BOWLING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4871, 31 August 1925, Page 3

BOWLING.

THE PAEBOA CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-first annual meeting of the Paeroa Bowling Club was held in the Soldiers’ Club on Saturday evening, the president (Mr D. Brown) presiding over an attendance c-f about sixty members. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was read an follows "In piesenting the annual report your Committee has pleasure in staling that the past season has been one of the most successful and ones in the history of the club. “Official Opening.—The green was declared opened for the season by the president, Mr D. Brown, -after Mrs Brown had performed the function of throwing the first jack. Unfortunately the weather wais on its worst behaviour and play was impossible, although visitors from surrounding clubs to the number of 43 were present. “The Green.— Despite the very dry spell during the latter part of last summer the green was always in good order, and the thanks, of the club are due to the green superintendent, Mr W. Hamilton. The bare patches which began to show up towards the end of the season have all been sown with grass and returfed where necessary. rWe trust th a. bj the opening date the green will be in first-class order for the coming sea-

“Mcmbership.—We commenced the season with 53 members, and at the close there were 49 financial members on the roll.

“Resignations. —We regret to have to record the following* resignations received during the past season • Messrs. Gunn, Pinder, E. W. Porritt, Somervell, Stansfield, and Wilks. “Financial. —The balance-sheet will show that the club just managed to pay its way last season. After all accounts have been paid a balance of £l3 3s lOd remains. Through the generosity of Mr W. Forrest a sum of £1 Is. stands to our credit in the Post Office Saving? Bank for the purpose e.f starting an improvement fund as separate.from our general fund.

"Inter-club Matches—We were successful in all these matches this season. We played tlie following clubs : two matches against Te Aroha, two against Waihi, one against Morrimsviile, and one against Coromandel. We had a night-play match with Thames which we also wbn. “Clothier Shield-Goldfields Stars. This competition was held on Labour Day and the previous Saturday on the Paeroa green, 16 rinks .taking part (two rinks from each of the eight clubs comprising (be Goldfields district). The final was played between Paeroa (Pinder) and Waihi (Masefield), the Paeroa team being successful. The winning team comprised Messrs L. Gibb, W. T. Power, G. H. Taylor, J. Pinder (skip). After defending tlie Stars against teams from Te Aroha and Waihi we had to acknowledge defeat at the hands of Waiknio. The Stars are at present held by the Morrinsville club. “Night Play.—Unfortunately, owing to the weather at the beginning of the (season and other circumstances the night-play revenue has not been up to expectations. With a good start in the coming season, your Commitfeels assured that the reisults will more than ' make up the deficiency shown this season.

“Club Competitions. —The Brenan Memorial Shield competition (fixed fours), played in one section, was. won by Messrs L. Gibb, D. W. Robson, W. Forrest, W. Purdie (skip), who have had their names engraved on the shield as winners for the iseason 1925-25.

“Championships. —A. Grade : This was won by W. Purdie, who, on going on to Matamata on March 21 to play in tlie Champion of Chamipons competition, was, successful in winning that honour for Paeroa. “B Grade : the winner of this competition was Mr W. McCullay, who thoroughly deserved his success, having been a most consistent player all the season.

“First-year Championship: Owing to there ’ not having been enough games played in this competition it was decided not to allot a trophy this year.

“Handicap Pairs: This competition provided a close finish, only half a point separating the winners (Pascoe and Forrest) - from the runnens-up (Gibb and Morland). “Holiday Tournaments—Several of these took place during the season and proved most enjoyable, notably the rink tournament held at Easter, when three rinks from Hikutaia and six of our own took part. At the finish of two and a-half days’ play the rinks skipped by Messrs W. J. Towers, G. H. Taylor, and W. Purdie were found to be level, with seven wins each. When played off at a later date Mr Tower’s team wais successful. The names of the team were L. Gibb, W. Forrest, W. J. Ellis, W. J. Towers (skip).

“Open Tournament*?.— Unfortunately we were not able to enter ,teams for any of these tournaments except the New Year tournament held at Te Aroha. This tournament is very popular with the Paeroa bowlers, and this club was represented by five rinks, of which one played in the final. Mr Towers’ team, although defeated in the final, is to be congratulated upon the fine showing made and in upholding the best traditions of the Paeroa Bowling Club.

“Thanks.—The thanks of the club are due to your president, Mr D. Brown, who, although having to be away -from Paeroa on several occasions during the season, conducted the affairs of the club in a most efficient manner, and also donated the trophy for the club championship. To Mr G. H. Taylor, who donated the firstyear’s championship trophy. Thanks are also due to the popular vice-presi-dents, Messrs Edwards and Williams, who were willing workers for the club at all times. To the selectors, Messrs de Castro, Towers, and Power, to Whom in a great measure is due

