Q 
13) 
of 1896 will in every respect be equal to its predecessors, and it is hoped that, 
in certain matters of detail, arrangements may be made to carry into effect some 
of the valuable suggestions which have been received. 
Another point has been raised, which is the desirability of largely increasing 
the number of members of the Dinner Club; the annual subscription is only 5s., 
but the entrance fees have hitherto been :— 
@). Oi wes, COMMISSION 45 00 g00 ob 8d Free, 
(6). Lieutenants or Second Lieutenants—by payment of 
5s. for every year of service up to a maximum of 
five years, 7.é. o60, aon boo dog doo ovo | ope eel HO) 
(Ole ACApLaIns: ed. Ci genre Mohs arc AM: Bae cakes 1 1O © 
(CMGI Ors: 2 are gue cee h cle oth We Mackie fT RaD ee ee aly bie 
(e). lLieutenant-Colonels... ... ... Dy c00 8 coo AD 
These entrance fees have now been reduced by the unanimous (one dissentient) 
vote of the members of the Dinner Club and are now as follows :— 
(@)sa Secondmlareutenanccuere ies amen a ere ane Free. 
(6). Lieutenants—by payment of 5s. for every year of 
service in that rank up to a maximum of three 
VOaTS UC sy. ty) aaa caemench pee cee eater tome Om Lome O 
(C)ee Captainsy Sh. aa st eR er ee aie te Me Ime OL () 
(Qc MAT OVS oy ghee a ina wheal rae ua he es Ce DO) 
(e). Lieutenants-Colonels Shc kee etc weet me a Oe 0 
It is hoped that these reductions will bring about a sensible increase in the 
number of members. 
The price of the dinner to members of the club will be only 18s., plus the 
annual subscription of 5s. For non-members the price be £1 12s. 
The management of the funds now requires some explanation. The charges 
which have to be met are :— 
1. Dinner and wines, &c., payable to the manager of the Whitehall rooms 
at so much per head. 
2. Cigars—according to consumption. 
Fixed charges, such as rail expenses, &c. of band, supper for band and 
attendants, postage, stationery, printing and advertising. Clerk 
and accountant’s fee, commission on banking account. 
The accounts can be inspected by any member of the club or any officer of the 
Regiment interested in the dinner, at the office of the D.-A.-A.-G., R.A., in the 
War Office. Any suggestions or proposals can be made in writing, or brought 
forward at the Annual General Meeting at the Royal United Service Institution, 
on the day of the dinner. 
As regards 1 and 2, the total cost practically varies directly as the number pre- 
sent at dinner; but 3 is on a different footing—the sums to be paid are practically 
the same whether there are 100 or 300 at dinner, it will therefore be obvious that 
if the price for the dinner and incidentals is fixed at so much a head on an average 
attendance, there will be a surplus or a deficit according as the attendance is above 
or below the average; consequently, if there were no fund to fall back upon, it 
would be necessary to fix the price at such a figure as to allow a fair margin of 
safety to provide for fluctuations in numbers. ‘This course is, however, fortunately 
unnecessary, as the entrance fees of members of the club form a reserve fund 
upon which to draw, in case of a deficit ; thus allowing the price for the dinner 
to be fixed at such a figure, that when there is an exceptionally good attendance, 
there is only an infinitesimal margin of profit to carry forward, while in the case 
of a peor attendance there is no necessity to incur additional expense and cause 
