NEW ZEALAND CURLING PROVINCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22267, 21 May 1934, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND CURLING PROVINCE

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the New Zealand Curling Province was held at Oturehua ou Thursday evening. The president (Mr J. Francis, Mount Ida) was in the.chair. The following delegates were presentMessrs Clayton Davies (Cambrian), W. Johnson (Upper Manuherikia), F. M'Knight (Blackstone Hill), A. Nelson (Rough Ridge), A. E. Brown (Naseby), A. Brown (Central Otago), the Rev. T. Hally (Raufurly) and the secretary (Mr J. M'Millan). The.president extended a welcome to, the delegate of the newly-formed Raufurly Club. The annual report and balance sheet was then submitted and was adopted. ■.•:'■' The election of office-bearers results as follows:—President, Mr I. Eraser (Raufurly); secretary. Mr J. M'Millan; ice masters—Messrs F. M'Kuight (Blackutone Hill), W. Johnsou (St. Bathans), A. Brown (Central Otago). The site of the 1934 Bonspiel, on suitable ice, was fixed for Naseby up till July 18. After that date, the first available ice is to be used.

Ice conditions were freely discussed, and it was resolved that more provision be made for emergency safety gear in case of dangerous ice, and that spectators be made to realise the danger of congregating too closely around the rink heads. Mucli iuterest was aroused when it >vas learnt that the visit of an Australian party was definitely certain. The visitors will arrive in Dunedin at the. beginning of July, and after meeting the different clubs aud accustoming themselves to the New Zealand ice conditions will take part in the Bonspiel. Later they will engage in a series of tests with representative New Zealand sides. It was announced that the Royal Caledonian Curling Club of Scotland had presented a suitable trophy for this series. Arrangements for the Australian visit were then made. ' It was resolved that three test matches be played at Oturehua, St. Bathans. and Naseby, and that each club should nominate no more than four members for the tests. The final selection of teams for the tests will be made on the form displayed at the B°» s Pie'- Each club will have a. representative in at least one test match. The New Zealand selectors will be Messrs W. Wade (Oturehua), J. Morgau (St. Bathans), P. i Newman (Naseby), and the secretary. The secretary reported that steps had been taken to meet and entertain, the visitors while in Dunedin. Mr W. Johnson undertook to arrange for a welcome at Wellington on their arrival in New Zealand. Arrangements are also well in hand for their entertainment while in Central Otago. Mr A. Nelson (Rough Ridge) applied for recognition of the newly-formed club at Oturehua, pointing out that the Rough Ridge Club was already overcrowded and its members wished to take part in the Bonspiel. It was pointed out that such n club must, under the Provincial Rules, be first affiliated with the Royil Caledonian Curling Club of Scotland,'before it was eligible to play at a Bonspiel. Assurance was given that a cabled application, together with the affiliation fee, would be immediately seut to Scotland, and upou confirmation being received from Scotland of this being done, the new club would then be immediately recognised. Mr A. E. Brown (Naseby) then moved that a trophy presented by x a fjr'mjs representative be accepted for competition. It was decided that it be a challenge trophy open to clubs in the New Zealand province, its first holders be the Naseby Club.

Last year's winners of the Leather Medal expressed their disappointment at not receiving the trophy, which had been misplaced. It was resolved that the club responsible for its loss should bear the expense of providing a new trophy.