SUMMER SPORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 3 August 1937, Page 10

SUMMER SPORT

THE NORTHERN CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Northern Bowling, Croquet, and Tennis Club was held last evening, Mr C. N. Rabone presiding over a fair attendance. There were several apologies for absence. Mr Rabone extended a welcome to those present, both old and prospective members. He intimated that Mr G. M. Ransom had brought hack from Fiji, where he was one of the players who had represented the New Zealand Bowling Association, a gavel which he proposed to donate to the club for the use of the president. A motion of sympathy was accorded Mr W. R. Mayes and family in their recent bereavement, to Mr J. Bryce, and to the fanily of the late Mr J. Newton. It was resolved to write to Mrs It. C. French expressing the Club’s wish for her rapid return to good health. The president’s report, which was adopted, stated, inter alia: “The club has made wonderful progress. The financial statement discloses that a credit on the year’s working of' £24 11s 8d lias been made, but this has more than been absorbed by certain non-recurring expenditure, leaving us with a debit balance of £3O 8s Id. During the year the debentures taken up in August 1934, amounting to £39 have been repaid. Another fairly large outlay was for a fence on the western side of No. 5 croquet green, which cost £ls 9s 7d. These amounts total £6O 7s Id, a substantial sum to find in one year, additional to the ordinary expenses of running, the club. It is gratifying to record that members donated £29 18s 8d to the special appeal. It is gratifying to find that the bowling section has considerably increased its income from membership fees. During the season 18 new members joined and the subscriptions amounted to £192 3s, a record. The croquet section also shows a small increase in fees, a total of £7B 4s 9d being received, also a record. The tennis section, whilst securing nearly 70 new members, also lost a considerable number, but nevertheless a total of £137 7s came in in subscriptions as against £145 tlie previous year. The total received for subscriptions is £409 14s 9d as against £377 2s last year. It is appropriate to mention that the ladies of the croquet section, finding that the club could not finance the No. 5 green, raised approximately £4O. There- were other donations from the bowlers totalling £7 4s; there is also in hand for tennis hard courts £5 10s lid. Mr and Mrs F. O. Bryan’s departure to Wellington was a loss. Mr Bryan had been president for two years, as well as green superviser for a term, and was a keen player of both howls and croquet. Mrs Bryan also had a fine record of service to the club and the croquet section. The general committee recommends that life membership be conferred at an annual general meeting, and then only on the recommendation of the executive committee. Now that the playing areas and the shrubberies and plantations are so extensive __ it has been found necessary to employ an assistant caretaker, at least during the playing season.” Mr Rabone referred to the work of the greenkeeper, Mr George Lynch, who had maintained the large area of playing greens in excellent order throughout tli? year. “The green supervisors, firstly Mr Bryan and latterly Mr J. C. Young, have also to bo thanked for supervision and direction given. The ladies’ tea committee has also given great satisfaction with the afternoon tea arrangements. I express thanks to the general committee, who at all times and at meetings have given me their loyal support. Finally, my thanks are due to our general secretary . and treasurer, Mr P. S. Larcomb.”

The statement of accounts, which was adopted, showed that tlie club had commenced the year with a credit balance of £5 7s 4cl and had ended it with a debit balance of £3O 8s Id.

Mr Ransom reported on the recent Fijian bowling tourney. A motion of thanks was passed to Mr Ransom for his report and for his gift. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr C. N. Rabone ; vice-presidents, Messrs A. E. Lynch (bowling), D. McPherson (tennis), and Mrs H. Brown (croquet); section secretaries, Mr P. 0. Skoglund (bowling), Mesdames M. J, Lee (croquet) and B. C. French (tennis) ; section representatives on the general committee, Mr Lynch (bowling), Mrs H. Brown (croquet) ; tennis, to be appointed; secre-tary-treasurer, Mr Larcomb; green supervisor, Mr Young; green committee, Messrs R. McMurray, N. IT. Hume and Mrs L. Wood; auditor, Mr M. J. Lee. • _ . A sub-committee appointed to survey the rules and to suggest revisions, presented its report, several rules being subsequently altered. An honorarium was granted, the secretary in appreciation of bis services. 'liie greenkeeper was also granted an honorarium. When the matter of laying down two hard courts came up for discussion it was resolved to hold the matter o\ei until the next annual meeting. One new member was elected. ■ The budget presented provided for £9O for a new motor mower, £lO for a turf nursery, and £2O for further plant. It was pointed out by Mr Larcomb that it was difficult to draw up a budget at such an early date.. A suggestion that depreciation be allowed on the plant was referred to the committee. It was decided to make October i the tentative- opening day. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair, the executive, the Press, and the past officers-