BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 19899, 18 June 1926, Page 11

BOWLS

WAIHOPAI CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Waihopai Bowling Club states inter alia: “In presenting the second annual report and balance-sheet, your committee have to congratulate members on a most successful year from all points of view. Through the activities of some half-dozen or so members, to whom the thanks of the committee are due, the green, during the top-dressing operations, was planted liberally with Pahia Weed (Queenstown) and, as a consequence, an improved surface in the future is assured. Membership: This has been increased during the year to 66 full members and nine honorary members. Centre Fixtures: The club was entered in all fixtures and decidedly better results were achieved than in the first year, as was only to be expected. The B Grade four rinks shaped with much greater confidence in the inter-club contests; the club was still somewhat handicapped opposing more experienced players; while in the A Grade, four rinks, the club were so far successful as to finish second to the Northend Club, the winners. Club Competitions: The champion singles are yet in an unfinished stage, Mr J. Johnston (two lives) having to play Mr Thomas Macdonald (one life). The champion doubles, after a strenuous round of 14 games, was won eventually somewhat comfortably by Messrs G. M. Polson (s) and J. S. Hunter. The handicap singles was won by Mr T. Nicolson (runner-up Mr W. Millar), who, in his second year only, is generally recognised as a most consistent lead. The thanks of the club are due to Mr A. E. Broad for the attention paid to the getting off of the large number of games entailed in these competitions without any hitch or unpleasantness. Centre Competitions: The club was represented in the various champion of champions contests, etc., performing creditably in all cases and earning distinction in the Shield Rink, when Messrs Bird, Macdonald, Whitaker and T. D. Kingsland (s) performed with such credit, as to fill the role of runners-up to the winning club, Invercargill. At the New Year tournament, the club rink, Bird, McLaughlan, Stevens and Kingsland put up a good showing, while in the doubles, the--latter pair, were not disposed of until the semi-finals. At the Dominion tournament in Dunedin, the club were represented by Messrs Stevens, Bird, Turnbull and Kingsland, who held their own against representative rinks from different northern centres. Interprovincial: Otago v. Southland: From your club, Messrs Macdonald and Kingsland were chosen, the latter in the position of skip. Country Visits: A rink, Messrs Nicholson, Cunningham, Moir and Stevens, competed at the Western District Ttoumament at Riverton, displaying good average form, being put out in the semi-finals. Finance: The year commenced with a credit balance of £36 1/8, concluding with a credit of £72 18/-. This is largely due to the efforts of some enthusiastic members, who by their voluntary services on the green and surroundings, have considerably reduced the cost of labour charges, nevertheless the position is one which calls for congratulation. Donations: Mr J. Johnston has to be thanked for the gift of a wormcast remover, also those members who donated a dozen camp-stools, and Messrs C. J. Broad and T. D. Kingsland, who each donated handsome polished figured red pine merit boards. Green Ranger: Members generally are under a debt of gratitude to Mr G. T. Stevens for the time and skill displayed in attention to the playing area, and the establishment of same in its present satisfactory condition, towards the attaining of which he has been well backed up by the caretaker, Mr W. A. Millar. Surroundings: Mr F. A. Steans, who, at the outset, donated a large number of roses, etc., to the association, has offered to further beautify the grounds, by supplying a quantity of annuals, etc., and with the assistance of any volunteer members, laying out the surroundings more artistically than at present. The result under his skilled management can readily be imagined