Te Aroha Bowling Club

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4443, 31 July 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha Bowling Club

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of members of the Te Aroha Bowling Club took place on Thursday evening last in the Council Chambers. Considering the inclement weather there was a representative attendance. The President (D. McL. Wallace, Esq.) occupied the chair, and amongst those present were Messrs W. Mclnman, J. McKee, J. Salmon, J. McSweeney, C. Spooner, Dr. Kenny, R. L. Somers, Ashby, Smith, A.. F. Burton, W. Dickson, D. Murphy, R. T. Jansen, J. Stanley, H. Gahagan, G. F. McGirr, H. Dalton, and GK Cornish. An apology was read from Rev. P. Cleary. SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT.

The Secretary read the annual report as follows

Your committee has the pleasure to present the seventh annual report upon the affairs of the Club. The season jußt concluded has been fairly successful, the green being well patronised by members, the club competitions for the season have been completed, and the financial position has held its own. Membership. The membership last year was 51 financial members, in addition to three life members and the secretary. Eight members have been lost by removal to other districts and 13 by arrears, a total of 21, but the Club had been fortunate in gaining 19 new members, which leaves the total membership now at 39 financial members. S.A.B.A. Tournament. The South Aucklaud Bowling Association tournament for 1909 was commenced on the Paeroa Bowling Green, Your Club was represented by two teams. Unfortunately, after the first day’s play, the weather proved most unfavourable, and after an inspection of the green the S.A.B.A. Committee decided to abandon the tournament.

Club Matches - Considerable interest has, been shown in some of the Club matches, but your committee regrets that in the competition for the Kenny Belt competitors have shown very little enthusiasm, the winner, Mr F. Hubbard, being the only competitor who has played through his section. The championship was won by Mr A. F. Burton, this being the second occasion on which he has won the Cup. Mr J. McKee was successful in winning the President’s (Mr Wallace) Bowls. Competition for the Cock of the Walk and the Gilchrist Badges has been fairly brisk, especially the latter. The present holders of the first are Messrs Brown, Hubbard, Dalton, and McGirr (skip), and of the second Messrs J. T, Maingay and Dalton (skip). Donations. —The thanks of your Club are due to your President who presented for competition a pair of bowls; to Mr E. B. Dufaur, of Auckland, who presented a pair of handsome silvermounted bowls and case for competition ; also to Messrs Wallace and Burton, who each subscribed a guinea to the funds, The Annual Tournament. —The annual tournament was held at New Year as usual. The weather proved favourable 1 throughout the tournament. Twentyone teams competed in the full rink competition, which constitutes a record entry for this tournament. It was won by the Devonport team after a most interesting contest with the runners up, Te Aroha No. 1. Thirteen teams competed in the subscription pairs, the prizes going to Messrs Hirst and White (skip) of Rocky Nook. The committee entertained the visiting bowlers at a smoko social, in connection w(th the tournament. Tim intention of the committee WQ9 tp levy, equally amongst the members, sufficient to pay for the social, but as there was a substantial balance in the funds, it was decided not to collect the levy. The Green. —Representations made to the Tourist Department, in the past, seem to be bearing fruit. A supply of scoria has been obtained for the purpose of reconstructing the green. A start has not yet been made, but it is believed that the green will be closed down early next season for pprppse. The Ffop. T. McKenzie, Minuter in charge of the Tourist Resorts, paid a visit to Te Aroha recently, and a deputation from the dlub, hpaded by your president, interyjp\yed tye result being that a ne\y mrperf containing fjvp r ? nks heipg laid down, and it ip h°ppd wi]l be ready for play during thp next season. With the accommodation available, a much Jarepj: entry mqy be accepted at Q ur animqi tQurtwwcnttJ. New Buie committee has obtained a supply of rule books, and members may obtain same from the Secretary. . Sole Selector.— Your committee, after due consideration, rpoflmmepdq (hh l ru l e 23. respecting the election of a sole peleptor and he rescinded, and the club revert back to the system of selection etc., by a committee. The Ladies.—The lady friends of the club’again gfoqprpusiy at the opening ceremony in the dispensing of afternoon tea, and our thanks are. due to them. Delegates to the A.P.B.A. —Me'srs J Carlaw. of Auckland Bowling Club, and J. W. Harrison of the Devonport Bowling Club, have kindly represented the club during the season eg the Cpuncil of the Auckland Association. Your committpe in concluding, hopes that the incoming season will be plea-ant and prosperous.

On the motion of Mr Burton seconded by £r. Kenny, the report was adopted. The balance-sheet showed the finances to be in a sound condition, and notwithstanding that during the year extraordinary expenditure in printing rules, a sipoke concert for the entertainment of visitors, had been taken out of Club funds, the credit-balance stood at £3 12s lOdOn the motion of Mr Somers the balance-sheet was adopted. The recommendation pf the Committee, that Buie 23, respecting the election of a sole selector and handicapper, be rescinded and the Club yeyeyt back fa the sysfafa of selection, ptc, by a Committee, Greated a good deal of discussionMr Burtop, in moving in this direcffan said that be had had 3, year’s experience as solo selector, and he was quite satisfied that it would be wise move to revert back to the old system °f selection by committee, on which he had served for some sfa years. His chief reason for moving ip the natter was that he looked j

upon a Bowling Club in the nature of a social club, where members met together to have a pleasant time. This should be always kept in view, aud that anythiug that tends to mar the harmony should be avoided. At times when players are not selected in representative teams, they feel aggrieved, and the sole selector gets a lively time. In order to avoid this sort of thing a change is necessary. When a dissatisfied player has to deal with a Committe it is impersonal, and no particular individual has to bear the brunt of everything. No matter how careful one might be in the selection, somebody is sure to be dissatisfied. His (the speaker’s) experience was not altogether a pleasant one —he would not act again ■ someone else might. There would always be a certain amount of grumbling. He had cai ried out his duties conscientuously and put in what he considered the best and strongest teams to uphold the honour of the Club. He moved that Rule 23 be rescinded, and that a Selection Committee be appointed. Dr Kenny seconded.

A good deal of discussion ensued on the matter, it being the opinion of those present that the Sole Selector had carried out his duties admirably, and wh"e there had been difference of opinion there was no dissent. Thero had been more trouble in previous years, but it was not so personal. Mr Burton was again asked if he would accept the position of Sole Selector, and he declined the honour. On the motion being put it was carried.

A scheme for the classification of players was brought forward by Dr Kenny, but after some discussion thereon the matter dropped. It was, however, decided to hold a special “ ladder competition,” a prize to be awarded the winner. The election of officers and committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows :—President, Mr A. F. Burton ; Vice-Presidents: Messrs G. F,. McGirr and C. F. Spooner; secretary, Mr Wm. McTnmm , treasurer, Mr H. H. Gahagan ; committee: Messrs R. L. Somers, Dr Kenny, D. McL. Wallace, J. Brown and J. T, Maingay. The President aud Vice-Presidents briefly returned thanks for the honors conferred upon them.

Messrs Burton and Mclnman were appointed delegates to the South Auckland Bowling Association, and Messrs J. W. Harrison and J. Carlaw re-appointed delegates to the Auckland Bowling Association. Mr Burton was chosen as representative on the Challenge Stars Committee. Mi P. Gilchrist was re-appointei auditor.

It was decided to hold the annual tournament about January next, and also that a social and smoke concert be held during the tournament.

On the motion of Mr McKee it was unanimously resolved to pass a vote of satisfaction with the work of the Sole Selector (Mr A. F. Burton). The tetiring President was in receipt of much thanks for the way in which he carried out his duties. Thanks were passed to the Tourist Department, associated with Dr. Kenny’s name, for the many concessions, and the assistance rendered the Club. Whi’e the position of Superintendent was shortly to be abolished, the Club hoped the Doctor would long remain amongst them. Dr. Kenny, in replying, said that although he was severing his official connection with the Department at the end of next month, he intended to remain amongst them with the goodwill towards fellow bowlers as in the past. Thanks were also accorded to Mr and Mrs Somers for their many kindnesses to visiting bowlers and tho Club members; to the ladies of TeAroha; and to Messrs Carlaw aud Harrison, the Club’s representatives in Auckland. The Chairman presented the Club Champion (Mr Burton) with the Cup ; Mr Jno. McKee with the Wallace Bowls, and Mr Hubbard with the Kenny Belt (also a pipe). Messrs Burton aud McGirr intimated their intention to pre3eut bowls for competition amongst tho players. At the invitation of the newly-elected President, the health of the Club was drunk in bumpers.