FARMERS’ UNION CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 982, 31 August 1903, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Club was held on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance, Mr C. J. Parker presiding. The following first annual report was submitted by the Committee ii it i 8 now about 15 months ago since the idea was first originated as to the desirability of a club being formed exclusively of farmers and these interested in the farthing industry, every member to be either an ordinary or honorary member of the Farmers’ Union, and as the objects of tho*Club would be rather to further the internets of its members as a class individually and collectively than ho one ot mere amusement, it was naturally anticipated that it would provo an important factor in strengthening and consolidating the Farmers’ Union in this district. ii Tho provisional committee set up to carryout the initial arrangements experienced at the outset great difficulty in finding suitable rooms until Mr Harding was approached, and at their urgent solicitation the present rooms wore fitted up and furnished, and taken by them on behalf of the Club for ouo year at a rental of £7B, including cleaning. These rooms at the time were unanimously voted to be most suitable, and your Committee have great pleasure in stating that they believe that an increased amount of interest is being taken by farmers in mattors pertaining to the farming industry, from the fact that these rooms aro always available for meetings of tho Union, lectures, or any othor matters affecting their interests I i> A. smoke concert was held in the Club rooms at the opening of the Club, and another on the night of tho Provincial Conference. A social undor tho auspices of this Club, the Farmers’ Union, and A. and P. Society was also held during Show week, at which the judges and other visitors were guests. All theso functions wore most enjoyable and well attended. “Your Committee regret that more advantage has not been taken by members of the great possibilities which this Club aimed at in the sale and exchange of stock among themselves, but the great domand and high prices ruling during the past year may reasonably be set down as the cause. , , “ Your Committee were approached a few weeks ago by Mr Dunlop with an offer of rooms in his new buildings for this Club. The terms of his offer were of such a nature that it was considered advisable to. take the opinion of the members on this subject, and a ballot was taken previous to a special general meeting, which was called for 18th July. At that meeting, however, a great diversity of opinion existed as to tho methods in which the ballot had been taken, and more especially when it was known that Mr Harding had not been approached regarding further or other accommodation, which he had always expressed his readiness to provide should the Club desire it. A resolution was carried by a substantial majority that the meeting stand adjourned for one week to enable definite torms to be obtained from Mr Harding. As the result of this adjournment three members of your Committee immediately resigned, and it is to be deeply regretted that these gentlemen havo since that time commenced to form anothor club in opposition to the Farmers’ Union Club, and have been prosecuting a vigorous canvass for members. Your Committee have taken no steps to influence members either one way or the other, feeling assured that their intelligence will clearly recognise that any changes of this kind cannot but materially affect both Farmers’ Union and Club in this district, and is not conducive to that unity which is our watchword and which we are all striving to attain, and we entirely fail to see, unless for personal motives, three members of the Committee should act in the manner they did, and set up an opposition club, for tho only reason that a special meeting was adjourned for one week to enable further information to he obtained. And we sincerely regret having to report that this club has the three members who resigned to blame for Mr Dunlop’s offer of rooms being withdrawn from this club j and still further regret that these same members secured the rooms for their opposition club beforo this club had finally dealt with the matter, and which necessitated the abandonment of tho special meeting which was then standing adjourned. ii Your committee beg to report that Mr Harding has offered to reduce the rent of tho present rooms from J 678 to £52, or have a billiard room erected at the club rooms at an increased rental of £2O to £25 por annum, the club to find its own table and furniture. These offers will have to be considered at the annual meeting. i* The expenses of the club have boen very heavy for the first year, and exceeded the estimates formed. This has been caused principally by the ballots which have been taken, entailing extra advertising, printing, etc, tho making up of sTiortages in connection with the smoke concerts, printing of rules, and providing necessary offico plant and other charges which need not of necessity occur again. ■i la conclusion, your committee would ask members to stand loyally by the parent elub at the present crisis, as it has been clearly proved by the action of a small minority that the question has passed beyond the stage of being a change of club rooms, and has become one. of principle.” The report was adopted. It was decided to accept Mr Harding’s reduced offer for the rooms, there being 31 in favor of the proposition and only one against. The balance-sheet showed a credit balaneo of £l3 9s 7d. The receipts for the year were £165 15s 3d, The election of officers resulted as follows President: Mr J. C, Parker, who said that he w&s not one to desert the ship; vice-Presidents ; Messrs W. D. Lysn'ar and Holden ; Committee : Messrs W. Bell, A. Bond, D. Dobbie, A. Hegarty, F. Tietjen, H. H. Wall, Birrell, Tuoby, McLaughlin, Gallagher, Candy, H. N. Lysnar, G. E. Jones, H. Binnio, Ewen Cameron, J. Holmes, F. Bhodes, and D. CameroD. Mr E. L. Maude was elected secretary.