History
Excerpts taken from hand written notes by Rob McKenzie
Where to start? At the beginning!
The idea of the Club was conceived in the Public Bar of the Waikanae Hotel in 1973. At that time Waikanae had a thriving building industry and the local hotel was the meeting place after work and particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The pool tables were in great demand, lots of fun and the odd fisty cuffs. However after a hard day’s work the lack of seating prompted me to suggest to Dennis Atrobus “That it was time we considered starting a club to bring about some civilized conditions, get away from leaners & Public Bar image.”
Dennis was working for me at the time and after raising the subject again a couple of times, Dennis being the outward guy he was went and got a length of toilet paper and collected quite a swag of names of people interested in the formation of a club. And so a meeting was called to be held in the Old Town Hall, 20th March 1974, to investigate the possibilities of forming a club. Unfortunately the original historic piece of toilet paper and the Minutes of that Meeting went astray.
The meeting was very enthusiastic and the thirty odd people agreed that a Steering Committee be formed to investigate the possibilities of forming a Chartered Club in Waikanae.
The next meeting of approximately sixty interested people was held in the Masonic Hall on 10/04/1974. Rex Nicholson chaired the meeting and Graham Calveri acted as Secretary. The Steering Committee reported they had been in contact with the Licensing Commission and the NZ Chartered Club Assn. who agreed they would be happy to see a Chartered Club established in Waikanae.
Enthusiastic discussion took place and it was agreed a Committee of a Chairman and 8 others be elected to proceed to establish a club to be named the “Waikanae Chartered Club”, being of mixed membership and to investigate obtaining suitable premises.
The following people were elected to the Original Committee of what was to be the “Waikanae Chartered Club Inc”
- Chair Rex Nicholson
- Secretary Graham Calvert
- Treasurer Norm Lowe
- Committee Ivan Serle
- Darel Hobcraft
- Cryal Mark
- Dennis Antrobus
- Harry McGoldrick
- Rob McKenzie
Having no funds a collection was taken to pay the Hall rental. So the long process to get Premises and satisfy the various Authorities that they were responsible enough to establish a club in the knowledge that they had “No Finance” but “Miles of Enthusiasm” began.
Further meetings were held in the Waikanae Boating Club, Private Homes and in Rex Nicholson’s caravan, every endeavour was being made to get suitable premises.
Some were:
- Rooms in what was the Chemist shop on the Main Road.
- An anonymous person was intending to put up a building in what is now the Mall area, the Top Floor could be available to use
- An old house and half acre property belonging to Mr. W Fairley, asking price $25,000.
- The council was approached to make land available in the Waikanae Park area, to build on
- It was also suggested we amalgamate with the Waikanae Golf Club.
All the above proposals were rejected for various reasons. Finally the Committee held its first meeting in its Proposed Premises known as “Peter Jarrett’s Shop” Elizabeth Street on 25-05-75.
At the Special Meeting held 04-06-75 held at Club Premises, Elizabeth Street “14 months after the inaugural meeting to establish a club; 14 long months with meetings in Boat Club, Masonic Hall, Old Town Hall, Private Houses and Caravans. Mr. Rob Dowdall and Mr. Des Brown from D.B Breweries attended the meeting and after inspection of the building and further discussion an offer from them was accepted, that they refer our Preliminary Plan to the Architectal Division of the Brewery, Auckland. It was agreed that President R Nicholson and the Secretary G Calvert be empowered to sign the lease for the Property on behalf of the Club, subject to authority for alterations to building as may be required by the licensing commission, being given by the Building Owner Mr. Adams and council permits being available. Takeover of the lease is 07-06-75.
A General Meeting was held in the Club Rooms on 19-06-75. The President R Nicholson welcomed members and gave a rundown of the last 14 months endeavours and thanking the Waikanae Boating Club for use of their premises for many committee meetings.
Mr. Jim Arthur was asked and agreed to be Club Treasurer for a year anyway, he served 12 or so years and was instrumental in ensuring the Club finances were placed on a very sound basis. He and I worried side by side for many years and was a good friend – he became a life member.
Important events:
- Geoff Thomson was present at a meeting on 23-04-75 to present the Certificate of Incorporation together with the Registered Rules of the Club.
- A bank account was opened with the ANZ Bank, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to sign all cheques. Bank balance as at 09-06-75 $785.06
- It was agreed that Foundation members be invited to pay Annual Subscriptions up to 5 years in advance and that the Club intends to call for Debentures in the Near Future.
- 1 Pool table was agreed to hire at meeting on 19-06-75 on 60-40 basis to start.
Following extracts from hand written notes, author Unknown
28-07-75: Meeting of the Executive agreed on a proposed plan for alterations to the building and it was decided that D. Hobcraft and his father would do the job. D.B Breweries agreed to install cool room and beer plant using kegs on drip feed repayment. It was also agreed to call for Debentures among members and that the Club would be for mixed membership.
06-08-75: Lease agreement for Elizabeth Street Property signed under the Seal of the Club. The following subcommittee were set up; House, Entertainment, Fund Raising.
13-08-75: That we purchase glasses, visitors book and that we open the Club 4pm – 7pm. Members are to bring own liquor for consumption on Club Premises. Bank balance $2805.-00
17-08-75: Special Meeting, it was decided to buy section next door for parking at cost of $7100.00. Finance arranged with BNZ.
