BOWLING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11, 11 August 1911, Page 6

BOWLING.

BALCLUTHA CLUB. The annual meeting of the Balclutha Bowling club was held in the Harvey Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr Wm. Boyd (president) occupied the chair, and there were fifteen other members present. ANNUM. REPORT. The annual report, as follows, was taken as read. In presenting the report for the season WlO-1911, your committee have to thank one and all for a most enjoyable one. The green has been at its best and we hope it will continue so. The President's and Vice-President's prizes usually competed for, were this season abandoned, but whether they are to be re-established remains with the incoming committee. Your committee would strongly urge the incoming committee to inaugurate some series of matches for its members ; whether they be singles, doubles, or rinks will have to be decided later. Your committee have to congratulate the club on the number of wins it had in the season, only three matches being lost. Our club had also the honour of playing and beating St. Kilda Club on opening day, when a very enjoyable day was spent. The club was also well represented against St. Kilda in Dunedin, when they also defeated them by a small margin. Your club was also represented at the Championship tournament at Christ church and the Easter tournament in Dunedin. Needless to say some other bowlers were sadder and wiser men after having the pleasure of meeting your representatives. 'Messrs John Sheddan and A. E. Bragg secured prizes at the Kaster tournament for which they deserve special mention. In the midst of our pleasure this season, your committee have to express a great amount of sorrow at losing one of its oldest and best bowlers, and would recommend that some steps be taken towards commemorating the memory of one who was a friend to all and n most active member, in the late Mr John Kinder. The financial position of your club has been a worry to your committee, and although your club has some good assets, the committee would recommend some steps be taken towards decreasing the small debt the club is in at the present time. Members should also pay their subs, sooner and by this would save the club interest, and facilitate the working of your club's affairs. A considerable sum of money has to be extended during the playing season, and unless the subs, are forthcoming early, your club cannot meet its liabilities. Your committee would call special attention to this matter. Competitions were held for prizes presented by Messrs "\Vm. Knox, R. Lawson, Wm. Boyd and J as. Clark, these being won by Messrs J. Ramsay, R. Hensleigh, J. McNamara and J. Clark. Messrs Clayton and Geo. Hutchins also donated a prize each, to be competed for, and these were won by Messrs A. Bishop and Andrew Wood. Mr Wm. Bunten also donated two prizes for competition, and these were won by Messrs Peter Hunter and A. Jack. Your committee desire to thank the donors of these prizes for their generosity. The keenness of the players competing should justify the club in arranging such competitions during the coming season. In conclusion your committee would urge all members to avail themselves of the opportunities of indulging in the grand old game, and trust the coming season.will be a record one in the way of membership and enjoyment.

The balance sheet showed :—Debit balance from previous year £46 8/1, receipts £39; expenditure £55 15/3, leaving a debit of £O3 374. Agamst this there are outstanding subs, amounting to £,'l2. The chairman, commenting on the report and balance sheet, said that the past season had been satisfactory so far as playing was concerned, so also was the green. The only drawback was the shortage of money ; last year interest had to be paid on money borrowed, and this would have been unnecessary if members had paid their subs, within proper time. He hoped it would be better next year, and concluded by moving the adoption of the report and balance sheeet. This was seconded by Mr J no. Sheddan. Mr Mason asked if it were correct that the outstanding subscriptions were £'22, and being told that this was so, asked if some means could not be devised to bring in these subscriptions before the-.season was over. Mr Bragg (secretary) said they had tried, but the monev did not come in. The chairman said this laxity was not encouraging, but he believed it was only sheer carelessness on the part of the defaulting members. The secretary said that most of the outstanding subs, were "good," and would be paid up. A suggestion by Mr Gunthorp that a man—an official in the club—be deputed to see the unfinaneml member* seemed to find general favour. The report and balance sheet were then adopted. Officers. The following new members were proposed and elected :.—Mpssrx J. Ramsay, Junr., Alex. McNeil, P. Mason, .lunr., Mooney, J. Ryan, Kieinan, -J. McLav, D. Bowers, T." McDonald, Rev. Green'slade, Dr. Brugh, V. Anderson, .las. Gawn, Danskin and Bain. President—Mr W. Bunten. Vice-Presidents'—Messrs J. Ramsay and Hutchins. Secretary—Mr J. Hislop. Treasurer—Mr W. Boyd. General Committee—From six nominations, the following were elected : Messrs Watt, Gunthorp, and Sheddan. Match Commit tec-President, two vice.presidents and secretary. Green committee—President, Messrs Hutchins and J. Sheddan. Delegates to S.O. Centre—Messrs A. E. Bragg and W. Boyd. General. On the suggestion of Mr Murray" the coming committee was recommended to organise a working bee to put up "a shelter of manuka of the west side of the green. Mr Dunn spoke in favour of having inter-club competitions resumed. Mr Bishop thought that rink matches would be preferable. It was decided to hold the opening day on Labour Day, when a match will be plaved against the N.E. Valley Club. ! A suggestion by Mr Guest to have the branches of the trees caut adjoin-

ing the green was left to the commit- j toe. Mr Clark offered to give an imitation marble clock, if another man would giv<> a like donation, to the best pair of players for the season. Mr Guest said he would sooner see the debt paid off than to have donations of prizes.—(Hear, hear.) He would prefer to offer a pound or two to wipe off the debt than to offer n prize. Mr Gunthorp was appointed to collect the incoming subs. Mr Guntorp, in accepting, said he would not be inclined to collect outstanding subscriptions. Tt should be the duty of the retiring officers to endeavour .to get in these. Mr Bishop said it should be impressed that in future matches, the skips should collect from members of . their rinks 1/ for refreshments.