BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 20200, 10 June 1927, Page 5

BOWLS

WAIHOPAI BOWLING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Waihopai Bowling Club was held in the club’s pavilion on Tuesday evening. The President, Mr G. T. Stevens, in the chair, presided over 30 odd members. Apologies were received from several members for non-attendance. The annual report and balance-sheet was read and thrown open for discussion. Several members spoke to the report which was then carried. The retiring president proceeded with the presentation of prizes for the year, a special presentation being given to Mr. George Stevens for his meritorious showing as runner-up in the champion singles. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr T. F. Macdonald; senior vice-president, Mr J. H. Tapper; vice-president, Mr John Johnston; secretary, H. Ritchie (re-elect-ed) ; treasurer, A. E. Broad (re-elected) ; green ranger, Mr M. McDowall; selectors, Messrs A. E. Broad, G. Stevens, J. Hunter; auditor, Mr E. V. Paul; general committee, C. J, Broad, T. D. Kingsland, G. Polson, L. Gray, R. Speirs, G. Baxter and F. A. Steens, Delegates to Bowling Centre, Messrs Macdonald and Stevens There was a recommendation made to the centre that the A and B grade four rink matches be played on the same green on the same night. Owing to the club’s limited number of players this was considered a wise move as there are occasions when the A grade may be a man or two over on one green and the B grade be two or three men short on another green. The Hon. A. F. Hawke, M.L.C., Messrs ! Charles E. Broad, A. E. Broad and J. H. Tapper, who each donated £lOO to the funds of the club were unanimously voted life members It was unanimously decided that a deputation consisting of the president and past presidents wait on Mr Steans (who was unavoidably absent) and make him a presentation as a small token of appreciation and gratitude from the club. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring officers. The annual report stated: The committee ! have pleasure in submitting this, the fourth annual report. Financially the year’s work is probably unique in the history of bowling in New Zealand. The club commenced the year with an indebtedness of £625. Owing to the generosity of four of its members, 1 who each donated the sum of £lOO and the club members responding to an appeal I for subscriptions the debt has been com pletely wiped out and there is a credit balance of £3l. Despite this it should be ! borne in mind that our membership list comprises at most some 40 or 50 active playing members and the withdrawal of those other nominal club members would ' leave the club in such a position that it , could do little more than make ends meet. , Further active members are therefore required. The special thanks of the club and in- | dividual members are due to Mr F. Steans ■ for the beautifying of the green surround- : Ings. It is no stretch of imagination to < say that these compare more than favour- j ably with any other club grounds in our 1 city thanks to the tireless energy and en- : thusiasm of Mr Steans. To Mr. M. Me- I Dowall the thanks of the club are due for : a considerable amount of work on the green and surroundings as well as to Mr Matthew Murray and his son Hector and those enthusiasts who weeded the green prior to the top-dressing. During the season the club were without the services of Messrs T. Bird, J. Hazlett, A. H. Courtis and W. Whitaker who have resigned through leaving the district. The loss of four such capable bowlers to our young club doubtless had much to do with • the non-success of the club in the inter- ' club competitions. Though not attaining any success with one exception, in tournament play several rinks and doubles combinations performed creditably and the club may take credit to itself in the fact that their representatives are regarded as worthy opponents by the older city clubs. Messrs T. F. Macdonald and W. Miller are to be congratulated on winning the City Doubles at the New Year Tournament while Mr Macdonald is also to be congratulated on his splendid showing in the champion of champions singles. The committee desires to put on record its regret that owing to business demanding his presence in the country Mr T. Bird has found it necessary to resign his position as senior vice-president. The playing area gave general satisfaction throughout the year and the caretaker has to be congratulated on the surface provided, the bare ends being almost the only weak feature of the green. The special committee appointed for the purpose, have taken this in hand, and there is every prospect of the surface being again improved for the coming season. The cotula (weed) brought in from Pahia has made rapid strides and a further year or two should see it in almost complete possession. The club competitions were keenly contested and resulted as follows: ' Champion Singles, T. F. Macdonald. Runner-up, G. T. Stevens. Champion Pairs, H. Ritchie and L. Gray. Runners-up, J. C. McLauchlan and W. Moir. The Handicap Singles and Doubles are : to be completed at the beginning of the J 1927 season.