WAIKATO TURF CLUB. Annual Meeting of Members.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1425, 20 August 1881, Page 2

WAIKATO TURF CLUB. Annual Meeting of Members.

Tun annual meeting of the members was held at Delaneys Hotel, Ohaupo, on Thursday afternoon. There was a good attendance, about 30 members being present, and on the motion of Mr Kennedy Hill Mr A. M. Wainwright was voted to the chair. The Chairman opened the proceedings by reading the advertisement in the iVa'dato Tima, convening the meeting, after which the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

j Accounts. The Secretary (Mr R. Bradley) read the statement of accounts for the past year, from which it appeared that the total receipts amounted to £919 11s, and the expenditure to £912 9a, leaving a credit balance of £7 10s 3d. Mr W. Higginson considered the items £14, £5 15s, and £5 10s, for conveyance of the band to the course at the various meetings, rather high, and asked the secretary to explain. The Secretary pointed out that the amount charged was the usual fare, the rate being 10s per head to the course and back. He might say that he had endeavored to get some of the members to lend vehicles for the carriage of the band, but had failed. Several members expressed the opinion that in future the job of conveying the band be let by contract. Mr Bond said the items for advertising and printing seemed rather heavy. The Secretary explained that the amounts extended over several years. The newspapers, after waiting in some cases three or four years, had each made a discount of 25 per cent, off their accounts. On the motion of Mr W. Cumming, the otatement of accounts aa read was adopted.

* Election of Committee. The meeting then proceeded to the election of a committee for the ensuing 1 year. The Secretary read the names of the retiring committee for the information of members, and the following were then nominated, and being only the number required, were' 'duly elected: — Messrs Weatherilli & Steele,', J. .McNicol, G. Wilkinson, K. Hill, W. Taylor, W. C. Breakell, ,\V. Camming/ W. J. Hunter,,. John ; 6r»oe, and H. J.-Paton. Several other gentlemen /were proposed, but de!<4ined,jb<> stand, owing to the demands of .private , business , parenting their, giving proper attention ( to^ the /duties which, would cUsolve upon thorn.

Jpfosed Amalgamation of the Two Racing Clubs. J In answer to Mr W. Camming, the Secretary said the Cambridge Jockey Club had not submitted any terms for amalgamation. The subject ,of the amalgamation of the two Clubs had been put on the notices calling' the'' meeting beciuae the matter had beeirfrtely talked of, but il had, not \u< * v n Jsffc*P e oomo before the obrnmittee; Ji'naTW was not therefore prepared With any proposals to ISy^Kefof r tKemT " T&r^peftifflffisiLnMsii brought very .prominently , under his notice^njhuy times.' People, whom he had asked for support had refused on [account -of there being -two clubs;- "What-he* -had done was with a view to showing that the Club* was willing in the interests 'of racing to consider the qmes/ion., " He had invited several Cambridge gentlemen who wore members of ,the Waikato Turf Qlub te be present, but he only saw one, Mr Kirkwood, at the meeting. , < , Mr Kirkwood explained that Dr Waddington and Mr Scott had both told him-they were going to attend the meeting, and he felt sure their absence was owing to some unforseen circumstances. The Secretary thought the new committee should appoint, say, three of their number to confer with an equal number of delegates from the Cambridge Club, for the purpose of discussing < the question, to see if anything could be done to bring about amalgamation. He felt certain that it would be the best for both. If it could not be brought about, thenhe supposed both would continue to exist. It would however always be a struggle, and they would never get a good meeting. Mr John Knox read an extract from the report of the last meeting of the committee of the Cambridge Jockey Club, which appeared in these columns on Tuesday, and drew attention to a remark made by Mr Isaacs, to the effect that they were willing to amalgamate provided all the race meetings were held on the Cambridge course. If this remark did not represent the feeling of the Cambridge Club, it was a strange thing that no other member had thought it nece«aary to contradict it. Mr Kirkwood said it was impossible to prevent people talking at a meeting. He thought the resolution, which was passed after Mr Isaacs used the words referred to, and which was expressive of the sense of the meeting, was a sufficient answer. Mr K. Hill did not think they should hold the Club responsible for a remark, made by one member. If anyone could make any suggestions which would help to forward the racing interests of the district, the meeting would be glad to hear him. He thought everybody was in favor of amalgamation, and he was sure if it could be brought about, they could hold races in Waikato certainly second to none in the northern part of New Zealand. He would like to see the meeting united in an endeavor to throw oil on the troubled waters. (Hear, hear.) Mr W. Higginson was of opinion that any proposition for amalgamation should come from the Cambridge Club, which was the junior club. If amalgamation could be secured and an arrangement come to by which the race meetings should be held alternately on the two courses, he for one would give it hiß hearty support. Mr Cumming thought the suggestion of the secretary a very good one. Mr Weatheri'l said it was possible that the Cambridge Club did not want amalgamation. The Secretary said that ought not to prevent the Waikato Turf Club, which was the parent, holding out the hand of friendship to a disobedient and refractory son. (Langhter.) Mr Kirkwood would like to see some arrangement satisfactory to the clubs come to. It was patent that if amalgamation, could be brought about it would be advantageous to all sports in the district. Mr W. Cumming moved, and Mr Gaudin seconded, "That the Secretary bo instructed to write a letter to the Secretary of the Cambridge Jockey Club, auking him to cull a meeting of the committee to request five members of the Club to meet five members of the Waikato Club to further the cause of amalgamation." Mr J. Coleman was opposed to the Club making any overtures of the sort to the junior club, especially after what ha been said at the meeting of the latter. He would move as an amendment " That no steps he taken by this club re amalgamation. This was seconded by Mr W. Higginson. Mr Rutherford supported the amendment. If the C unbridge Club chot-eto make overtures, lie would let it be understood that they would entertain any proposals. Mr K. Hill hoped Mr Coleman would withdraw his amendment and agree to the substitution of the following :—": — " That this Club is in favor of amalgamation, and is willing to take any steps that may be considered advisable to effect that object." Mr Coleman with the consent of his seconder withdrew his amendment. Mr Kirkwood siid he would like t> explain that a irro«s misstatetnent bad been made in a letter to The Waikato Time* over t he signature of " Neme-is" regarding the Cambridge Club's indebtedness. The writer had just put o le cypher too many to the amount stated. Mr Cutnming said his seconder was asrreeable thnt his motion should be withdrawn, and he would therefcu withdraw it in favour of Mr Hill's amendment. The amendment, which now became the substantive motion was then put and carried unanimously. Ihis was all the business and after the usual' vote of thanks to the chair the meeting terminated.

At a meeting of the new committee, held immediately after the above, Mr Robert Bradley was reappointed secretary, and it was resolved to hold the Spring meeting, 1881, on the Ohaupo racecourse on St. Andrew's Day, Wednea* day, November the 30th.

The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a. great success in Sydney and Melbourne and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at " an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinery, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder m a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear aporfcion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will' aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown thcjtf^. and arc determined to give the pure cash "few* trial; whether they gain or lose the'^rM^ Tear. Country buyers on remitting cash with dflleMHll be supplied with goods at co-operative 'fritfSs ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bed,'3u;p and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. ScC*' haying realised the entire value of their stock* during their late cash sale, the present stock is nbw and cheaplt dought. .An inspection is invitcd.-rrGAidicß ANii Cranwkll, City HallFumishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland'- -/-•-■'• , <y> • Mr David Gaunaon, the late member for Ararat, has issued « writ against the Federal Auttralian. The damages Are laid at £500. ,, J , . . u The wheat crop of the United States for 1881, is jeßtim»tfid r $> 460,000,000, bushels, i