Minutes 1924-04-15

History of the Hastings Rotary Club

Inaugurated 15th April 1924.

A preliminary meeting of business men was called at 11 a. m. Monday 7th April 1924 at the Hastings Chamber of Commerce Rooms, and was presided over by the Hon. George Fowlds, Rotary Commissioner for New Zealand, and an International Director. Charles Rhodes of Auckland was also present. Others present at this meeting were Messrs Hobbs, Rowe, Hallett, Richmond, Whitlock, Gardner, Scott, Bone, G. F. Roach, and G. H. Roach.

After informal discussion on arrangements for the evening meeting this meeting was adjourned.

The particulars of an evening meeting following the above meeting are given herewith, from a press report.

HASTINGS ROTARY CLUB.
INAUGURAL MEETING.

A meeting of business men was held in the Y. M. C. A. rooms Hastings last night, for the purpose of forming a Rotary club in Hastings. The Commissioner for New Zealand, the Hon, G Fowlds, was present and with him yere [were] associated the International Director, Charles Rhodes, of Auckland, and the president of the Wellington Rotary Club, Charles Odlin. Three visitors were also present from the newly-formed Napier Rotary Club.

The following is the list of charter members: –
Messrs Chas. Gardiner [Gardner], G. C. Lowe, Wm Richmond, W. E. Hyslop, F. S. Candy, G. F. Roach, E. J. W. Hallett, A. M. Robertson, G. A. Maddison, G. H. Roach, H. E. Philips, Jos. Phillips, A. E. O’Meara, C. B. Spinney, Mason Chambers, H. R. French. E. A. Westerman, J. S. McLeod, J. R. Foot, B. Hobbs, A. J [I]. Rainbow, F. L. Bone, J. H. Scott, W. J. Rowe, W. C. Whitlock.

The meeting unanimously decided to form a club in Hastings and adopted the constitution and by-laws of International Rotary, and decided to apply for registration and affiliation thereto.

The following were elected officers of the club: – President, W. Richmond; vice president Charles Gardiner; treasurer W. F. Rowe; secretary, G. H. Roach; board of directors: E. J . W. Hallett, H. R. French, A. M. Robertson, and J. R. Phillips.

The Hon. G. Fowlds gave a short address and this was followed by a more lengthy and instructive speech by International Director Rhodes. President Odlin, of the Wellington Rotarians, also spoke, all dealing with the aims and purposes of Rotary.

Members were then indebted to the ladies of the Women’s National Reserve for providing supper and after Mr Edmundson had spoken on behalf of the Napier visitors the proceedings closed with the National Anthem.

The first meeting and luncheon of the club was held at 12.45p.m. on Tuesday the 15th April 1924. President Richmond was in the chair.

Rotarian Rainbow was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms.

The day took the form of a club day and various details in connection with club matters were discussed.

The Hastings Club was elected to membership of Rotary International on 13th June 1924.

Synopses of the 1924-25 year

Speakers   Subject
Judge Gilfedder   “Friendship”
Dr. Felkin   “Rhythm of Life”
Rotarian Hallett   “Constitution and By-Law of Rotary”
Rotarian Gardiner   “Sawmilling Industry”
Rotarian Odlin of Wellington   “Peoples of the Wellington Rotary Club”
Rotarian Scott   “Entomology”
Rotarian W. B. Hobbs   “South Africa
Rotarian Richmond   “The Meat Industry in New Zealand”
Rotarian French   “Books”
Rotarian Mason Chambers   “New Zealand and How Long We Shall be Here”
Rotarian R. Peters of Napier   “New Zealand, the Unknown”
Mr. W. A. G. Penlington   “Samoa”
Rotarian Edmundson of Napier   “Liquid Air”
Mr Henry Hill   “Nature”
Rotarian Bransley Williams of London   “Look after the Boys”
Rev. F. A. Bennett   “Work Among the Maoris”
His Excellency Sir Charles Fergusson   “The Rising Generation”
Rotarian Rowlands of Auckland   “Toronto Convention”
Mr J. A. Miller   “Water Devining [Divining]”
Mr L. D. Bisson   “California”
Rotarian McLeod   “Wembley Exhibition”
Mr H. B. Hughes   “Boy Scout Movement”
Rotarian George Fowlds of Auckland   “Rotary”
Mr R. D. D. MacLean [McLean]   “Early New Zealand”
Mr T. C. Clarkson   “A Trip Aboard”
Capt. Pearse   “Port of London
Rev. R. B. Waugh   “Electricity”
Judge Gilfedder   “World Affairs”
Rev. Gardiner Miller   “Complacency

Club Activities

Boys work including Y. M. C. A. and Scout Movements

Entertainment of Inmates of Old Peoples Home at Parke [Park] Island.

New Members
D[?]. Ritchie   elected 26th January 1925
E.S. Cliff elected 26th January 1925
J. Holt   elected 26th January 1925

Resignations
F. L. Bone resigned 14th Nov. 1924
J. H. Scott resigned 8th December 1924
J.R. Foot resigned 8th December 1924