STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 April 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER, Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

STRATFORD RACING CLUB QUESTION OF CONTROL. THE PROBLEM SOLVED.

Those members of the S.R.C. who signed the requisition for a special meeting to consider motions affecting the adminstration of the club's affairs must have been highly gratified at the large attendance at the Borough Council Chamber on Tuesday night, when about seventy members were present. A concise statement of the position of affairs in connection with the movement which culminated in the special meeting has go recently been placed beiore our readers that it will be fresh in theii minds, and it is only necessary to statu that the accuracy and absolute impartiality of the facts set forth was emphatically demonstrated by the overwhelming majority which endorsed the action of the requisitionists. There was not the slightest doubt as to what the result of' the { meeting would be, for the question at issue was based on a democratic principle which is firmly rooted in the hearts of the vast progressive section of the community of the Dominion, but it is equally certain that the vitriolic and lamentably inspired attempt of a contemporary to bring about a miscarriage of justice materially contributed to the attainment of the laudable object which tile reformers had in view. Sound argument cannot be affected by abuse, which has an awkward habit of recoiling, like a boomerang, on the head of the thrower. However, one can afford to be charitable when championing a just cause, so no more need be said on that point, the vindication evidenced by the voting amply sufficing as a crown to the good intentions which were actuated < solely by public as opposed to petty in- i terests. Mr. A. W, Budge, president of the club, in opening the proceedings, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance, which showed that there was something eventful to be discussed, and he asked that the rules of debate should be strictly adhered to. He then called on the secretary (Mr. Coleman) to read the notice convening the meeting. This having been done, he said that he regretted the notice of motion to delete rule 16 could not bo accepted. Being doubtful on the point, he had referred it to the club's solicitor, Who advised against the acceptance of the motion on the ground that the rules governing notices of motion, special meetings and alteration of rules were so drawn as to prevent alterations being made except at an annual general meeting. He also suggested that the rules needed revising. The chairman intimated that notice of motion to delete rule 16 might well be given in time for the next annual meeting. Mr. W. H. Young (the author of the notice of motion) said he also regretted the non-acceptance of ths motion, but he accepted the chairman's ruling. Dr. Paget said he was chairman of the meeting when the rules were drawn, and no such trickery as that alleged was contemplated, the intention being to give an opportunity for altering the rules. At the request of the meeting, the solicitor's opinion was then read. Mr. Young, resuming, said he would deal with what was left of his notices of motion. The first matter was that relating to the action of the committee in undertaking* expenditure for improvements without first giving effect to the resolution to relieve the guarantors from their liability. He considered the intention of that resolution was to'restore to the members of the club the full power of electing the committee instead of electing only a minority, who had no power. It was expected that 1 the resolution would have been carried out, and he pointed out that if the over- i draft were increased it would not be so i easy to carry it out, hence the calling of the special meeting. He then mov- i ed—"That the club's bankers be request- i ed to relieve the guarantors of their i liability, and be instructed not to ad- ' vance any further money until the guarantors were relieved, and that a copy of i this resolution be sent to every member of the club." He quite recognised that : the liabilities already incurred, including the purchase of additional ground, should be met, but tho relieving of the guarantors should be the first step. i In seconding the motion, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood emphasised the fact that the question involved was the broad principle of the members governing their own affairs. The spirit of the time was that | such institutions should be fully and i directly controlled by the members. Racing was a sport in which the demo- ' cracy took part. In the Homeland it I was called "the sport of kings," but . that term did not apply in Nfew Zealand. . At present the management of the club ! was rested iu a close corpoujution, aad, but for that, in place of tne present (JO members there should be COO. The dun ' was now governed by 12 (formerly 30) guarantors. lie admitted that while the guarantors were guarantors they should have i> predominating voice, but the time had gone by for their continuing in power. Certain improvements \ at the racecourse were necessary. The ! minority on the committee were not | fighting against these improvements, as j had been wrongfully stated. On the con- I trary, they had a constructive policy, but if the meeting turned down the proposals before it, then the members would never get control of the club's affairs. He suggested that the present form of guarantee was objectionable, as each guarantor was liable for tile whole amount. A belter plan was to limit | each guarantor's liability to a fixed «mi «iiy £-100—and lie was prepared to hand in the names of eight or more members who we.re prepared to join in a guarantee on these terms. lie would refrain from strong comments on the failure of the committee to carry out the resolution, merely remarking that if resolutions parsed at a general meeting »vre. not given effect to there was no use in holding such meetings. One of the results of the attitude of the committee on this matter was the resignation of Mr. J. Richards, the loss of whose serI vices was greatly to be regretted in the interests of the club. 'The chairman then asked the secretary to read a written.statement containing his (the chairman's) views'on the matters before the meeting. Mr. Kirkwood enquired whether this , statement should not have been read ' before the discussion commenced. The chairman replied that he took it the committee were on trial, and the statement contained his views. Dr. Paget: Is that to be your last word ? The chairman: Yes. I The secretary then read the utatemeut, which occupied / 0

