BOWLING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5020, 30 August 1926, Page 2

BOWLING.

PAEROA CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING

SATISFACTORY POSITION SHOWN. The 22nd annual meeting of the Paeroa Bowling Club was held at the Soldiers’ Club on Saturday night, the president (Mr E. Edwards) presiding over an attendance of about 40. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was read by the secretary (Mr W. Purdie) as follows : “In presenting the annual report •your committee has pleasure in staging' that the past season, whilst not reaching the success- attained in previous years in matches, was in many ways a most nejoyable one. “Official Opening.—The weather wason this occasion on its very heist behaviour, and after the, president (Mr E. Edwards) had welcomed'visitorsfrom Hamilton, Waihi, Te Aroha, Waikino, and Hikutaia, Mrs Edwards very ably performed the custom of throwing the first “kitty.” The president duly declared the green open for the. season 1925-26. “The Green. —During the past season the green played up to its reputation on the Goldfields, apd the thanks of the club are due to the, caretaker, Mr W. Hamilton, for the very able manner in which he carried out his. duties and being at all, times- 'ready and willing to carry out the wishes of your committee. We. would specially point out that our rent for next' year has been very materially reduced, and this has been accomplished through the, combined efforts- of your presidenit and the green caretaker. With good weather your committee has- little fear but that the green will be in first-class playing'order for the coming season.

“Membership.—The season Commenced with 52 members, and at the close we had a total membership of 60 on the roll. “Resignations.—During the season we have to report the resignations of the -following : Messrs. Brown, Chamberlain, Findlay, Higgins, . Morland, Pascoe, Pivott, and Say; 'but your committee trusts that those old members still residing in Paeroa will again join us and spend many happy hours on the green.

"Financial. —The balance-sheet to be presented will show that the past season turned out fairly well, considering the circumstances. One item of expenditure tha.t must be f,aced in the very' near future is the: procuring of a marquee. The old one has reached a venerable old age and is now no longer serviceable. “Inter-club Matches—We played five matches last season, with the result that we lost 4‘ and won 1. Although not so successful last ye.ar, these matches were moist enjoyable, aiid it is hoped in the coming season that more of them will be taken part

“Clothier Shield and Goldfields Stars. —This competition was held at Te Aroha on Labour Day and the. Saturday previous. The winners proved to be, the Wa.ikino rink skipped by O. Gallagher. The Stars changed hands, several times during the season, and when Paeroa challenged your representatives had to travel to Matamata. After a very close game all the l way the Paeroa team was .successful in Winning the Sta.rs. The challenges of Te Aroha and Waikinoi were played on the Paeroa green, and after good games in each case the Paeroa team won. Messrs McCullay, Power, Hamilton and Purdie (skip) are the present holders- of the Goldfields Stars.

“Night Play.—The season for night play was efficiently opened by His. Worship the Mayor on -October 10, 1925. Unfortunately the season , wasnot very successful, .a gieat manj rainy nights being met with early in the season which militated against players turning up in great numbers. With a good start- next season, and given good weather, your committee has no reason to doubt that .the, liability on the lighting installation will soon be wiped out.

“Club Competitions.—The- following were the winners, of the various competitions last season : Brenan Shield, Messrs sub. lead, Blackburhe, McCullay, F. Marsh (skip) ; A Grade, W. McCullay ; B Grade, T. L. Williams; Handicap Pairs, ,W- N. Chamberlain and W. J. Towers. The First Year’s Championship was not allotted a trophy' last season, there having been only a few games played.

“Holiday Tournaments— During the past sea.son several of these were held, and they proved most enjoyable, to a large number of our members.

“Open Tournaments. —The only tournament taken part in by this club was the Te Aroha one at the Nev Year. Three teams from Paeroa took part, and one of these skipped by W. H. Taylor was defeated in the semifinal by Glavis-, of Ngaruawiahia, who proved the ultimate winner by defeating the Hikutaia team in the final.

“Champion of Champions.—This competition was held at the Paeroa green on March 27, and was favoured with fine we.ather. The final was played off between O. Gallagher and P. Stewart, of Waikino and Matamata respectively, Gallagher proving victorious by 20 to 16 after a very fine game. ■

"Thanks.—The thanks of the club are due. to your president, M l !’ E. Edwards, who looked after .the intehests of the club in every way during the past season and conducted the affairs of the club in a most efficient manner. Thanks are also due, to the selectors, Messrs de Castro, Towers, and Power, who spent considerable time and labour to further the interests of the, club, and more especially to the ladies who: so kindly- assisted members in entertaining visitors at the club’s functions.. To the local Press we would extend our hearty appreciation of the valuable assistance and support not only in furtheringthe interests of the club, but those of bowling in general. “In conclusion your committee hopes that all members' had ain enjoyable, season, and trusts that the coming season will, see all the old faces and many new ones enjoying the good old game.”

