NOTES BY JACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 33

NOTES BY JACK.

The Taieri Club has held its annual meeting, and concluded what has proved to be a very successful season. Numerically and financially, the club seems to be doing fairly well. The only thing that might have been a serious drawback to the pleasantness of the season's play was the wet and changeable weather. Those plagues of the green-keeper, too — worms — as a well-known Taieri skip informs me, have played havoc with the green. But the enthusiasm of a Taieri bowler is not to be damped by Buch insignificant obstacles. Notwithstanding worms and wintry weather, and sometimes even the want of a caretaker, visitors have been amazed to find that the indefatigable bowlers have appeared amid wind and rain, tucked up their sleeves, pulled the. weighty roller over the soaking green, and enjoyed such a game as only veterans can enjoy. During the last month of the season the once grassy green became continually more and more muddy. But as- the club had neglected to begin its tournament early enough, play had to be kept on. The hope of winning a trophy induced both young and old to keep on rolling their balls through the mud. Thus the various prizes (among which I notice silver medals presented by Dr Allan, and a pair of bowls by the local M.H.R.) were made more valuable, bbing the merited reward of toil, and a compensation for risking life and health on the damp battlefield. It is daily becoming more evident that Taieri bowlers are ready to brave every inconvenience, discomfort, or danger for the sake of a prize, be it but a leather medal or a parchment certificate. It is curious to note that the wet season has influenced the temperance tendencies of the club. Last year no intoxicating drink was allowed on the green. And as if to make up for the lack of good Highland dew, mother Nature supplied them with plenty of water, so that the green has never required watering the whole year. But at the general meeting referred to above, the whole rule was rescinded, and it was decided to leave the catering to the committee, a fact that suggests that the rain and mud have made themselves felt even upon Taieri bowlers, so that they now find it necessary to have a little good old whisky, just to keep the cold out, you know. At least, they have taken the opportunity of hinting to Mr Paulin that they can, this year at any rate, do without so much water. That they may not be disappointed in their expectations is the prayer of bowlers in general. The annual meeting of the Southland Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club, held at Invercargill on Monday, 25th ult., was very well attended, 40 members being present. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The indebtedness of tte crab, which four years ago amounted to £150, now stands at £31, with every prospect of this being paid off before the end of next season. A further dividend of 5s per debenture was declared. The President (his Worship the Mayor) presented the trophies won during the past season to the successful competitors. The mayor's prize was won by Mr F. Woodward, the vice-president's by Mr William Wesney, and the secretary's by the Mayor. The election of officers resulted as follows : President, his Worship the Mayor ex ofjicio ; vice-president, Mr John Thomson ; secretary, Mr A. Lindsay ; treasurer, Mr C. M'Gibbon. The election of a committee was deferred for 10 days. Handsome prizes were presented by the president and the late vice-preßident (Mr R. Erskine) for competition by tennis players during next season. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Raeside for presiding and for his liberality in tho matter of prizes brought the meeting to a close.

The annual meeting of the St. Clair Lawn Tennis and Bowling Club was held on the 26th at the Hotel Metropole. Mr T. R. Fisher, president, occupied the chair. The balance eheeb showed the club, which has just passed through its first year, to be practically clear of debt, and this highly satisfactory announcement, testifying to the loyalty of tbe members and the wisdom of the executivo, was received with applause. Mr Fisher was re-elected president, Mr G. Munro and Mr J. R. Thornton vice-presidents, Mr A. Sinclair secretary and treasurer, and Mr C. H. Osmond auditor. Before the meeting broke up the prizes were presented. The champion bowls, given by the president, were won by Mr John M'lndoe, and the vice-presidents' bowls were taken by Mr G. Munro and Mr Joseph M'Kay. We may add that the club's green is quite an ornament to St. Clair, and it is said to play very well for a new ground.