BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 252, 21 October 1908, Page 7

BOWLING.

Tmndlers .began operations in earnest on Saturday last,' Rocky Nook Epsom* I Onehunga, and Otahuhu all setting the' kitty across the green in splendui bowling weather, and under all other auspices the j most favourable. The: excellent condition of the: greens for a first day was reflected in the satisfaction and general content I written on the faces of the brotherhood I at the conclusion of the day, while the arrangements carried out -by hard work-i ing secretaries resulted in the usual sue-1 cess of a bowler's outing. On Saturday next, Auckland, Poaatmby, j Devonport, and Mt. Eden;'are among the cluba-iwho set the bowl rolling.' * " '! The complete manner in, which the arrangements for the opening- of the Rocky Nook Bowling Club were detailed arid carried 1 out reflects great credit on the well-thought-out and indefatigable efforts of Mr T. Hodgson, tiie club's secretary. As the outcome of: business-like arrangements, the secretary had replies in from all visitors by the Thursday evening, the draw was made, and every pliyer upon reaching the green knew exactly where to betake himself attid his bowls. Another matter that other clubs could well accept as a lead was the appointment of' a reporting member, whose duty is to collect the results of the afternoon's play* in readiness for publication in the "Star" sports edition. Scorers are too often apt to pocket their cards after play, and wander off to a lemonade bottle or other attraction, entirely forgetful of the inconvenience, it causes not only to the secretary, but to the pressman who visits the green for results that are to noise abroad the deeds of the bowler to his I friends. j The Match Committee of the Auckland Provincial Bowling Association decided I last Thursday night to hold the annual pennant tournament on January 28, 29 ■ 30, and 31, 1909. in place of the Easter | dates, which have previously been favoured by the Auckland Association. | This decision should give general satisfacI tiori to howlers and green caretakers. The Northern Bowling Association's seventeenth annual report contains a regret for the secession of the Auckland clubs of Auckland, Mt. Eden, Ponsonby, and Rocky Nook, which had preferred tp foster their own local associations. The Eastbourne Club had joined during the past season, so that the number of i clubs on the roll was now 44. Allusibn was made to ihe biennial jnter-club' tournament, held early in the year at Auckland, which had proved one of the most 'successful meetings yet held. There was the record attendance of 66 rinks, representing 33 clubs. The usual champion I fours tournament would be held this season on the Napier greens, commencing early in January next. A return visit from Australian clubs was expected early in the coming year. Inclusive of £124 12/4, brought forward from the previous year, the receipts for the 12 months totalled £267 16/2. Club subscriptions amounted to £96 10/ and entrance fees at the Auckland tournament to £45 la/. The expenditure was £242 9/1, there thus being a balance in hand pf £25 7/. Officers for the ensuing term were unanimously elected as follow:—"President, Mr J. C. McVay (Napier); vice-president, Colonel Collins (Wellington); secretary and treasurer, Mr J. H. Mentiplay (Wellington), reelected; auditor, Mr H. F. Allen (Wellington), reelected. At a meeting of the Northern Bowling Association's Council, held subsequent to the annual meeting, a discussion took place on the letter from the Remuera Club, suggesting a revision of the conditions respecting affiliation with the Association, and advancing a scheme whereby a strong northern federation could be brought about, which from its organisation would not grow too wieldy. Mr T. Ballinger stated his opinion that the trouble was really due to the great expense involved in running the tournaments, and moved that in future visit- | ing players should each subscribe 10/ to relieve the entertaining clubs. This was seconded by Mr H. F. Allen. As an amendment, it was moved by Mr J. I Mentiplay, and seconded by Mr W. ißrunskill that a circular should be sent out to all affiliated clubs asking for suggestions as to the best means of dealing with the difficulty. Ultimately, on the 1 motion of Messrs Blanchard and Bell, | the letter was referred for consideration to a committee consisting of the president, secretary, and Messrs Ballinger, [McKerrow, Bell and Brunskill, with instructions to report in a month's time. 1 The motion and amendment,.with the resignations of the Ponsonby and Rocky (■Nook Clubs, were held over in the meanI time. J At a council meeting of the Northern I Bowling Association last week, it was [ I decided, on the motion of Mr McKerrow, to invite representatives of all the bowl- ! ing clubs in the district to join in a de- [ i putation to the Prime Minister to ask I him for relief from the payment of I municipal rates. ' * I A Sydney paper publishes the following:—"Maoriland files publish that the I Auckland Association, comprising 36 j .clubs, have agreed to the both-feet-on-the-mat proposal, which leaves Welling-1 I ton people in the position of being alone I in objecting. Their attitude is: We j will be willing to play as ydu do when |we visit; Australia, but you must conform to our customs when you come to | meet us. This is to ,be deplored, as the (Australian team to visit Maoriland next January are sure to cut Wellington out iof their itinerary unless the bowlers of 1 the Dominion's windy city prove amen able to reason and do the right thing." Grey Lynn Cltib and Richmond Club have both fixed Saturday, November 7, as the opening date of their season. I