Club History

The Second 50 Years

June 1938:	The Nelson and Maitai Clubs held a combined prize giving in the Nelson Clubrooms. Decided to hold two tournaments to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. Fours from 26 December to 29 December, pairs from 30 December to 3 January.

7 September 1938:	R. W. Stiles was elected Secretary for the twenty sixth year in succession and presented with a "double-headed" entree dish suitably inscribed. He had been given a presentation also in 1933 after 21 years as secretary, when he was described as "a father to the Committee".

12 December 1938:	The Jubilee Tournament was cancelled because of poor entries.

28 September 1938:	Mrs Shand Smith had been serving teas for eleven years.

6 September 1939:	Bob Stiles withdrew as Secretary and Norm Rout was appointed. Stiles elected a life member. He was still Secretary to the Centre in 1943.

November 1939:	Sixteen bowls belonging to the Nelson Club on loan to the Wakefield Club were transferred to the newly formed Brightwater Club. These consisted of 3 sets of 4 bowls and 2 pairs of bowls. the practice of lending bowls to newly formed clubs was established in the early days. Wakefield had had those bowls since 1934. Ngawhatu Hospital had some earlier and these were collected (8 pairs) in 1936 and sent to Murchison. The Tahunanui Club was formed in 1940, and also in that year a fire destroyed the clubhouse at Takaka and the Nelson Club lent a mower and some bowls.

May 1941:	The superintendent of reserves wrote stating that he planned a reconstruction of Church Street and Club Secretary was authorised to confer with him. As a result the northern boundary of the Club was much improved.

December 1941:	The Blackball Bowling Club asked for a loan of old bowls. The "defunct" Murchison Club was asked to return the bowls lent to them.

September 1942:	The restriction of war time had many effects on the Club; shortage of petrol reduced inter-club games, although the NZ Bowling Association applied to the Rationing Controller for tea and sugar rations, these were not granted to individual clubs. The Club recommended to the Centre that strict bowling costume be waived. The greenkeeper was instructed to plant onions in the dahlia bed and in February, 1943, it was reported that 622 lbs of onions had been sold for £10 7s 6d; At one stage it was decided to cancel all Club competitions but this was rescinded at a subsequent meeting.

10 November 1942:	The finances of the Club were such that a Special General Meeting was called to consider a proposal to sell the pavilion with a small portion of land. About 30 members held a lively discussion. they were unanimous that no property should be sold. Instead they decided to open a list for voluntary donations. This list eventually totalled about £250.

January 1943:	A bowling club had now been formed at Ngawhatu and it was decided to ask other clubs to return bowls lent to them. These would be sold to Ngawhatu at £1 per set.

April 1943:	The top floor of the pavilion was considered unsafe for the large numbers of people at the Easter Tournament and the President had arranged for Mr. Holbrook, builder, to erect three pillars under the same. This was done urgently and the Committee approved after it was completed.

20 December 1943:	After an abortive meeting on 6 December, when it was decided to hold a postal ballot on the question of Sunday play. The ballot result was 49 in favour and 43 against Sunday play.

October - December 1944:	New members elected totalled 32. The annual report in 1945 stated that the membership was 130 and suggested that it might be necessary to restrict numbers.

10 March 1945:	A Gala Day raised £190.

May 1945:	Frank Blincoe appointed greenkeeper in place of Quinton.

June 1945:	The Chairman of the Greens Committee, N. S. Tankersley reported:
	(1)	A concrete wall built along the Examiner Street end of the top green.
	(2)	The boards at the lower edge of the terrace between upper and lower greens were removed and a concrete wall put in.
	(3)	The paths around the lower green were concreted.

July 1946:	The new chairman of Green Committee A. W. St. John, reported:
	(1)	The concrete wall in front of the pavilion rebuilt.
	(2)	A new hedge planted on the north and west sides of the top green.

8 July 1948:	A social and dance was held in the Oddfellows Hall. It was so successful that the next AGM decided to hold a Jubilee Tournament, celebrating 60 years since the Club was formed. Forty teams were to be accepted and a photographer employed.

4 December 1951:	Tom Bowes had died and his family donated the Bowes Memorial Cup for competition between teams eliminated in the early rounds of the Club Fours. Alan Beattie fined himself ten shillings for appearing and playing in mufti on a Saturday.


19 August 1954:	The builder, Holbrook, has completed extensions to the pavilion extending the north wall to form a "sun lounge", at a cost of £260. A rubber green is proposed and Dr. Jenkins and C. Kettle are appointed our representatives.

18 June 1956:	A new entrance from Examiner Street to the top floor of the pavilion has been completed by Holbrook assisted by P. Vining.

16 August 1956:	D. E. Johnson appointed sole selector. He is still sole selector in 1987.

29 November 1956:	Bird Bath donated by P. Vining, erected on lawn.

July 1957:	The wooden piles under the NW corner of the pavilion are replaced by F. Blincoe with the help of several members.

