FOXTON BOWLING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2177, 16 September 1920, Page 3

FOXTON BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of member- of the Foxton Bowling Club was held in-Ihe Council Chamber last night. There ere *22'members in a I tendance, and the President (Dr. Mandl) presided. The annual report (which has already ap) tea red in these columns), and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The receipts for the. year totalled £134 (Is (id, which included howlers’ subscriptions £ll4 ils (hi, and croquet subscript ions £lO 10s (id. The expenditure amounted to £155 4s Id. Of this amount the sum of £SO 15s Id was spent in soil, manure, lime, seed, etc., for the improvement of the green, and would not be a recurring expense. The statement of assets and liabilities showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £-102 14s 7d. The election of officers resulted as follows; — President, Dr. Mandl; vice-presidents, Messrs A. Hawke, R. Bryant and D, Christie; secretary and treasurer. Mr Hoove Rangihenea; committee, Messrs \\. Nye, F, D. Whibley, John Ross, and L. J. Furrie; green supervisor, Mr TV. Nye; delegates to Centre, Messrs R. Bryant and D. Christie. The annual subscription was fixed at £2 10s, reducible to two guineas if paid by the end of December in each year. The following new members wore elected: Messrs M. B. Bergin, C. TV., England, Rev. T.i Halliday, P. J. -Jack, TV. Kirkland, S. H. Poole, J. 11. Reid, J. P. Smith, Rev. TV. Walton, and 4. Wyeth. The President stated that there had been some little dissatisfaction expressed by the ladies in connection with the afternoon lea arrangements, and in order to come to a satisfactory arrangement for the future, a conference between the Chib Committee and the ladies had been held. An agreement had been arrived at whereby the ladies’ subscription is to be raised from Ids (id to one guinea, and a plain afternoon lea will be supplied by the Club, the ladies agreeing to serve, same as ia the past. No charge Mould be made for afternoon tea, except on days when visitors are present, when the home players will contribute one shilling each. A motion was moved that a charge of sixpence lie made for afternoon tea to those partaking of same', and when visitors are present the local players to contribute one shilling each. An amendment in terms similar to the arrangement made with (lie ladies was put forward, and wie ea rried. It was mentioned that the soil for top-dressing the green had been obtained from Dr. Wall’s properly at Mouloa, and be was accorded a hearty vole of thanks for this kindness in putting same at the disposal of the Club. The president slated that since the annual, report had been prepared the Committee bad purchased a benzine engine for pumping water at the green, and it was intended to pipe the ground so that the green could be properly watered when necessary. The question of revising the Club's rules was discussed, and I he Commit lee was authorised to revise same, and these will be considered at a special general meeting, A letter was read from Ihe Shannon Club, advising Dial Messrs Bull and Cunning bad been appointed to attend the conference of delegates from tin 1 Shannon, Levin, and Foxton Clubs, |o draw up conditions lo govern the Triangular Competition. They also advised that (he official opening of I heir green would take place on October 13th. A visitor a! last night's meeting of tiie Bowling Club was Mr J. P. Smith, of Napier, who is well-known in bowling circles from one end of the Dominion to the oilier, having been connected with the sport for a great many years. He has bad very considerable experience in laying down, levelling and top-dressing bowling greens, of which he has made a hobby, and in this connection has had built to bis own design a machine for top-dressing and levelling, which in addition to making a better job of this work, also does away with a tot of the hard work of the old methods adopted. When Mr Smith was in Foxton last year he very kindly offered to top-dress and level the local green, an utter which, needle.-.- Id say, was very thankfully accepted by members of the local Chib. Mr Smith brought; bis machine from Napier last month, and with the assistance of member* of I lie Club, top-dressed the green, and also improved the levels, spending a ueek in Foxton for this purpose. Ho returned this week to give it a further dressing, and this work is now in progress. At last night's mooting, Dr. Mandl, president of the Club, took the opportunity of introducing Air Smith to -those members who had not previously had the pleasure of meeting, and extended to him a very hearty welcome to the meeting. He said that members were very grateful indeed for the assistance and advice Mr Smith had given them. He also mentioned that Air Smith had promised to bring a rmk down from Napier to play on the local green this year. He moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Air Smith for the interest he was evincing in the welfare of the Club, which wa.~ carried bv acclamation.

Mr Smith thanked the president lor his kindly references, and members for the hearty reception that he had been accorded. He aNo congratulated the president on his reelection, and said that he was sure the Fox ton bowlers in re-electing Dr. Maudl had made a wise choice. Mr Smith said that he had always taken

a keen interest in bowling, and was only 100 pleased to do anything he could to assist anv club. He was

Ihe founder of the Port Club in Napier, had laid down that green, and had occupied the position of president since its formation seven years ago, in addition to the position of treasurer, green supervisor, etc. The Club started oft with a debit balance of £BSO, but he was pleased to say that at the present time a credit balance of £BO was shown. During the time that green had been in existence he doubted if it had been cut more than twenty limes by the caretaker, Mr Smith himself having usually carried out this work, which he said he did for exercise. He had always taken a very keen interest in lawns, and ever since 1884 had never been without a lawn of some kind to look after. As Liras the Foxton green was concerned, of course, it would not be possible to perfect the levels in one year, but he had no doubt a really good green could be made of it. and lie would be only too pleased to do all he could to assist the Club to make a good green. In conclusion, he urged members to take an interest in their club, and their green, as no bowling (dub could be successful without the whole-hearted interest of the members.

At last •night's meeting of the Bowling Club a letter was read from Mr F, Woods, tendering his resignation as a member, and also Mrs Woods, as a member of Hie croquet club, owing to his having received notice of transfer from Foxton, and wishing the Club continued prosperity. —The resignation was received with regret, and a motion of appreciation of Mr and Mrs Woods’ services to the club was ordered to be recorded on the minutes.