OTAKI BOWLING CLUB.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 July 1920, Page 3

OTAKI BOWLING CLUB.

V ANNUAL MEETING. ■The annual meeting of tho above Club was held at the Town Board's offices on Wednesday night, when li members attended. Mr D. Noble (president) occupied the chair. In his opening remarks he referred to the great loss the Club had sustained by the death of their worthy patron (Dr. Huthwaite), and a motion of condolence was passed, all silently standing. Einances. Mr Witchell, late secretary, gave a report *n the financial position of the club, which was considered most gratilying, it being shown that there was an improvement on previous years. There was, however, one bad -feature, and that was members' subscriptions, totalling £-13 Ss, which were outstanding. Mr Witchell added there were many new members who had never been near the green. He also stated that Mrs McBcath had donated £7 2s to procure a shiold for competition, while the club had decided to add £3.

The Past Season. The Chairman, said the season, to ; certain extent, had not been a goo< one, inasmuch that when they jour xieyed away from home to play matclic they had encountered wet weather. A! Lyall Bay it rained so heavily that the game had to be abandoned, the Newtown fixture fell through, while the team for Johnsouvillc encountered such severe weather at Backakariki that it turned back. Karori had visited Otaki, while Otaki had a successful trip to Hataitai. It was hoped that the latter .would visit Otaki this season. Mr Noble expressed regret that members of the club had not visited Levin, Foxton and .Shannon, and hoped that this season these townships would be visited. Thanks to Messrs Knight, A. Smith, and Satherlcy the green had proved fairly playable, and he thought members should be grateful to them. Election of Officers. Mr O'Rourke was elected patron, the meeting showing its approval by a round of applause. Mr O'Rourke, in accexfiing the position, thanked members for what he considered a great honour conferred «n him. He knew all were good sports, and was pleased to bo associated witti them. He knew it would be hard to follow in the footsteps of the late patron, who was always of an amiable disposition and a thorough gentleman, but lie hoped the same good feeling would exist in the club, that all would continue to be good sports, and carry on as a happy family. (Hear, hear.) , In appointing Mr Witchell as president, members agreed that this gentleman had worked hard for years past, and that a bettor man could not be secured for the position. Mr Witchell, in acknowledging the compliment, said the few months’ respite that he had had from being an officer he had enjoyed, and ho hoped to continue out of office, as he considered a man ’s troubles commenced as soo.l as he had honours conferred upon him. He, however, would act as president, and expressed a hope that members and officers would pull together, and not let little tilings upset the harvaany of the club. For years amiability had ‘existed, but of latter date there had been a little friction. This lie haped would bo dropped, that members would, play as sports, and thus make the season a happy one. Other officers elected were: Vicepresident, Mr T. H. Windlcy; secretary. Mr Herbert Freeman; assistant secretary, Mr M. H. Ayrc; treasurer, Mr A. Satherloy; auditor, Mr Dando; general committee, Mcssts M. 11. Ayrc, J. R. Bills, Bert Kilmistcr, A. J. Watts, and J. 1). Howell; green committee, Messrs p. Gooding, A. Satherley, A. .Smith; match committee, W. Burns Smith (sole selector); refreshment committee, left to general committee to appoint a sub committee; delegate to centre, Rev. 1? TT Pflt.rie.

I''. H. JrCtnc. Thanks. The Chairman, as last year’s president, in vacating the chair, thanked Members .for their assistance and hoped the same would he extended to their new president. Although he uu declined to take any office, he woulc he pleased to do anything for the we fare of the club. . . Mr Witched then took the position as chairman, and on the motion of Air Bills a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Noble for valuable work done. Mcßeath Shield. Touching on the question of the McBeath Shield, Mr Bills said the trophy had been won by Messrs Sathcrley and St. George, but as the shield was not yet available their names had not been engraved thereon. A handsome shield vras now in view, and Mr Binns. local jeweller, had promised that he would secure a trophy that would be bot valuable and ornamental. He hoped that the shield would be ready by the opening of tlid season. Rules to be Re-drafted. Mr W. Burns Smith suggested that the time had arrived when the rules should be re-drafted, as alterations were needed. On his motion Messrs Witched, Brandon, and the mover were appointed to give the matter consideration. Amalgamation of Clubs. The matter of amalgamating the social, tennis pud bowling clubs was brought forward by Mr O’Rourke, who spoke in strong support of the pro position. He considered the move one that deserved support, as anyone would s*e able to join the three bodies at, greatly reduced charges. Instead of paying £5 or £6 the membership for the three would be reduced to £3 3s. He expressed a hope that bowlers woula join the Social Club, which boasted of a first-class billiard table and other things that helped to pass away pleasant afternoons and evenings.. Further it would improve social life in Otaki, and make them better democrats.

j Mr Brandon, in agreeing, said lie had I been in communication with Mr Shallcrass, secretary of the Sports Protection League, who also strongly advocated the amalgamation. Personally, he considered the joining of forces a distinct advantage, and hoped members would give the matter support. Mr Noble said the matter had already been considered, and he understood the elub was not in favour of amalgamation. He thought the matter should be well considered before tin- ■

ality was arrived at. Mr O’Rourke, at this stage, proposed that the Bowling Club amalgamate with the other clubs. This was seconded by Mr Brandon, who said at the present juncture the feeling was that each club should have its own personality. All clubs, ho said, were linanI cial, and there was nothing to four I from this cause. Mr Noble said he did not see that the bowling club would gain anything by amalgamation, and considered that if the funds were not to be worked ‘separately the club would be better without amalgamation. Mr Howell suggested adjourning the debate till a rough draft of rules of the proposed amalgamation was secured. I Mr O'Rourke said the club had three on the committee, which was a guarantee it would be looked after. It was proposed that accounts be kept separate, but that each club could lend the other money, if so desired. All clubs could carry on individually as regards

I finance. 1 After further discussion it was deI* cided to settle the question by secret ballot. Ou this being taken the proposed amalgamation was rejected by 12 votes to 5. Mr Brandon said he hoped some arrangement would bo arrived at so that persons could join the social and bowling'clubs at little cost, and suggested members arrive at some reciprocal ar6, rangemont and join the two. The I social club desired bowlers as members, | (and vice versa. n The Chairman said he was glad to see the voting had been so decisive nn the question, as it was known that there had been a deal of feeling and much talk. Personally he was prepared for the result. He said, unfortunately, most of the bowlers were past playing tennis, but he hoped they would link up with the social club. At this stage the matter dropped, to be revived at a future meeting. New Members. I The following new members were I proposed: Messrs Percy Bennett, Duncan Wilson, J. McGill, and W. So the run. Trophies. The Chairman drew attention to the fact that Mr Bills had given two trophies for competition some time ago, but they had not yet been played for. This was not. fair to the donor. He would be pleased also to give a trophy, but would like to sec it competed for. A Pavilion to be Erected. Mr Bills said if was “up’’ to the club to erect ft pavilion for the ladies who played croquet, and stated that the ladies themselves were willing to assist by holding a ball. A pavilion was badly needed, and he proposed that tenders be called for the erection thereof. This was seconded by Mr Brandon and carried. Bowlers’ Ball. The matter of the bowlers’ ball was discussed, and Mr Satherley stated that he had sold £l4 worth of tickets in three days, and that there was promise of visitors from Wellington and Palmerston. The following were elected a ball committee: —Messrs Witchell, Satherley, Kilmister, Bills, A. Smith, and G. Noble. .Mr Satherley said he had been promised an abundance of flags for decorative purposes from the Defence Department.