London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
CLOSED FOR ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS.
I suppose there are no worthier set of men than club secretaries, and yet it is said that many of the West-end would remain open all the year round were it not that the wanted a little shooting in August and September. I think the suggestion scarcely fair. On most House Committees there is a committee-man who would willingly undertake to act as for Colonel Chose or are always available. Both know the average cost of the servants' board (after taking into consideration the of the coffee-room), and | |
87 | both are ready to deal with and the other grievances incidental to humanity. Chose for many years was president of his regimental mess, and before he became to His Highness of Chutneypore, was an A.D.C. to the Governor-General, so they are equally qualified to perform the responsible duties incidental to the proud position of secretary to the Parthenon. Still, closure saves a world of trouble, and Colonel Pillington, under those conditions, finds it unnecessary to ask a favour of anyone. By Colonel Pillington I mean the average club secretary. He gets from £300 to £600 a year, and has been selected from about a thousand candidates. Many years ago, as a member of the committee of a well-known West-end club, I had to assist in the selection and election of a secretary. We had any number of applicants for the post-generals, colonels, barristers, and a couple of baronets. Strange to say, no sailor applied, and retired members of the Civil Service were also conspicuous by their absence. The selection of six was entrusted to a subcommittee, who duly reported to the main body. The half-dozen containing the secretary-elect were duly summoned to meet their electors face to face. Our chairman put several test questions, one of which was Five answered ; the last We elected the gentleman whose appreciation of the showed that he fully understood club requirements. |