GISBORNE BOWLING CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3995, 30 July 1915, Page 7

GISBORNE BOWLING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual mooting of the Gisborne Bowling Club was held last evening in the pavilion at Kaiti. when about 50 members' were present. Mr F. Harries .presided) The annual report of the committee, which was adopted without discussion, was as follows: Tho Committee have, pleasure in submitting their annual report which gives good cause for satisfaction, showing a.n increased! membership, and an improved financial statement. The exceptionally long spell of drv weather last summer meant'tho cutting off of the town water supply, and in consequence the temporary cessation of play excepting ou Thursdays and Saturdays. The greens, however, survived this severe trial, and are now probably in better condition than ever before, thanks to tho attention of the Grounds Committee and tho incessant industry of the custodian. MEMBERSHIP. - At tho conclusion of last season tho books showed 77 active, 47 honorary and 3 life members; the present roll is 91 active, 47 honorary and. 3 life—a nett 'increase of 14 after deducting several resignations and a number lost through removal. Tho expenditure is necessarily heavy ' hut your committee has endeavored 1 : to 'keep it ••within reasonable limits. In this connection wo would impress upon all members tho necessity for an in- ; creased roll as tho surest rn> ans of easing the financial strain. i

Tile Dominion Association Tourney was heltli in January at Auckland; we were represented by one team consisting of Messrs T. Leslie. F. AV. Battic, VV. Smith and AV. A. Smith (skip) who had a most enjoyable, trip, but failed to gain the coveted honors. A similar result followed the visit of oneteam, comprised of Messrs Allan, Harris, Thacker and W. Smith (skip), to the blast Coast Centre ,Ww Amur Tourney at Napier. \Ye wi re unfortunately unable to get: other beams together lor this pleasant contest owing to previous holiday arrangement?'. Tho Burton Trophy Tournament (Easter 1915): Tho principal event of the local bowling world was hold on the Turanganui Club’s greens, they being the holders of the Cup. We have to thank our sister chili for a. most enjoyable competition ; the whole of the. arrangements' ran smoothly, and the officials worked hard and successfully for the pleasure of their visitors. Twenty-two teams compet.d of which eight- entered from our chib, skipped by Messrs (Fawford, Eure, I’unsfnrd, W. A. Smith. Witty. Tiueston. Pal fridge and 'Thacker. The result. was the return of the coveted h< >nor to our chib again, the final being fought out by idle following two Gisborne Club teams: Messrs E. Beatson. R. G. Crawford, T. Corson and T. A. Crawford (skip) and Messrs D. G. Robertson, E. Harris, R. Seymour, and W. A. Smith (skip). This proved one of the most closely contested games of the tournament, victory finally resting wk.i Air Crawford’s team. Christinas Tournament: Entries were received from six teams, skipped by Messrs W. A. Smith, Barber, Huoston, AV. Smith, Witty and Eure, the following team taking pride of place.; Aiessrs Graham, Thelwsll. Thacker, and Huoston (.skip).

New Year Pairs Tournament: Sixteen pairs took the field from our own club only, the winners being found in Messrs Beat-son. ar.d T. A. Crawford (skip) after an. enjoyable day. CLUB COMPETITIONS. Very satisfactory entries were received for these, but the results did not altogether fulfil expectations, many competitors making little attempt to get. off their games. Jn the Thursday Handicap Singles, the prize for which was a valuable*. •rosFboivl. less than 50 per cent of the games were, played ; the committee, as a- consequence. cancelled tins competition. Your Committee arc unanimously of opinion that fewer competition,-; would interfere less with the harmonious working of the club and would result in greater pleasure to a greater number. Tile following proved victorious in the respective contests: — Thursday Fours: ..Messrs W. Graham. It. G. Crawford, E. \V. Pettie and W. J. Hueston (skip). Saturday Emm;: Messrs G. Crawford, S. AV. Oxenham, A. T. Hookey and R. AV. Kyme (skip). Thursday Bairs: Messrs ,T. R. (bedstone and W. J. Hueston. (skip). Saturday Pairs: Messrs AV. E. Newman and D. G. .Roborston (skip).

