LONGER HOURS OF PLAY

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 7

LONGER HOURS OF PLAY

NEW PLYMOUTH DECISION

THREE NIGHTS EACH WEEK.

BADMINTON CLUB’S MEETING.

There would be a considerable increase in the number of hours available for play during the ensuing season, it was reported at the annual meeting of the New Plymouth Badminton Club last night. Mr. St. Leger Reeves presided over an attendance of more than 20 members.

Mr. -E. J. C. Smith reported arrangements were completed for the use of the Coronation Hall from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights of each week. Last year the hours of 5 to 7 on Mondays and 7 to 10 on Thursdays had not altogether met the demands of the members, and it was hoped the change would help to retain members who had considered resigning and to encourage new members to join. There would possibly be limited play on alternative Wednesdays, when the club would be invited to join the Defence Department during its recreation period. The members of the n.c.o.’s class would also attend the club courts after 9 p.m. on parade nights. The club was greatly indebted to the Defence Department for the way it had co-operated with the club.

Moving the adoption of the balancesheet and report, which have already appeared in the Daily News, Mr. Reeves expressed appreciation of the work of the members of the committee, who were responsible for the success of the club in its first season. There had for a long time been the desire for a badminton club at New Plymouth, and it was only after considerable negotiating that the game was eventually commenced and a club started. The whole of the success of the first season was due to the work of the committee, which put in z night after night preparing the hall and conducting the club nights. He was satisfied badminton was properly established in the town. This was the culmination of his wish for several years, said Mr. Reeves. He hoped the new committee would carry on the good work the initial committee had commenced. The spirit of the club had been particularly happy, and he hoped it would continue to be so as long as the club' existed. He hoped the club would become recognised by the rest of New Zealand, and that badminton in the district Would improve in standard and the in power as time went on. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a credit balance of £l7 Is. This was a tribute to the excellent work of' the secretary and treasurer, Mr. Collinge.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.' The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mr. J. C._ Nicholson; president, Mr. C. J. ,E. Smith; vice-president, Mr. J. Blakeney; club captain, Mr. C. Little; committee, Messrs. R. Allen, C. Aroa, H. Gregory, H. M. Purser and F. White; secretary and treasurer, Mr. B. E. H. Collinge; auditor, Mr. D.- Le C. Morgan; delegates to the Taranaki District Badminton Association, Messrs. C. H. Stromborn, C. J. E. Smith, B. E. H. Collinge; women’s committee, Mrs. C. J. E. Smith and Misses Sheat and V. Whitcombe. AU would regret that Mr. Reeves was not available as a candidate for the presidency this year, said Mr. Smith. It was not generally known that Mr. Reeves was entirely responsible for the legal work in connection with the incorporation of the club. The club was deeply appreciative of his services.

Anything he had done had been done with the greatest pleasure, and ft .was with great'satisfaction he noted the position of the club, said Mr. Reeves. The three nights’ play filled a long-felt need. Mr. Smith suggested the racquet levy of 3s a year should be increased to ss. The repairs would be Very heavy this year and he did not think 3s would cover the cost of maintenance. It -was not fair that the club should-bear the brunt of the repairs. ■ He moved- that" the levy be increased. The motfon .was - carried. It was decided to recommend the executive to .consider playing all , ladder matches on the same basis as championship matches. ALTERATION OF SUBSCRIPTION.

Mr. Strombom drew ■ attention to th£ fact that the non-payment of subscriptions had embarrassed the club at one stage. He suggested ’the subscription should be increased -to; £2, the. amount to be reduced .to 30s if paid on or before July 1.

Mr, Reeves said, the .club was placed in a difficult position because so many: subscriptions were outstanding. It gave' the treasurer a considerable amount of unnecessary work and he heartily agreed that there should be some penalty for those who did not pay early. Action was taken in accordance with Mr. Strombom’s suggestion,. The matter of an honorarium for the secretary was referred to. the management committee for consideration. It was decided that the opening night te May 6.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee the following sub-committees and officials were elected: Ladder and match committee, Messrs. Little, Smith and Mrs. Smith; ladder secretary, Mr. Purser; vice-captain, Mr. R. Allen; shuttle stewards, Messrs. Gregory and White. It was agreed that the club should adopt the New Zealand Badminton Federation shuttle during the season. It was agreed that Monday and Friday nights should be devoted to open play, while Tuesday was constituted the recognised club night when sets would be organised. .