the success of the club in winning all inter-club matches, and inorc especially to the ladies who so kindly assisted the members in entertaining visitors at the club's functions. Your Committee desires to express its appreciation of the efforts of the Domain Board, who at all times endeavoured to meet the wishes of the club in matters relating to the green. Also to the local Press we would express our hearty appreciation of the valuable assistance and support not only in furthering the interests of the club but those, of bowling in general. “Obituary.—Your Committee desires to record its deep regret at the loss sustained by the deaths of Captain Peacock, 11. J. Hayward, and F. J. Wells, and to convey to their relatives its heartfelt sympathy with them in their bereavement. “In conclusion your Committee trusts that the members thoroughly enjoyed the pa>st season, and hopes that the coining season will be more successful still and that all old members and many new ones will be enabled to enjoy many happy and pleasant afternoons on the-green in the coming season.” ■ Arising out of the balance-sheet Mr de Castro asked if the report and balance-sheet could not be printed and circulated, so that members could be familiar with the club’s, affairs. The president said that time and finances did not permit of that being done thiis year. In reply to Mr W. Forrest the secretary said that the sum of £36 6s Id was still due to the Domain Board on the night lighting installation. Mr Forrest said he felt quite sure that the club had not received value for the expenditure during the season, and he thought the cost of the maintenance of the green should be reduced considerably during the coming season. He realised tiita a good deal of wet weather had been experienced, but he held the opinion that the matter of maintenance should be closely watched bj' the incoming committee.

The president said that the green committee had made an earnest endeavour to keep the expenses down. He thought the members would agree that the green had been in better playing condition last season than for many years previously. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. NEW MEMBERS. Thirteen new members were duly elected, and were welcomed by the president and invited to take part in the proceedings. SOUTH AUCKLAND CENTRE. The minutes of the annual meeting of tlie South Auckland Centre, Hamilton were read and approved. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the 192526 season resulted as follows : — Patron, Mr D. Brown ; president, Mr E. Edwards; vice-presidents, Messns P. Williams and C. T. Mettam ; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Purdie (reelected) ; management committee, Messrs W. J. Towers-, W. Forrest, W. T. Power; green superintendent, Mr W. Forrest; selection committee, Messrs de Castro, .Powter, To wens; auditor, Mr G. H. Blackburne ; delegates to the-South Auckland Centre, Messrs E. Edwards and W. J. Towers.; delegates to Goldfields Association, Messrs E. Edwards and W. J. Towers.

' Mr E. Edwards then took his seat as president and conducted the remainder of the meeting. He thanked the members for the honour they had conferred on him, and said it would be his earnest endeavour to promote and foster the game. He paid tribute to .the work of the retiring president, and congratulated him bn the very successful manner hi which he had conducted the affairs of the club. He trusted that a happy year would be spent and a contented spirit prevail throughout. ’ LIFE MEMBERS. On .the motion of Mr W. H. Taylor, seconded by Mr L. C. Cane, Mr C. Olsen was. unanimously elected an honorary life member as a slight token of the esteem in which he is is held and in recognition of the valuable services rendered over a long period of years. A similar honour wa,s also accorded Dr. T. G. Smith, a foundation member of the club, and in carrying the resolution sympathy was accorded Dr. Smith in bis serious illness and earnest good wishes expressed for his speedy recovery and return to Paeroa. COMPETITIONS.. In the arranging of the competitions Mr Cane suggested that the Brenan Shield competition should b? played pn holidays, and not as a regular Saturday afternoon event. It was not possible to get the fixed four to take part each Saturday, and as a consequence a lot of valuable time was lost, and the disappointment of players who did attend was 'frequently expressed. Mr de Castro suggested that the selectors cheese the skips and each skip draw his team from the members each Saturday. Mr Forrest thought Mr de Castro’s suggestion would not work fairly. Mr Ellis suggested that the skipts should select their teams on the green. Mr de Castro pointed out that that system had been tried out and had not worked satisfactorily. He favoured the promotion of the players. Mr P. Williams said that in his opinion the teams should be chosen by the selectors, and any team not keeping its place when called on to play a match the game would be forfeited. He did not favour the introduction of substitutes. After lengthy discussion it was. resolved" that the selectors choose the skips, and that set fours be maintained .throughout the competition. It was also resolved that the teams be permitted to play at any time the skips could get together, no substitutes to be allowed other than for Nos. 1 and 2.

Mr Williams moved that the pairs championship be deleted, and that A and B grade and first-year players championships be the only club competitions for the ensuing season. Seconded by Mr Brown and carried. Mr Williams offered to provide a trophy for a pains competition to be played as a special tournament. Mr

Say ottered to donate a trophy for the B grade championships, and Mr G. H, Taylor a trophy for first-year playehs. The offers were accepted with acclamation. Mr W. H. Taylor moved that it be a. recommendation to the committee to arrange for the special pairs competition to be played at any time, and at night if desired. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. At the request of the president, Mr D. Brown presented the prizes won during last season. Each recipient was heartily applauded on receiving his trophy. , At the conclufsion of the presentations Mr D. Brown extended thanks to the committee for the loyal support accorded him during his term of office, and paid special tribute to the splendid services rendered by the secretary. METHOD OF SCORING. It was decided to eliminate the half-point system of scoring, and in the event of team tying in any competition. three extra heads be played. TIME OF STARTING. It was decided to recommend to tne committee that all club competitions played on Saturdays commence at 2.15 p.m. NIGHT CARETAKER. The question of appointing a nightcaretaker was left in the hands of tiie committee, with power to act.