FOXTON BOWLING CLUB

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3818, 14 July 1928, Page 2

FOXTON BOWLING CLUB

SPECIAL MEETING. A special general meeting of the Foxton Bowling Club was held in the Racing Club building last night, presided over by Mr. W. S. Ileyes (President). Also present were Messrs R. Bryant, Adams, D. Christie, W. H. Walker, John Ross, W. 11. Walton, J. Thomson, F. Woods, S. Mattar, M. E. Perreau, and the secretary (Mr. J. Christie). A motion of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. D. Whiblev. BALANCE-SHEET. Rev. W. 11. Walton presented the balance-sheet and in doing so thanked Mr. J. Christie for assistance in the preparation of same. The statement did not disclose a very satisfactory state of affairs. The excess of liabilities over assets was £lßl 2s lid, but the statement of assets and liabilities did not show the buildings, lease, etc., as assets. Mr. D. Christie in speaking to the balance-sheet, said that the bal-ance-sheet as submitted, disclosed a correct state of affairs. In the past an excess of assets over liabilities was always shown owing to the fact that the property was taken into account. The green was a leasehold property and could not be counted as an asset. If the Club was to go into liquidation it would rest with the Borough Council as to whether the Club got anything for the property or not. It was just as well for members to realise the true position of affairs which was that the Club was £2OO in debt. Rev. Walton endorsed Mr. Christie’s remarks. In the past the values as shown on the balancesheet, were all out. He was of opinion that the Club had also been spending money that there was no occasion to spend. For the past twelve years they had been paying cut £lO or £l2 per annum interest on overdraft. He had suggested some two or three years ago that this overdraft be reduced, but members had said that if that was done debenture holders would immediately put in a claim for their money. Debentures amounted to £55, and even if this amount had to be paid off it would pay the Club to wipe off the overdraft and stop making a present of £lO or £l2 to the bank each year. Mr. M. H. Walker said that the debenture holders were all old identities and a number of them were dead. He did not think that there would ever be any likelihood of the debentures being presented. He was one himself and as far as he was concerned the. debenture would never be presented. Fr. Christie: We can safely reduce the liabilities by £6O then. Mr. Woods said that as long as the Club was in debt no demand could be made for the redemption of the debentures.

Mr. Bryant said that the Borough Council could never claim the buildings and there had been a good deal of work carried out on the green. Surely this was worth something, He considered they should be included in the balance-sheet- as assets. Air. Woods said that it cost over £2OO to put the green and buildings in order and there must be some mention of these on the balancesheet as assets.

Rev. Walton said that if the Club went into liquidation every mention of this on the balancesheet as as asset.

Mr. Wjalker said that the green and buildings were worth something, but the Club should not show these assets as a fictitious amount. It was hard to define what they were really worth as they were only of use to a body. Mr. Bryant said that in previous years the green and buildings had been shown as an asset • of £440. The amount could be safely reduced tc £250. After further discussion it was decided on the motion of Messrs Bryant and Walker to place the buildings and green on the balancesheet as an asset of £250. Mr. D. Christie voted against the motion. SUBSCRIPTION. The question of subscription was discussed. Mr. Christie suggested that the subscription be £2 2s Od with a locker rent of 2/6 and insurance 6d, making a total of £2 5s Od. ■'Ht was decided that the subscription for the year be £2 12s Od, locker rent 2/6, and insurance 6d, with a reduction of 10/- if paid before 31st December. SCHEME TO RAISE FUNDS. Mr. D. Christie brought forward a scheme to raise funds to wipe off the overdraft at the bank and place the Club on a good financial footing. He suggested that a big effort be held early in the year to take the form of a two-days’ bazaar in the Town Hall, with sideshows and competitions, etc. The proposal to be successful would have to have the wholehearted support of all the members and the ladies of the Croquet Club. If the above suggestion was successfully carried out; the Club would end up the season next year with a “clean sheet.” He suggested that a howling tournament be incorporated in the above idea and that the Centre be written to and apprised of the position and asked to request each Club to send down a rink. An entrance fee of 2/6 per rink could be charged for the tournament and the bowlers would also be in town for the bazaar at night. By this means he anticipated raising £l5O at least. It was not fair to the guarantors to carry on year in and year out as at present, and he was sure they would be pleased to be relieved of their responsibility. There had been no effort held locally for some

lime and he thought one on the lines suggested would be quite satisfactory. Mr. Walker was in favour of the scheme but was not so optimistic as to the financial benefit. He considered £IOO would be the highest sum raised.

1 Mr. Perreau took a totally different view of the proposal. Bowlers played the game, he said, for sport, and he did not hold with asking the public to pay for the.sport. He was one of the guarantors, but that was the view he took. Theyshould be prepared to pay for their sport and if they could not carry on as at present, then the subscription should be raised.

Mr. Christie said the public would get value for its money.

Mr. Walker: Other sports bodies have carried out similar schemes to raise funds.

Mr. Bryant considered if the Club looked to its finance and kept down expenses the overdraft could be reduced every year. Members would have to get to and do a little work > on the green themselves, instead of going to the public for assistance. If a bazaar was held it would only be those directly interested in bowls who would pay for it. 5 Discussion then lapsed on the subject, and it was decided to hold a ball in August. • Messrs Mattar, Bryant, Adams, Woods, Perreau, Christie and Heyes were elected a committee to arrange details in the above connection. GENERAL.

Accounts amounting to £9 15s were passed for payment. The secretary was instructed to look into the lease with a view to renewing same. The President and secretary were authorised to operate on the bank account. COMMITTEE MEETING. A committee meeting was held at the conclusion of the general meeting, and it was decided to meet every Tuesday evening. Mr. J. M. Thomson was elected sole selector.

It was reported that as a result of euchre tournament organised last year by Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Thomson, £ls 4s 2d was raised. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson were thanked for their effort.