NELSON BOWLING CLUB.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 126, 6 June 1898, Page 2

NELSON BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho Nelsor Bowling Club was held in Messrs Kon! and Sons' Board Room on Saturday evening, Mr Henry Baigent, President, in tlu chair. There was a large attendance. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr Sharp (Hon Sec) road a letter fron the Northern Bowling Association stating that as the inter-clubs tournaments woro bi-annual, tho intervening senson could be devoted to a Clubs Cham* pionship Fours Tournament, played on the same lines as tho Napier Tournament vir., each Club to play each Club to a finish one rink from each Club, on tho smaller greens in 1809. Also forward ing a notico of motion by Mr Thompson (Auckland), to the effect that any Club entering for inter-club match or tournament must provide two rinks and no more, and adhere to the arrangement, and the rinks formed when entering the match or tournament. After considerable conversational discussion, tho wording of the letter being ambiguous, it was decided to comply with tho request of the Association in regard to the Championship Fours, the action already taken by tho Committee being confirmed. In regard to the date of the matches, it was suggested that the time be the end of January or February, at the option of the Northern Bowling Association, the placo of the matches to be Nelson. The notice of motion ivas approved. From Mr Xomblins, caretaker, asking for an increase of wages, as his present wages were not sullicient for tho work he was doing on (the green, and the time it took. -Aftor discussion it was resolved to increaso the wages of tho caretaker from .£•10 a year to £45 from October next. Rki'Oiit and Balance Sheet. Mr Sharp (Hon. Sec) read tho annual report. It Btated that the season had beon very successful, the membership increasing by 14, the lo3s of members being 3, the total membership no w standing at 015. The green had been kept in splendid order, end had been much admired by visitors, and a new kiosk had been added. Thu matches played during thc setisan were enumerated. The Committee recognised tho services of the , ladies who had presidod at tho afternoon j teas, and Mr Langley Bell, Mr J. Sharp, junior, and Mr 11. Baigent (who had provided a lavatory). The Northern Bowling Association had been informed that the Green was available for tho Champion Fours, and probably JJ elson will be selected for those matches next year. Mr W. Rout (lion. Treasurer) read the balance sheet. Tho receipts amounted to £175 and the expenditure to leaving a credit valuo of J*l9. With irrears of subscriptions to come in fche next season should begin with over £20 io the good. Tbo President said the balance sheet showed a happy state of affairs, for instead of being in debt there was a credit jalance, and in September the season .vould begin with a small credit balance ifter all current liabilities had been paid. Applause). Mr Edwards agreed that the balance iheefc was very satisfactory. He moved hat the report and balance sheet be idopted I Mr Catley seconded the motion, which J vas carried unnaimously.' I Mr Edwards moved that the recom- j aendation of the Committee to realise luilding Society shares and pay up delentures as far as the money will go be .pproved. The President said that (ive of the ebentures had been presented to the !lub by the holders. (Applause.) The Secretary explained that Mr Edwards would next move that fresh shares i the Building Sopiety be taken up to i roteot tbe debenture holders. Mr Jaokson seconded the motion, whioh ' 'as carried. Mr Edwards moved that 14 new shares : e taken up inthe Nelson Building S» I

11 111l __* m *____________&_______ V^ t _y MmiHmm oiety on behalf of the remaining debenture holders. A saving of £4 a year wonld thereby be effeoted, in addition to the saving made by paying off the debentures mentioned in the last resolution. Mr Sharp seconded the motion, whioh was carried, it being explained to Mr Kirkpatrick that the taking up of the shares was in pursuance of a covenant with the debenture holders. Trophies. The President's (Mr Baigent's) prize, won by Mr Mansford, a very handsome Cup, was presented to Mr Eout on behalf of Mr Mansford, who was absent. Mr Heaps (Vice-President's) prize, a set of silver spoons in a wooden case, was presented to Mr Brown. The Club Championship Singles prize (Mr Redgrave) will be a medal, which Mr Redgrave will procure. The Club Junior Championship Singles trophy, won by Mr Flett, will bo purchased by Mr