SPORT IN NETHERTON.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4772, 5 November 1924, Page 3

SPORT IN NETHERTON.

ANNUAL MEETINGS. TENNIS AND SPORTS CLUB. 1 lie annual meeting ol die Netherton Sports and Recreation Club was heid m tiie school, last evening, the president, Mr C. H. Potter, presiding over an attendance of about twenty. rhe chairman explained that owing to a misunderstanding there were only three financial members. A tennis club iiad been formed and had received membersnip feeis. Many contributors were under the impression inat they thus became membeis of the Sports and Recreation Club. Meetings of both bodies had been held together, and thus the contusion. it was agreed that unflnancial members be allowed to vote. The secretary pointed out that as the tennis club did not hold any land it could not raise a mortgage. The needs for the sports ground had been received from the ’solicitor and deposited at the bank, which had agreed to an overdraft up to £5O- - Recreation Club operated on the bank account, and it was used by the Tennis Club. Mr Matthews suggested that the Tennis Club, being the only live brand’, of the Sports Club, should oe empowered to operate on the Sports and Recreation Club’s banking account. This would be quite safe, as the bank would not advance more than the security given by the land.

Mr Potter pointed out that the guarantors of the Sports and Recreation Club might be called upon if the Tennis Club became defunct. A motion to the effect that the Recreation Club should permit the Tennis Club to utilise its overdraft provided any funds drawn were repaid within three years was carried. Considerable discussion arose from the reading of the minutes of the previous general meeting as to-whe-ther a donation of £6 7s had been made to the tennis club or to the sports and recreation club, as stated in the minutes. It wais said by members of the late hockey club, which had made the donation, that the intention was for the tennis club to have the money. It was therefore decided that the resolution be rescinded and the amount credited to the tennis club. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £3 16s 4d, compared with £4 17s 5d at the beginning of the season. Since the end of' the financial year sundry accounts had been paid, reducing the funds to £1 Ils lOd. Outstanding accounts amounted to about £3O. It was decided to draw upon the overdraft to pay the outstanding accounts. The following officers were elected for the Sports and Recreation Club for the ensuing year: President, Mr C H Potter; vice-president, Mr R. Locke; secretary, Mr R. Morrison; committee, Messrs T. Richmond, J. Munro, P, Harold, and W. Matthews. • The officers elected for the Tennis Club were: President, Mr F. I. V. Johnson; vice-president, Mr G. A. Fisher; secretary, Mr R. Morrison; auditor, Mr T. Rice; committee, Messrs L. Rice,. W. Richmond, J. Maloney, Miss Matthews, and Mrs Richmond; ground committee, Messrs F. T. V. Johnson, L. Rice, and W. Matthews ; finance committee, Mesdames Richmond, Matthews, Maude, Misses Matthews and 1. Halligan, and Messrs L. Potter, L. Rice, T. Richmond, and J. Maloney. The ladder method of selecting tennis teams was adopted, and the rules in operation during previous seasons for the playing of ladder matches were affirmed. The necessity for a pavilion on the ground was stressed by Mr C. Potter, who suggested that a structure of manuka and nikau could oe provided very cheaply. His waggon and team were available to cart the materials from Maratoto. It was pointed out that such a pavilion at Hikutaia was satisfactory, and it was decided that a similar structure should be erected. A vote of thanks to Mr Potter for his offer was carried, and a committee was appointed to collect the materials and do the erecting. Considerable argument took place regarding the amount of subscriptions. It was moved that in view of the slate of the finances and the work that will have to be done to renovate the court, the subscription should be increased to 30s and 20s. Considerable opposition was expressed, and finally it w.as decided that the fees be £1 5s for men and 15s for ladies and for boys under 16 years, and 10s tor girls under 16 years, with school children free.

It was suggested that a few lambs should be procured and grazed on the land. This would be the means of keeping the grass short, and possibly a profit could be made by selling them when fat. The opinion was expressed that donations of lambs would be forthcoming.

The question of.providing afternoon tea on Saturdayis was left to the committee to deal with.

Several new members were elected. Discussion on the question of affiliating with the Hauraki Plains Tennis Association was deferred until a later meeting, it being well after midnight when the matter was brought up.