GISBORNE BOWLING CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 166, 25 July 1901, Page 4

GISBORNE BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Gisborne Bowling Club was held in the Masonic Hotel last evening, the President, Mr J. W. Bright, presiding. Despite the unfavorable state of the weather there was a large attendance of members, and considerable enthusiasm was manifested in the proceedings. The report for the past year was of a most satisfactory nature. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the seivson 1900-1901 to have been £331 Ss Id, and the expenditure £330 10s 7d, the balance in bank being 12s Od. The statement of assets and liabilities showed the balance of assets over liabilities to be £337 9s 6d. A handsome pavilion had been built, costing about .£IOO. Half this was provided by members' subscriptions, and the balance added to the permanent charge, which now amounted to £SOO. Fourteen teams competed at the Northern Bowling Association’s tournament, and the Gisborne Bowling Club had the honor of pulling off the coveted championship. The local inter-club match was won by the Gisborne Bowling Club. Mr Witty generously provided the trophy, a beautiful pennant ffag. In local matches, the Handicap Fours were won by Messrs O’Meara, Nicholson, Wallace, and McGowan (skip), the Handicap Singles by Mr W. Gaudin, and the Colts’ Handicap by Mr W. Morgan. Thanks for assistance in various ways to the Club were tendered to Miss Bright, Captain Ferris, and Messrs Enoch Kirk, Shelton, McGowan, Davies, Henncssy, Kennedy, J. Johnston, and Witty. The lion, secretary, Mr Dixon, had been a host in himself in promoting the welfare of the Club.

The President moved the adoption of the report, and in the course of an excellent speech referred to the satisfactory condition of the Club, as well as to the fact that Gisborne had at the Northern Bowling Association’s tournament, hold in Gisborne, carried off the championship. The report was adopted amidst applause. The election of officers was then proceeded with, Mr W. Pettio being elected president, and Mr J. A. Harding vicepresident. Captain Ferris was appointed treasurer, and Mr C. 11. W. Dixon secretary. Ton gentlemen were proposed as committeemen, four being required, and Messrs T. Adair, J. W. Bright, Matthowson, and Hennessy were elected. Messrs Ilcnnessy and McGowan tied for fourth place, and a second vote being taken Mr Hennessy was elected. Several members made pleasing reference to the services rendered by the Club’s secretary, Mr Dixon, who had at all times done his utmost to promote the welfare of the Club.

A notice of motion, moved by Mr lan' Simson, to the effect that two rinks bo set aside for the use of ladies for the purposes of bowling and croquet, provoked considerable discussion.

Messrs Price, Ferris, Pettio, Ponsford, Gaudin, and Witty supported the motion, whilst Messrs Bright, Harding, Matthowson, Wallace, Quigley', and Honnessy' opposed it. It was feared by members that damage would rcsplt to tho green by tho ladies being allowed to play croquet. Tho motion was lost by seventeen votes to eleven.

On tho motion of Mr Pcttic, a number of alterations and additions were made to the rules.

The mooting decided to make it a recommendation to the committee that a certain hour should be fixed for the commencement of play on Thursday and Saturdays, and further that tho committee should appoint tho skips on each afternoon. The meeting concluded with tho usual votes of thanks.