PAEROA BOWLING CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4459, 28 August 1922, Page 2

PAEROA BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR RECORDED. There was a large gathering at ths annual meeting of bowlers held in the Soldiers’ Club on Saturday evening. The president, Mr G. H. Taylor, presided, and said he was pleased, to see so many present and evidently looking forward to the coming bowling season. The annual report was read as follows: ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting th.e 18th' annual report, your Committee again congratulates you on having enjoyed a most prosperous season. Official 'Opening—Unfortunately the Inclement weather on October 15 last was the cause of our having a more quiet opening than would have been the case had the weather been fine. Nevertheless, your president rose to the occasion, and instead of a game of bowls, Mr Taylor, on behalf of the members, made a parting gift to one of our most popular players in the person of Mr C. Clews. After this pleasant ceremony Mrs G. H. Taylor threw the first jack, and your president declared the green officially opened for the season 1921-22. During that afternoon four new members were elected. The Green. —Never have we enjoyed play on our green more than during the recent season, and it is gratifying to note the flattering remarks of visiting bowlers in this direction. We are confident that Mr Hamilton, our worthy caretaker, is happy in the knowledge that no adverse criticisms of his efforts were levelled at him, and he may rest assured that he has the loyal support of the members of this club in assisting to preserve the present high state of perfection the green has attained. We congratulate Mr' Hamilton on the splendid results of his untiring efforts. Membership.—T,he past season has been the most prosperous one in the history of the club as regards the numerical strength and playing abilities of its members. Our strength, previous to the nomination and election of intending members, was 36, and during the season no less than 25 new members were elected, making the total strength for the season 61. T.his number included six exmembers of our later sister club at Karangahake and one member from Te Aroha. The committee wishes to pot on record its appreciation of the manner in which these latter enthusiastic players have added to the playing strength, of the club. The strength has now been slightly reduced owing to some members leaving the district, but even these casualties leave us stronger than we have ever been at the conclusion of a bowling season, and your committee is highly pleased with the support you have evinced in strengthening the membership.

Resignations.—We regret to have to record the resignations, owing io change of residence, of the following members: Messrs Balcke, Clews, Bryden, and McMillan, all of whom were indefatigable workers in the interests of our club, and while regretting their departure, we desire to place on record our high appreciation of their services as members, and wish them every prosperity in their new surroundings.

Financial.—The balance-sheet to be submitted shows a slight increase of revenue over expenditure. During the past season the expenditure in connection with refreshments has greatly increased owing to the larger membership and the greater number of inter-club matches played. Your committee has also had all the score boards repainted, numbered, and rewritten, and with care this work should last at least another 10 years. Extra crockery was purchased during the season, and this becomes a useful asset. Altogether, the financial position of the qlub is very sound.

Inter-Club Matches.-—Your committee considers this subject one of ‘he most important on which it is called upon to report. Never in the history of Goldfields bowling 'has a club put up a performance to equal that of the Paeroa Bowling Club when it sent 10 rinks to Thames. Ten-rink interclub matches had never before been thought of, and although we suffered a decisive defeat, there was not one rink that gave the word “defeat” a second thought. We are sure that outing will long live in the memories of both the Thames and Paeroa bowlers, especially Skip Pedrotti. The Thames bowlers spared no pains >:o cover up their creditable win by showering their well-known hospitality upon us. We trust that 10 rinks from Paeroa will bring back the "ashes” during the coming season. In the 8 rink match, Thames v. Paeroa, at Paeroa, our club wop by eight points after a very exciting game.

We also defeated Morrinsville, and it was unfortunate that the return match at Paeroa had to be abandoned owing to heavy rain setting in,

Wai hi beat Paeroa by five points. The return match was also abandoned owing to rain.

In the Te Ardha-Paeroa match Paeroa proved the winners. Rinks from Paeroa Club took part in Rotorua, South Auckland, and Te Aroha tournaments, but none were successful in winning t'he coveted honours.

A rink, composed of Messrs Stansfield, Turner, Ellis, and McLean (skip), took part in the Auckland open, tournament and only lost winning their section by one point :o Mr E. Jury’s rink, which was runnerup in the final. We congratulate Mr McLean’s rink bn its very creditable performance. Goldfields Stars and Shield To'urna--ment—Paeroa was represented by (three teams, but again the weather interfered and games were postponed -until dates which proved unsuitable •to -our representatives, with th>e result that they could not complete their number of games.