Saturday Handicap Singles: Air R-. W. Kymo. Champion Singles: Air R. Tlalwull. District Shield: 'Three teams each were entered from City, Kadi and What-anpoko, inst'xul of two as horc-i-ofore. City met AA 7 hat an poke and were defeated. City’ then lost tei Haiti. Haiti and AA’hataupoko contested the final the laurels going to tin* latter. 'The winniiw teams were. Aiessrs AlcConnell, Green, Cox and T. A. Crawford (skip); Leslie, Allen. .Bullock and! Greig (skip): and G. Crawford, Beatson, Seymour and Corson (skip). INTER-CLUB MATCHES. 'l'hese competitions for the .Lane and Witty Pennants, which are usually/ of so much interest, have- ibis s: ason, unfortunately, remaim’d unliii:.'field, owing chiefly to the fact that both clubs have been ov. r.,u: dr:: -d with club contests. The thanks of the elub are due In Iho following for donations and trophies to this year’s prize list: Messrs L. )>. Nathan (for D.C.L. Company), Watson and. Company (per D. J. Barry), J. J. Marlin, T. Corson, if. J. Grieve, R. AA T . Hyrne, J. R. R. 31. Robertson, F. Harris, J. S. Allan, T. A. Crawford and 1). J. Ba.rrv.

W«i <loeply regret to have to record tho loss through death of Aiessrs Geo. 11 umphries and A mold. Al r .1:1 umphries was an • old and respected meinber of our elub and some years mgo was a member of (he North. Island Champion Four. Mr Arnold, although a member of later date, took an active and intelligent interest in tho club’s welfare. Wo extend to the sorrowing relatives -our sincere sympathy'.

Wo, unfortunately, lost the services early in tho season of secretary Mr C. G. Maher. As well as being an untiring and cver-courtoons officer, ho was a prominent howler. Such a member we can ill afford to lose. Mr E. J. Bullock was appointed! to the vacant position. In conjunction with, the Turanganui Club we secured thei services of Mr Jenlcin, the official bowl-tester from Auckland, in March last—all of our members taking advantage of the opportunity to have their' bowls, tested andi stamped, in compliance with the Dominion Association rule.

An invitation was received from the To Araroa Bowling Club to thmr inauguration ceremony. Air Hookey and tho secretary were the only members able to accept the kindness of the infant club, who treated.their visitors with unlimited hospitality and courtesy. Your Committee have procured, a Club Honors Board, and have bad recorded! thereon the names of all presidents since tho inception of tho club with tho dates of their official terms. Tiie thanks of tho club are extended to tho ladies who dispersed .afternoon tea during tho season; to Air Paltridgo who very 'kindly took the levels of the greens who;never necessary ;. and to the Press for reporting matches and other matters of interest

and importance. There was a certain amount of discussion over the balance sheet, which finally adopted on the motion of the Chairman. Mr Harris, who was reelected as president for the coming season, briefly returned‘thunks. Ati-

AV. A. Smith was elected vice-presi-dent ; Messrs T. Corson, E. J. Bullock and M. Craig were returned as treasurcre, secretary and auditor respectively. The election of the committee was then proceeded with. Nine nominations were received and the following were elected :—Messrs J . S. Allan, T. Leslie, AV. J. Huoston, 0. C. Cox and G. E. Ashton.

The untiring industry of the Club’s caretaker, Mr Wilson, was referred to in most complimentary terms. It was unanimously decided to thank him in wri ting for the energy-he had displayed in the coprse of his duties. Mr J. AA 7 . Bright was asked to distribute tho prizes, and leapt the members of tho Club in roars of laughter with humorous anecdotes and references to different games in which prizes had been won. Perhaps the most popular “prize winner” was Mr J. AVitty, who was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting on account of illness. Air AVitty was not the recipient of any prize won in a competition but was presented with a very nice set of pipes, a token of the esteem in wliieh lie was held throughout the Club. Air Witty was referred to as the best sport in the Club, ready to play anywhere or at any time, for the love ol the game. Air Bright waS requested to make tho presentation after the mooting at Air A\ r itl;y’s house. Regret was expressed at Air Witty’s illness. '1 ho president was accorded a vote of thanks for a photograph of Ins late father, which he had nresonted to tho elubroom. Air Bullock, the secretary, was voted an honorarium of 10 guineas as a token of the gratitude of the Club for the amount of work done by him during Die past year. Air Craig, tho auditor, was voted an honorarium of two guineas.