The Pavilion

During the winter of 1934, much must have been done to improve the facilities on the new site.  The most important was the unexpected acquistion of a most commodious pavilion.
 

A further bombshell was dropped in that month when it was announced that Messrs. Wilkinson and Wastney had bought the "Shirtliff property" for £2,000, "to prevent purchase by an outsider who might hem in the Bowling Club" by building on the vacant part of the section. 

The Shirtliff property was the three storey house previously owned by Thomas Cawthron and now known as Lynton Lodge.

A Special General Meeting was called on 5th December 1923, and although only 17 members attended the matter was fully discussed.
 

There was a long discussion about finance during which it was suggested that the £1,400 mortgage held by Mr. Jackson on the land be merged with a further £2,000 on the house into a single mortgage of £3,400.  A vote of thanks and an expression of further confidence was passed in favour of Mr. Wilkinson.  A special sub-committee was appointed to draw up a statement to put before the Club.

This committee met on 6th and 12th January, and on "informal general meeting" was held on 13th (Saturday) at afternoon tea time when the President, Mr. C. Leaper, outlined the proposition.  A favourable response came from the members.  A fortnight later a special meeting called by circular met on the old green over 50 strong and passed the following motion with only one dissent:
 

A billiard table, bought for £120 was installed and in the first six months £26 was taken as fees for playing.  The kiosk was brought from the old green and re-erected on the space now occupied by the present pavilion.  Old photos show that it had an open front with seats outside and with easy access from the big house. This suggests that tea was prepared in the house and dispensed in the kiosk.

The upper part of "the Shirtliff House" (as it was called) contained two flats.  It was hoped that the rent from these would pay the interest on the mortgage.  For the next 7 years, the minutes of the Club Committee contain frequent references to the tenants of the flats: one asking for extra lining to reduce noise from the billiard room; others requiring re-painting and various renovations. The following people were tenants at some time: Mr. L.F. Kitt, Mrs. Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Dick, Mrs. Airey and daughter, Mrs Langton, Mr. Hudson.

Mr. Theo Tresize, the well-known Wellington producer, rented a flat for five weeks while producing a show for the Nelson Operatic Society.  The payment of £7-10s for rent was the subject of a long argument between producer and company and the Bowling Club seems to have missed out.  Mr. E.A. Bradshaw was in occupation of one flat when the property was sold.

The billiard table was used in the early days to an extent that warranted the purchase of a second table.  A keen Committee member, "Fanny" Fantham, collected the playing fees and took care of the tables.  The annual receipts varied between £40 and £90.  The Annual Report for 1931 stated "several pleasant social evenings have been held during the recess.  The Club room has been extremely popular during the winter months, particularly on Saturday afternoons".

The section on which the clubhouse stood extended right down to the end of Church Street, including the area where another dwelling house now stands on a spacious section.  There were various suggestions for its use.  In 1926, a group of ladies headed by the wife of the Mayor (Mrs. Lock) talked of starting a croquet club on the area but it was decided that the expense of levelling the ground was too much.

In spite of the foregoing optimistic reports, the opinion was growing that the Shirtliff House should be sold.  The Annual Report of 1927 stated "the Committee feel that the property is too large for the requirements of the Club and some steps must be taken to reduce the annual charge upon the Club's funds".  In May, 1928, Mr Shirtliff wrote asking what the Club intended to do as the 5 year mortgage on the property had expired.  He agreed to renew the mortgage, but when the Treasurer reported that over a 5 year period the average annual cost for interest rates, insurance and upkeep was £178, while the rent received was only £108 it was agreed that the property be advertised for sale.  This was done in July, 1930, but no satisfactory offers were made.

The flats had no electric lights and in January, 1931, the light was installed and some papering and renovating done for £64.  In July, 1931, Mr. A.E. Greenslade made an agreement with Mr. Shirtliff to buy the property for £2,000 to be arranged as follows:

£600 in cash
£1,000 1st mortgage to Shirtliff at 6%
£400 as 2nd mortgage to Bowling Club at 6%

The Club was to retain the use of the lower part of the building, paying an annual rent of £52 (reduced to £28 by the interest on the above mortgage).

This brought relief to the finances of the Club, especially as that year the whole country was in the depth of the big depression.  The interest payments dropped from £250 to under £100.  The debentures taken by members in units of £5 originally totalled £1,445.  Many were handed back, some had to be repaid to the estate of deceased members, so that by 1934 there was only £620 remaining. 

The bank overdraft had originally been guaranteed by 18 members.  By 1933, nine had left the district, five had died, so that only four remained.  In that year liability was removed from individuals and the overdraft was secured by a mortgage on the green.  Mr. R.B. Jackson had died and the mortgage, still part of his estate, was increased to £1,800.

Through the years after 1930, the building of a new pavilion was often discussed.  In July, 1935, Mr. Chas Leaper outlined plans for the building, estimated the cost to be about £730.  The Jackson mortgage was due to expire in July, 1936, and the lease on the present quarters would run out at about the same time, so consideration was postponed for a year.

Meantime, Mr. Shirtliff repossessed the house and sold it to Mr. J.B. Ivory, who granted further tenancy to the Club with some renovating of their quarters.  Nevertheless, Mr. Leaper produced plans and specifications for a new clubhouse and tenders were called in July 1936.  The tenders were:

The Trustees of the Jackson Estate agreed to lend another £800, making the whole mortgage £2,600, at a reduced rate of 4¾%.  An art union was organised with government approval, the prize being £10 worth of gold and tickets one shilling.  It realised £112.  Mr. Rutherford, who had left the district, offered to take £250 in full settlement of his loan of £400.  Mr. A.G. Stewart lent the Club £250 at 5% to pay Mr. Rutherford.

The Club opened for the season on 17th October, 1936, with the new clubhouse nearing completion but not ready to provide afternoon tea. The official opening took place on 7th November, in the presence of a large gathering, estimated to number 300 people.

Invited guests included the MP for Nelson, Mr. Harry Atmore; the Mayor, Mr. George Page; the Bishop, the Right Rev. W.G. Hilliard, all of whom spoke after an introductory speech by the President Mr. A.H. (Hugh) Crawley.  After outlining the history of the Club Mr Crawley said "Bowling has become a most popular pastime.  In New Zealand there are 27,000 bowlers managed by 362 clubs.  Nelson Club stands seventh on the list in membership strength". 

He gave a special word of thanks to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. R.W. (Bob) Stiles who was entering his 25th year as Secretary and whose experience and advice had been a wonderful asset to the Club. 

The Garrison Band played selections and both greens were occupied in playing friendly games.