Flett. For the Championship Pairs, Mr Bout had selected a silver water kettle he had purchased, and Mr Baigent a set of teaknives. For the Handicap Pairs, won by Messrs Rout and Moyes, a chair had been selected for Mrs Moves, and Mr Ront had selected an egg stand. Mr Baigent said it should be a hard-and-fast rule that there should be no cash prizes, and that the prizes should always bo trophies of some sort. Election op Officers. Mr Jackson proposed, and Mr Tatton seconded, that Mr Heaps be President of the Club for the ensuing year. There being no other nominations, Mr Heaps said it was only fair to the Club that he should explain certain disabilities under whioh ho laboured, not Ohe least heing the exoellent services rendered to the Club by Mr Baigent, which had mado him a difficult President to succeed. He did not hope to be so successful as Mr Baigent, for a good President needed a long pocket, tact, and a flow of language and leisure which he (Mi* Heaps) lacked. Mr Heaps gave his views on bowling matters in general, inoluding the need of enlarging the green, which would attract visitors to Nelson, and enable general tournaments to be held here. For his own part he thought it would be a graceful act that in consideration of his services Mr Baigent should be re-elected. (Applause). Mr Baigent did not think„it would be in the interests of the Club to re-elect a President. The oflice should pass from one member to another. Mr Heaps was then elected President, and Mr Heaps thanked the members for the honour done him. Mr Baigent moved that Mr W. Rout be elected Vice-President, (Applause). He said there was no more energetic officer in the Club. Mr Rout had done his duties most thoroughly. (Applause). Mr Heaps heartilyjseconded the motion and ha endorsed all the President had said, Tho motion was carried unanimously, and with acclamation, and Mr Rout responded appropriately. The President said that Mi* John Sharp junr., had been a most energetic acting secretary, and Judge Robinson also spoke highly of Mr Sharp's services, proposing that he be secretary for the ensuing year. Mr Edwards seconded the motion with much pleasure, and Mr Sharp was reelected unanimously and with acclamation. Mr J. D. Brown was elected treasurer, on the motion of Mr Edwards, seconded by the Rev'. J. P. Kempthorne. It was statod that the duties of the treasure! would be greatly lightened if all members would pay up their subscription! punctually. The following were elected the General Committee :— Mr H. Edwards, Judge Robinson, Mr H. Baigent, Mr Lyell, Mi Poison, Mr Preshaw, Mr Jackson. lt was resolved on the motion of Judge Robinson, seconded by Mr Edwards, tc recommend the General Committee tc elect ground and match sub-commiittees to co-operate with them, Votus of Thanks, Hearty votes of thanks were accorded as follows, with appropriate and oulogis ing speeches ; To the retiring officers and committee ; to Mr Elliott, nf Wanganui for the presentation ft a picture ; to Mi Rout for the use of his room for the officf work of the Club ; to Mr Tomblins, care* taker of the Green ; to the auditor! (Messrs Jackson and Allan) ; to the ladies who had provided afternoon tea during the season, and assisted the Club gener ally. Miscellaneous, It was resolved to set up a committee to revise the rules in order to bring them into conformity with the rules of the Northern Bowling Association, the com. mittee to consist of Mr Heaps, (President) Judge Robinson, and Mr Preshaw. Mr Heaps said additional ground and accommodation were absolutely neces* sary and Mr Kempthorne would conseni to a portion of his gronnd being taken ir to another green. Mi* Fell, a: Registrar of the Diocese would also help, the Bishop would have no objection il the other members of tho Dioce3a.n Trusl tees agreed to the proposal. Tho cost by practical men, had been estimated at .£4O or £50, and the cost of the upkeep would bo about JE2O a year. He thereproposed that the committee be recommended to make inquiries and report tc the Club on the proposal for an enlargement of the green as suggested. Dr Roberts seconded the motion. MrEdwards and Mr Preshaw thought it would be rather premature to incur another liability this year, as the Club had only just turned the corner. Mr Preshaw pointed out that the increased accommodation would mean extra rental, but he said there was no harm in the committee making inquiries. The motion was carried. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman, and later on the President and the Vice-President, " paid their footing " in the usual pleasant way.