BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 309, 8 June 1915, Page 8

BOWLING.

WEST END CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of, the West End Howling' Club was lield at the Town Hall last evening, when the president, Mr. F. J. Hill, presided over a large attendance.

The annual report and balance-sheet were as follow:—

In .presenting the fifth annual report, we have again to congratulate members on fhe continued prosperity of the club. During the season just closed, the club has achieved a particularly good record, having won the <Wanganui Christmas tournament, the New Year tournament at New Plymouth, and also the much-foveted Taranalu Banner, in addition to supplying the runner-up in the champion of champions competition, and we were particularly successful in interchip matches outside the local competitions. This is a.record that any club might well feel proud of, and for a' club so young as ours is particularly meritorious. The keenness and enthusiasm shown by members of the club has contributed greatly to the successes achieved, and it is to -be, hoped that members will continue to take the same keen interest in the game. Club competitions have been confined to the singles championship, which was won by V. If. Ilie'al, a. number of progressive pairs matches being also played; these games are proving very popular with the members of the club. During the season three rinks from the club paid a visit to Auckland, and played a series of gwnos with various clubs in the Auckland Province. The members had a most enjoyable time, and were treated with great hospitality by all the. clubs visited, and by bowlers generally. A number of the clubs visited expressed the intention of paying a return visit,

wben members will have an opportunity of returning some of the hospitality ex-

tended to the team while on tour. We also received visits from the Opunake and Manaia Clubs, and it is to be hoped that during tho coming. season the club ■will be able to return these clubs' visits. There is no doubt that these friendly inter-club .matches arc very enjoyable, and are of the greatest value in the interest of bowling generally, and should be encouraged as much as possible. It is expected' that at the next annual meeting of the Taranaki Centre the conditions governing the Banner competitions will be altered, and it has been suggested that in future it should be a challenge competition. If these conditions are adopted, it will afford the various clubs more, opportunity of playing friendly inter-club matches, and we venture to say that clubs generally would welcome this change. Another

question that has caused considable (lis-1 cussion is the two feet on the mat rule, and the Dominion Association has referred this matter to the various clubs for their opinion. "Members will, therefore, be asked to express their opinion on these two matters. Our caretaker, Mr. Bennett, resigned during' the season, and Mr. Ilevell has teen appointed to tbe position- Your committee deemed it advisable to close the green rather earlier than usual to enable the surveying and top dressing to be done before the winter set in. This work was carried out very expeditiously, thanks to the generous help of some of the members, and the present appearance of the green proves that the step taken was a very wise one, and everything points to flhe I green being in splendid order for the opening next seaso, when it is hoped that the green will 'be equal to any in the province. The winter green, which is now open for play, has received some attention during the season, and it is rapidly developing into first-class playing order. It is to be hoped that members will avail themselves of the opportunity of playing through the winter mouths, as. in addition to being a means of improving their play, it is a source of revenue to the <\ub. The revenue derived from this source last season enabled the club to ellVct many improvements to the cltilh's property. Your committee h&s to thank all those members who had rendered so much assistance to tho club during the past seasou, they being always ready and willing to assist when required. The thanks of the clu'!> are also due to the ladies for their generous help in providing teas, etc., and there is no'doulbt the success of the club is due in no small measure 'to the kindly interest taken by the ladies in the. club's welfare. The bal-ance-sheet that we have to lay before you is a most satisfactory one, notwithstanding the many improvements made during the year and the extra outlay in the purchase of new machinery, etc. Tbe committee has been able to reduce its liabilities by a'bout £2O, and the assets over liabilities now amount to over £350, as agatnst £3"20 last year. This result is mainly due to the efforts of the honorary secretary, Mr. F. Jfiwell, who has devoted much valuable time in the interests of the club. In conclusion, we ask members to give the incoming committee the same hearty support accorded ourselves.

The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to ,€123 10s od, including .€n,") 2s fid members' subscriptions, and expenditure £132 'ss Bd, leaving a debit balance of £8 -Ills 11,1. The club's liabilities amounted t 0 £ll.') 0s lid and the assets to £405 IBs.

In moving the adoption of the report and baiance-sJlieet, tho chairman expressed hearty thanks to Mr. J. D. Sole for the excellent manner in which he had carried out the duties of sole selector. The winter green was open, for play, and ■nemlieis suoiild join and support the club as in the summer. Although their 'balance-sheet was a good one, the committee had not seen its way to pay off sonic of the debentures as recommended last year.

IMr. J. I). Sole seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Officers for the ensuing year were then elected as follow:—President, Mr. V. .). Hill; vice-presidents, Messrs. -T. 1). Sole and F. -Reston: secretary. '.Mr, J. W. ITnslam; selector, 'Mr. ,T."D. Sole; committee, Messrs. J, Johnston, V. H. Reulo, T. Petty, F. Xewe!!, -T. Lvc, .[. Wood and J. Lobb; auditor, Mr. *»• Thompson. It was decided that the green warden be appointed by the committee. The subscription was fixed at the same amount as last year.

. 'Messrs. V. -I. Hill niid J. 1). Kolc were, appointed delegates to the Taranaki Bowling Centre. In response to an inquiry from the Dominion Bowling •Association, it was

iloci<lod to support tile principle of bot'li feet on the mat.

Some discussion tool; place with reference to (.'he banner competition, unil it wits decided that the cl-iib should support the proposal to make this a challenge competition, and that three rinks should be the number to take part. Mr. J. 1). Sole brought up the matter of the financial loss sustained on. (be local tournament, which amounted to Lw 8s !>d. The Taranaki Centre had voted .Co towards this tournament, or the. loss would have been that much greats, 'lie t\U, a-ked would they contribute towards the cost of entertaining the visitors? 'Air. Beale did not consider that the expense should be met out of club funds. ■Mr. Petty said lie thought the club should support their delegate in his action and. pay the money. lie moved in this direction, remarking that those who wished could make a donation towards it.

Mr. Johnson seconded, and it was car ried.

On the motion of Mr. Beale, the matter of providing for further tournaments was left to the delegates; The secretary was voted an honorarium of £5.