TAIHAPE BOWLING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 October 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOWLING CLUB.

The annual general meet jJP -of the Bowling Club was held in the Pavilion last night, the president (Dr. Boyd), presiding over an attendance of 27« Those present took a very keen inter* est in the business of the club, which promises well for the success of the coming season. The report and balance sheet was then read. The report stated:— Tho season opened on 27th September and has in every way been successful one. Our membership has increased and the majority of players have taken a keen interest in the club. Early in the season we were successful in regaining the Hum Cup from Wanaganui Club and notwithstanding challenges from Hunterville (3), Gonville and Palmerston we are still the holders of the coveted trophy. A number of very enjoyable club tournaments were held during the season' viz., handicap rinks, doubles and singles and championship singles. The former resulted in a win for Mr. Thurston's rink consisting of Messrs. Thurston, Rev. Stent, Bason and Joblin. Mr Champion won the handicap singles. Our champion for the season is Mr J* McKenzie. Owing to a break in the weather it was not possible to finish, the handicap pairs. The thanks of the club are due to Dr. Boyd and Messrs* Fookes, James and Thurston for denoting trophies for these events. Mr J. F. Studholme has presented the club with two sets of bowls, as trophies, for competition this season. Rinks visited Wanganui at Christmas and Palmerston at Easter and although failing tobring back trophies, in both tournaments finished in good positions. Theprofit for the s&ason amounts to £34,. as against £2l last year. The green played well throughout tho season and reflects credit on our caretaker Mr Hollis, who takes a keen interest in it. Our own players, who visited other greens, and visiting players remarked that it compared very favourably with any green in the centre. As in past seasons our lady friends have again dispensed afternoon tea on Thursdays and match days for us iand we aro sure that every member of the club very much-appre-ciates their kindness. Our green is again in good order and given.a. spell of fine weather should be fit for play next week. In - conclusion your committee wish to place on record the valuable services rendered by our late hon. secretary Mr Drayton, his presence and help has been greatly missed during the season and he* i& a memberthat it-will be hard to replace. j

Dr. Boyd, in moving the adoption of the report and balance, said the position disclosed was eminently satisfactory and -he congratulated the members; thereon.

In seconding the motion, Mr Wrightson quite endorsed, the president's, remarks, but on one point he held a decided opinion and that was those members who were in arrears with their subscriptions should be made to pay up or be sued. The report was adopted by acclamation.

The following new members wero elected: Messrs. Boland, W&keman,. Hocking. Nagel. Hintz. Howens, Jorgensen, Gourlay. F* Ward, Darvill ami E. Clark. The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: —President, Rev. W. F. Stent; vice-president, A. G. Lawson; general committee,, Messrs. Neagle, De Luen. Thurston. B'urrell and Wham; match committee, to be appointed by general committee; selector, Mr J. Thurston; green supervisor, Mr Geo. Wrightson; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. H. Fookes. Dr. Boyd now vacated the chair, and in doing so, thanked the members for the kindly assistance given him during his year of office. Rev. W. F. Stent the newly-elected president, then took the chair remarking that he esteemed it >an especial honour to be elected for the comingyear, and he hoped during his term of* office a glorious epoch would take place—the declaration of peace. (Applause.) Mr S. Powell resigned as a member of the club owing to pressure of business. Mr A. James mentioned the indebtedness, both personal and financial the club was under to the late secretary, Mr Drayton, and moved that it be a recommendation to the committee that the financial obligation be wiped. out >at first opportunity.

Mr Fookes offered to donate £5 for tlie purpose of liquidating this debt if' the balance was subscribed in the roonu Several other members alsooffered to contribute but some of the older members of the club, while voicing their appreciation of the generosity of the would-be contributors, consider--ed it would be throwing the burden on the willing horse and expressed the opinion that the club was in the position to pay the debt out of tjAown funds. .^1 Mr Wrightson seconded Mr James* motion, which was carried. A suggestion was. made that the green be formally opened as soon aspossible, to which the green supervisor replied that the green would be opened the moment it was in a. fit; conditino. ..

Mr Neagle mentioned that a club . iad been forced at Ohakune the members a desire •to come to Taihape to play (3 rinks) on good green. A cordial invitation is to be extendM to the Ohakune Club to send visiting links to play in Taihape. the remark being passed that Ohakune Club was one more club to contest the Hurn Cup, and one more step towards having a centre of their own. Invitations were received for the A. "Taihape Club to be present at the opening of the season of the Wanganui Bowling Club on the 12th; Gonville on the sth; and Hunterville on the 9th. The invitations are to be acknowledged with thanks.

Mr Fookes who had been elected vice-president in the early part of the evening, said after holding the vice presidency for half an hour, he would resign in favour of Mr Lawson, who had relinquished the secretaryship. The resignation was accepted, and Mr Lawson was elected vice-president for the coming year by acclamation. Mr Lawson briefly returned thanks. Mr Williams, on behalf of the , returned soldiers, thanked the club for generously placing the green at the service of the .returned soldiers last year. No club could have been more cordial in its treatment of the returned soldiers. Mr Stent moved a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing officers, who had made such a success of last year's operations. Tho vote was carried by acclamation. Dr. Boyd, on behalf of {his fellow officers responded.

A resolution was carried -unanimously that a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation be accorded to the former secretary, Mr Drayton for his services to the club in the past. The matter of arranging a match with the Ohakune Club was left in the hands of the match committee. Mr Fookes donated £2 2s towards the prize funds for the coming year. The matter of presenting prizes won during a season at a general meeting was brought up and a suggestion that this function should take . the . form of a reunion met with instant approval. An , enthusiastic and Interesting meeting then:closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.;.