TAIHAPE BOWLING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 September 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOWLING CLUB.

I The annual meeting of the Taihape Bowling Club was held in the green, pavilion last night, there being a good number of members present. The president of the Club, Kev. W. P. Stent, occupied the chaii\ The president’s report was a lengthy one, from which the following extracts are made; —I will not say anything about the year’s doings, as there is so much to say of other and more vital matters. In this respect it insufficient to mention that during the year we have had the blessings of peace and the curse of the influenza epidemic. Each of thse visitations considerably complicated our season’s work. This Club has rules and by-laws of which, very few have intimate knowledge. Every member should Have a printed copy of them, altered and up-to-date. I urge the Club to have this carried out immediately, and suggest that the original rules and by-laws be placed on. the pavilion walls for one 1 month. Members should be asked to give suggestions for their improvement, and the Committee should place before a general meeting of the Club four -weeks hence their considered opinion of them,. Many now mlembers this season, and every season fail to follow the gam© up or to pay their subscriptions. This is undignified. They do not know, and probably you do not know, that any member in arrears for two monthsceases automatically to be a member, and any member in arrears threle weeks cannot play on the green. T also give notice that I shall move at the aforesaid General Meeting that nominationsfor membership shall be accompanied by a nomination fee of £1 I/, and we should stick to our rules, and insist that members not financial should be renominated and elected, and that theguinea entrance bo paid in additipn to the annual fees, despite the fact that they were once members, -or that they hold debentures < A good stiffening up of this sort will give a bit of solidarity to our Club. It is questionable whether the Club has gained anything by theraising of the fees to £3 3/, and it is open to argument whether we should not return tb the original rule 'Of £2.2/ per annum—-for new members, with- the nomination fee, this would be £3 3/. If,, however, it is decided to continue on the £3 3/ basis, I would suggest a discount on all fees paid before October31st. This would be helpful to thetreasurer in his duty of collecting fees.. On the three-guinea basis we ought not to make a charge for tea on Thursday, but if we go back to the twoguinea charge, then a special definitecharge should bo made on all members for refreshments. I dislike the silver collection business —it robs the generous man and the mean man dodges it — a more equitable way would be 5/ per annum for this purpose. The question of lockers is a matter that should be fixed up before the month is out, and' regulation made for their proper conduct.

The rules of the Club give the whole - management to the Committee, who act by by-laws. They may, or may not,. appoint green superintendents, match committees, or any other sub-commit-tec, but until a new rule is made, general meetings cannot do more than suggest to the Committee what p«s- * eedure they would like them to take.. Rules can be added, altered, or rescinded by notice of two weeks.. Youwill, therefore, take note, that it is outside the province of this meeting to appoint superintendents, match committees, or any other sub-committee, but that suggestion, without any personal 1 nomenclature can be made. Accordingto our rules, a treasurer and a secretary must be elected to-night. An important matter that needs prompt attention is the subject of debenture-hold-ers. A careful and tactful person could easily reduce our liability in this respect considerably.' It should be understood that the question of paying annual foes per medium of debentures requires special attention, for if one is so treated all should be who desire it. No sentiment must prevent us taking such , stops as will place tho club in a sound" and business-like position, and ror this reason I strongly advise you to select the very best men for your officers that you can, and I urge those who are selected to make every sacrifice they can for the good of the Club. With good officers, proper books, clear rules printed and in the hands of each member, this Club will be stronger than ever before. Divided control dooms us to failure, and that is the sound reason why the affiairs of the Club are placed by our rules in the hands of the Gonoral Committee, of President, VicePresident, Secretary. Treasurer, anjd j| five others, and that also is,the reason why the best men should be elected. I thank the officers and committee for their eordian assistance during the phst year, and the members for their cour- , tesy and forbearance. I should like on your behalf to compliment the teamthat represented this Club at Palmerston North and to heartily congratulate them. Your committee hag held twelve meetings during the year. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. u The election of officers for the en- * suing yea l - resulted as follows: Patron, Mr Riddick; president, M#-

, Xiawson; v&s-president, Mr D. Ncagle; secretary, Eev. W # F. Stent; treasurer, Mr J. F. Thurston; hon. auditor, Mr C. Masters; committee, Messrs Evans, Wrightson, Howens, Hesketh, and De Luen. The question of some remission in the matter of rates was brought up, one member stating that in Wellington the municipal rates were reduced by half, and he considered it was 'One of the functions of local bodies to encourage sport. In Palmerston North the Council had laid down two greens. It was decided to approach the Borough Council about .a reduction in rates. The resignation of Mr E. Clarke as a playing member, was received with regret. Mr J. Evans moved that hearty votes of thanks be accorded to the out-going committee, and appreciation (be 'expressed of their services during the past season, to be recorded on the minutes of the Club. —Carried unanimously. Mr Neagje brought up (the quiestion of presenting the prizes- and trophies won during the past year, and advocating that some sort of ia social function should be held at the opening of the season, at which these trophies could be presented. The President, Mr Lawson, heartily supported the idea. He took advantage of the- opportunity of thanking the members for the honour conferred upon him by electing him president, and said he would do his best to push the Club along.

Mr Wrightson was quite in accord with the idea of having a social and prize presentation. In. fact, he would go further, and have several during the season to put new life into the Club, and draw the members together. Mr 'Lawson said they had made a great mistake in taking away the provision of afternoon tea from the wives of the members of the Club. It would be a good idea to revert to the habit of leaving the provision of afternoon tea to the members’ wives. , A vote of thanks was passed to Mr C. Fraser for acting as the Club’s delegate at the ; Centre. A special vote of thanks was passed to the hen. auditor, Mr C. .Masters, for auditing th© hooks of the Cluh. A hearty vote ©f thanks was accorded to Mr Fookes, the late secretary, for his valuable services during the past year. It wa s decided that a special general meeting be held on October 16th to consider 1 notices of motion, etc.

Mr Wright son, green controller, in answer to a question, said the green would probably be lit to play on in about five weeks ’ time if the weather was at all propitious.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.