UNITED CLUB.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18486, 14 September 1925, Page 4

UNITED CLUB.

BOWLING, TENNIS AND CROQUET.

ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report of the executive of the United Bowling, Tennis and Croq.uet Club eavs:—

The membership shows an increase of ten over the previous year, and now stands' at 560 on tho club's roll.

The finances of the club are quite satisfactory. Members will 6cs from tho balancesheet that we, started with a credit of £587 19s 2d, and the income from all other sources is £lsOl 3s 4d, giving a total of £2OBO 2s 6d. Tho additions to, tho pavilion cost £1577 Gs sd, wages and other expenses £1230 16s 6d, making a. total of £2798 33 lid, leaving the club with a, debit balance of £709 0s sd. According .to this, £2BO 6s lOd has been 'paid off tho pavilion account out of this year's income. With careful administration of the club's funds, the above debit should become extinct in two years' time. The grounds and plant have been well maintained. In connexion with the alterations to th» pavilion, the club is much indebted to Mr Wm. Goas. He prepared plan 3 and specifications and generally supervised the v.oik throughout tho building operations, thus saving architects' fees, and clerk of works wages. Every member will realise vbat Mr Goaa thus saved tho club. The pavilion in every way is satisfactory. It affords ample space for the afternoon tea, the servery accommodation ia most convenient, snd the increased number of lockers is much appreciated by members. The furniture necessary to aocommodafe 600 members is a serious matter to be ' considered. However, a start has been made; thanks to Mrs Lord find others of tho tennis section, a. fund nas raised and two dozen very serviceable chair* purchased and presented to the club, and. £3 cash tcwards further purchases has been received from Mrs Lord. The croouo.t eection made a collection and pieseuted one dozen chairs similar to those given by Mis liord. A dozen small tables have been bought by the club. It is with the greatest regret the Executive Committee has to ropcrt tho death of Mr P. A. Laurie—honorary secretary and treasurer. The club has lost a very able man. The late Mr I/aurie was one of tho promoters of the club when it was formed in 1905, and was elected the first treasurer, and had held somo office in tho club's administration ever since. In 1903 he was president; ai the annual meeting in September, 1914, he was elected honorary secretary and treasurer and held these offices continuously until his death on May 25th last. It is not too much io say that .the success of tho ohib to-day is mainly due to his untiring eff;rts and zeal. By his bright, cheerful personality, and his keen sporting instincts, 'he endeared himself to every member of the club, and his presence on ;ho grounds will be long and deeply missed. J The thanks of the club are duo to Mr T. "W. Lewis for his very able services as acting honorary secretary and treasurer since Mr Laurie's death. At that time there were 40 outstanding subscriptions, and he has collected every one, and in every other way possible Mr Lewis has served the club, most loyally, and on several former occasions during our late secretary's indisposition he filled the position most ably. In the realm of sport, the club during the past eeaccn has maintained its nosition. The bowling section failed to retain the champion of champions events, which they won tho previous year, but in many another contest gave a good account of themselves, just failing to win. Tho tennis section had a good season, G. Ollivier winning the Dominion championship singles at the tournament held in- AucWaad. In the crctjnet section, A. G-. F-. Rosa carried off the Dominion championship singles, and also tho Canterbury ohampionship singles, Mrs Maddren won tho Canterbury ladies' championship singles, and S. McCullough annexed tlih club's championship singles. . Tho thanks of the club are due to Mr F. J. Campbell and his staff for the excellent work they have put into the club's grounds.

Bowling Section. In presenting the annual report, the dub baa to be congratulated on the very successful past season. The winners of the various club competitions were:—Championship singles, W. Brown; championship pairs, F. Brown and R. Torrance; championship rinks, J. Dunn, P. Brown, Lillington,. and G. Bilcl'iff (skip); handicap singles, T. J. Settle; handicap pairs, Price-Jones and X. J. Bettle; progressive doubles,' Price-Jones (lead) and D. McKenzie (skip). In the four rink championship, the club was very successful, and though not actually winning, reached the semi-final. The committee regret to have to report that just after our season closed the secretary, Mr P. Laurie passed awav. His absence will be greatly felt among the management, as well as en the playing field. Mr U. Campbel! hafl used every endeavour to obtain as good a playing green as possible, and has shown the bowling section every consideration. Our special thanks are duo to him for his care. Tennis Section. The-tennis section of the club again had a very successful year, and notwithstanding that six additional courts- were available, all were fullv occupied during the Year. With the six new courts available, it was possible to spell the court, «*"»*■» *« been done in past years, 'out not-vi.nataEi.ifg this, some of the showing considerable signs cf wear towards the ornl of the season, and it would appear reccMajr, that the matter of spelling and watering the courts systematically throughout tho season be gone into fully, with a view to doping them in better order fir tho •««« part of the season, and in 1 his. »nnw 't » recommended that a further ,r« of wel aib. be secured sufficient for anoino, «s «»"*?,. in order that it may be row.olo■ to. h«o sufficient courts available and at the e.«" Una to give the courts the amount of nedappear* to bo nece*my if. ode, to secure al bettor eolo cf siasa. Croquet Section. The croquet section had a mest successful . .£« Tn tournament play, tho club easilj nSiJd & proud position as the premier | club of the Dominion.