BOWLERS' RE-UNION

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4844, 12 May 1936, Page 5

BOWLERS' RE-UNION

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. A very enjoyable function was staged at the Parish Hall on Saturday evening, the occasion being a re-union of the local bowling club membei’s and their friends. The president, Mr. S- Baddeley, presided over an attendance of about sixty. In extending a welcome to the visitors, in his introductory remarks, the chairman mentioned that the “smoko” was an innovation as far as the club was concerned and it was just possible that it would become an annual affair. In proposing the toast of “First Year Players,” Mr. N. C. Matthew said the club was fortunate in enlisting 26 new members last year, and every one of them proved to be a desirable acquisition to the club. He was particularly impressed with the keenness displayed by some of the new members to learn the fine points of the game—a factor which must augur well for their future as bowlers. In responding, Mr. H. Shakes said that before he joined up he had heard the fair name of the club defamed in the town. However, after his season’s experience on the green he would say quite definitely that this mischievous and baseless rumour had no foundation in fact. Although he had taken an active part in football, cricket and other games, he had no hesitation in saying that his first year’s bowling was the most enjoyable sport he had experienced in his career, and his only regret was that he had not joined up as a bowler ten years ago. Mr. Ilai'kness also responded to the toast. Mr. Pankhurst, in a neat -speech, then proposed the toast of the '“Te Kuiti Bowling Club.” Mr. Baddeley, in responding, said that the bowling club had just concluded a most successful season. His term of office had been a happy one, as the utmost harmony and goodfellowship had prevailed right throughout the year. He strongly criticised a large section of the business people in the town for not supporting the club as they should. Mr. Baddeley said that his club had still accommodation for about thirty additional members and he hoped that during the coming' year the membership would be at full strength. Perhaps the happiest speech of the evening was delivered by Mr. G. Cameron in proposing the toast of “Club Officials.” He predicted a great future for the club. With the. change of Government bringing increased prosperity and more leisure to the people, Mr. Cameron envisaged the time when the club would have to put down additional greens to accommodate its members. • Messrs. W. Horne and S. Wilson responded to this toast and gave interesting details in connection with the inner workings of the club. Adnatvage was taken at this stage of the programme to present the trophies won during the year. The complete list of competition winners is as follows:—Club championship, W. Haines; runner-up, T. M. O’Connell; junior championship, Herb Douglas; runner-up, H. Shakes. Handicap singles, J. Thomas; runnerup, H. Douglas. First-year players, Herb Douglas; runner-up, H. Shakes. Handicap pairs, Weston and W. Horne; runners-up, Harkness and Tapp. The president then presented silver cups to the winners of the above competitions, and in addition S. Hanna and T. M. O’Connell received miniature cups for events won the previous year. The next toast, “Chief Executive Officers,” was in the hands of Mr. T. M. O’Connell. He paid a high tribute to Mr. Baddeley for the capable manner in which he handled the affairs of the club during the year. Mr. O’Connell said the club’s funds benefited considerably as the result of Mr. Baddeley’s efforts in initiating the movement to have the “Reveille” produced in Te Kuiti. Mr. O’Connell also referred to Mr. E. Tapp’s long service as secretary of the club. He said the thanks of members were due to Mr. Tapp for the energetic way he stuck to his post through the dark years of the depression. Messrs. Baddeley and Tapp responded—the former making a special point of thanking the non-mem-bers of the club present for their assistance with the “Reveille.”

Other toasts ronoured during the evening’ were “The Ladies,” Rev. Hancock —J. Irvine; “Press,” S. Baddeley—T. M. O’Connell; “Stewards,” H. Shakes—J. Thomas, R. Abbott and S. Weston. The “Reveille” glee party, consisting of Messrs. I-I. Shakes, Pankhurst, Cato, Krough, Innes-Jones, J. Irvine and R. Beeche, were present during the evening and presented several enjoyable contributions. Others to contribute items were: A. Andrews, S. Baddeley, G. Cameron, J. Thomas, Ballantyne and T. M. O’Connell.