BOWLING SEASON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 83, 22 June 1943, Page 5

BOWLING SEASON

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT

AN ACTIVE YEAR

In his annual report nt the meeting ol tlie Whakatane fowling Club last Saturday the president, Mr WS. Henderson, stated as under:— It is my privilege to submit the annual report for the past season. Again war conditions have affected the activities of the club, particularly in so far as matches wit.ii outside clubs were concerned.. However, in comparison with many other clubs, our position is an enviable one. Matches: The champion of champion singles matches and the executive Jours, which had been set down by the Centre to be played at Whakatane, were abandoned by the Centre owing to travel restrictions. The Francis Cup tournament was this year held at Rotorua two Whakatane teams taking part. The Forbes and Ferguson Cup matches .were revived this season, the games being played at Taneatua, Whakatane being well though unsuccessfully represented. The dales for our big open Easter toprnament have again been granted, and if conditions do not deteriorate in the meantime, L believe the club should proceed with the venture this season. It must be remembered however that a tremendous amount, of organisation and work is involved, and that there is also an element of risk. That a strong club such as, ours should holtl a big open event annually is inevitable and the time to launch out appears to me to have arrived. Competitions: The winners of the various competitions were as follows: Champion Singles, A. C. King; Champion Pairs, S. Tippett and L. W. Luxton; Junior Championship, A. Carling; Handicap Singles, F. Dam 11; Handicap Pairs, E. Cur rah and J. J. licaley.

A iiopular innovation was the lull rink competition between teams composed of first and second year p 1 ayera, in -which good keen play was witnessed for the handsome buttons presented hy Mr Bob Salmon. The winners Avere Messrs F. Darvill, C. Head, 11. Mollgaard anod M. Martin.

It is Avitli sincere regret that I record the passing of three of our prominent members, Messrs Jos Boon, Allan Chambers: and Jim Healey. Valuable members and committeemen over a number of. years the club can ill afford their loss. Condolences have been conveyed to their rclatiA'cs and in each instance the club laid a Avreath. The membership of the club has been well maintained there being now <S8 members'compared Avitli 74 for the last season. This' ig an increase of 14 members. The finances of the club arc highly satisfactory. We started the season Avitli a credit of £37 and Ave noAV haA'e in hand. £58. A further £25- lias been paid off the debentures. Generally the club's position is a sound and powerful one and compares more than favourably Avitli any other club in the Bay of Plenty. The bowling greens are in first class order and reflect the great care and. attention given them. In tliia respect 1 cannot emphasise too strongly the debt avc all owe to Mr Arthur King our green superintendent. In addition to" the tremendous amount of work and supervision done by Mr King his choice of a greenkee.per Avas a very happy one and. they make an unbeatable combination . It is Avith regret that I announce the resignation of Mr Drube Avho has. carried out the arduous duties of secretary for the past four years. The secretaryship of a club such as ours is a most important office and Mr Drube has faithfully and capably met the requirements and I express our thanks to him. At the conir mencement of the season, in order to lighten the duties of the secretary, your committee appointed Mr C. Pearson, treasurer, and he has given a great deal of time and effort to the task and cordial thanks are due to him. Again members came forward. Avith substantial donations and trophies for tournaments and competitions and 1 express the clubs thanks to the following: Messrs Les Berg, Howat, McLeod, Luxton, Gwynne, Burgess, Topp and Henderson. I wish to commend, the action of those persons Avho, although not playing, continue to retain and pay full membership. Our grateful thanks are also due to the ladies and particularly the committee men's Avives Avho so frequently sacrificed their Sun(Continued in next column)

(lays in order to attend to the catering at. tournaments, thereby enabling us to show more liberal returns from these functions;. The Beacon has. at all times given the club publicity Avith notes etc. and this assistance is keenly appreciated. I desire to thank the officials of the club for the "wholehearted support accorded me during my icna of office. No more, smooth and harmonious relations could possibly exist in any administration, and, as their chief, my association with thof executive, has indeed been a ant one.