BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 20494, 24 May 1928, Page 11

BOWLS

INVERCARGILL CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Invercargill Bowling Club last evening Mr T. Gilbertson presided over a good attendance of members. ANNUAL REPORT. The nineteenth annual report as presented by the secretary, Mr W. T. Gilbert, was as follows: “In presenting the nineteenth annual report and the balance-sheet for the year ended April 30, 1928, your committee regrets to. report a decrease in membership, which now stands at 53 active, 10 honorary and one life-member, that of the previous year being 67 active, 6 honorary, 1 life. Members, therefore, should endeavour to increase the active membership as this is necessary for the financial success of the club. Members had the opportunity for more play this season than formerly on account of the daylight saving law, and the thanks of the club are due to the introducers of this change in our time-table. The financial position is, under the circumstances, considered very satisfactory, the surplus of assets over liabilities amounting to £439 12/6. The green was officially opened for play on October 22 and closed on April 8, after experiencing one of the best bowling seasons as regards weather conditions recorded for many years. We regret to record the sad loss sustained by the president, Mr Gilbertson, by the death of his wife. Messages of condolence and a wreath were forwarded on behalf of the club. The Mayor’s pairs competition was again annexed by your representatives, Messrs H. Donald and R. Allan and H. Hay and R. R. Hunter. The Shield rink, Messrs W. J. Miller, A. Derbie, J. Smith and F. G. Stevenson were not successful in obtaining the shield, but however won the consolation match. At the New Year tournament, Messrs W. J. Miller and F. G. Stevenson won the Murihiku pairs competition and Mr R. R. Hunter secured fourth place in the singles. The club competitions resulted as follows:—Champion singles, Mr W. T. Gilbert champion doubles, unfinished; handicap doubles, unfinished. With the weather conditions so favourable it is unfortunate that the doubles competitions could not be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The Jenkins medals were keenly competed for during the season, changing hands several times, and have not yet been won outright. The green ranger, Mr W. Smith, has put in a great amount of work on the green and surroundings and is to be thanked for his services, also to a number of members who were ever ready to assist with rolling, topdressing, etc., we tender our appreciation. “During the season Mr W. Falconer, having joined the ranks of the benedicts, was the recipient of a presentation from his club members. Your committee desires to express its appreciation of the services rendered by the ladies in dispensing afternoon teas during the season. The social committee has much pleasure in submitting its report on the social activities of the club for the year ending April 30, 1928. The club participated in the inter-club billiard tournament and, although not successful in winning the tournament, the active members spent enjoyable evenings with the various clubs taking part therein, the tournament being won by the North End Club. At the conclusion of the tournament the fire brigade (one of the clubs participating) very kindly issued an invitation to the members of the other clubs to spend a social evening with them at its rooms. This invitation was accepted by many members, who were loud in their praises of the enjoyable time they had. The club tournament was concluded in two sections, “A” section being won by Mr A. Gutzwitz, Mr G. Withers second; “B” section, Mr T. Robertson came out on top with Mr T. Gilbertson runnerup. The committee has to thank two of the members for kindly donating £1 each towards the prizes. After paying for eatables and billiard accessories we have a credit balance of 6/4, which we consider satisfactory.”

The retiring president, Mr T. Gilbertson, congratulated the club on the satisfactory state of the balance-sheet, the club being £2O better off than last year although considerable expense had been caused by various matters. He stressed the need for new members and concluded by thanking the members for the support they had accorded him during the past year. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers then took place and resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. Miller; vice-president, Mr T. Robert-, son; secretary, Mr W. T. Gilbert; treasurer, Mr F. G. Stevenson; auditor, Mr D. Cochrane; general committee, Messrs J. Smith, A. Derbie, W. Faulkner, F. Read, E. Smith, A. C. Carman; delegates to the centre, Messrs A. Derbie and F. G. Stevenson. In the matter of appointing selectors some considerable discussion ensued, members expressing their disapproval of the three-selector system and it was finally decided to appoint one selector only. A ballot resulted in Mr G. Withers being appointed to the position. The following were appointed a social committee:—Messrs T. W. Morrison, J. Richards, F. B. Read, F. G. Stevenson, C. G. Good and G. Withers. A motion by Mr E. Smith that the motion authorizing the building of additions to the club buildings be rescinded was defeated. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. In presenting the trophy to Mr W. T. Gilbert, winner of the champion singles, Mr A. Derbie wished him every success, Mr Gilbert suitably replying. After Mr F. Read presented the trophies in connection with the billiard tournament to Messrs A. Gutzwitz and T. Robertson the meeting closed.