27-08-75: First lot of glasses donated by Russell Alpine Motels. First social arranged for 12-09-75 in the Hotel Lounge. M. Hill providing music at no charge.
Bank balance $2240.00.
Financial members; 67 men, 3 ladies.
D. Hobcraft offered to carry out alterations at cost of wages only. The cost to be left in Debentures and paid when club in position to do so. This generous offer was accepted with
Thanks.
10-09-75: Foundation membership closed at 26-09-75. First lot of tables and chairs paid for $865.20. Both NZ & DB Breweries approached for bank guarantee up to $5000 to finance alterations.
25-09-75: Social at Hotel success; profit $82.25.
09-10-75: Following donations by members:
- H McGoldrick TV & Aerial
- A Tong Wall clock
- R McKenzie Sign written name on Club
- J Arthur Spirit measures
- G Calvert Fire Hose
- C Dyer Pie warmer, s.steel ashtrays
20-11-75: J Arthur reported back on Debentures and it was agreed that secured Debentures from members be raised subject to:
- Debentures to be in multiples of $25.00
- Interest paid @ 6% p.a. payable June annually
- Debentures redeemable 5 years from date of issue or earlier date in any case where the committee considers circumstances justifiable.
- Debenture holders to be presented by Mr. F Byson of Holling Thompson & Fairburn and he shall be Trustee for the Deb holders.
- The club shall execute a Debenture Trust deed over all assets in failre of Mr. Bryson as security for loans
11-12-75: Application for Charter was lodged with Commission. Emergency lighting approved. That we accept the Proposal of DB Breweries re financing cool rooms, refrigeration, bar
facilities, beer lines, prices and freight rates etc. was carried.
22-01-76: That the Club enters a team in local pool competitions was approved. Bank overdraft arranged for 4 months to allow club to purchase Copelands 2nd section for
parking.
25-02-76: Owing to resignation of N McGoldrick, R McKenzie was elected to Vice President. Mr. Stratmore donated $350.00 labour for painting club. Bank balance $439.07
22-03-76: Club hours; Monday, Tuesday, Wed 4pm – 9pm. Thur, Friday 4pm – 10pm. Saturday 2pm – 10pm. Bar to be manned by volunteer labour under N Lowe as Bar Manager.
01-04-76: Chartered granted.
08-08-76: Art Society wished us to allow them to retain their lease of back building, this was agreed to.
16-08-76: Ladies toilets changed over. Bank balance $1116.66
Stock @ 01-07-76 $736.53
Stock @ 01-08-76 $1993.00
Profit: 66% gross on cost approx.
Membership: 189 men, 24 women, total 213
Bar liquor prices to be @ 17-08-76:
Jug 55c Vodka Nip 23c Bourbon 26c
Bot Beer 55c Brandy 23c Gin 23c
Rum 23c Splits 14c
Whiskey 23c
29-08-76: 1st AGM of Club, R Nicholson presided over 61 members. New Officers appointed. Subs to remain $20 p.a.
06-09-76: Resolved that $100 be allocated p.a. for charity. N. Lowe offered to advance $3000 @ 12% p.a. for purchase of two pool tables. This was accepted.
21-03-77: Decided to purchase 2 Pool tables at $1640 each. Club picnic to be held 17-04-77 Saturday Barmen to be paid. It was agreed the club apply for Off Sales Licence.
18-04-77: $15,000 term loan over 5 years approved for Purchase of Building. Picnic at Reikorangi, great success!
Points of Interest
The Charter hearing was heard and granted on April Fool’s Day 01-04-76, approximately 2years after the First Meeting, allowing the Club 270 members.
- The official opening of the Club was performed by S.J. MacDonald (Patron). R McKenzie in the Chair.
- The club was connected to the Town sewerage system from septic tank, April 1981.
- The Billiard Tables the Club had purchased were in storage for lack of space, were completely renovated to first class condition by Allan Benseman in November 1982.
- Adjuncts were permitted under the set guide lines to form own Committee, April 1982.
- Restaurant opened, May 1984. Joy & Ken Thomson Caterer (Highly successful)
- Central area, New Roof & mezz floor finished 1987 $51,000 (Anderson & Bruce)
- The 10th Anniversary held Saturday April 1985
- Roll of Honour read by R McKenzie, Sec/Manager
- 1st 5 years History ready by R Jackson, Vice President
- 2nd 5 years History ready by Jim Doherty, President
(A very good night, enjoyed by all)
- Original lounge floor replaced with concrete as wood floor collapsed
- 1st three gaming machines arrived 28-03-1988, cost $25668.12 gst inc.
- Golding’s old house demolished, May 1988.
- 3 new pool tables purchased $2700 each, November 1988.
Funny Incidents Brought to Mind
- Roy falling through ceiling.
- Graham McFarlane not connecting wet back to fire.
- Allan Bensemen connecting hot pipe to cold when shifting H.W cylinder.
- Most pleasing happening after being granted our Club Charter, was selling Bill Shaw a bottle of D.B. Lager. He was the publican when the club was first mooted and said “No Way it will get off the ground”
- Well ladies & gents here it is, it ours, debt free and Thanks are due to the Oldies “as some would call us”
- But 35 years ago we were the age they are today so let’s hope the same club spirit is maintained always remembering we are a Club and not a Pub!
