BOWLING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144197, 13 September 1913, Page 8

BOWLING.

WEST END CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING, The annual, meeting of the West End Bowling Club was Held at the Town Hall on Friday night, Mr. F. J. Hill (president) presiding over a very good attendance of members. ANNUAL DEPORT.

The third annual ■ report congratulated members on the continued prosperity and success or the club. During the past season improvements to the club s properly pad ueen effected which would be much appreciated by members. The committee! ventured to say that no club in the Dominion could show such satisfactory results as the West End Club in the short space of time it had been in existence. The committee deemed it advisable to get expert advice as to the treatment of the green, and Mr. J.. Laird, of Wanganui, was asked to inspect it. This he did, and as a result the green had been forked up and top-dressed, special seed having been procured for the purpose. Members could look forward to having a green which would compare favourably with others iu the province. Last season a winter green was laid down, and it was. honed that by next .winter this would be 'in good order for play. The thanks of the club wore due to Mr. Laird for th‘j trouble he took in connection with the green, and for which no charge was made. The Taranaki Provincial Tournament would be held in New Plymouth again this year, when the local greens would be re--inaui j[C jeqq padoq su.u a; pun ‘partub hors would generously assist the committee iu making the'gathering a complete success. During the past season members of the club showed a marked improvement in their play as compared with the previous year. In the banner matches tlie club put up a splendid performance, winning seven matches out of the ten played, and just failing to gain the coveted honour in the playoff with the New Plymouth Club. Reference was made to the Provincial Tournament, in which one rink from the club just failed to reach the final, hut gained tlie aggregate prize for the fewest points scored against them during the tournament. A- rink ;also took part in tho Wanganui tournament and gave a very creditable account of itself, winning four matches and losing three; In addition to the above the club also played five matches against other clubs, winning three and losing two, so that out of fifteen matches played ten were won and five lost, which snowed that a wonderful improvement had takeu placo in the play. Tho champioi«ihip of the club was won by Mr. C. N. Johnson, the handicap singles by : Mr. C. N. Johnson, handicap pairs by Messrs. Lobb and, Johnson, and tho first year players'' championship by Mr. W.. Putt. During the season valuable trophies wore presented to the club by tho followng members: —Messrs. F. J. Hill, championship trophyJ. D. Sole, handicap pairs trophy; C. N. Johnson, first year players’ championship trophy. The enthusiasm shown by members ever since the formation of tho club had been well sustained during tho past season, and the outgoing committee solicited the hearty co-operation of all members in assisting the incoming committee in the discharge of their duties. The treasurer's report would show that tho club was in a good financial position, notwithstanding tho heavy expenditure incurred during the past season. In previous 1 years euchre parties were hold to augment tho funds of the club, but this year an appeal was made direct to memnors, and the committee thanked those members who so generously contributed to the funds iof the club. The thanks of the club were also due to the ladies who did so much to make the season such a success: In conclusion the committee tendered , its thanks to-the members* for the assistance given them, and trusted that tho duties of the incoming committee would be as pleasant as their predecessors’. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £26 9s 9d. The balance of assets over liabilities was £270 125,-sd, Th moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman congratulated the secretary and treasurer ,on the splendid: balance-sheet he had presented* and said it was one of which any treasurer might feel proud.'A notable fact was that there were no outstanding subscriptions and no. liabilities other than the debentures and interest. They would notice that tho assets over liabilities amounted to £270 12s od. Last year the members* subscriptions were £sl 9s, and this year £BS increase of over £3O. Last year they paid the caretaker £3B, and this year £6l 14s. so that they would see a good douX more was spent on the green than during the previous year. He thought the time had arrived when they should consider the advisability of having a permanent caretaker. While on tho financial part of the business he would like to mention that an effort ought to be made to pay off some of the debentures. When these were first taken up it was on the understanding that some of them would be paid off during the third year, and or course they ■ must keep faith with tho debenture holders. Another matter which would have to be seriously, considered was the question of enlarging the pavilion. As they all knew, it was not large enough for the members they had at present, and with an increased membership it would bo quite impossible to manage. .He thanked the members of the committee for the way they had worked together iu the interests of the club, and. then formally moved the adoption of the report and balafice-sheet. Mr. J. D. Sole seconded, and the motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Office-bearers were elected as follows: —President, Mr. F. J. Hill (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs, G. A. Corney and F. 'A. Lee (re-elected); secretary and treasurer, Mr. Frank Newell; green warden, Mr. C. S. Eurtis; selector, Mr. J. D. Sole; committee, Messrs. Olliver, V. H. Beal, Fred Newell, J. D. Sole, F. Heston, L. Hammond, J. Johnson; auditor, Mr. J. Haslam. The election of skips was left in the hands of the selector. A committee conssiting of Messrs. F. J. Hill, C. N. Johnson, and V. H. Beal was appointed to act as selectors in the absence of the,sole selector. GENERAL.

It was decided to continue in the banner matches and to recommend to the association that all rinks count. Mr. J. D. Sole was elected the club’s representative on the association. It was decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Bowling Association. . Several new members were elected. Mr. J. D. Sole, in accordance with notice of motion, moved that the rules of the club be amended so that in future there should bo one selector instead of a selection committee of three. The motion was seconded, and after a short discussion carried. Provided tho green is in fair order it will bo thrown open for play ?n Thursday, October 9, and official opening will take place on November 6. It was decided to recommend the committee to eliminate the pairs com-

petition from the, programme for tie ensuing year. ■ _ V , The committee will also be recommended to. go into the question of the appointment of a permanent caretaker. Appreciative reference was made tp the valuable work of the secretary, Mr. Frank Newell, who was voted an honorarium of £5. The committee will take into consideration the qu'estidh of reducing the amounts due on debentures. . ' A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the president for his services during the past year," and also to' the press for the publicity given‘to matters relating to the club.