BOWLING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 16 September 1911, Page 8

BOWLING

'WEST END CLUB. . Tlir annua] meeting of the West End Bowling CI til) was held last evening. Air. J. D. Sole, president, occupied the chair. There was ;i good attendance of members. ANNUAL RETORT. The annual report was read as follows:—''ln presenting what is virtually the first annual report of the West End Bowling Club the committee has to congratulate the members on the successful season that is just closed. Commencing as a new club, with all its members beginners in the games of bowls, and with a newly laid-down green, the position of the club at this, the first annual meeting, is one that is most satisfactory in every way, us your commitee's report will show. ' The season opened with a members of 41 active, 17 affiliated and live honorary members, making a total of 03 members. During the season three active, and three affiliated members have joined, while the club has lost three active members, leaving a membership at the precent time of 41 active, '2O affiliated and live honorary members. The club has sustained a loss in the death' of -Mr. (I. Tiscli, late Mayor of New 'Plymouth, and the deepest sympathy of the members of the club is extended to Mrs. Tisch in her sad bereavement. The committee has to thank those 'bowlers who joined the club as affiliated and honorary members in order to give the new club a helping hand with the difficult (|itcslion of finance which hampers a club in the first year of its existence. Since the last general meeting of the club (he first secretary, Mr. 11. J. Ilobbs, resigned his position owing to his removal from the district. His resignation was accepted with regret, and a motion expressing the indebtedness of the club for his services in the foundation of the club and in the laying down of the green was placed on record. Mr. W. Bigelovv was appointed to the vacant position and is still in office. The other officers and members of the committee have remained as elected during the year and have well attended the meetings held to carry on the management of the club. The club was officially opened on November 17 by the (President, M. J. D. Sole, in the presence of a large gathering of visiting bowlers and friends, while Mrs. J. 1). vSole threw the first jack across the newly opened green. A match was played between sides picked by the president and vice-president and ended in a draw. Afternoon tea was provided by. Mr. and Mrs. Sole for the large gathering, which numbered about 200 bowlers and friends. During the season matches have been played with the New Plymouth, Fit/.rov, Waitara, Inglewood and Kltham clubs, but on only one occasion was the West End Club able to secure a win. The cltrb was represented at the Taranaki Bowling Association's tournament held at Inglewood in February and was successful in winning three of the matches, while in the match with the Opunake Club, winners of the Association shield, one of the West End rinks was successful against the opposing Opunake rink. Two series of matches for club members have been lu'ld during the season. The singles match, for a trophy presented by Mr. R. ,1. Dcare, was won by Mr. V. H. Beale, and the pairs match, for trophies presented by Mr. G. A Corney, was won by (Messrs Fred. Newell '(skip) and 11. Untie (lead). During the winter a series of euchre parties have been held and the funds of the club have been materially augmented thereby. The club is indebted to all those friends and members who helped to make these gatherings a success bv assisting in the work of organising and carrying them out. and also to all those who donated prizes for the same object. The committee has twice during the season had to secure the services of a new caretaker and have just had to replace Mr. Mitchinson, who resigned last week after serving the club well. Since the cessation of play the green has been surveyed by Messrs Madden and Palmer and a straight-edge procured. The, green has been twice top-dressed and carefully tended during the winter, and the iommittee is confident that the players of the club will have a much improved green for their accommodation during the coming season. The treasurer's report will show that the club is in a good and sound position financially. All the outstanding liabilities have been met and the only charge on the assets of the club are the debentures held by the members. To-night the members will •be called upon to elect officers and committeemen for the ensuing year, and it is hoped that members will give the matter their earnest thought so that the good work accomplished in the past may] continue and the club guided to a prosperous future. When the past season is reviewed and the results of a first season are brought 'before the members, the comniitee feels that the prosperity of the club is due chiefly to the spirit of unity and a desire for the progress of the club that has existed among the members. With this there has been a willingness among the members to assist the offices in the dischagc of their duties, and for this assistance the officers have to thank the members of the club. The officers and committeemen who to-night retire from office request on behalf of those to be elected a loyal support, and then the AVest End Bowling Club must go forward to increased prosperity and a successful future in the bowling world.'' ELECTION' OK OFFICERS.

■Oflicers for the ensuing season were appointed as under President.. Mr. 0. N. Firth; vice-presidents, Messrs (i. A. (orney and U. ,1. Deare; lion. sec. and treasurer. Mr. W. ISigolow; general committee. Messrs V. 1-f. final, F. Newell, A - 1 ('• X. Johnston, Frank Newell. I'. Sole; match committee. Messrs J. I). Sole and C. N. Johnston, with the secretary; green warden, Mr. (J. A. Corney. (iIiNERAL. It was decided that in future the election of new members should be by ballot of the committee, and that two black balls should debar election. It was decided in elocl si\ skips, to hold ollicc to December 111. when a general meeting will be held. Me-srs ('. N. Johnston, 0. X. Firth, Fred. Newell, V. IT. I'eale. J. 1), Sole and F. I.ce wore appointed. The president did not, mvin# (o i!I----ln'iiitli, sivk vi'-clt'clioj). Yotis o? thanks to the nve-idcit, o!li-j cials, ihe ladies, and the ores-; termin-' atcd the meeting. j