Whangarei Bowling Club Stays “Wet”

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1944, Page 4

Whangarei Bowling Club Stays “Wet”

By three votes members of the Whangarei Bowling Club at the annual meeting last night decided against a motion that no intoxicating liquor should be provided by the clud. The decision followed a long discussion and was announced after a sec ret ballot had been taken.

After his election as president, Mr M. L. Staple suggested that interclub play should be promoted, that percentage fours should be recommenced and that liquor should not be provided by the club, and later in the meeting he moved that no intoxicating liquor should be provided by the club.

Mr J. A. Murphy said that the money spent on liquor had largely been provided by the playars themselves in fees.

Mr G. R. Powell said that his objection was that the allocation had been exceeded.

No restriction had been imposed, said Mr F. A. Farmer. No instructions regarding expenditure on liquor had been given the committee responsible. By Three Votes While not objecting to liquor at the tournaments, Mr G. W. Wilding said that little provision was made for members who did not drink beer, £ a being spent on soft drinks compared with £3O on beer. Both beer and soft drinks should be abolished.

With the price of liquor today, money which could benefit the club was being wasted, said Mr S. Simons. Mr J. A. Cutforth said that he objected to paying money for other people to drink. Beer was provided to returning troops, whether they wanted it or not, due to the influence of vested interests. Mr M. Whitelaw contended that elimination of beer would affect the tournaments, while Mr G. Melville said that other clubs conducted tournaments without liquor.

The club catered for all tastes and should continue to do so, said Mr H. Smith.

The question was debated by other members and' an amendment was moved that the question should be left to the incoming committee for decision. The amendment was lost and it was then proposed that a secret ballot should be held, while another school of thought was that a postal ballot should be conducted. It was decided to hold a secret ballot, the result ol which was that the motion was defeated by three votes—26 to 23. Election of Officers Consideration of the annual report and balance-sheet, as already published, was moved by the retiring president (Mr. F A. Farmery

Replying to a question concerning an item of £69, expended on lire annual tournament, the secretary-treasurer (Mr. N. A. L. Gazzard) detailed the expenditure and said that £35 had been spent on liquid refreshments. Mr. F. Jones pointed out that costs had been doubled in recent, years, and the profit of £53 on the tournament was satisfactory.

Success on the year's working had been due. to the committee, said the president. On two items alone, acquisition of a house for the greenkceper and the payment of £3OO on debentures, Ihe committee* had justified its existence. He paid tribute to the committee, the match committee, the greens superintendent (Mr. T. F.rewis). the greenkceper (Mr. J. Johnston), and the secretary-treasurer.

In the past, some feeling had existed between the Kensington and Whangarei clubs, but the efforts of the committee'in promoting matches between the two had been successful, and a friendly feeling now existing would continue in the future, said the chairman. He warned, members against small acts of discourtesy among themselves and to visitors. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following officers were electedPatrons. Messrs. F. Cutforth. H. D. Harrison and C. li. Chissell; President, Mr. M. L. Staple; vice-president. Mr. G. S. B. Morrison; secretary-treasurer, Mr. N. A. L. Gazzard; committee, Messrs. F. Jones, L. Morton. H. Smith. A. England and C. B. Malthewson; match committe-, Messrs. E. Dennis, E. Woledge and F. Jones; winter bowls, Messrs. F. Cutforth and C. Reece: coaches. Messrs. M. Whitelaw and T. Brewis; green superintendent, Mr. T. Brewis; auditor. Mr. J. A. Murphy; delegates to centre. Messrs. J. H. Marwick and B. R. Miller; Press reporter, Mr. M Whitelaw; solicitor, Mr. A. C. Lamb.

It was decided, after a protracted debate. that competitions should be the same as Jast year, with the exception that percentage fours should be substituted for club fours. It was also decided to recommend to the match committee that the singles competition should be conducted on the points system, aticf to the con Ire that it should conduct a competition for lirst and second-year players.

In appreciation oil the services of Mr. Gazzard as secretary, it was decided .to elect him an honorary life member of the club.

Sending of parcels to members serving overseas, as had been done last year, was approved by the meeting.

Respect to members who had died during the year was shown at the opening of the meeting, all present standing in silence.