THE STRATFORD BOWLING CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 28, 19 September 1914, Page 3

THE STRATFORD BOWLING CLUB.

The annual general meeting of members of the Stratford. Howling Club was held last night, Mr G. Smart presiding. Mr Smart apologised for the absence of the president (Mr T. C. Hookes) who was on a health recruiting trip to England. He was now on his way home again, and they all hoped ho would get safely through without being captured by the Germans. ANNUAL REPORT. The committee presented the following annual report:—Your Committee have pleasure in reporting a satisfactory past season. ihe giten was in fair order, and the interest taken by members showed a great improvement. The membership increased by sixteen, making a total of U(i ordinary, seven honorary, and lour life members. During the year tlio grounds and buildings have been put in good order and repair, also an additional shed has been erected and wo trust that the in-corning committee will carry out the improved sanitary arrangements as decided upon. The Club was represented at the following tournaments: By two rinks at Wanganui, four at Taranaki, and two at Auckland. 'The most successful rinks were Mr G. Smart’s, which won their section at Taranaki, and Mr R. McK. Morison’s, which tied at Auckland. Banner matches were played against Eltham and Hawera, Hawera winning then: section. Amongst our visitors we had four rinks from Auckland, and we visited Opunake, Pihama, Inglewood and New Plymouth. The Bfittons presented by the president (Mr T. C. Hookes), and the Heathers by Mr E. A. Osmond, were played for and created considerable enthusiasm, liogressivo games were won by Messrs Mealy and King (skips), and Wilson and Harris (leads). The annual championship for the 0. M. Curtis trophy was competed for in two sections, the final being won by Mr W. McDonald after a close game with Mr J. W. McMillan. The semi-finals and filial of the Taranaki Banner Competition ' were played on our green, New Plymouth again winning after a hard-fought game against Hawera. The thanks of the Club are again due to those ladies who kindly assisted with the afternoon tea. The Chairman said the season had been a successful one, especially in respect of the Hookes buttons. Stiatford had also led the way in having progressive pairs matches, which members greatly .appreciated. He would move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

Mr N. J. King seconded. The Club was in a better condition last year than in the previous year, and ho felt sure that in time they would wipe off the overdraft. Last year there was a great deal of entuhsiasm on the grc.cn, and ho expected, that this enthusiasm would continue. He understood that there would be a number of new members this season, though probably they would lose some of the old members. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OE OFFICERS. Mr George Smart was elected president. Mr C. Jackson, in supporting the nomination, mentioned that Mr Smart was particularly helpful to young members. Mr Smart said lie did not know that he gave new members special treatment. Ho would endeavor during his term of office to do all he could for old and new members alike. Mr J. W. McSlillan was elected vice-president, Messrs T. H. Penn and N. J. King declining nomination. Mr S. M. Porritt was re-appointed secretary.

Mr Edgcombe was reappointed green warden.

Mr King said when Mr Edgecombe took over the green it was not in very good order ( and they could hardly judge Mr Edgecome on the past season; but he (the speaker) was sure that after his good work in the past, the green would bo in tip-top order during the coming season. Mr T. H. Penn was re-elected auditor.

The following committee wore elected: Messrs R. Masters, Bickerton, P. Skoglund, T. C. Fookes and C. Martin.

The president and secretary were appointed delegates to the Centre.

Messrs R. Masters, McMillan and E. Jackson were elected the Selection Committee. APPORTIONING POSITIONS. Mr C. Jackson urged that the practice of the past in sticking to certain skips year after year should be abandoned. ife instanced a number of cases which came under his notice during the past season in support of his contention.

Mr E. Jackson also stated that this was the opinion of the young players—they wished to be shifted about in the rinks, and bo allowed to play in different positions.

Mr McMillan said he was satisfied that if the club wore cut into sections and each section selected its skips things would go on bettor. Mr King also supported the idea. He said the objection mentioned had existed for several years. Mr Reeve said it had been laid down that the positions should be shifted, but the complete change proposed had never been carried out in its entirety, though certain changes were made. He was satisfied that unless the question was properly dealt

with the ruin of the Club would follow. Personally, be had played skip in the past, and he would guarantee to select a rink, skip it, and beat any of the skips of the Club. The best bowler was not necessarily the best skip—an excellent bowler might have no knowledge of how to build a head. He urged that some arrangement should be made and spuck to. Mr McMillan said that last year the young members wore given the greatest consideration of any season, and was sure that if the section idea had been carried out there would not have been the dissatisfaction there was.

Mr Smart said the trouble during the past season was largely due to the fault of the skips.

Mr King said the skips did not cause all the trouble. He was one of the skips, and he found that the trouble was caused through men not turning up.

Mr Morison said it would ho very difficult to carry out any hard and fast rule about changing positions. If a skip was chosen to play skip against another Club that skip should play in • his position in practice matches previous to the match. Mr Reeve suggested that the skips should be chosen by the rinks on the ground. Mr Evans said that once while the section idea was in operation he filled the places of absentees in five different rinks, and finished up by playing in a scratch rink for the balance of the afternoon. On the motion of Mr Reeve,, it was decided that the Selection Committee should choose the rinks, the rinks to choose their skip, and the skip lo place his men. LIQUOR ON THE GREEN.

Mr Morison protested against alcoholic liquors being included in any entertainment on the green. He did not think that because other clubs provided liquors in their entertainment, it followed that the Stratford Club should do the same. He moved that liquor be not permitted bn the green. Mr E. Jackson seconded. He thought members could easily do without a drink for the time they were on the green, and while on the gr'een they were there for the purpose of play. Mr King thought that members were able to discriminate and could be relied on not to abuse the privilege. Mr Porritt thought it was obligatory on the Club to make some return of the hospitality extended to them by other clubs.

Mr Reeve supported the motion. Ho thought it was degrading the game if members could not do without liquor for half a day. There were many clubs which absolutely prohibited liquor on the green. Mr C. Jackson said there had never been any trouble on the jocai green, and he did not think liquor should be prohibited until some trouble occurred. Mr Masters said that so long as no abuse occurred he saw no reason why liquor should not be allowed. The motion was lost.

NEW MEMBERS. The following were elected members of the Club:—Messrs P. RStewart, W. J. Lopdell, F. J. McDonald, C. H. Lawn, A. J. Walters, A. J. Hill, C. Arden, F. Whittle, H. Childs, and W. J. Leversedge. OPENING DATE. Mr Edgecombe said that if the wqgther kept fine the green should be ready for play in about three weeks. It was decided, providing the green warden agreed, that the green be opened for practice play on Thursday afternoons from October Ist. The official opening day 'was fixed for Labor Day (October 22nd). VOTES OF THANKS.

Votes of thanks wore passed to Mr T. H. Penn (for the use of his room for committee meetings), to Messrs Skoglund (auditor), and McDonald (treasurer), the Press, last season’s working bee, and the out-going committee. GENERAL. It was decided that no boys be allowed to play on the green. It was decided to ask two members who forwarded their resignations to reconsider the matter.

The Pihama Club notified that they would open the season on September 23rd, and Hawera notified that their opening would be on October 7th.

A resolution was passed making it a rule'that members playing against visitors should contribute Is for entertainment for half a day, and 2s for a whole day’s play.