Bowling Green at Hokowhitu Next Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 276, 21 November 1936, Page 6

Bowling Green at Hokowhitu Next Year

CLUB GUARANTEES £475. Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., was elected patron at a meeting on Thursday of the Hokowhitu Bowling Club, formed that evening. With the backing of the City Council as the result of the endeavours of a provisional committee, a green is to be formed on the east end of the Hokowhitu reserve and the club will be functioning in the 1937-38 bowling season. Keenest interest in the progress of the committee’s representations has been shown, and at tho first general meeting on Thursday there was an attendance of over 30, and an indication w r as given that 64 had already signified their intention •of ' joining the club as soon as it becomes operative. Mr. Hodgens presided. Mr. W. S. Woodroofe, convener of the provisional committee, stated that the committee had waited on the City Council with regard to the bowling green. They had found it not practicable to secure the area first thought suitable, but tho council had offered them a ground on the lower portion of the reserve, provided the club could guarantee £475 to see the council through its financial year. This amount had already been guaranteed. The secretary (Mr. J. P. Stubbs) said the banks were prepared to advance the money provided the guarantee was forthcoming. Mr. J. T. Heatley, as a City Councillor, explained that the more desirable area for a bowling green required filling to compensate for certain excavations. Mr. Hodgens said the original rite c.id not contain the desired area for a bowling green. The council, in deciding upon the proposed area, considered that even the ground finally chosen needed some extension and tho levelling of that area entailed greater cost. It was agreed that if the work is to be done it must be done properly, and that the council had acted very generously in the whole matter and everything should be done to expedite tr. e council’s progress in bringing tho green into being. The followig officers of the club wtTe elected: Patron, Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P.j president, Mr. W. S. Woodroofe; vicepresidents, twelve were elected; committee, Messrs. W. Todd, Y. Harwood, Robin Hood, S. Richardson, H. G. Shouler, E. Kempson, W. E. Cooper, H. Whitehead; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. P. Stubbs. It was resolved that the club colours be the same as the Hokowhitu School colours, viz., grev and rel.

Tho question of rules and constitution was left to the discretion of the incoming committee after a number of useful suggestions had been made. Provision is to be made for country members and for a ladies’ so J.noil of the club. It was considered a Irdies’ committee could do much to forward the interests of the club and certain hours for play are to be allowed lady members. It was resolved to place on record warm appreciation of the work of the secretary (Mr. J. P. Stubbs) in th'e initial stages of the formation of the club.