In the rota games for the stars Paeroa was unsuccessful against Waihi and Matamata. Club Competitions: Christmas Tournament.—This was won by Messrs <de Castro and Hale, Messrs

Ardern and Sprague being runnersup. These winners kindly donated their cash prizes to the Orphans’ Home Fund.

Easter Tournaments.— Number 1, won by Messrs Cane and Turner; Number 2, won by Messrs Busby and Towers.

Brenan Memorial Shield.—Tir.s competition again proved the most interesting and successful of the club’s competitions, and is ajso responsible to a great extent for increased efficiency of those players taking part in full-rink games. The winners for 1921-22 were: Messrs Shaw, Pascoe, Garry, Cane (skip). This team suffered no defeats, playing eight games, a perfprmance deserving the hearty congratulations of all the players. Club Championship.—The winner was Mr F. Wells ; B. Grade winner, Mr W. Power. A feature of these competitions was the large number of games played. Pairs. —Owing to there being so many other interesting competitions the Handicap Pairs were not played. Champion of Champions.—This is the highest pinnacle a bowler can hope to attain in Goldfields bowling, and your committee, realising the great importance of this competition, takes pride in placing on record Ps unanimous appreciation of the popular victory over all club champions by our worthy vice-president, Mr F. J. Wells. We also congratulate the runner-up, Mr Clothier, of Te Aroha Club, on the exceptionally fine game he played in the final, the result of; which was decided by the last bowl. The Closing Day.—This year the customary closing ceremony was replaced by indulging in drawing, driving, and trailing competitions, the winner of the aggregate being Mr Moran.

An impromptu 2-rink inter-club match was played between Thames and Paeroa bowlers. A most interesting and enjoyable game resulted in a win for Paeroa by five points. In reviewing the various inter-club matches and club competitions your committee is pleased with the interest and support extended by chib members, and trusts that this interest will continue to be manifest.

The thanks of the club are due to your popular president, Mr G. H. Taylor, who has on many occasions during the past season displayed his splendid organising abilities, and also handled* delicate situations in his usual tactful manner. We also thank him for his handsome donation of the Club Championship trophy. Thanks are also due to our vice-president, Mr Wells, for his untiring efforts in furthering the interests bf the club. Thanks are due to the selectors, Messrs Hamilton, Towers, and Wells; our green caretaker, Mr W. Hamilton; our green superintendent, Mr G. H. Taylor ; and to the auditor, Mr Carver.

Your committee again desires to express its appreciation of the obligation that the club is under to its lady friends who so willingly helped the members in entertaining visitors at all club functions. Your committee desires to thank those ladies, especially Mrs G. H. Taylor, who so tastefully decorated the afternoon tea tables with the club colours on numerous occasions, thus adding much to the pleasure of bowling. Your committee realises that the best than ks of the members are due to the Press for its..support and assistance in furthering interests of the club. The committee also considers that much of the success of the season was thie result of the painstaking efforts of our genial secretary, whose prompt action in making all necessary arrangements, whether for dub games, refreshments, or conveyances for inter-<club matches contributed largely to the enjoyment of the members. General.—During the season an extrabrdinary general meeting was called for the purpose of revising and bringing up to date the rules of the club. These are now displayed in the club room. Changes were also made on the committee which were brought about, by various causes. Mr McWatters (vice-president) resigned on account of being unable to attend the committee meetings. Mr F. J. Wells ’was unanimously elected to fill the office. Mr Bryden', one of our best workers, resigned owing to change cf residence, and his position was filled by Mr W. Power. During the season ybur committee met on fifteen occasions, the attendance of the members being regular. Tn conclusion your committee hopes that the coming season will be a most prosperous and enjoyable one, and that all the present members and many new ones will soon gather again to renew the games of friendly rivalry, to participate in the genial companionship which does so much to smooth away the troubles of life, and which also conduces to good health and strength. Your committee takes this opportunity of extending to the incoming officers its best wishes for a most happy year of office, and trusts that all members will continue to give them their wholehearted support. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts consisted of subscriptions totalling £lll 13s 6d ; lockers £1 17s, matches £3 3s 6d, sundries £l4 16s lid. The expenditure consisted of rent of green £62 10s, refreshments £33 13s 2d, printing £1 18s, trophies £8 14s 6d, sundries £l6 5s 3d, leaving a credit balance of £8 10s. The excess of assets over liabilities was set down at £3O 9s 6d, after writing off a substantial amount on the club's property.