20 February 1958:	C. S. Nottage who has been treasurer for several years is leaving Nelson. His place is taken by H. R. Holland.

22 April 1959:	A sub-committee appointed to supervise the extension of the NW corner of the pavilion to provide a women's room. The estimated cost of materials, £138. Most of the work is done by the greenkeeper, Frank Blincoe.

24 February 1960:	Norm Anderson takes over as greens supervisor, replacing Eric Moss. Two years later he asked to be relieved and Phil Vining took over.

13 July 1961:	Percy Cullen died. For many years he had made the tea on week days and had generally made himself useful. The greenkeeper, Frank Blincoe was now making the tea. In 1962, and for several years afterwards F. P. (Piki) Gould made the tea.

February 1962:	The Secretary, Harold Jamieson reported that two water diviners had surveyed the lower green on separate occasions. Mrs Hogg in the presence of half-a-dozen club members decided there was an ample supply of water at a depth of 12 to 15 feet. Mrs Black had also been asked by the Secretary and she appeared several days later and in the presence of only the Secretary and the greenkeeper gave a similar report. The Committee took no action towards using these reports.

18 April 1963:	The 75th anniversary of the Club was celebrated by a dinner in the Oddfellows Hall. About 120 people were present. Speeches were made by the President of the NZ Bowling Association, C.H. Hain, KV. Wilkins, J.C. Walsh, G. M. McGregor, S. A. Whitehead MP, and the Club President A. G. Betts. The arrangements were in the hands of a committee headed by D. D. Merritt.

12 June 1963:	A letter is received from a child apologising for walking on the green. It is signed "M. Lightband", which happens to be the name of our founder.

11 July 1963:	At the AGM there is much discussion on finance. D. Merritt offers to conduct appeal for donations to reduce the mortgage of £2,000. The balance sheet of 1964 showed that £454 was donated. J. Walsh had interviewed the Town Clerk regarding the disposal of the lower green, suggesting that the council might take it over as a park.

8 August 1963:	There has been a Turf Culture Conference for two days in Nelson. The members have visited several greens and some very complimentary remarks have been made about our greens and property.

15 January 1964:	It had been intended to hold several tournaments near Christmas to mark the 75th anniversary but they are abandoned because of insufficient support.

Annual Report 1964:	The green supervisor, P. Vining, assisted by some volunteers has erected a wooden fence on the northern boundary. It will stop the errant car and reduce the breeze on the lower green. The balance sheet shows donations for fence £85, cost of fence £55.

July-August 1964:	The question of supply of liquor is raised. Messrs E. Coote and J. Newman are asked to make enquiries. When they reported that the sergeant of police had stated that there was no way that the Club could obtain a licence for the sale of liquor except on special occasions, it was decided to call a special meeting. This was held on 10 September when, after much discussion, a secret ballot on the motion "that the Club introduce the supply of liquor to members" resulted: for 9, against 35. However it was in this year that the Bowling Association in combination with the Golf Association approached the Prime Minister requesting an alteration of the licensing laws.

7 October 1964:	Frank Blincoe resigns after 19 years service during which he was a general handy man as well as looking after the greens. He worked for the City Council for a few months.

23 December 1964:	An important re-arrangement of the Club's finances takes place at a special meeting of the executive committee, when C.F. Donald, Manager of the ANZ Bank, and a member of the Club is invited to attend. The Jackson mortgage of £2,000 at 6½% which has kept the finances afloat for forty years is replaced by a cash payment of £700 from the Club funds and an overdraft of £1,300 from the ANZ Bank. Interest on the overdraft was 5½% while 5% was paid on the Club's current account.

14 September 1966:	A deputation from the Women's Club attends a Committee meeting to discuss teas on Saturdays. Mrs. Walton agrees to run a roster of player's wives who volunteer to help. At the same meeting the women arrange to hold mixed tournaments on one Sunday in each month.

13 December 1967:	Sunday tournaments are cancelled owing to lack of support.

14 August 1968:	A carpet is laid in the clubroom upstairs at a cost of £350. Some fears are expressed that cigarettes might cause a fire. Members who gather to play cards in the afternoons are asked to take care.

11 December 1968:	Fourteen new tables are purchased for £418.

5 February 1969:	The RSA Club are having trouble with their green and are invited to make use of our greens. When the greens supervisor allots them the top green for the Monopoli Cup, there is some criticism on the Committee. After some discussion, the following motion is carried "that the green supervisor be empowered to decide which green should be used for any match and that this Committee wishes him to give the best possible consideration to outside players who are our guests". Nevertheless, it is decided to charge visitors 20c and to install a collection box. At the AGM in June, the collection box was voted out.

