TE RAU BOWLING CLUB.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11125, 26 July 1907, Page 4

TE RAU BOWLING CLUB.

.*. Tlie annual meeting of tlie Te Rau Bowling Club was held last night. The proceedings were out of the ordinary for such gatherings, for on arrival, at the Albion hotel, where the meeting was to be held, tlio visitors were welcomed into the dhiing hall, where a -first-class dinner liad been laid. Th,ero were over fifty pre- , sent, including representatives of other i local and outside Bowling Clubs. The President, Mr J. Sheridan, was m the chair. The following telegram was read from the Hon. J. Carroll: — "I much regret that I am unable to be- present tonight at the annual' meeting of the Te Rau Bowling Club, to congratulate the club on tho high distinction gained last season by winning the North Island Bowling Association championship. • As evidenced at the time, this achievement i was one of wheh Gisborne was justly proud, and I trust the To Raus will long maintain the liigh standard of excellence then shown by one and all the members of its team ; but m the midst of tlie rejoicing that is the natural result of such succe.«s, we must nil feci tho !-__ of one who was a strong, supporting pillar m our ■ bowliiig world, the Lite Mr John Hard- ■ ing. Peace to -his -.ashes. With best wishes to the chab for the earning season and kind regards to all." ' A telegram was read frcii the President of the , Wellington ' Fowling Club, as follows: "Henr from Mr Carroll the Te Rau Bowling Club is having its annual meeting to-night, and have much pleasure hi seizing the opportunity of congratulating them on their prowess and great achievement last season m winning the Nor tV lsland championship. On behalf of the Wellington dub, T wish them V every success m tin futvre and a jlei'sant ! evening.— Neil McLean." ! ; After pa_taking of the splendid dinner j provided, the annua! report was' read, i< as follows:— -"In presenting thvir annual 1 ' report and balance-sheet, your committee i tender to the members of the club its j most cordial congratulations on a pheno- j menally • successful year. Tlio balancesheet, {bowing a. substantial credit balance, has been duly audited, and certified ; to by the club's auditor" (Mr Frank Pettie), to whom the thanks of members -are • dv© for liis very able -r.nd gratuitous ser- ■ vices. The ,past season has probably ' been the most enjoyable since the foundation of the club, and your committee recommend that a hearty vote of thanks ' be accorded Captain Ferris for the use of his private green for practice purposes. It is anticipated that the club's new green at Boisdale will be open early -next sea- ~\ son. All club" matches were most keenly contested', and the close finishes on each occasion bear eloquent testimony to* the capabilities of our painstaking handicapper (Mr W. J. Hennessy). Our club was . represented at the Northern Bowing Association's North Island championship tournament at Masterton last March by Messrs Massey, Hennessy, Harris, and Pettie, who.. upheld, the honor and prestige of the club by securing the premier position of champion fours of the North Island, and meritoriously annexing the handsome and much-coveted gold medals of the Association. The club may well feel proud of the brilliant achievements of their representatives. The Hon. X. Carroll, our worthy ex-president, was selected to represent the clUibat the same tournament, but owing to important Par r liamentary duties, ■■ was prevented from competirig,_ a fact wliich is much to be deplored, ' iriasmnchas -the hon. gentleman was m excellent form, and would liave m all probability added to, our laurels. Great as are the results aiidl records of the past season, your committee confidently hope^ that they may be received as but an instalment of still greater I honors. It is proposed to send two ! strong rinks to represent the club at the tournament to beh eld at Auckland next January, and if the teams make good practice . youi committee are most sanguine that our club will maintain the proud position it holds to-day. m any case, however, members may rest assured that our .selections will put up a good and valiant fight, and if their, well-won ... laurels are wrested from the Te Raus, we shall have the full satisfaction tliat they were 'defended to the last extremity. Your committee would recommend that • the general meeting pass a vote of sympathy to the Gisborne Bowling Club m the loss of their muclbesteemed President (Mr J. A. Harding), and voices its deep regret at the loss' of so ardent and enthusiastic a devotee. During . the trip to and from Masterton our. team was right royally entertained' by the members . of the Hastings .and Dannevirke clubs, I and accorded such hospitality as is chari acteristic of all. true sports. Members will, we are sure, seize with avidity tlie . earliest .opportunity afforded of heartily reciprocating/ Whilst.', m Masterton our team were most generously entertaned by the Masterton bow.lers, and we are assured that the arrangements for their comfort and the magnificent treatment accorded cannot be allowed to pass with-, out special recognition. It is therefore proposed that this general meeting instruct the secretary to convey to the Masterton club our keen appreciation of their unbounded hospitality to our re- \ presentatives, and our heartfelt thanks, •for the many kindnesses shown during ' their" memorably pleasant stay m Mas- | terton. It is jurther proposed that the I