The president moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Seconded by Mr W. H, Taylor, who congratulated the president and executive on the very successful season just past and the record season for Paeroa. The sole aim of bowls is to get as much enjoyment out of the game as possible, and this was not lacking during the past season. Mr W. J. Byrne congratulated the club on the fact that there was only one outstanding subscription. Mr Higgins thought that it was a one-sided, or "one-<man” show last season.

The report and balance-sheet was then adopted.

NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected : Messrs Tait, L. Hague-Smith, C. Farrow, G. Spurway, D. Brown, R. J. Thorp. The new members were welcomed by the president, and asked to take part in the election of officers. OFFICERS. Patron, Mr G. H. Taylor; president, Mr F. J- Wells; vice-presidents, Messrs A. J. Garry and L. C. Cane: secretary and treasurer, Mr N. CBusby; auditor, Mr W, C. Carver. The following were proposed for the committee: Messrs G. H. Taylor, Power, Towers, Pinder, Chamberlain, le Cocq, W. H. Taylor. After a ballo: had been taken the following were declared elected: G. H. Taylor, W. H. Taylor, and W. Power. For three selectors the following were nominated: Messrs J. Pinder, G. P. de Castip, W. J. Towers, G. H, Taylor, W. H. Taylor, le Cocq, W. Power Hamilton. Upon a ballot being taken the following were elected : Messrs G. H. Taylor, G. P. de Castro, and W. J. Towers. Delegates to South Auckland centre, the president and Mr W. J. Towers. As delegates on Goldfields Sial'S Tournament and Clothier’s Shield Messrs W. J. Towers, G. 11. Taylor, and J. Pinder were proposed, and after a ballot Messrs G. H. Taylor and W. J. Towers were elected Green superintendent, Mr W. H. Taylor. PRESENTATION. It was resolved to make a presentation to Mr F. Balcke, who Jiad left the town. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY. Mr W. J.. Towerys proposed that the Club Championship Trophy be donated by the club out of its funds. In doing so he said that if the president donated the trophy he was debarred from taking part in the competition. The motion was carried. RENT OF GREEN. A forecast that the rent of the green would be slightly increased owing to the deficiency in revenue from the Domain was made by the secretary. To this the Mayor, and also the chairman of the Domain Committee, Mr Flatt, gave details of the figures and said that the club could expect a rise of about £7 10s. The matter was left to the incoming committee. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES,.

Brenan Memorial Shield.—Messrs Shaw, Pascoe, Garry, and Cane. In presenting the trophy the president said that it was one of the treasured trophies of the club; Mr Cane as skip told his fellow-bowlers how they won the game. Champion, and Champion of Champions.—Mr W. J. Towers presented Mr F. J. Fells with a silver cake dish for the champion of champions prize and Mr Taylor presented Mr Well 3 with a silver-mounted cut glass salad bowl for the club championship prize. Mr Wells, in returning thanks, said that he appreciated the remarks made and thanked the members for electing him president. He hoped all would have a pleasant season. He proposed to donate a trophy of £2 2s. the committee to make the allotment. B. Grade Champion.—W. H. Taylor presented the winner, Mr W. Power, with; a case of spoons. Mr Power returned thanks.

Easter Tournament.—The winners of the first rink, Messrs Cane'and Turner, were presented with a briefbag and silver r mounted chutney jar; number 2 rink, Messrs Towers and Busby received a salad bowl and an umbrella, respectively. The caretaker, Mr Hamiltion, was presented with a silveriinounted biscuit barrel by Mr on behalf of the club. In doing so Mr Harrts that Mr Hamiltion .was held in very high esteem by the bowlers, and they felt that in return for the splendid way they had been treated during tne past season they would show their appreciation by making the small presentation.. Mr Hamiltion was net alone in this. The club members also wished to thank Mrs Hamilton for her ever-ready assistance in helning with the tables 'and decorations. (Applause.) ~ Mr Hamiltion suitably thanked the club for its gift. What both Mrs Ham ilton and he had done fbr the club, he said, they would dp again. The members of the dob had always treated him splendidly. Sometimes there was a growl, and he knew tie was “thin-skinned,” but it was all over in a second or two. (Hear,hear, and applause.) ROOSTERS. Mr W. Turner thought that a set of roosters for a full-rink team should be procured, and offered to donate £1 towards the cost. Mr Towers moved that the offer be accepted and the matter of arrangements he left to the committee. —Carried. CLUB COMPETITIONS. The matter of arrangements of club competitions was left to the committee. After the business portion Bf the meeting had been disposed of a pleasant hour was spent in harmony. Some bowlers’ stories —and some good ones—were told to an appreciative gathering.