HIKUTAIA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4594, 29 August 1923, Page 3

HIKUTAIA.

bowling, croquet, and tennis. The annual general meeting of the Hikutaia Bowling,, Tennis, and Croquet Club weis held in the District School on Monday night, Mr W. H. Alley presiding over a large attendance. The annual report detailed the work that had been accomplished during the past year, and acknowledged the indebtedness of the executive committee to the many voluntary who gave their services so willingly and constantly to laying down the various grounds, and to whose donations in money or in kind helped the cause. The members were congratulated on being now in possession of a splendid playing area,, replete with pavilion, outhodses, plant and material necessary to the prosecution of tjie various games. This had been accomplished at a cost of nearly £5OO in cash, but had all labour been paid for the total expenditure would have been doubled. The membership was not qqite so large as the executive had anticipated, many ladies and gentlemen, who at ■ the inaugural meeting had signified their; intention of joining one or other ; of the clubs having failed to keep their implied promise. On the fees from the anticipated membership ex- ' penditure had been based, and there , ware, therefore, no thanks due to those who were morally, if not legally, bound to keep faith with the club. The position had been faced, and, thanks to a successful bazaar conducted under the able presidency of Mr A. W. Alley, sufficient money was raised to meet expenditure and leave a small credit balance. The grounds : Were practically free from debt, and, as the greater portion of the expenditure was not recurrent, the • future could be faced with equanimity. The opening of the grounds, continued the report, was a huge success, and civic pride was so great that any prospect of failure should be eliminated: Little had been done during the past year to augment the Memorial Gates fund, which stood at some £4O ; but it, was hoped that members would take this matter up ijn earnest and carry to fruition a scheme that was intended to remind all .of the sacri- . flee made for the sake of the Empire ’ by those who represented Hikutaia in the Great War. This was a duty and an obligation that could not be shirked. The annual balance-sheet, as. presented by the Mr F. Maxwell, and duly audited and found correct by the honorary auditor, Mr .Walker,, showed that the revenue for the year from all sources amounted to £507 18s sd, and the expenditure to'£so3 19s 2d, thus leaving a credit balance of £3 19s 3d. Tn moving the adoption of th e re " port the chairman expressed his pleasure at the result of the year’s opera- ’ tions, remarking that to have a credit !balance at the, end of an inaugural year was? unique, most clubs that had accomplished 1 work of similar magnitude having been obliged to pledge Their, revenue for many future years. He iiivited discussion and asked for criticism, these being the only methods by which mistakes could be avoided and, in future, rectified. After the motion, has been seconded A by Mr A. R. Robinson several mem-’ bers spoke in terms of a congratulatory nature and extolled the labours of the executive. Members of the controlling body for tlie ensuing year were then elected follows :— Hon. secretary, Mr J. Elliot (re-elected) ; hon. treasurer, M- F; Maxwell (re-elected) ; grounds superintendent, Mr H. Morrison (reelected) ; hon. auditor, Mr Walker (re-elected); committee, Messrs W. H. Alley, E. Elliot, W. K. Morrison, and I, M.' Robinson. Mr E. Elliot in an earnest speech besought members to keep the Memorial Gates fund in view. Though it. was etusy to forget, he hoped to see soon in Hikutaia a memento erected in perpetuation of the names of those who made New Zealand safe for all. He moved that a committee be elected to carry out the idea. In seconding, the secretary homologated the sentiments of the former speaker, and the following committee was elected : Messrs G. Avery, G. Gibb, G. W. Hariri am, 'E. S. Lemon, W. K. Morrison, AR. anjd I. M. Robinson, and L. Samson, with power to add. The meeting closed with the usuai votes! of thanks to the outgoing officials; and to the chairman. At a meeting of the executive committed held after the general meeting it was resolved to renovate the tennis courts .without delay, and the grounds superintendent was asked to engage the labour and obtain all the material necessary for the work. . ; SOCIAL. A social in aid of the painting fund in connection with the Hikutaia Anglican Church is being organised for Thursday night. Mrs I. M Murdock is at the head of the movement. \ PERSONAL. Mr B. McSweeney has received notice .of his transfer to Matamata, whither he proceeds shortly. Tn sporting as well as in social circles ... Mr McSweeney will be greatly missed. INFLUENZA. From all accounts influenza has run its course, no new cases having been- reported during the present week. CHRISTMAS FETE. Taking time by the forelock Mrs A1 F . Alley is busy organising a Christmas fete for the children, who are greatly excited already, and are “rushing” Mrs Alley for sewing mater’al which when made up will adorn the proposed Christmas treeMrs Alley will donate the proceeds to the Memorial Park fund.