In ’moving the adoption of the report the president said that he considered the dub had enjoyed a very satisfactory season, and the committee handed oyer the affairs of the club with even' confidence .that the 1926-27 season would be equally as successful. The weather had been unpropitious for several Saturdays at the commencement of the season, but as the time wore on matters improved. The night-play had not been the success anticipated, but greater interest would no doubt be taken during the coming season. . His duties had been merely nominal, and had been made very pleasant by the ready assistance and co-operation that he had received from the committee. A sp'ecial tribute wa'.s due to the secretary, who had carried out his duties efficiently and well, and had done much to ensure the. smooth working and successi enjoyed by the members. Considerable credit and hearty thanks were also due to the green superintendent (Mr W. Hamilton). Last season the club had been face.d with the heavy rental of £93, but this year the club was asked to contribute the amount expended by the Doma.in Board. The rental for this- season had been reduced to £69. The substantial reduction was largely due to the efforts of Mr Hamilton, who had worked assiduously in the matter of improvements and maintenance of the green consistent with economy. At the beginning of last season some of the players had ah impression that the greens were not a,s true as they ought to be. The committee carefully investigated the matter and tests as to' accuracy were made, and it was found that the greens were in a very satisfactory condition. Hearty thanks were due to Messrs Powe,r, Bayfield, and Keegan, who had carried out the tests. All the competitions had been played satisfactorily, and enthusiasm and sportmanship prevailed throughout. The president said that he, desired to record his- personal thanks tp the ladies aiid the local Press for assistance rendered during the. past sea.son. The report was adopted. SOUTH AUCKLAND CENTRE.

Considerable correspondence was read from the South Auckland. Bowling Centre relative to the holding of tournaments. The position was fully explained by Mr W. J. Towers, a mein; b'er of the executive, of the centre concerned.

After considerable discussion the following recommendatioii brought forward by the committee! was adopted unanimously : “That this club suggests to the South Auckland Bowling Centre tha.t, as a trial, the central tournament be held for two yea.rs ; one year during New Year and one year during Easter. Should the dates suggested not prove a success, then Cambridge and Te Aroha to revert to the original fixtures.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing season resulted : — Patroh, Mr E. Edwards ; president, Mr P. Williams; vice-presidents, Messrs C. T. Mettam and T. H. Hale ; secretary-treasurer, Mr W. Purdie: auditor, Mr J. Wilkinson; general committee, the president, vice-presi-dents, and Messrs G. H. Taylor, W. T. Power, and G. P. de Castro: delegates to South Auckland and Goldfields centres, Messrs Williams and Towers ; selection committee, Messrs Towers, F. Marsh, and W. Forrest. COMPETITIONS. It was decided that the following comprise the competitions for the season: Bre.nan Memorial .Shield (full rinks), A Grade championship, B Grade championship, Handicap Pairs, Singles championship, and First Year Player’s, championship. A GENEROUS. OFFER. In order to stimulate interest in night play Mr Williams offered to donate £8 8s as a trophy provided there were 12 entries and £4 4si as a trophy to the runner-up. The generous offer was received with acclamation, and the question of arrajhging a suitable competition was referred to the committee. Mr- Wilkinson suggested that the club might consider having cards printed, and the hotels asked to display them, giving information to strangers that night bowling wasavailable. The president said that the suggestion would be considered by the committee. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members, were elected: A. W. Alley, R. W. Lowry, E. Gree.nhaugb, S. Wrack, B. Steward, *C. Dormer, C. .McCqry, E. J. .Bassett, E. P. Fathers, W- ®- G-. Smith. CLUB COLOURS. Mr Wilkinson said he thought it was- desirable that the club should approve of a monogram in addition to the club colours of gold and purple. To outsiders the colours did not convey anything, and he thought a. suitable monogram would be more distinctive. The matter was deferred toi the committee. THANKS. Mr P. Williams returned thanks for having been elected prsident. He said that he realised he had a hard row to hoe to fill adequately the position which had been so ably filled by Mr Edwards, but the members could be assured that he would do all he could to foster and further the game during the coming season.

On the motion of Mr G. H. Taylor hearty votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing officers. Special thanks to Mr C. Olson for the services he had performed in connection with night bbwling was carried with acclamation.