Sport Season Reviewed

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 8

Sport Season Reviewed

NORTHERN BOWLING, CROQUET AND TENNIS CLUB

The annual report of the Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club states mat, in reviewing tho affairs of tiie club, it might be mentioned that, from the players’ point of view, the playing conditions were * ‘ There was a long, dry summer and the greens were in splendid order throughout a season of seven full montns.

"in April the president (Mr. C. N. Rabone) resigned owing to his departure for England, since when Mr. A. E. Lynch (vice-president; has capably carried out tne duties of president," the report stated. "The club records show that there were 231 members—a record. Tho bowling section had 77 financial members, the tennis section 115, and the croquet section 39. * ‘ The tennis section moved, enlarged and re-erected their pavilion, tho cost being met from a small sum they had in hand. There was no congestion of players on the greens; in fact, our 19 playing areas provide ample accommodation for a larger membership in each section. The green supervisor, Air. J. C. Young, and the greenkeeper, Air. G. Lynch, deserve our thanks for their work. The greens were a great credit to them and their efforts are much appreciated.

‘ 1 The club was recently .invited to send representatives to a meeting convened by Takaro Club. Other clubs represented were Terrace End and Alanawatu, and considerable attention was given to the matter of a uniform subscription to be charged members of each section. It was unanimously decided that it was in the interests of every club that there should be no difference in the subscription scale and each delegate undertook to submit the matter to his club’,* annual meeting. The general committee has already considered the proposed scale and recommends the acceptance of the following rates: —Bowling subscription, £3 ss; croquet, £2 ss; tennis, men, £2 7s; ladies, £1 10s; junior, £1 6s; family ticket, £6 ss; all less 5a rebate if paid by November 30. The only increases are bowlers 5s and lady tennis players 4s.

"It will be admitted that the club enjoys the use of a large area of land owned by the City Council, at a peppercorn rental of £1 per year. There are no rates or interest to pay, and the club is considered by the public to have a very fine arrangement. This cannot be denied, but it is our experience over many years that large as the club is, that there is no prospect of showing a surplus on the year’s working, under the present membership. Any unforeseen expenditure that might crop up puts a strain on the finances at once. An expenditure of £478 per annum has to be found entirely from subscriptions, which come in in 7 months. The solution of our worries is an increased membership. With this assured further developments can be made, but not otherwise. From the small increase in subscriptions we will be able, providing our membership remains at its present level, to clear oil the deficit of £3B 12s. "The club’s thanks are accorded to the section secretaries for their valu able work during the year; to the hon auditor, Mr. M. J. Lee, ffisd to the Press for the very full reports given of the various games and competitions, to the green supervisor and greenkeeper, and those members who assisted in. any way. ’ ’