SUMMER SPORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 220, 15 August 1928, Page 8

SUMMER SPORT

MANAWATU CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT. Following is tho annual report of tho Manawatu Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club: “The committee have much pleasure in presenting tlio tenth annual report of the club, as the year just closed has been, perhaps, tho most successful in the history of the club. This has been largely due to the institution of daylight saving and to the energy of some of tho members in obtaining new players. The year started with a bank overdraft of £23 and finished with a credit of £2B _ 10s. Tho income this year for subscriptions amounted to £3lO as against £224 last year. “Thanks to the generosity of members, we were enabled to pay £47 odd in glassing in tho pavilion and in installing electric light, thus enhancing tho comfort of the building. The following members are thanked for (ilitfir donations: Mossrs R/actford, Morris, Corbridge, Spooner, Hunter, Thornley, Fuller. Gerrand and Mrs Fuller. The funds of the chib were assisted by tho takings for the English test croquet matches, and tho cxecutivo extend their thanks to tho New Zealand Croquet Association for their courtesy in making this possible.

“The club’s lease having terminated on July 1, the committee havo boon in treaty with the Borough Council for some time, and have pleasure in reporting that a very satisfactory new lease has obtained for another five years. Under the new lease the club finds its own gieen-keepcr and maintains the grounds entirely. at its own expense. This moans a slight increase in cost, but tho committee aro confident that the new arrangement will be more satisfactory and will enablo tho club to run its business to better advantage. A greenkeeper has been appointed, and we have every confidence in his suitability. The thanks of the club aro due to tho Borough Council for thoir courtesy in conference, and giving our proposals careful and sympathetic consideration. The local press are also to be thanked for their interest to our doings and for their valued reports of matches, etc. the tea committee aro to be congratulated and thanked for the excellent manner in which their department has been conducted. Thanks are also due to Mr D. F. Smillio for his valued services as auditor. There are many other mombers who havo worked . for the club on the grounds and given valuable assistance. the club enters into its eleventh year with excellent prospects, and, if mombers will pull together, it cannot help being a successful and pleasant year. “Bowling section. —Ihe past season has been a very pleasant and enjoyable one for our members duo laigely to the fine weather conditions and the. extra daylight available under the Daylight Saving Act. Owing to the latter, a number of evening matches with other clubs wore made possible, and were popular and much appreciated. It will bo a matter of considerable disappointment if these games cannot be continued during the coming season. While we played a numbor ot cup and shield matches with pleasures to tho competing rinks, wo did not have much success. We, however, Held the Takaro Cup on three or four occasions; in the New Year’s competitions two rinks entered, and three in the Easter tournament. Our membership is not as large as it should be, but with the improved conditions, our club should prove attractive to new members. . “Croquet section. —The past year has been full of interest to croquet players on account of the visit of the English players. The Dominion tournament, also the tost matches, were played on our lawns, and attracted, many visitors from all parts of New Zealand. In the handicap singles Mr Robertson got into the finals. In the Manawatu tournament Mrs Campbell won the champion singles, and Mrs Gambrill and Mrs Campbell tho champion doubles. The chib competitions were well contested and resulted in Mrs Robertson winning the Wilson Cup, and Master W. Briden-Jones, a first-year player, the Sjiinley Mallet. Tho Patterson Rose Bowl was not competed for, but we hope to arrange matches for this beautiful trophy during tho coming season. The new season should bo also very interesting ns the Australia v. New Zealand test matches are to bo held in Palmerston North, and we look forward to a most enjoyable year. “Tennis section.—Tho past season has probably been one of tho most successful in the history of the club. Our membership showed a large increase and thei-e is every prospect of a still larger influx this year. The . courts wore kept in good order during the whole season, in .spite of the dry wcathor, and were always well fillod. A number of inter-club games were played, besides club competitions, which all helped to raise tho standard of play, particularly among our newer members. We look forward to another successful season.”