MEMORIAL PARK.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 156, 28 October 1926, Page 4

MEMORIAL PARK.

ONE of the most keen and largely attended meetings ever held in Putaruru eventuated on Thursday, when the fourth annual general meeting of members of the Putaruru Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club was held. The ground of the club, known as the Memorial Park, was the gift of Mr. F. C. Barnett as a Soldiers’ War Memorial for the purpose of sport, and on the understanding that a monument to “ fallen comrades ” would also be erected. This has been done, the adjacent grounds laid out for use as tennis, croquet and bowling- greens and a large membership has been secured. Howe.ver, it is only during the past year that the bowling green has been made available, and during the season there has been some evidence of friction between members of this section and the genei-al executive. Unfortunately the symptoms have been exaggerated, for to our mind the trouble is solely due to the fact that 'lie bowling committee and the gene-fy-iitirf have been working at wo, . Ivor.ses. This in turn we feel •is.surod is chiefly due to the fact that the constitution of the ctub is a peculiar one, and is a sealed book to tne bulk of the members.

It would have been very regrettable had not good sense prevailed at the meeting, for it has to be admitted that at times the air was somewhat electric. However, the fears apparently entertained in some quarters were banished by the traditional good fellowship associated with devotees of the ancient game, and the prospects at one period of the meeting of a deadlock happily averted. In view of the associations of the Park this is highly satisfactory, and we feel sure that if the future is approached in the same spirit all will be well.

It may appear very regrettable that in the election of the new executive members who had given to the utmost of their time and ability for the goc l of the cause, should have been cast aside with seeming ruthlessness. L : T3 was ever thus, and they have the satisfaction of at least knowing that history has many such precedents. Th:.t the desire for some alteration ?>• general amongst members of the three clubs is very evident from an analysis of the voting. This fact should be noted by all, more especially the new executive. Of the nine elected, only two of the old members remain, and these were at the bottom of the. poll. Of the remaining seven, six are bowlers and five of these headed the poll. As all of the latter number ' polled" over forty votes, and two secured almost unanimous support, this goes to show that lady members voted heavily for a change in administration. In view of the fact a big responsibility rests on the - new executive, and it is hoped that it will endeavour to ascertain the causes of friction and provide the. remedy.