SPORTING AND SPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 10

SPORTING AND SPORTS.

(Continued from page 5.) BOWLING. Br Risiee. Enthusiasm in any department of sport counts for something; in fact, without it 110 sport or pastime can survive. The North-Bast Valley Club held its annual meeting on Friday. There were about 35 bowlers and half a dozen lady tennis players present. It was a harmonious meeting, though Messrs Ibbotson and Bennett hunted around after tho Wednesday Match Committee. I have always been under th§, impression ' a pounds of gra.ss seed would sutneo to cover (or, say, completely grass! a plot about the size of an ordinary racecourse, and when the balance 6heet was TCad and the item "seed £7 10s" echoed through the stillness—well, I looked about; so did others. That mas because we knew so little. However, lam credibly informed that 6ome greens cat up £10 worth at times during the course of a twelvemonth. \\bilsfc on tho subject of green, it ig just as well to let tho world know what a host of willing workers there .is in tho club. Some day soon there is to be a local "arbor day"—that is, by the club—and everybody who owns spade will be on hand to plant a shrub. Then, when the trocs grow, to uso the expression of a speaker, "we'll be the possessors of tho finest green in tho South Island." And tho pavilion, Now, I fancy I hear the hammers at it already. Mr Anderson (tho retiring president.) told the meeting that it had boon dccidcd to build a pavilion. This lis ihow it's to bo done: Directly tho word is given—presumably by Mr W. King, tho new president., who knows every foot of timber ValleywaTds— every sound weatherboard will be taken into tho enclosure; anyone who has ,s nail to part with will throw it over the fence; .plumbers are going to eupply the necessary tinware; and as for paint, there's heaps of it. Lastly, tho labour won't count; it is a certainty that there will bo plenty of ihands, and where othcrwiso a pavilion would cost £150, Valley will emerge with "ono of the most substantial and handsome structures" for tho-paltry sum of £40 or £50. Bravo! The_ presentation of prizes was an'uncommon affair. It is customary when one is. presented with a modal to hold up one's donor, Step out. Valley did it differently, donor, step out. Valley did it difforetnly. Miss Wilson pinned medals on tho manly ibreasts of several. It called to mind one evoning 6omo years ago when I was permitted to view valorous-soldiers receive rewards. But there was no band at Valley. It was a new phase in bowling, extremely pleasing though. Why can't wo all get medals? Mr Mowat. one of tho veterans •jn tho Valley, succeeded in winning l twofit leaat, ho said hie partners won them for him. Towards the conclusion of tho meeting thero was 6ome speech-making. Mr W. B. 'Andorson said ho had experienced a. pleasant year. His presidential duties had been of a very light nature, mainly owintt to tho perfect harmony which had prevailed— the oommiteo and members had pulled for itlio success of tho club, and there was no 'foar but that everything would go along smoothly. Mr W. King, on taking the chair, thanked members for his election to tho presidency. Ho said there was a lot of work to do yet to bring tho Vallov Green up. to requirements. However, from his spefceh, it was quito plain that he has made up his mind to push things along, and I havo not tho slightest doubt hut that under his ablo guidanoo tho. club will come out of winter quarters with a fairly clean sheet and playable groen. By tho way, he also told tin oompany that ho had token, great interest in the play—he's only a colt—but from the smiling faces and good humour sio had always notioed on tho green, there was something about it that appealed to Hm. It will bo no surprise if lie is to be found regularly on tho plot during next season. Mr ,W. R. Cook, who, gince the inception of Valley Club I have counted on as a coming bowler, is about to leave the district, and oocasion was taken to mark the good wishes of his ckbmaies by presenting him with a fuelling hag. Mr Cook, replying, said ho appreciated the' gift; it would eorvo to remind him of the happy days spent on Valley Green; and hoped some day to pay a visit to his old club. Mr C. E, Keast is again to the foro with bis motion to "reform the executive," and the matter will eomo up for discussion at tho next meeting of delegates, at which there is a possibility of Mr F. J. Barlow (president) occupying the chair. G-RIJEM ISLAND BOWLING CLUB. In submitting the annual report and balance eheet for tho season, the committee, is pleased to say that the year lias boon a very successful ono owing to tho exceptionally fine wother and tho very keen interest shown in tho various matchcs and competitions, and this, together with an in- | creased membership, allowed tho olub to bo represented in its various inter-club matches by six rinks when required, and thero is no doubt that even a. keener interest will bo taken next season in view of the big tournament which is to be hold in Duncdin. Tho . financial position of the club is -fairly satisfactory, there being a credit balance of £2 Os 10(1. Owing to tho heavj expenditure incurred during -the year it was decided at a special genoral meeting to mako a levy of ;>3 on all playing mombors of tho club, and this lielpcd to clear tho club from liabilities incurred during tho season.' Tho indebtedness oi tho club is still a great tax, and it is

to bo hoped that this will bo considerably leduced before tho end oE next season. An improvement effected during the year was the ' planting of a shelter hedge, which uo doubt in a Bea3on or two will provo to ba very valuable as a prelection from tho strong winds. Scoring boards wore also purchased, ■which will provo venr beneficial to the memliers. The green during tho season was only in fair placing condition, and this is to be partly accounted for on account of the abnormal season, but the committee hopes •that next season will bring a considerable improvement. To this cud it decided to topdress earlier than usual in order to allow tho gra-33.,t0 have every opportunity of filling up all tho "bare patchcs, which were very notice»b!o last season. In tho inter-club fixtures jour club played 12 matches, of wbicli six wore won and six lest. The Kaitangata. Club ■paid us a visit during flic season, and were sgain successful in securing a victory. Colts' matches wero also arranged during the season ajid also a few Wednesday matches, which proved to be very interesting to those taking iiart, and it is to be hoped that more of ' these games will be arranged during tho next season. In tho club's competitions great interest was taken. In each event tho winner Wis not found without a hard struggle, Mr L. Miller winning tho Championship Singles oftcr n great, contest and very exciting finish 4 ™'h Mr J. Aitchison. Mesesrs Bosworth and Brown secured tho Doubles Championship, beating Messrs W. Waiters and D. Watters, Mn., in tho final. Yeasrs J. 13. Smolla'o D iWattora, juu., T. Campboll, and J. H. Smollio .(skip) wero successful in winning tbo Rinks Championship after » keenly contested game with M'Mullin's and Co.'a rink. Very fino play was shown throughout the competitions. Green Island had tho honour of being represented ( by Messrs Waiters and Buchanan in ™ taous "All AVliitcs" team, which toured Australia early in tho season. Tho eoimiiilteo toels that it cannot oloso this report without expressing its thanks to all tho ladies who bo kindly provided tea, and refreshments curing tho season. THE N.Z.B.A. Mr 0. J. Payne has again deemed it advisable to take tip his pen, and in Tuesday's tteuo has enlightened mo (and bowlers genovaJly) as to the constitution of tho association, and, further, says I liavo endeavoured to "draw a herring across the track." Tho point, Mr Payno states, is 'ihat- "the N.Z.8.A., by its constitution, has power to alter, add to, or amend its constitution." I am prepared to swallow, all Mr Payno elates as above quoted, and answer that I am just, as well aware as ho is that "the association has tho power to make, break, or mend heaps of things " not provided for in the by-laws. I ha-ve no inclination to go lengthily into this matter, and shall stick to my point: That, until the constitution provide? for it, centres (or tho formation of them) i« only .a matter of form. Finally, I fepl assured that North Canterbury Centre in particular will appreciate tho interest Mr Payno iias displayed on its behalf; the kWrtherncrs havo sorely needed a champion. _ Ho cam vet aid N.C.C.