9 July 1969:	The Masonic Lodge was granted use of two greens for their tournament on Anniversary Day. The RSA was also granted two greens for the Diggers' Elimination Tournament on 13 and 14 March 1970.

8 October 1969:	It was reported that the Maitai Club have arranged to use our greens and that they would hold their all-day tournaments on our greens and pay any profits to the Nelson Club. The Centre would hold a coaching school on the Nelson greens on 20 October.

22 January 1970:	In spite of (or because of) all the use being made of our greens, a special meeting of the Committee was called to ask the greenkeeper why the lower green had some brown patches on it.

9 February 1971:	Mrs. Simpson is employed as tea lady. She is a keen indoor bowler and is interested in all the activities of the Club. She continued until 1979.

April 1971:	The women's Club are invited to join the men on closing day, when the trophies are presented and a social hour enjoyed. It was considered a complete success and has been repeated on opening and closing days ever since.

11 July 1972:	The fence on the west side of the lower green to be rebuit by P. Vining, assisted by men employed by Ray Legge.

22 July 1972:	The "house committee" (S. Easton, B. Brackman, L. Spicer) started "housie" sessions on Saturday evenings. This was continued with considerable benefit to Club funds until 1979 when it was abandoned because of lack of support in the running of sessions.

7 September 1972:	The fence has been completed and also extended "in front of the rubbish dump". P. Vining has donated the material used, worth about $15.

14 November 1972:	Mace Allen offers to have the words NELSON BOWLING CLUB across the front of the building at a cost of about $35. Previously only the letters NBC were there. Mrs. Jean Russell makes a new flag for the Club.

Annual Report, 1973:	The increased income from "Indoor Activities" (housie, raffles, liquor sales etc) has made it possible to pay off the overdraft at the ANZ Bank. Don Merritt CBE is elected patron of the Club, as the result of a proposal by the President Ben Brickman, that the Club should have a patron in future. The resignation of Phil Vining as green supervisor is at last accepted. He has done the job with great success for over ten years. There follows a period of difficulty with unsatisfactory greenkeepers until on 12th March, 1974 Lou Atger is appointed at $1,200 per annum. A keen bowler and a hard worker he does a good job until 1978.

20 May 1975:	A. Hedwig show the Committee a model of the proposed alterations to the Clubrooms. These are approved and will be shown to City Council for approval so that the Club can apply for a grant from the Government Recreation Fund.

11 November 1975:	Visitors on opening day have commented on the splendid improvements to the pavilion. These had cost $3,600, partly covered by Government Recreation Fund. P. Vining had presented the Club with 16 new non-skid mats.

July 1976:	The City Council has connected the Club to the water main in Church Street. This gives better pressure than the previous connection in Examiner Street. D. Merritt has produced a plan for building a block wall on the north and west of the top green and the work is nearing completion. The completed cost for the wall and water main was $2,722.

28 September 1976:	A pool table has been purchased from the RSA for $350.

12 October 1976:	Mrs. Russell has presented a new flag.

Annual Report 1977:	For the year ended 28 February, profits reported are Housie $2,100 and Bar $1,100.

21 June 1977:	A there is new government policy regarding liquor licensing of sports clubs, a licence is to be applied for and R. Richards is asked to prepare a plan for an improved bar. The bar is completed during that winter.

29 April 1978:	A Special General meeting attended by Allan Nimmo of the Centre Greens Advisory Committee, decided to adopt a plan to re-lay the top green. On the advice of Mr. Don Merritt and Sir Jack Newman, a tender by the Highways Construction Company of $8,750 was accepted. The contractors undertook to remove soil to a depth of 20 inches, to slope the resulting base towards one side, insert drains 12 inches below the base and re-fill with fresh soil. This soil was supplied by the Club at an estimated cost of $1,130. Don Merritt said that the cotula to cover the green would not cost the Club anything. The President, Andy Hedwig, was keen to have underground watering installed, but this was not done. A sub-committee was appointed to arrange finance. this Committee recommended a levy of $10 per member and an increase of $5 in the annual subscription, bringing it to $26. Eventually the cost was: Highways Construction $9,630, soil from Motueka $1,232 making a total of $10,862. The levy and donations, including some from the Women's Club, realised $3,400, and after using other Club funds there was a bank overdraft of $5,000.

12 September 1978:	Two heavy rollers have been sold and two light ones bought. A bowls polishing machine has been installed.

6 February 1979:	L. Spicer resigns from the Committee and is replaced by E. Winter, who has been active as bar manager for some years. K. Cobden resigns as treasurer and is replaced by S. Billing.

11 December 1979:	The Committee decides to purchase 14 new jacks. A. Nimmo has been assisting on the greens during the winter. He takes a contract on an annual basis to look after both greens. The balance sheet for the AGM in June 1981, shows that he had been paid $3,628.

26 July 1980:	A special Meeting atended by 45 members is held to consider finance. It decides to raise the subscription to $45.