foolscap pages of typewritten matter. The main points were:— The resolution passed at the annual general meeting was primarily for the . benefit of the guarantors; and, secondly, that the committee should be elected by the members and not appointed by the guarantors. At the time the overdraft - waß £2500, and no expenditure on im- ; provements was contemplated. Had . the members then known it was neces- ■ sary to embark on considerable expendi- . ture for giving facilities to the public, . they would have unhesitatingly anA unanimously agreed to continue the guarantee in the event of the bank refusing to advance the amounts without it. Had the majority of the committee considered the release of the guarantors was the chief and only consideration, and that the requirements of the club should be ignored, if possible, the guarantors would have been released. It was never the intention of the meeting that the club should stand still, and the improvements be not carried out, but if the club entertained a different opinion then it should say so straight out. The appointments of the club were not lip to the standard of Hawera, New Plymouth and other clubs, though the totiilisator investments were equal to those of the other centres. The committee were unanimous as to these improvements. As to the committee not counselling the members relative to expenditure on improvements, there was not one club in Taranaki which took that course. In 1902, £1320 was spent in improvements; in the following year the freehold of the course was acquired for £2744, and 3 in every succeeding year considerable I sums were spent, but in no instance were the members consulted or the com- * mittee's action adversely criticised. Mr. Fredric asserted that when the resolution was put to the members they all knew its purpose, and he asked what steps had been taken to carry it out. The chairman replied that the bank had been approached as to a further advance of £ISOO, but this would only be granted on increasing the guarantee to £4500. The utmost the bank would advance against the freehold property was £2OOO. Mr. Stanford asserted that as a member of the committee lie did the best he could for the club, according to what he thought fit. Ho agreed with the chairman's statement. If the meeting wished to stop the improvements they should say so, but there was no other way of carrying them out except by continuing the guarantors. He doubted the possibility of Mr. Kirkwood getting ten guarantors of £4OO each. It was the intention and desire of the committee to give effect to the resolution, but not at the expense of the guarantors. Dr, Paget said he had heard no subtle reasons advanced as to why the committee had not carried out the resolution. The question had been bitterly fought out, and a milder resolution than the original motion had been carried. He contended that the present guarantors had usurped tile rights of the original guarantors, and the logical deduction was that if they had the right to take that course they had the right to hand over the club to a single individual. He scathingly denounced the rumor which had been circulated as to the minority on the committee Jiaving adopted a policy of perverseness and opposition to the advancement of the club, but ivas not surprised, considering tile course whence the rumor came. Had the committee been clever instead of cunning they would have taken the right course. There was not the slightest cutliculty in raising further money without recourse to the present guarantors. Mr. W. J. Morrison strongly defended the committee, and contended that the i club had no right to force the guarantors. Either a fresh guarantee was ne--I cessary or someone to come forward with a generous advance of £4OOO. Mr. S. Pitt (treasurer) defended the committee's action and detailed what had taken place as to the club's finances and improvements. He contended that 'the club could not stand still, and warned the members not to hang up the improvements. After Messrs D. Malone, A. Stewart and Tyrer had spoken, Mr. Young replied and the motion was put and carried by 54 to 12. Mr. Kirkwood then moved: "That flic committee be instructed to arrange, by 1 agreement with any future guarantors, I that such guarantors shall not appoint any member of the committee, notwithstanding the provision contained in rule I 16. 1 ' lie explained that the intention j was to do away with the power of control of the guarantors. The motion was seconded by 3ir. Young and carried unanimously, and the [■making terminated after lasting nearly | three hours. BOWLING. The following will represent the Stratford Bowling ylub in a match against New Plymouth to-day, at New Plymouth: —Evans, Porritt, Smart, King, .McMillan, Penn, Young, Martin, Edgej combe, Sharp, .). Masters, Brake, Bii-k----j erton, ilealy, Morison, Kegel's, McDuni aid, Uarris, Ewan .Jackson, C. Jackson, j Kangster, Moon. I BERNARD'S PICTURES The marvellous star drama, "Alone in the .Jungle," proved a great attraction at Jlis Majesty's Theatre last night, and i is sure to do so again this evening. All ' the other items on the programme were | well received, and alforded patrons the ■ greatest pleasure. Those who have not ' seen this delightful series of pictures ' »lioiild certainly lie present to-night, j The music is of the latest, and best. j TOWN HALL PICTURES i ' The star film of the tow programme to be screened to-night is "The Mystery t '■ of the Yellow Room" (3000 ft), the'grcatest detective film yet screened. Prices _ . are as advertised. A matinee will be ! given oil Saturday afternoon at 2.1i0 for r the children. Prof. Henderson fVill ]>lay r for the overture Mendelssohn's "Midsuiumer Xight's Dream," and in the interval : the "War March of the Priests," from 1 Atlialie. The supporting films are all | j of a most attractive nature, ami should prove enjoyable to all patrons. t I e 1 MAGISTRATE'S COURT t Following are details of the business at the Stratford Court during the quar- ' ter ended March 31:—Sittings presided e over by S.M., !); by Justices of the Peace, our IT. Xumber of cases heard by S.M., 08;

by Justices, 16; total 84. Aggregate amount sued for, .€l3Ol 18s "2d; recovered, £BB2 16s »d. Number of plaints issued, 137; distress warrants issued, 28; judgment summonses issued, 15; orders on judgment summonses, 3; warrants of committal issued, 1; writs of arrest issued, nil; processes served, within two miles, 82; over two miles, 44; distress warrants executed within two miles, 9; over two miles, 10; warrants of committal executed, 1. On tho criminal side DO males and five females were before the Court, 18 being arrested and 77 summoned. Four juvenile cases were heard during the quarter. The civil fees paid totalled £99 lis, fines £fi4 7s 6d, criminal fees £l4, licensing fees £3 7s. Seventeen applications were heard in Chambers, sixteen orders being made.

Eight sticks of dark Havelock tobacco for 6s; eight sticks of Derby, 6s; eight 2oz tins Havelock, 7s 6d; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s 6d. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of Bmokers' requisites. Next Bellringert, Stratford. There is no questioning the fact that "The Hash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wants. Quality and prije tell their own unequalied story in favor of the store.

Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. just as you are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr. McAlister, Stratford.