A BOWLERS’ SOCIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 12 May 1916, Page 7

A BOWLERS’ SOCIAL.

THE STRATFORD BOWLING CLUB On the invitation of the President (Mr J. McMillan), of the Stratford Bowling Club, a social time was spent in Smith’s Rooms, Broadway, last evening, when about thirty members were present. For a couple of hours cards were played in the big rooms i pstairs, and then an adjournment was made to the supper room, where light refreshments were partaken of. With the President in the chair, an hour went pleasantly by, and song and story interspersed the presentation ol the various prir.es won during the season . Apologies were tendered for the absence of Messrs. H. LI. Betts, 1), J. Malone, J. Lochbead, W. P. Kirkwood, and CL T. Walters, and in mentioning those members the President said he hoped those who were not present would not forget to tender the secretary their shillings like the others had done for the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, for which the evening was arranged. THE PAIRS WINNERS.

The President presented the winners of the pairs competition (Dr. Paget and Mr Elder) with a howl bag each. In returning thanks, Dr. Paget referred to the pleasant associations he had formed on the green and stated that if those who did not play the game only knew the pleasure to be derived from being a member they would speedily join the Club. Mr Elder, in returning thanks, related the circumstances attending bis starting bowls, stating that at first he looked upon the suggestion merely as a .mkc. However he never regretted his decision to* join the Club, and hoped to have very many more pleasant games on the green. ( THE 1916 CHAMPION.

Mr S. Sharp sang with good effect the well-known song, “They all love Jack,” after which he .was presented with the Curtis trophy, which, as champion for the year, he had won from all-comers. The President con!gratnlatcd Mr Sharp on winning the handsome trophy, which would ho in his possession until it was wrested from him in the future. A gold modal donated by Mr J. Masters was presented by him to Mr Sharp,amidst applause and the singing of - “He’s a Jolly (food Fellow.” Mr Sharp suitably acknowledged the kind expressions of good wishes pf the President and Mr Masters.

The Curtis trophy -.is*lnscribed wjth the names of those,who, have won it to .!daie as follows:—1910, R. McK. Morison; 1.911, G. gangster; 1912, ■ G, Smart; 1913, R. McK. Morison ; 191,4, W. D. McDonald; 191.3, G. -Smart'; 1916. S. Sharp. A DARK HORSE. The pair of bowls for the Sealed] Handicap, presented by Mr If. J. McDonald, was won by Mr J. Lever sedge ,■ the,latter, on replying, referring to his good lugk in being successful in H IC competition. The President then gave an item- entitled “At the Bar” in good style, and Mr North, did full justice to the yjong, “Roses.” V HARRY, THE WARDEN, In presenting Mr H. Edgecombe, the green warden, with a tobacco pouch inscribed “An appreciation from jStratford bowlers, 1916,” the President referred to the excellent work [done by Mr Edgecumbe in the care of the green. Not only Club members ■had been pleased with the state of the during tlie season, but visitors were loud in their praise whenever they had a game. The Club never had a warden who had looked after (lie interests of tho players in this respect as Mr Edgecumbe had done, and the best thanks of the Club were due to him.

| Mr Dick Cottier received a round of applause for his selection on the violin. Mr Edgecumbe very modestly returned thanks tor the gift,'which came as a great surprise to him. He felt that he had done only his duty in the position in which members had placed him. Ho hoped next season to have, if possible, even a better green, but in the future, as in the past, he would continue to do his host to uphold the reputation that his fellow players had formed of him as green warden. | EARLY DAYS OF THE CLUB.

i A selection on the piano and cornet by Mr F. Foley served as a pleasant interlude be!ore Mr 3£. B. Stohr collected his scattered thoughts which served as reminiscences of the early days of the Stratford Club. Mr Stohr said that Mr Tom Ilapley and himself first mooted the formation of a Club in Stratford, and after consulting with Mr W. M. Woodhead, a meeting was called, when four or five showed themselves as anxious to see the game going. It seemed, said Mr Stohr, with a smile, that each of those present had a section to dispose of.—(Laughter). Eventually, the section on the Patca river was decided upon, and soil for the top-dressing was brought from Xormanby. All were a happy party. The “boss” bowler was Mr Fred Brown, while another prominent player was Mr Allan Smart. He recalled tinfact that one time they went to :'h’;’ a match at New Plymouth, when tlm new chums gave the N.P’s. “a great shako up.” The seaside townies had never been beaten on their own green, hut the Stratfordians were only put down by a few points. Later on, however, Stratford had the satisfaction of lowering New Plymouth’s colors on their own green. But somehow, continued Mr Stohr, the players here seemed to have little in concert, and many of the old hands dropped out. Now ho was pleased to say, they were all working together, and the Club was I

