PAEROA BOWLING CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4324, 30 September 1921, Page 4

PAEROA BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL REPORT. The following annual report was adopted by the Paeroa Bowling Club at the annual meeting, as submitted by the Secretary, Mr N. C. Busby : Your Committee has pleasure in presenting to you the 17th annual r.eport, and again congratulates you upon having had an enjoyable and prosperous season.

The official opening took place on November 6, 1920, when all- Goldfields clubs were well represented. One of the outstanding features in connection with the opening was the splendid musical programme rendered by the Paeroa Municipal Band, the members of which so kindly volunteered their services on this occasion. The Club also appreciates the kindness of -the late 6th Hauraki Regiment in granting the use of a large number of collapsible tables and chairs on this occasion, thereby adding greatly to the success of the- opening. The Green.—Thanks to the care of Mr Hamilton the green stil} maintained its reputation 7 as being one of the best, if not the best, in the district, and the high state- of perfection of the green to-day bids fair to sur-

pass all previous efforts of pur worthy caretaker.

The Membership.—The number still remains at about 50, but.-t.he Committee hopes to see an increase during the coming season. We regret to have lost the services of several members during the past season owing to their taking up positions in other centres. We refer especially to Messrs Dean, Dyer, Moncrief, and C. Walmsley, who have all been ardent workers for the Club’s welfare, and whilst regretting their'departure, we desire to place on record their services as members and best wishes for their future prosperity. The Balance-sheet.—A slight excess of revenue over expenditure is shown in the balance-sheet to be submitted. This is very satisfactory, and the Committee hopes that the financial position will improve from year to year, thereby enabling various improvements to the pavilion to be carried out. which will add to the pleasure and convenience of members and visitors. The balance-sheet shows a credit balance- of Ils lOd, which’ after taking into consideration the fact that -the rent of the green had been increased by £7 10s, is very gratifying to your Committee. The goods in hand, including marquee, cupboard lockers, mats, scoring boards, and tables, are valued at £32.

Club Competitions.—The past season has, perhaps, been a record one in respect to the competitions carried out annually by the Club, the entries greatly exceeding those of previous years. The entries for the various competitions are worthy of note, and are as follows : A Grade, 17 entries • winner, Mr J. Pinder. B Grade, 14 entries ; winner, Mr E. G. Moncrief. Pairs, 15 pairs; winners, Messrs Shaw and Grant (skip).' Brenan Memorial Shield, eight rinks; winners, Messrs Hubbard, Moncrief. Olsen, Pinder (skip).

. With, regard to the First-year Players’ Championship, there were only six entries, and the most games played by any competitor was three, Messrs E. Edwards and H. Hayward each winning two games. Your committee went deeply into the matter of allotting a trophy for this competition, and finally decided that, owing to the small number of games played, there would be no trophy donated. Inter-club Matches.—During the season very few inter-club games were played owing to the expense of conveyances to various clubs in the surrounding district. But now that a good sized conveyance is available' we hope to have a goodly number of inter-club matches during the ensuing season.

Matches were played against Karangahake (2), Morrinsville, and Coromandel, resulting in two' losses to Karangahake, tying with Morrinsville, and defeating Coromandel. Those members who made the journey to Coromandel will never forget the hospitality extended to them by the Coromandel bowlers, nor wilT they forget our worthy president’s winning shot on the last head played. It might be mentioned here that the Coromandel Club would like to play a return match on the Thames green during the coming season. Champion of Champions.—Mr Pinder .again represented the Club for what might be termed the Blue Ribbon of Goldfields bowling, but although he acquitted himself! most creditably, he did not manage to work his bowls into the final, which was eventually won by Mr Gallagher, of the Karangahake club.

South Auckland Tournament.—The Club was not represented at this ■tournament last season. Tn April last a delegates’ meeting was held at Te

Aroha, when delegates from Waihi, Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, and Matamata were in attendance. The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the question of seceding from the South Auckland centre. After a lengthy discussion in which all delegates took keen interest, it was unanimously decided to secede, and a committee was set up to go into the details connected therewith. Your committee heartily supports secession and the formation of a Goldfields Association. Goldfields Tournament. —This tournament, for the Clothier Shield, was played at Te Aroha, and the winners proved to be the Te Aroha rink. Messrs Moncrief, Ellis, Clews, and Taylor played off with. Te Aroha in the final.

Goldfields Stars. —Owing to the present rota system, Paeroa had only two opportunities of competing for these coveted trophies, and did not succeed in bringing them to Paeroa.

Christmas Tournament. —This was played on the. local green, and proved most enjoyable. The winners were Messrs W. H. ..Taylor and W. Power, bot;h of whom received trophies to the value of £1 each. Complimentary.—The thanks of the Club are due ,to our worthy president for his keen interest in the Club’s welfare, and also for his donation of a handsome trophy to the Club’s champion,. To our vice-presidents, who so ably carried out the duties required of them, and to Messrs McWatters, Leach., and. Mullis for trophies for the various competitions. Thanks are also due to our auditor, Mr G. A. Bush, to our impartial selectors, Messrs Clews, Wells, and W. H. Taylor, and to Mr Hamilton fpr the excellent work done by him in keeping the green in such splendid condition during a very dry season. The Committee again desires tp express its appreciation of the obligation the Club is under to its lady so willingly helped the members in entertaining visitors at. all club functions-, This Club is indeed fortunate in having the assistance of the ladies to the extent that it does, and the Cdmmittee hopes that in the future as in th.e past, the ladies will* continue to show the same interest in the success of the Club and the comfort of its visitors..

General. —There is no doubt that/ from various causes there was an apparent lack of .enthusiasm displayed by the Club as a whole during the past season, but judging by the interest already displayed, the coming season will prove to be a most enjoyable and prosperous one. Your Committee hopes that all old members and many new ones will gathei” regularly to renew .the games of friendly rivalry and to participate in the general companionship which does so much to smooth away the troubles of life and conduces to bring about that brotherhood and gobdfellowship known only .to

Your Committee at its last meeting carried a resolution as a recommendation to the Annual Meeting to the effect that a green superintendent not employed by the Domain Board be appointed. This matter, with several others, will doubtless be considered at the annual meeting .with the interest and attention their importance deserves.

Before concluding, your Committee wishes to express its appreciation of the valuable assistance that has been rendered to bowling by the local press, and desires to extend thanks for the lengthy report of the Club’s social evening, held on the 22nd inst. In conclusion the Committee wishes to thank the members of the Club For their loyal support during the past season and to extend to the incoming officers its good wishes for an enjoyable and prosperous year of office.