thanks of our cbib be tendered to the I officers andl members of tlie Farmers' and J Commercial Clubs of Masterton for their "kindness aiid consideration m placing the 'names of our team on the visitors list during the tournament, a graceful act which, we are assured, contributed largely to the comfort and enjoyment of our representatives. At the ballot, held on the 18th inst., the following officers were . duly elected for the forthcoming season: Patron, Hon. J. Carroll; President, Mr J. Sheridan ; vice-President Mr G. B. Oman"; secretary and treasurer, Mr Frank Hairris; committee, Messrs J. F. Pettie, A. W. Murray, Chas. Ambridge, Te Kani Pere, S. Hei, and Captain Ferris." • The report having been adopted, on the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Ambridge, ar. vote of thanks was, on the motion of Judge Jones, seconded by "Captain Ferris, accorded to the Mastei ton Bowling Club for the hospitality accorded the representatives at the tournament. On the motion of the President, seconded by* Mr Steele, it was resolved to forward a letter of condolence to Mrs Harding and the Gisborne Bowling Club m connection with the death of Mr Harding. Thanks were accorded the outgoing officers. The loyal toast having been honored, Judge Jones -proposed' "Tlie Gisborne Bowling Club.'* He said most of them could remember a time ijl their lives when they had got the belief that they knew wore tlian their parents, but whilst they • felt enthusiasm m the hour of triuniph, they did noj; forget the filial respect due to their parents, and therefore it was a pleasure to jpropose this toast to the pa; rent club. Tlie President of the club, Mr W". Pettie, responded ; he said the parent club was pleased to encourage the formation of other clubs, such as Te Rau. He believed that next year there would be more enthusiasm than ever m bowling, and he hoped Gisborne would gain such an increase of members and (popularity as ! would enable them to carry out a progressive policy and erect a pavilion worthy ' of the place. He urged 1 that an effort should be made to get another tournament held m • Gisborne, and believed that m j three years' time they would succeed in' j that object; if so, they would be able to give the Northern bowlers as enjoyable a time as ever they had. (Ap- , plause.) "The Turanganui Club" was pro- 1 posed by Mr Ambridge, who predicted ' tliat that club would soon occupy a very prominent place among bowlers. Mr 'C. J. Bennett responded, saying their hope was to be able m time to enter one or more rinks for the championship contest. , "The North Island Champion Fours" was proposed by the President, who present- | ed the medals won, and congratulated the winners and tlie club, paid a tribute to each of the champion quartette, and refenred to the delight with which the news -of victory was received. Tlie toast was ; honored with much enthusiasm, and special cheers for "the-cliief" (Mr Frank Har- J ris). Messrs Ambridge (representing Mr I Miissey), W. J. Hennessy, F. Harris, and I W. -Petti© responded, each making m- ( teresting speeches, Mr Harris saying that ' the pride they themselves felt m the victory was not equal to their pride m winning the championship for Gisborne. Mr Pettie, who mentioned that the spirit which imbued them was the glory of winning the championsliip for Gisborne. "Success to Te Rau Club" was proposed by Mr R. Johnston, m a congratulatory speech, m which he made special reference to the bowling green laid out by Captain Ferris. The latter, who was called on to respond, said tlie Te Rau Club was originally formed on the suggestion of tlie Hon. J. Carroll, wkrbeb'eved that members of the native race would excel m bowling as m other sports if they gave their mind to it. He mentioned Balneavis, Stewart, and others, and the great : game played' by the team which Mr Harris had skipped at Auckland. Mr Sam. Hei, who was also called on, said that although the Te "Rau team had been started for young natives, he regretted they had not the application of their confreres, and the enthusiasm soon cooled 'down, the natives almost dropping out of the club altogether. He hoped that enthusiasm among th© young natives would yet be rekindled. "Our Visitors" was proposed by Captain' Ferris, and responded to by Messrs Steele, Quinn/and Miller. ;Mr H. Lewis proposed "Kindred Sports," response being made by Dr Collins (cricket), Mr Joe Martin (football), and Mr Hawley (tennis). The President, m a witty speech, proposed "The Ladies," and Messrs T. Adair, H. Miller, Mackrell, and M. Craig were called on to respond. Tlie toast of "The Press" was proposed by Mr Hennessy, and duly responded to. Judge Jones proposed "The Host and Hostess, and m doing so mentioned that Mr Harris had gained more than the evanescent glories .of the field of sport ; he Tiad won the warm esteem, of the whole community. The. speaker also referred to the. kindliness of. Mrs Harris. Mr Harris modestly replied. Tlie toast of "The Cliairman" was pro- ' posed by Mr Pettie. The toasts were intcispersed with songs, recitations, and stories, and th c Chairman, besides reciting "Old Pardon, the son of Reprieve,"

and other favorites, got on to the old subject of the genesis of bowling, on wliich, m happy vein, ho tlirew some further light. Songs were given by Messrs Zachariah, Hookey, Boulton, Sinclair, and Dr Collins, and among the recitations was "A Wee Scotch Nicht," by Mr J. F. Pettie. The gathering concluded with "Auld Lang Syne." ■«_____________■----■.