CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB. Special Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1375, 26 April 1881, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB. Special Meeting.

A special meeting of the members, called by circular, was held in the Club House yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the resignation of the President, and the present fiuaucial poaition of the Club. There were present : Messrs John Fisher, (Vice-president, in the chair), E. Maclean, E. B. Walker, R. Fisher, R. Reynolds, H. Buttle, W. L. C. Williams, R. H. D. Ferguson, Kalender, S. T. Seddon, James Runciman, John Martyn, F. A. Whitaker, A. A. Fantham, E. Allen, Tucker, H. Paton, John Runcimau, junr., J. Halley, Sheehan, G. E. Clark, Brooks, John Grice, J. P. Campbell, Pilling, E. Rhodes, Lake, Ellis, Wells and Major Wilson. The Secretary having read the circular calling the meeting, and the letter from iVTr Fergusson resigningthe office of President, In answer to Mr Buttle, the Secretary said a letter embodying Mr Fanthams resolution had been forwarded to Mr Fergusson, but no reply had been received. Mr Fantham said he had moved that the matter be postponed in order to give Mr Fergusson an opportunity to explain. , Probably he had acted on the impulse of the moment, and it was better to give him • time. Mr Fergusson was sow present, and would probably state his reasons. Mr Fergusson said he had rather that he gave no explanation, but if the meeting wished it he would. The Chairman said it was the wish of the meeting. Mr Maclean said at last meeting he had stated that he believed the President had certain grounds for resigning, that he had not been treated with courtesy in the matter of Mr Maolvor's visit to Cambridge, and that in all probability he (Mr Maclean) would have acted similarly. But after hearing Mr Fanthams explanation he came to the conclusion that everything had been done for the best, and they had no intention to slight the President. He hoped that after explanation the President would see fit to withdraw his resignation. Mr Fergusson read from a paper his reasons for resigning, which were in connection with the action which' two of the raemberd took in regard to Mr Maolvor'i lecture, in altering the place of meeting, &c, without consulting the President. He referred to a statement made by (Japtain Runciman at the last meeting of the Club, to the effect that the Club was largely indebted to him (Mr Fergusaon) for the position into which it had got. He would remind them that he had spoken strongly against the action of the Club in erecting such expensive premises. He wished Captain Runciman to explain himself. Captain Runciman, in replying, said if he had been reported to hay« Baid that Mr Fergusson was responsible for the Club's position he had been misrepresented. What he did say was that the large land owners were responsible, and that Mr Fergusson as one of them was therefore responsible. The circumstances under which Mr Fergusson was elected to the chair were peculiar in this way : There were many members who were willing to take the office, but they pocketed their feelings in order that they might have for the office a representative man, and a man of social position, and who could do honour to-the position. They wanted a man who could undertake the duty of entertaining strangers ; such for instance as Mr MacIvor. They wanted men of good standing to fill biich an honorable position ; it was an honorable position, because no occupation was more honourable than that of farming. After some further remarks, Mr Fergusson said, had Captain Runciman only given expression to the leasons which induced them to elect him to the office of President at the time of the election, he would not have consented to fill the position. Mr Fantham asked for the names of the two gentlemen who had taken such an interest in Mr Maclvor's lecture. Mr Fergusson preferred not to give them unless pressed by the meeting. (Cries of " name.") They were Mr F. A. Whitaker and Mr E. B. Walker. Mr Walker explained his action in regard to this matter. On the 6th, hearing that there was likely to be more people present than the Club-house would hold at the lecture, he suggested that they should have the Public Hall, and the result proved that he was right. It was never mooted that anybody but the President of the Club should take the chair. In fact, as late as 7 o'clock, the gentleman had asked him if Mr Fergusson was not expected. Mr Fergusson said Mr Firth knew perfectly well from him that he would not be there. Mr Whitaker said some explanation was due from him if he had oeen the means of producing any disagreement. Had he thought that anything of the kind was likely to eventuate, he would not have done what he did. His action might perhaps be pardonable when it was considered that he represented the other half of Waikato, and took a great deal of interest in the whole of the district. He had fiist heard of Mr Maclvor in Auckland from Mr W. A. Graham, and thought it would be a good thing to get so eminent a chemist to lecture to *hem. On the day of the lecture, as Mr Walker had said, it was nearly 2 o'clock when the secretary said that the Club wasn't large enough. He thought it was desirable to give the public * the benefit of such a first-class lecture &»S they were likely to hear. Mr Walker mooted the idea of getting the Public Hall and he said he would be happy to assist. He was sure they ' had not x wingle thought of disrespect to the President or any member of the Club. (Hear hear.) Had they not acted at once it would have been useless, as the public could not have been apprised of the change of place. He waa sorry to hear afterwards that the President had disapproved of their action, but if they had erred it was with the best intention. Mr Fantham further explained that it was not possible to hare consulted with the President in the time allowed them to decide. Mr Whitaker further stated that the bills notify .ng the removal to the hall were headed " Cambridge Farmer's Club." After some discussion Mr Lake moved that the resignation of the President be accepted aa^J that the thanks of the Club be accorded to Messrs Walker and Whitaker for the action they had taken. In the absence of the President Mr Walker as an old member and an ox-president was quite justified in doing as he had. Mr Seddon thought if Mr Ferguauon had .heard this explanation before he would not have resigned. Mr Buttle seconded Mr Lake's motion. Mr Clark and Mr Sheehan both urged Mr Fergusson to accept the explanation and withdraw his resignation. Mr Ferguason said he meant no discourtesy to the Club, but after Capt. Runciman's explanation, he, could never take office again. , Mr Lake's motion waa then put and carried. The Club then proceeded to consider the financial position. The Secretary stated that the present liabilitioti were £U\9 14s 9d, and the assets 41618 los, T^e expeawa, interest,

&c, amounted to £135 par annum, and the income to £60, amount of good subscriptions. A long discussion ensued as to tho boat means to be adopted to remedy the existing state of things, the general opinion being that the Club should dispose of all its property with the exception of the ClubHowe and enclosure. Some were in favor of dinposing of the whole, while others favored the idea of converting the building into a kind of social club. 'A vnriety of causes were assigned for the Club'a decadance, the more prominent being the fact that the shows had not been supported by the large breeders. Ultimately, it was resolved on the motion of Mr J. P. Campbell, "That the meeting adjourn till that day fortnight, and that in the meantime the managing committee, with the addition of Measrs Lake, Douglas, Wells, and Major Wilson, be instructed to prepare a echeme whereby the Club might be placed on a sounder financial basis." Tho Club then rose.