HOKITIKA BOWLING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1926, Page 4

HOKITIKA BOWLING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. Tlio .seventeenth annual meeting ol the C'luli was held in the pavilion last evening, the President. Mr I). Stevenson, presiding over an attendance of ten members. Apologies for absence were made for Messrs AY. Wilson, G. 11. Hlank and W. Braddon, who are on tlie sick list. The Chairman expressed regret at their illness and stated that members would he glad to hear Mr Blank was progressing from his serious illness. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. 'The following new members were elected—Messrs Knowles-,Smith. Haybittle. It. Hoffman, E. Best. O. Coderman. 1!. F. Berbam. Hayward. F. Chesterman, S. Moore. G. Heinz and C. J. King. The Chairman welcomed Mr Knowles Smith expressing the hope that his membership would be mutually enjoyable. The resignation of Mr S. .1. fi'win was accepted with regret. ANNUAL REI’ORT. Gentlemen.—ln submitting the report for the year I regret that the past season was not as satisfactory as usual, mainly owing to the excessive amount of wet weather experienced! The continued wet. weather caused the green to be much heavier than usual, and iuterel'ered with the pla considerably. The finances for the year while satisfactory. and ns low as possible if the general upkeep is to receive the necessary attention, and the need of an increased membership is still one of the most urgent matters affecting the general welfare. The balance sheet accompanying shows that the receipts tor the year, including CL7 Bs, the net proceeds of the annual ball, totalled U 32 lbs lid. The expenditure amounted to £66 18s Id, thus enabling the overdraft to be roll need from £8!) 6s 9d to £73 9s 4d. a reduction of £ls 7s oil for the year.

The Singles Championship of the Club resulted in some excellent play, the winner proving to lie -Air AA’in AVilson who 'has been previously runner-up on a number of occasions, and Jiis win was a very popular one. Messrs Sherman. AY. Wilson, Thompson and Stevenson worthily represent-, ed the Club at the New Zealand Tournament in Dunedin in .January, where they secured five wins, including a success against an English rink. The annual tournament was held in. February last at Westport, and it proved very successlitl. the rinks championship being won for the second time by the St. Albans’ Club, of Christchurch, skipped by Mr Oakev. A'our Club was represented by two rinks skipped by the President and Secretary respectively. The Champion of Champions singles and pairs contests took place in Runanga green when Messrs Benjamin ; singles A and Stevenson and Thompson (pairs) represented the Club, the winners proving to be Messrs Mercer (singles) and 4 Sharp and Fletcher (pairs) of the Grey'Club. The games were played under unfavourable conditions following very heavy rain and Butianga green was not at its best. Only three Club games were played during the season, one with the Grey Club and two with the Runanga Club, one being won and two lost. On tlio occasion ol the visit ol the English Bowling team to the West Coast eight rinks were played. A our Club was represented by two rinks— Messrs Bruce. J. AYilsoit. Thompson and Stevenson (s) and Breeze. Braddon. Blank and Beniamin (s). Though the visitors won by 172 to 126, winning six games, two were drawn and the two Hokitika teams bad the distinction of not being beaten, both rinks securing a. draw each, with the identical

score of 15 points. The death of Air AY. IJ. Bishop removed one of our members wlio 'bar proved a very useful one. and bis deatl was generally deplored.

The thanks' of the Club are again duo to hulv supporters, who again assisted generously at all Club functions, and iu.'ide the annual ball another financial success. AA'ith best wisllies'for a' successful season, —■'Received and adopted.

The balance sheet showed the year started with ;i debit balance of t‘S!) Gs i.'d. Receipts. including subscriptions, Cl'O 7s G<l and proceeds of hid I Ll 7 Bs, totalled £B2 Ids (id and expenditure amounted to GiiG 18s Id ol which the green keeper’s salary was the principal amount, leaving a debit balance of •C 73 9s 4d.—-"Received.

The 'President reported having attended the annual meeting of the Centre when the principal business set down was the arrangements for the annual tournament, set down this season for Runanga. The meeting decided in favour of pairs and rink play, and extension of time to six days. The notice of motion by "Westport Club favouring of the election of the Centre’s President and Secretary each year from the Club where the annual tournament was to he held, was lost. Personally he was not in favour, considering the present arrnngdmeut a very satisfactory one. The report was received and approved. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted Us follows : President—Mr FI. A. Thompson. The President took the chair and thanked members for his election, and trusted that the coming season would be a successful one and be favoured with better weather conditions than prevailing Inst season. Vice-President —Air J. Tl. Ward. Secretary and Treasurer—Mr A. E Benjamin. Auditor—Mr .J. FI. Wilson. General Committee —Messrs Stevenson. Uraddon. Rrnce, Breeze. La kin. J. Wilson. Knowles-Smith, Cooke and Ci. H. Blank. Centre delegate—Mr A. E. Benjamin. Selection Committee—Messrs WWilson, -Thompson and Benjamin. Ground Committee —Messrs llraddoii. Stevenson and Knowles-Smith. Votes of thanks were nassl-d to the retiring President, Auditor, Secretary, the ladies and the press for past services. It was resolved that the subscription he the same as last year, if paid before 30t’>. November. £2 2s; after that date, £2 12s Gd. A discussion took place on the subject of obtaining a new mower and the matter was referred to the Ground Committee to make enquiries and report to the General Committee on the host make to procure. The opening day was provisionally set down for the first Saturday in October. The appointment of a greenkeeper was referred to the Ground Committee to attend to. After discussion it was resolved to accept lady members for play, at a fee of os for members nomination, and 10s for non-members.

The meeting then terminated at 8.45 p.ni. with a vote of thanks to the chair.