going ahead, and, what was more satisfactory, it had a great future before it. All this boro out what ho it ho speaker) said in the early times that a club should be csta,Wished in Stratford. There was no doubt it would be one of the best in Taranaki in the future. “I suppose,” said Mr Stohr, “1 am the oldest player in Stratford. But there is George Smart, and Nat King, and Jonas Masters, not forgetting Mr W. Wehb, who was known as the champion lead.” In conclusion. Mr Stohr expressed his pleasure at being present and at being able to tell the present members something- of the history of the Club, and lie thanked the President for the invitation.—Applause, accompanied by musical honors followed Mr Stollr’s interesting remarks.

THE GENIAL “GEORGE.” 4 Mr G. Smart, in the course of a few words on the history of the Club, mentioned the name of the Penn family and the Curtis brothers as enthusiastic players in the old days. He was pleased to say the Club is now on a good sound footing. On behalf of all present he thanked the President lor providing supper and for the pleasant evening. He hoped the idea would he a precedent for future presidents, and that they would have more of such smoke concerts. It was a splendid suggestion that the prizes should be presented at the function. The thanks of members were due to Mr McMillan, Mr Masters, and Mr McDonald, for their donations, and for allowing the entrance fees to go tn the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The Club had done excellently during the season in collecting the sum of £3O for the benefit of Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. Tie did not think any other club had done much better. The meeting showed their appreciation of the donors of the prizes by the hearty singing of “They arc Jolly Good Fellows.” GATHERING IN THE SUBS.

Another instrumental selection by Mr Foley preceded a speech from the secretary, Mr S. M. Porritt, who spoke quite light-heartedly of the trials and troubles attached to the secretaryship, He modestly disclaimed any thanks “for the way ho had gathered in the subs, so well,” as the President put it,, For any little shortcomings of hum art nature which lie had displayed, he asked their forgiveness, and ho claimed, their indulgence in 1 the; future. Th< v singing' of “He A a Jolly Good Follow” shoved thiti;' the company was still in good voice. ■ .. . j. t : :■ : - -V . ' WHO- 'WANTS TO BE A ■ SELECTOR ? Mr Masters them |lnbpydeued hinpSdlf -of the woes that eonscien,tipus sejec-

. ors are heir to all the ’ world "Wei-. There was one thing he was ;got going to take lying down, however, and that was abuse. He meant it. He would not say that be bad not made mistakes, but be had always'tried to do Ins level best, and that without fear or .favor. He f that ho had had to put nip with./a considerable amfmftt' of abuse. — cal laughter), but at the same time had not lost any sleep over it. Certain members-—there were not many, artd ho wrould say the great majority were very fnfy fellows to be associated with —had inode the dntv of the selector a

very.hard one. That would have to be put a stop to, or the dlub would find it very difficult to get anyone to do the work, for they must remember thatthe selector was not a paid official. .When a man was carrying out the duties gratis, no one had a right to abuse him, but the Club had the right to put him out of it. He had been told he was “breaking the Club up”—(Much laughter), and that he was “a laughing’stock.”— (A voice: “Wrong.”) Mr Masters said he had done his level best, and he hoped that the next member who occupied the position would receive more encouragement than had come his way from some of the players. At the same time, he wished to thank the great majority for the sportsmanlike manner in which they had treated him. Like so many others, he played the game because he loved it.—(Applause). Mr McDonald, as one of the proposers of Mr Masters for the position, spoke highly of the capable way that the duties of selector had been carried out. Referring to the secretary, he said that many members did not realise the amount of work there was to do Much more assistance could be given to the President, and he hoped this would be remembered in the future. Mr McDonald said he would never regret having joined the Club, as he had had many pleasant days on the green and had found among the members some of the best sports in the district. In bringing the gathering to a conclusion, the President thanked members for their attendance, and for the kind expressions of opinion as to his work on behalf of the Club. He felt that such a function would help to pul members on a better footing with each other, and that it would he an occasion when any little grievances count* he ventilated ami then buried, aftei which the Club would go on another season of increased good fellowship and usefulness. “MR MUSIC.” Hni'ing 1 1 be evening Mr F. 1' oley filled ib - position of accompanist on the piano with bis usual bonhomie and ability. The gathering" ended with the singing of "the National Anthem.