WHITIORA BOWLERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18641, 20 May 1932, Page 8

WHITIORA BOWLERS.

YEAR OF PROGRESS. SUNDAY PLAY REFUSED. W. F. MASON LIFE MEMBER. A year of continued progress was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Whitiora Bowling Club last night. There was a large' attendance of members, which prompted the president, Mr W. Dillicar, to observe that such enthusiasm displayed in the club’s affairs augured well for the coming year. After welcoming the members to the meeting he said that notwithstanding the prevailing economic conditions the attendance showed that there were still men who were interested in the sport of bowls. This was the twenty-fourth annual meeting of the club, and as the report and balance sheet-would disclose, the past twelye months had been attended by considerable success. A pleasing feature was the fact that the statement of accounts showed a substantial credit balance. (Applause.) Past Year Reviewed. “The club is to be congratulated on having been able to meet all its liabilities and lias also made considerable additions to the plant, slated the committee, in their annual report. “This has been made possible by the generous assistance of the members, in donating cash, materials and labour. In this connection your committee feel that the special thanks of the club are again due to our president, Mr W. W. Dillicar for his untiring zeal and generosity in giving so freely both in c&sh and labour in carrying out improvements to the club’s property. We have added to our plant a very fine soil sterilising outfit, which is very necessary for the proper upkeep of the green, and will go a long way towards abating the weed nuisance.” ■ The membership of the club dropped slightly last season, having registered only 70 players as against 76 for the previous year. This was only to be expected, and we may have to face a bigger shrinkage next year unless trade conditions improve. From a playing standpoint, the club has had a very pleasant and successful year, the weather lias been exceptionally good and the members have been able to got in full time on the green. The playing surface suffered a good deal from intensive play, and also owing to drastic measures having to be adopted to get rid of the Onehunga weed, but the willing help given by the members in combing the green, and taking out the roots has worked wonders and should give us a much better sward of grass next season. “The official programme of interclub matches arranged by the Waikato Bowling committee provided for nine games during the season as against ten last year, Cambridge having withdrawn from the clubs participating in the round of fixtures. Of these nine games, seven only were played, the match against Ngaruawahia having to be abandoned on account of bad weather, and Huntly defaulted on account of shortage of players due principally to Ngaruawahia Regatta falling on that date. It is pclasing to note that Whitiora won all seven games. During the. season the club accepted invitations to send teams to To Awamutu, Leamington and Cambridge, Whitiora being beaten at Te Awamutu and also at Cambridge. Club Competitions.

The club competitions were fairly successful, but could be made far more so if players would display a little more keenness in arranging their matches as early as possible after the draw is made. The champion singles was won by W. F. Choat; the handicap doubles by D. C. Street and J. W. Lewis; and the handicap singles by A. 11. Willey. The first year players’ competition lapsed >Oll account of insufficient entries. In the Ilowden Shield competition, the club was represented by F. Woodhall, M. A. Gall, W. F. Choat and H. G. Loveridge, who won all their games, defeating Glen Massey in the final. We are proud of our team and the honour they have brought to the club. A credit balance of £25 2s 6d was disclosed in the statement of accounts. Referring to the colts’ competition, Mr C. Davis suggested that the colts should play a round of games early in the next season to determine whose name was to be recorded on the hon--1 ours board. This was approved. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr W. F. Mason, the patron, congratulated the club on the very satisfactory state of its finances. Re hoped that this condition would continue in the coming year. Sunday Play. Tiie question of allowing Sunday play on the club’s greens was the subject of discussion in committee, and a vote being taken on a siiow of hands •the meeting decided by 2G votes to 8 against Sunday play. The presentation of trophies won in club competitions during the past year was made by the president, wiio congratulated Hie successful players on llieir achievements. Tiie ,recipients, who were accorded musical honours, suitably replied. Eloctlon of Officers. Tho election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: Patron, Mr W. F. Mason; president, Mr W. W. Dillicar; vice-president, Mr F. Woodhall; secretary, Mr T. 13. Booth; assistantsecretary, Mr C. Davis; Treasurer, Mr D. G. Cook; committee, Messrs F. 13. Swain, P. Bell, G. Taylor; auditor, Mr E. P. Cowles; green superintendent, Mr C. W. Wycherley; selector: Mr M. Gail; deputy-selector, Mr W. Choat; delegates to South Auckland Centre, Messrs W. W. Dillicar and C. W. Wycherley; Club Coach; Mr G. Taylor; entertainment committee, Mr A. G. Downes with power to add. It was unanimously decided to elect Mr W. F. Mason Lo life membership. Speaking to this, the chairman said that Mr Mason was one of Hie first members of tho ciub and since its inception lie had been a tower of strength and a link in the club’s progress. Every member of the club felt that lie well deserved tiie distinction which had been conferred upon him. Long Association With Club. Mr Mason, who was accorded musical honours, thanked the members for llieir expressions of appreciation. He looked upon the club not merely as (Continued in next column.)

a body, but as part of his life. In all the years that he had been associated with it he did not think that he had done anything to annoy any member, and he hoped that he would be spared to forward the interest of the club. The members were, in his opinion, a t fine body of men, whose friendship ho valued greatly. In stating his intention bf not seeking re-election to the presidential chair, Mr Dillicar paid a tribute to tho co-operation he had received from tho committee and tiie members, and particularly the secretary, Mr T. B. Booth, who had done invaluable work for the club. He moved that appreciation of Mr Booth’s services be placed on record. This was unanimously carried. Mr H. Veals, on behalf of the members, asked Mr Dillicar to reconsider his decision. During his term of office he had endeared himself to the members by his keen and unceasing interest. Other speakers support Mr Veats, and in response to a unanimous request Mr Dillicar consented to undertake the presidential duties for another year. An interesting survey of the Whitiora bowling green over the past eighteen years was given by Mr C. W. Wycherley, who had charge of tho green last year. After explaining tlio finer points of green management he made several recommendations for improving the surface in the future. Offers to donate trophies were received from Messrs A. F. Cole, F,. Woodhall, and W. F. Choat. * Croquet Green Tenure. A notice of motion to tiie effect that tiie club should define its attitude towards Hie ladies’ croquet club was brought forward by Mr J. N. Irvine, who stated Hint the club should make tiie position clear regarding the ladies’ tenure of Hie howling club’s property. \ Several speakers advanced then s -, opinions in tiie matter, and it was W decided to give Hie ladies a tenure until Hie conclusion of Hie club’s lease. Votes of thanks to the outgoing officers, the donors of trophies and all who had assisted in the successful functioning of the ciub during tha oast year concluded tiie ineetin-.