NEW PLYMOUTH BOWLING CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 4 September 1907, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH BOWLING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Bowling Club was held in the Pavilion last night. There was a very large attendance, Mr. It. Cock ('President) occupying the chair. Apologies were received for absence of Messrs. McKeliar imd Ponn.

The annual report stated that tho committee has to congratulate the members on the continued prosperity of the club. As will be seen from the balancesheet, there is at this date a credit balance of £SU 14s Od, but the sanitary work required by the borough regulations will reduce this amount considerably. The green was formally opened for play on the 9th .November, and play continued almost daily till 30th May. The excellent condition of the green at the close of the season showed what care and attention Mr Aldridge had bestowed on it during tho year. An interesting tournament was held by the Taranaki Association on the club green in January. Teahis from Egniont county, Stratford, Hawera, i'itzro'y and New Plymouth clubs took part. The Challenge Shield was won by the Stratford club. Club matches were played with Stratford, Fitzroy, fnglewood and Waverly clubs on our green. New Plymouth won all but the match against Stratford, and that club is to be congratulated on being the lirst club to win from New Plymouth on the New Plymouth green. Away from home matches were played with the above-mentioned clubs', and with Hawera, Hawera, Waverley and Fitzroy each winning their match. Mr J. Veale has donated to the club badges for pairs competition, and no doubt games for these trophies will prove of great interest. The thanks of tic club have been forwarded to Mr Veale for his kind donation. We have to record the deep sense of loss sustained by the death of our esteemed president, Mr ■ Jas. Paul, and to place on record the club's highest appreciation "of his services and generosity to the club since its foundation.

The balance-sheet showed total receipts £234 12s sd, of which £153 14s was m members' subscriptions and £33 0s 7d in pavilion receipts. Under expenditure the principal items were— Wages and bonus £72, debenture interest £l6 16s, loan interest £lO 10s, arid pavilion expenses £ls 14s sd. Assets were—Freehold and building £IOOO, furniture and plant £SO, cash in hand and in bank £57 14s !)d;: total, £llO7 14s 9d. Liabilities—Debentures £2BO, interest £24 6s, loan £3OO, balance on freehold £SO, balance £453 8s 9d.

The chairman congratulated the club 'on the almost record attendance and on the general satisfactory state of the [club's affairs They had'a fine green, and there had been several improvements effected. He regretted that the club was about to lose one of its valued members, Mr. A. H. O'Loughlin.: He | also referred to the death of the club's president, Mr. James Paul, whose generosity to and active interest in the club would never be forgotten. It was due to him that the club stood in its present good position. On behalf of the club he tendered thanks to the ladies for their interest and for their afternoon teas. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr. O. Grey seconded. Mr. Govctt agreed with the president that the club should start a fund for

! reducing the club's indebtedness. Ife would like, too, to see the entrance fees .placed towards reduction of liabilities, (is previously decided. He referred to the unsatisfactory position as regarded part of the site. There was still £7O of the purchase money ' due, and the club could get no title. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OS 1 OFFICERS.

Officers wore elected as follows: President, Mr. R. Cock (re-elected) j vice-presidents, Messrs. C. \V. Govett (re-elected) and F. W. Hall; secretary. Mr. W. N. Esving (re-elected). 'For the committee there were nominated: Messrs. A. D. Gray, George Gray, C. H. Burgess, Ab. Goldwater, IT. Goldwater, ,T. Avery, L. W. Alexander, ],. Bullot, J. S. MeKollar, D. K. Morrison. The ballot resulted in the return of Messrs. A. D. Gray, George Grey, H. Goldwater, L. Bullot, J. S. McKellar, and D. K. Morrison.

Mr. C. Ahior was re-elected auditor. RULES. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. 0. W. Govett, G. Grey, C. N. Ewing, and A. D. Gray submitted revised rules. These were slightly amended and adopted. NEW MEMBERS. Messrs. Allan K. Smart, J. W. Thom!son, James Moroy, jun., and L. Epp. [stein were elected members. i PRACTICE GAMES. : I Mr. G. Gray's proposal to alter- the procedure of selecting practice rinks provoked a good deal of discussion, the proposer's idea being to encourage young and new players and to improve the average play of the club. The proposal was adopted by Jo to 0. GENERAL. I

The meeting decided not to hold a social this winter, but to entertain by special invitation on opening day, memliers and their families requiring no invitation.

The president offered two guineas for the purchase of a trophy for the champion of the club in the ensuing year. The secretary mentioned an offer by Mr. 8. Percy-Smith to provide a prize to be competed for in the follow-in" manner: The club will be divided into rmks, who play off until the winning rink is found. This rink will divide into pairs, and the winning pair again divide and play a singles match. It was decided to set apart £,' JO for paying off debentures in the coming year. , °

I nzes were presented: Champion cup (presented by Mr. A. D. Gray), Mr. George Grey;: pairs, Messrs. IL Smart and Mr. Cutfield; handicap singles, Mr. J. S. McKellar; runner-up, singles, Mr C. Rundlc.

Aotes of thanks were accorded to the ladies for assistance, to the. Press, and to donors of last season's prizes. Mr. Govett donated two guineas towards the entertainment fund, and Mr TTall promised a donation to the ground.

The usual bonuses were voted to the secretary and the grcelikeeper.