DUNEDIN CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 31

DUNEDIN CLUB .

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Bowling, Lawn Tennis, and Fives Club was held in Watson's Hotel on Friday night, and was attended by about 40 members. ANNUAL BE£ORT. The following is -a summary of the annual report :— The green waa opened for play on Saturday, October 26, under favourable circumstances, when the usual match was played— President v. Vicepresident. Since the green was formed (some 25 years now) the past season was one of the worst experienced so far as weather was concerned, there being scarcely a dry week during the whole ; of the bowling season. Notwithstanding this f the enthubiasm of members was in no way abated, as when the green was fit to play on the attendance was as good as ever. The club played 12 interclub matches, of which eight were won and four lost. This is a smaller number than usual, but is accounted for by several return matohe3 not being played on account- of the inclement weather. The juniors played several matches during the season with varied success. Your committee think that tho status of a junior jjlayet«Uould bo more defined, in future contest?.

| The usual tournament was held at Oamaru durinjr the Easter holidays, and attracted a large number of bowlers from both north and south. Unfortu* , nately the weather was not of the best, but the programme was got through by the end of the third day, Monday, with the exception of the last tie in the Rink Match, which was played two days later on our green by a rink from the Invercargill Club and a Caledonian rink. Several of our J members took part in this tournament, but none of the prizes came to our olub. During the Eaßtor holidays a Four-ball Subscription Match was played on our own green, and was won by Messrs O. Haynes and R. Marks. The tennis and fives courts have been largely used during the season. The president and vicepresident save a prize for a double handicap match, which waa won by Messrs W. Thomson aud R. Forsyth. It is contemplated getting up during the winter months a series of Tennis and Fiver; subscription handicap matches on Saturday afternoons. The club prizes were won by the following aentlemen :— President bowli, Mr A. Fraser ; vice-president's bowls, Mr A. Gillies ; pair of silver-mounted bowls (presented by Mr K. -Holmes, for juniora), Mr R. Forsyth; second prize, a pair of tennis shoes (presented by Mr A. H. Shelton), Mr Sykofi ; Rink Match, T. Moodie, J. O. Cameron, W. Crombie, J. Hunter. (s): Fourball Match, Messrs J. Scoular and J. Leighton - The balance sheet showed a debit balance of £17 2s. The Chairman (Dr Cloas) in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he was pleased to know that though the past season had been a bad one as far as weather was concerned, the enthusiasm of members was unabated. He took this as a very he&lthy sign. A good deal still remained to be done to the green, and it would be for the incoming Green 1 Committee to do their best to improve matters. The number of matches won was not altogether a bad record, though not what they had been used to, and he hoped that next year they would be able to jjome out -with a much higher percentage of wins. He thought that the club should go in for rink play on two days a week— (hear, hear), — and: that in the playing of them young players would be encouraged. There were many in the olub who showed exceptional ability in the igame, and they should be encouraged as much as possible. He was pleased to see young members of the olub, and some old ones, going in for fives and tennis during the time they were not engaged in bowling. There had been a difficulty in getting ties played off, and owing to this the game for the Champion Bowls had not been concluded. He hoped it would be a lesson to members to play off their contests, and not leave it to the end of the season. The balance sheet showed that the Committee of Management had reduced tbe olub's indebtedness by £19 5s 9d, and the ground rent to the Ist July had been paid, tbe total indebtedness of the olub now being £36 0s Bd. Tho total last year was £55 8s sd, so that the committee bad done very well. As against this, money would be .needed shortly. The green required something spent on it, and the debentures should -be paid off. A new gate was wanted, and the pavilion was always a source of Jueart-burning, for there was never sufficient accommodation for members. He moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. This was seconded by Mr C. Haynes, and oarried. RESOLUTIONS." The Chairman, considering the financial condition of the club, moved the recision of a rule passed in ; 1890 regarding the payment of the ' secretary's salary.— Seconded by Mr M. Sinclair, and carried. - The rule dealing with the amratil subscription was also rescinded, and the subscription fixed at £2 2s. It was resolved that the hon. seoretary should receive the n&nieß of bona -fide members entering for all olub subset iption matches, and that no name should be entered unless the 'entry money was paid at or b3foro the first time of drawing the ties. It was decided ' that on Wednesday and Saturday afternobns, during the season, rinks only should be played, the games to close at 4 p.m. ; and that members who intended to take part in the play should form themtelves into rinks on those days in the order in whioh they arrived at the gteen. It was understood that ties should prove an exception to this tula. It was carried—" That the' resolution pussed at last year's meeting re junior olub matches be resoinded, and that all matches be arranged by and be under the control of the Match Committee." TOURNAMENTS. The association wrote that a motion regarding holding tournaments annually would be brought up at a meeting of the association, and asked the club to instruct their delegates in the matter.— The delegates were instructed to support the motion, it being mentioned that the tournament would be held in Danedin every second year. MISCELLANEOUS. The prizes were then presented. Mr J. Hielop was eleoted president, Mr W. Crombie vice - president?, Mr T. Moodie treasurer, Mr W. Thomson secretary, Mr F. Feake auditor, Messrs F. Feake and J. G. Moore delegates to the association, Messrs R. Wilson, J. Hunter, and T. Q. Young a Match Committee, and Messrs C. Haynes, J. G. Moore, F. Peake, W. H. Smith', W. Ibbotaou, and J. Hunter a General Committee.

Complimentary votes of thanks closed the meeting.