ! W i s . 'fftercepted by Mr Clayton. : , f ho Chairman : There is nothing before the meeting. Lysnar : There is the motion of Mr Tuohy’s, Chairman : Are ?ou speaking hack to L it. aar ■' 1 Wiil .. bring myself At some length, Mr Lysnar urged that consideration of the matter should be adjourned Mr Birrell : If we had straight-for- I ward people to deal with, I should agree with Mr Lysnar, but we have I not They are strengthening their hands e\ ery day. I The Chairman : Leave th'at alone now. I

I Mr Birrell : Onr opponents are strengthening their Club as fast asj possible They have been to every tradesman in the place. If we relax our hold, it will be a sign of weakness. I hope the scales may fall from your eyes, so that vou may see the reason for standing loyally to the Ciub. } Mr Julius Caesar supported the motion for adjournment. Although, they had lost Mr Dunlop’s oiler, there was no reason why a much more favorable offer might not be receivct. Mr Ilarding was in no hurry for an answer.

The Chairman said he had inspected Dunlop’s rooms, and would have favored removing there, but he was not at all pleased with what had transpiied in regard to two or three members of the Committee resigning. . “ J do not like it,” he said ; “it is a case of whether the tail is going to wag the dog, or the dog wag thj tail. lam not one of those who believe in the tail having complete control. After further discussion, a vot4 was taken, and the meeting decided by sixteen to eight, to postpone consideration of Mr Harding’s offer till j the annual meeting, to be held next month.

On the motion of Mr Lysnar, it was duided that members could vote by proxy at the meeting. A vot-- of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.