2 October 1980:	The profit from a "garage sale" is $652. Plastic grass is purchased for the ditches. A quotation by Mr Casey of $1,500 to paint the pavilion is accepted.

9 February 1982:	L. F. (Doc) Grimsey died in June, 1981, having been elected a life member in 1979. He left a legacy of $200 to the Club. This is used to provide a board to list the Life Members and to include the "Grimsey Clock". Doc Grimsey won the Champion of Champions singles in his early days and he always played lead, becoming a valued member of many Club teams. He never married. The Club and the Catholic Church were his life interest and to both he gave a real loyalty. Eric Winter resigns as bar manager and it is decided to make a gift of $500 in recognition of his sterling work in establishing the bar and so providing a social amenity and a source of funds that has put the Club finances on a better footing.

March 1982:	There appears at the north gate a steam boiler as used to sterilise the soil in glasshouses in former times. Under the direction of Alan Nimmo the soil of the lower green is stirred to a good depth with a rotary hoe and then thoroughly steamed.

AGM 5 June 1982:	An anonymous donor has given $200 towards the purchase of a piano. It is decided to sell the pool table and add the proceeds towards buying the piano.

5 October 1982:	A loan from the City Council is available at no interest for 1st year, 3% for 2nd year and 5% for succeeding years. A loan of $500 is taken out on those terms.

Annual Report 28 May 1983:	"Vandals were a problem in the soft surface of the green". Several members spent hours through the nights watching for them. It is decided not to sell the pool table. The Executive is instructed to prepare plans for the improvement of the Clubrooms. A sketch is prepared by R. Richards in co-operation with G. Bickley. A quote from Geo Bell (the son of the builder of the present pavilion) is received totalling $28,250. A Special Meeting on 24 September, 1983, is attended by 42 members. When a motion to proceed with the alterations is put to the vote there are 7 for and 35 against.

9 August 1983:	Lights are erected on poles in the grounds to discourage vandals.

8 November 1983:	The motor mower has been replaced.

31 January 1984:	Alan Nimmo will not renew his contract to look after the greens. He has toiled hard since 1979 but the results have been disappointing. P. Watson, Secretary, is going overseas. Geo. Pearce is appointed Secretary.

AGM 28 May 1984:	A. Hedwig, retiring President, is elected a Life Member. It is decided to sell thepool table. the possibility of having artificial greens is raised.

9 September 1984:	G. Bickley, vice-President is leaving the district.

25 March 1985:	Mr. Coles of Turf Culture has inspected our greens and has sent a full report with recommendations for treatment. At a Special Meeting of the Executive the following motion (Hedwig-Karsten) is carried "that the report of Mr. Coles be adopted and that the directions be carried out".

9 April 1985:	R. Sanders is elected Secretary. The financial year will end on the last day of April. Afternoon play will commence at 1.30pm instead of 2 o'clock. Regarding the playing of club competitions on Sundays, after much discussion it is decided "that the Executive Committee in conjunction with the Match Committee be allowed to bring forward a system suitable to all players in competitions". Sir Jack Newman produces plans prepared at his own expense by a surveyor and a real estate agent to show that the lower green could be sold for about $350,000. A special sub-committee is set up to consider the plans, and call a special meeting later.

10 December 1985:	G. Pearce and M. Mowat have given freely of their time and energy in carrying out the Coles recommendations on the greens. The Committee decides that each shall be paid $1,000.

18 February 1986:	A set of irrigation pipes is purchased from Coronation Club. A mechanical roller is purchased for $3,500. A machine will be used to remove the top inch of soil on the lower green. J. Horne has started a fund to purchase a TV for the Club.

Special General Meeting 8 April 1986:	A. Hedwig and others have spent some time revising and up-dating the Rules of the Club. The new rules are adopted, and will be referred to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. A sub-committee has considered the proposals put forward by Sir Jack Newman on 25 May, 1985 and they recommend that no action be taken. When this is put forward as a motion and several members have spoken it is carried unanimously.

8 April 1986:	At the regular meeting of the Executive, G. Pearce says that owing to family problems he will be unable to continue working on the greens.

1987:	Andy Hedwig has undertaken the care of the greens and is spending nearly all of his days on that job. The top green, mainly grass, has been kept in reasonable playing condition, while the lower green, newly planted with cotula, has been carefully tended but not opened for play. Don Carter now appointed to control greens and both greens now well prepared for the Centennial Year. In recognition of the dedication of both Phil Vining and Andy Hedwig the AGM of 4th July 1987 unanimously agreed that the top green would in future be known as the "VINING GREEN" and the bottom green the "HEDWIG GREEN". Mrs, Jean Russell is preparing a special flag for the centennial. This will be the sixth flag she has made, the others having been either stolen or slowly destroyed by the winds of heaven.