AUCKLAND BOWLING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 169, 17 July 1894, Page 2

AUCKLAND BOWLING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Bowling Club waß held laat evening in Waters' Cofiee Palace, Lower Queen-street. The President, Mr J. Hardio, wa3 in the chair, aad there was a large attendance. . Annoal Report.— The hon. secretary, Mr Oorrio, read the Committee's repoit for the year ended June .'lObb, 1894. The chief items in the reporb were as follows *•—" The most noteworthy event of the past year ia connection with bowling in this districb was without) doubt the formation of a new club, and the opening of tbeir green abPonsonby. Thab club haa commenced with strong: evidence ot prospective auccess, and its advent haa added considerably to the public interest in bowling. Iv reaponse to a cordial invitation our club assisted ab the opening of the new grounds on 9th December lasb, and thero waa a large and interesting gathering on the occasion. Several contests have taken place during the reason, and mutual interchange of the mosb friendly character haa characterised the intercourse of the two clubs. This fraternity ia only whab should prevail among bowlers, and it ia hoped may always be maintained. Nexb season we shall be able to welcome a fresh addition by the opening of the Newmarket Club grounds, and other clubs are projected. Altogether there itevidence that the gamo ot bowls is coming moro and moro into favour. The nexb evenb of importance waa the tournament of the Northern Bowling Association hold ah Napier ab Easter. This ovenb we had hoped to secure for Auckland, but tho voting at tho Council of the Association was in favour of Napier, as being more convenient for tho majority of tho cluba. Tho Club waa fairly successful in the contests, winning several of bho matches. At the meeting of the Council of the Association, ib was decided thab tournamenta in future should beheld bi-annually ; tbe next to bo in Auckland, in 1896. This is undoubtedly an important and wise alteration, and will tend to greatly improve future gatherings. Ourselves: Aa a club, our membership has nob yet been sorioualy affected by tho formation of new cluba, but we cannot hopo to maintain our presenb strength when bowling greens convenient to the homes of bowlers are formed. It ia, therefore, necessary that each and every member should do his utmost to secure fresh blood, by the introduction of new players, and the Committee strongly urge each individual member to make this a duby, during the coming season." Tho grounds and club-house were in excellent order. The Club competitions for prizea had been unusually numerous, moro co than ia any previous year of the Club's existence. With regard to finance the reporb wenb on to eay:—"ln consequence of tho disbanding of the Tennia Club, which had previously leased our lawna at £20 per annum, ib became necessary to secure another tenant, or endeavour to resusciate the old Club. Tho former failing, the latter course wa. adopted, but the expense entailed in working the arraneeraenb come to was such as to leavo a balance much less than the previous rental gave. Wo havo to faco the problem of a probable decrease of members for the reasons already rolerred to, and in view of this we have approached tho mortgagees with the object of getting some reduction in tho rate oi interest, and we are happy to say with success. A large saving will thus bo mado on thia item, and it will bo the duby of the new committee to determine whether further reductions arc practicable. Altogether the committeo feel thab the state of the finances is, everything considered, quite satisfactory. Tho Treasurer's statement shows : Income, including last yoar'a balance, £334 7s fid ; expenditure, £.99 17s 9cl; leaving a balance :n hand of £34 9s M ; with liabilities, £31 15a; against which there aro subscriptions unpaid, £S Bs. In conclusion the Committee desire gratefully to acknowledge tho kindness of Tady frienda in providing afternoon tea during bho season. This service has been much appreciated alike by member.** and visitors." On the motion of tho Chairman, the reporb and balance-sheeb wore adopted. In the course of a brief speech, the Chairman said that the Ponsonby and .Newmarkob Clubs would be in good bowling form this season, : and ho would «ug<.osb thab they should have a local tournament and invite bheir New Plymouth friends to join them. Election ok Officers. —The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : —Presidenb, Mr J. Lawson ; Vice-Presi-dents, MrJ. J. Holland (Hia Worship the Mayor) and Dr. Hooper; Treasurer, Mr Ledingham; Secretary, Mr A. Holden ; Committee, Messrs A. W. Thomson, G. Cozens, W. Gorrie, .7. Mennie ; Superinlendenb of green, Mr D. Rosa ; Auditor, Mr J. H. Harrop. Sale of Ground.—On the motion of Mr Gorrie, seconded by Mr \Y. Ta_b, it was resolved, " That the Commiiteo have power to dispose of any portion of the ground they may think desirable ; tha. the Trustees aro hereby desired to carry oub such instructions n. 3 may be given to thab ond by the Committee ; and thab the proceeds of any sale be used in reduction of the presenb mortgage." Presentation of Prizes.---The Chairman presented the prizes to the successful competitors in bho recent bowling competitions. Some of the prizes were very handsome trophioe. The certificates won at the Napier tournament were laid on the table, and ib was decided to frame them. Quoit Club.—lb was decided thab persons willing to do so should be invited bo form a Quoit Club, tho Committee being willing to arrange with them for bhe use of a portion of the ground. "Donations for Next Season.—Tho following donations were made for the next season's play:—The Presidenb (Mr J. Lawson) four gold medals ; the retiring president (Mr J. Hardio) will give a firat prize for tho doubles; Mr A. Holden, gold bracelet for winner of cup; Mr Mennie, gold medals ; Mr D. Ross, a pair of silvermounted bowla for first-year players; Mr J. H. Harrop, a pair of silver-mounted bowls for those who have never won a prize (handicap); Mr B. J. M. Kemp, a pair of bowls; Mr W. S. Jones, bowl case; Mr Patterson, pair silver medals; a pair of silver-mounted bowla for playera of nob more than two seasons. Thanks.—Votes of thanks were accorded to the out-going officers and Committee, to the pret'H, ancl to the Chairman. The Chairman thanked the donors of nexb season's prizes for their liberality.