BOWLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1936, Page 21

BOWLING.

AUCKLAND CENTRE. NEARLY 3000 PLAYERS. BUSY SEASON REVIEWED. The report of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Bowling Association, to be presented to the annual meeting of delegates on June 25, states that visits ■were received from representatives of the New South Wales Bowling Association, South Auckland Centre, Taranaki Centre ami Mauawatu Centre. The executive had been actively engaged in paying official visits to the outlying clubs of the centre, including Mercury- Bay, Coromandel, Kaukapakapa. Helensville and Warkworth. In January the centre had the pleasure of a visit lrom a party of 21 bowlers and live ladies from New South Wales, in the charge of Mr. T. W. Heath, president of (he New South Wales Bowling Association, and a round of visits and entertainment

was arranged for them. In February the centre received a short visit from a party of 32 bowlers frofn the Manawatu Centre, while in March a party of 52 Taranaki players and 21 ladies visited Auckland. An itinerary' was drawn up which provided for games with all city and suburban clubs. During December last the centre had received a visit from eight rinks of players representing the South Auckland Centre, which took part in the annual competition for the Hardley ShieW. The match, which was played on the Mount Eden green, resulted in a win for Auckland with lIV 2 wins and 352 points to South Auckland's 4 , /s wins and 324 points. 111 accordance with the conditions of the competition, the centre would be required to send eight rinks to South Auckland during the forthcoming season.

The number of clubs attached to the centre is reported to be the same as last year, but a gratifying increase in membership has been made. The season commenced with a total of 46 clubs, representing an aggregate membership of 2799, and closed with 46 clubs, representing a .membership of 2879, an increase of 80.

List of clubs and membership :-fAuckland (197), Auckland Transport' (63), Avoudale (46)1 Balmoral (85), 'Bucklaltcl (20), Buckhmd's Beachj-(12),, Garitoil (1S0) M ; Clevedon (25), Coromahdel (20), Devonport (120), Edendale (44), Ellerslie (70), Epsom (120), Glen Eden (21), Grey. Lynn (S8), Hallyburton Johnstone (41), Helensville (56), Henderson (40), Hillsboro' (30), Howick (25), Kaukapakapa (35), Mangere (35), Manurewa (36), Mercury Bay (15), Mount Albeit (84), Mount Eden (118), New Lynn (33). Onehunga (114), Otahuhu (54),.Papakura (30), Papatoetoe (70), Patumahoe (16), Ponsonby (132), Pukekohe (92), Rawhiti (53), Remuera (154), Rocky Nook (68), St. Helier's'(6l), Stanley (50), Takapuna (55), Te Papapa (40), Tuakau (30), Waitemata (60), Waiuku (50), Warkworth (26), West End (70). " ' t "Winners of competitions .held by the centre last season: — ' Open Singles.—A. Parsons (Ponsonby). Christmas Fours. —Anderson, Cliappell, Kelly, Franks (Balmoral). - V Champion Pairs.—Hardley and Bremner (West Erid). Champioa of Champions.—L. N. Thomson (Rawhiti). The advisability of conducting the postsection play of the Christmas fours tournament on the one-life system had been fully considered, by the executive, and, after consultation with prominent tournament players, it had been decided to adhere to the two-life system. It had been decided, however, that the matter should again be brought before the delegates at the next annual meeting of the centre. Record Easter Tourney. The popularity of the Easter tournament was demonstrated by the number of entries received, no fewer than 158 teams taking part, a record entry. Results of the various competitions were as follow:— Easter fours, Stephens, Wilson, Richmond, Mingins (Epsom); clubs' executivQ fours, Walker, Shaw,- Caddy, Buckley (Grey Lynn); intermediate fours, Abdallah, Mat-j chett, Walker, Mollojr- (Carlton); firstyear players' fours, Stubbs, Coote, Colegrove, Whitmore (Remuera). The interclub pennant competition was also becoming increasingly popular, as entries were received from 36 clubs, representing 372 teams, 01* 1488 players, taking part in each round, an increase of two clubs and 06 players when compared with the previous season's figures. Section A hatl been won by the West End Club with I' 2 rinks, and section B by Buckland's Beach with two rinks. The final, which took place on a neutral green, was very close, and - it was not until the last bowl had been played that West End was declared the .winner. ... . Auckland's New Zealand Champion. The annual tournament of the New Zealand Bowling Association was held in Christchurch, where the Auckland Centre was well represented, the entries being: Singles 25, pairs 16, ripks 9. The performances of the Aucklanders were meritorious, the final of the singles being actually an Auckland one between F. Livingstone (Onehunga) and C. E. Hardley (West End), the former taking the honours. Several representatives woij their sections in the pairs, and J. Higginson and H. Whittle (Grey Lynn) were only beaten in the filial. Five of the nine rinks qualified for post-section play, and, although performing well, were just unable to reach final honours.

It w»s with deepest regret that the centre had recorded the ""Heath, of its treasurer, Mr. A. H. Yeoman, who liad held the position for the past 14 years. Mr. Yeoman was one who had the interests of bowling very much at heart and to whom the centre was deeply indebted for valuable and faithful service. He wouldibe sadly, missed and sincerest sympathy was extended to his family. The vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Yeoman had been filled by the appointment of Mr. S. : Coldicutt as acting-treasurer. The balancc-shect showed a credit in the Bank of New Zealand totalling £217 and one in the Auckland Savings Bank of £211, a total of £428.