RAKAIA BOWLING CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3571, 4 October 1916, Page 3

RAKAIA BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of' the B'ak'aia Bowling Club was held on Monday night, Mr J. Penny presiding. There was a good attendance of members:

. The hon. secretary (Mr I<\ C. May) read the report, which was as follows: —It is only 12 months since the question of starting-a bowling club was first discussed, 1 fj.ti4-we are now a fullydovelopcd club. The committee had a busy and anxious time during the development of the club, .occasioned by the- very dry ftcather; but under the supervision of Mr Readhead, curator of the Ashburton Domain, who gave us tho dseistance of Mr Clayton, the green was marked off and laid down and "the very hearty thanks of the club are due to him. We have had a good and substantial , fence erected round the site, and a ram and tank, have been placed on the ground for spraying purposes. The club started with •47 members, which, for the first season, may be looked upon as 'most, satisfactory-. Debentures to aid the finances/of the club were taken up to the amount of £72. Donations from friends who did not become members, but who wished the club success/ amounted to £24. Our thanks are due to the Rakaia. Domain Board for its financial assistance to the club. The committee had «very heavy engagements to enter into, for the laying out of a green, in a. proper manner is no small undertaking, but we are glad to say that after spending £210 on tho green, fencing, wnter supply, roller, mower, etc., we have a deficiency of only £12 0s Id, and for this we have very good value. . . It will be necessary for the flub in secure a caretaker tin's season to continue the work voluntarily done by members during the initial season. "We wish to make special mention of the manner in which'Mr'.T. Penny has worked in connection with the forming of the club. He supervised the work on the ground, and has attended to the whole of the financial arrangements of tho club, and its success is entirely due to his efforts. Thanks are due to the ladies for refreshments, to various members for tho use- of their cars, and to the National Mortgage Co.yof Ashburton, for grass seed presented. , Tho committee would like to hear, discussion on the advisabiHtv of 'forming a. tennis a,nd croquet club and to put down.a court and lfiwn fuli'^^Tit. +n.thp bowline green. This would tend to centre sport generally in that portion of tho Domain, arid would add to its beauty and utility. ,■■'■' " ' . . The balance-sheet showed receipts: — Subscriptions £49 7s-, donations £24 15s 6d, donations from the Domain Board £52; Gs 9d, and 24 debentures £72. Tho' expenditure -was:—Green £281 17s 2d, and sundries £18 12s 2d, leaving a deficit of £12 0s Id. Mr J Ponny, in moving ■ the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, commented'on the favourable position of the club, considering that it was the first season, and also qpneratulated the members on the v way they had worked together on tho green. In seconding ' the motion. Mr J. Blackley paid a tribute to Mr J. Penny who, he said, had done great work on the green, and Mr Penny was heartand balance-sheet were Emotion was carried increasing the members of the committee to nine, five to form a quorum. • Tho following officers ™ro okg^Patron, the Hon. G. A. L. ttaiciy, MLC • president. Mr J. Penny; Mr J. Blackloy; secretary and"; treasurer Mr I<. G. May, auditor, Mr L. Oxley comm.ttec, Messrs J. Fowden H. Haydook, J. Davidson, W. J. Morland. E.Fox, O. Fcatlierston; match committee, Messrs J Penny and H. Haydock. It was decided to open tho season in tho third week of October. - # , Mr J. Penny, in speaking of the

'question of a tennis court or croquet lawn in connection with the- club, said $t would vniean: pleasant sport and pastime for the ladies if a lawn > or court were put,down, and would do much to ensure the further success of tho club. The question was referred to the committee. Several other matters were discussed and Mr J. Ponny asked all who could to take up debentures.