GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 39, 11 March 1909, Page 3

GOLF.

NGAAIOTU CLUB. There was a large attendance at I annual meeting of the Ngaiuotii (j Club last night, Mr. i\ S. Johns pres lag. Officers were elected:—President, -\ •A. H. Standish; vice-presidents, 1 Walker, .Messrs. E. T. Morshead and H. Burgess; captain, -Mr. C. 11. Burges secretary and treasurer, Mr. .). Pato; committee, Messrs. F. S. .loh.is, A. Glasgow, Armitage and Buwlcy; audiK Mr. W. C. Weston. The report was as follows:—" Win the links have been well kept and vai ous improvements made, the tiiianci position of the club has been eonside ably improved. The balance-sheet shov that the year was started with a deb balance of £Bl 9s 2d, whereas at Febri ary 28th the overdraft stands at £1: Is lid—a reduction of over £SO fi the twelve months. This must be coi sidered extremely satisfactory to tl members, and the committee advises tha with careful management of the club finances the executive for the couiin year should be able to put the club i the desirable position of having a suia credit balance. The membership of th club is as follows:—Players: Men a, ladies 42. Honorary: Men 3, ladies 2: It is with regret that the club has t place on record the death of one of it oldest and most enthusiastic membersMr. Reginald Bayley. In the early day of the club, and until recent years wher owing to failing health, he was unabl to do so, Mr. Bayley was always foun, ready and willing to assist in any wa; possible, and members will always re member his many practical works donat cd at a time when the club's finance were not so strong as at present. Th club was officially represented by th committee at the burial of their mucl esteemed comrade. During the seasoi the club lost, through his transfer t< Bulls, the services of Mr. It. C. Scott and he will be greatly missed as a com mitteeman and a foremost playei. air and Mrs. Alexander, who have left thi district, will also be much missed. Dur ing the spring and summer months care ■"•* fal attention has been paid to the up keep of the greens, and it is anticipate! that a great improvement will result from the careful application of .the various dressings. The Coffin green has again had attention, having been level led and raised at the west end and re sown. It is hoped that the difficult} t of getting well-played balls to stay on *' this green has now been overcome. The general appearance of the whole course is very satisfactory, for, although rain is badly needed just now, the condition of the links is better man at this time in the previous season. Arrangements are well in hand for the forthcoming Easter tournament, which, as in the past, will no doubt prove a great success. Last year's tournament resulted in providing a substantial sum to the club's funds. During the season the club played matches against Stratford jind Hawera, both of which were won by its representatives. Unfortunately, a return match against Stratford had to lie abandoned on account of the weather. Owing to various alterations to the rules of play, new copies had to be obtained, and these will be given gratis to the members. It is desirable that all members should carefully study the rules and etiquette of the game, as undoubtedly a better knowledge of these is needed." It was decided to recommend the committee to amend rule (i so that there should be at least one " free' Saturday and one " free " Thursday in each montH, the idea being to allow of more private games and the encouragement of beginners; that there should be one mixed (foursome at least on one Saturday in each month; to reintroduce the match for handicap hole play; and to hold membership ballots on both Thursdays and Saturdays, instead of on Saturdays only, as of late. The meeting unanimously authorised the committee to remit the entrance fee in the case of old members re-joining the club. V

Opening day was fixed for the 27th jnst.

Upon the motion of Mr. Johns, it was decided to place on record the club's appreciation of the generosity of Mr. and 3lrs. Patou in presenting the ladies' championship board.

A meeting in connection with the formation of a Carrington Road Club takes place this evening.