RIVERTON BOWLING CLUB.

Western Star, 8 May 1917, Page 2

RIVERTON BOWLING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Riverton Bowling Club was held on Thursday evening when there was a. splendid attendance of members; and the tone of the meeting augurs well for a successful season. The President, Mr E.

A. Trail, occupied the chair. The treasurer, Mr S'. McNeil, read the balance-sheet which showed the receipts to be £4.1 12s and the expenditure £4O 6s (id, after paying off some £lB debit from last year. . The President, in moving the' adoption of the balance-sheet, said that members must feel highly gratified with the satisfactory state of the club’s finances. Last year they started with some £lB of a debit, and they now had a credit. The expenditure for the coming year would be small. Certainly there was the question of a new back fence. The present structure was not worth renovating. At a time like this he would not urge extra, expenditure, but perhaps they could erect a low timber fence which would answer the purpose and stand for five or six years. During the season the green played extremely well, thanks to their caretaker, and bowlers were able to play any shot they required with ordinary skill. No doubt the weather was very favourable to both players and green. All the inter-club matches were played off, and their club was successful in all, drawing with Aparima in one. Representative teams from the club held the Stars on four occasions. Dr. Gordon’s cup for the champion singles was won by Mr Willett after being runner-up on three successive occasions and the win was a most popular one. The President’s medals went to Messrs Harrison and Wilson who played consistently throughout. There was no doubt in his mind that the excellent 1 condition of'their, green had gone far to gain them the premiership. At the present time the green, with its top-dressing, looked well and gave promise of a successful season’s play. He had therefore great pleasure in, moving the adoption of the balance sheet.

Mr A. E. Willett, in seconding the motion, said it was always a pleasure to him to know that the club was getting into a better financial position. Jt was a wise step on the part of members to have raised the subscription' to 30/-, as It fully met their requirements. Members would notice tliat the green had been top-dressed at an outlay of £3 for soil, which was not included in the balance-sheet, and the ‘work looked most satisfactory. The committee decided to , get a change of' 1 soil this year, which will prove most beneficial. It Was pleasing to members to know that the club was on the right track and keeping out of debt. He therefore had much pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously. —-Election of Officers.—

Mr Trail, before vacating the chair, heartily thanked members of the club for the manner ini which they treated him during his term of office. He said it was, under protest he accepted the office and he filled it feebly. It was not through lack .of interest, but, unfortunately, through the extra duties devolving upon him in his business he had to be out of town. He was indebted to' Messrs Willett and McKinnon for attending to matters connected with the green. He would s'rongly urge upon themi to select a member for the office who was always in touch with the green. He thanked the secretary and treasurer for their courtesy, all information asked for having been willingly and promptly given. The committee had done good work and the condition of the green spoke for the attention and care it'had received at the hands; of their caretaker (Mr King) who had given entire satisfaction to the green’s committee. He would like to place on record the indebtedness of the club to the Railway Department 'for the supply of water on two occasions for the green. He would just like to suggest that the committee take into consideration the holding of the annual meeting either before the opening of the season or immediately after the closing, when bowlers were keen on the game. At a time like this members’ minds were turned to other pastimes. Mr A. E. Willett was unanimously elected President amidst applause. He returned thanks for the honour and said he would do his very best for the club.

Vice-presidents:. Messrs E. B. Patrick and W. J. Win ton; secretary : Mr S. Bailey; treasurer: Mr S. McXeil; general committee : Messrs W. Buddie, G. H. Clifford, J. Geary, W. J. Pankhurst, W. Scoble, El. Scobie, W. McKinnon, F. Bailey and E. A. Trail; auditor: Mr F. 0. Mills; delegate to centre: Mr W. Buddie. - The subscription was fixed at 30/and 15/- for new members. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs F. C'. Mills and J. Baxter for "the • interest they had taken in the green and the support accorded.

Mr Mills thanked members for their kind remarks, and said that the few times that ho was on the green lie enjoyed the game of bowls thoroughly. He recognised that it was necessary to uphold their local institution, he would do Ids best to assist the club and would subscribe to any call that was necessary. (Applause.)

Air J. Baxter said be was not a bowler so far owing to the many calls on his time, but his forefathers indulged in the historic game with Admiral Drake’s men; therefore he enjoyed seeing the game played. He was pleased to see the South Riverton green looking so well and the club prospering. He would again give his don at ion. (A ppl ansc.) A hearty vote off thanks‘was accorded Mr Louden for his services as jlolegate, and he was elected an honorary member.

Air Wm R. Pattkhurst * was elected a life member in appreciation of his valuable services. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing committee. —New Fence.— Mr Trail said all would recognise that a new fence was required at the back of the green. The present structure was totally gone, and in its present condition was an eyesore. Ho would like to see a nice concrete fence put up, but in the meantime would suggest that a rough hoard fence, be erected which would serve the purpose for a (few years. Mr Willett said that he would be inclined to go on with the concrete wall. The estimate was some £l7 and the material required had not advanced in price, whereas paint for a fence had gone up to an extraordinary price. He had no doubt that the money would be forthcoming. Hr Winton was not in favour of a wooden fence. It would be better for them, to battle along for another year and then come to some definite arrangement. Mr Patrick said they had shelved the matter for two or three seasons. The fence or wall was urgently required. He would therefore move: “ That it be a recommendation to the committee to go on with the wall and if neceiviry the amount required will be raised by debentures or subscription.”—The motion was carried unanimously. —Presentations.— The retiring chairman said he had much pleasure in awarding the trophies for the year. The President’s doubles were won, as all were aware, by Messrs Harrison and Wilson, and ho wished to congratulate those gentlemen on their success.

Mr Harrison, on behalf of himself and Mr Wilson, thanked the speaker for his remarks and ‘for the handsome medals.

To Mr Willett he was particularly pleased to present Dr. Gordon’s handsome cup for the champion singles. For three years he had been runner-up and he deserved to win and have his name inscribed on it. (Applause.) Tiie holders so far were J. Forsyth, S. Bailey (twice), S Mills, who was with the colours, and A. E. Willett. In handing it to the winner he wished him every success in the future.

Mr Willett thanked the Chairman for his kind remarks and said he- was indeed pleased to win it. He had battled hard to get it and he wasbeholden his runner-up (Mr W. J. Pankhnrst) for “ downing ” their redoubtable champion, the worthy secretary. (Applause.) He hoped the cup would still go round, and, with more names inscribed on it, it would become more valuable. He would like them to recognise the play of his opponent, who was not present that evening. (Applause.)

The meeting adjourned with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair.