BOWLING AND CROQUET

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1933, Page 12

BOWLING AND CROQUET

SUMMER RECREATION CLUBS. HISTORY OF FORMATION. About 10 years ago the residents of Okaiawa decided upon the formation of a bowling club and on July 5, 1923, a meeting for this purpose was held in the town hall. Mr. L. Houlahan was appointed chairman and Mr. C. E. Brooke secretary. A committee' (Messrs. Baker, Barclay and Brooke) was set up to purchase a section at a limit of £l4O. Among those who were interested in the project was Mr. W. Lambie, Pihama, who proposed that a subscription list be opened, he heading it with £5. The list was closed at £6B. Mr. G. Dundas was appointed treasurer and Messrs. A. Fraser and J. E. Meuli were appointed to canvas the district. Finally 18 £5 bearer debentures were taken up, issued by the Okaiawa Bowling Club (Inc.) in October, 1923, and due in March, 1931, with the right of repayment at any time. They bore the seal of the club and the signatures of C. L. Kasper, president, and C. E. Brooke, secretary. It was decided to engage Mr. W. Barnett, New Plymouth, to construct a green. A fancy dress ball was held to augment the funds and this was so successful that £35 was taken at the door. It was decided to call a meeting of ladies to consider the formation of a croquet club. A “hard-up” social realised £l4 and before long the total activities brought the sum of £2BO in sight. A section was purchased at a cost of £lll 10s and a green laid down by Mr. Morgan and finished by Mr. Badland, the total expenditure being £277. Mr. W. Baker was appointed caretaker. The opening day was December 5, 1925, but owing to the difficulty of the residents in finding the leisure during the summer months the club did not survive the season and next year it was resolved to. hand the section over to the. croquet club on the members agreeing to contribute to its upkeep. At a combined meeting of the two clubs in April, 1927, it was decided to build a pavilion. In October, 1927, it was again decided that there be no active playing club that season and the green was handed over to the croquet club. This arrangement was also continued the following season. A meeting of the club members and debenture holders was held on March 31, 1931, when it was explained that the debentures were due and that it was considered best to wind up the bowling club. This course was agreed to and the elub’s assets were offered to the Okaiawa Ladies’ Croquet Club at an amount sufficient to cover the club’s liabilities. This was accepted and the croquet club came into possession of excellent grounds which are used to the full extent during the summer.