BOWLING

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14406, 13 July 1912, Page 16

BOWLING

CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE,

Tho annual general meeting of the Christchurch Centre of the New Zea-

land Bowling Association was held laat evening, there being present—Dr. Gow (chairman), Messrs It. W. Davics (Christchurch), H. Killncr (Linwood), H^ J. K. Roe (Jicoston). F. W. Johnston (St. Albans), N. Young (Sydenham), E. C. Chogwin Mkaroa), T. W. Ambrose (Rangiora), M. Barneit (Canterbury), J- »• McXcilago (l'apanui), W. Poole (Southbridge), G. B. Denny (Dunsandel), .)• Clarke (Opawa). D. Manson (Kaiapoi), J. Colville (Edgeware), Dr. Thomas (Ashburton). and 1). E. "Wood (hon. secretary).

Tbo annual report stated that there wore 17 clubs now affiliated to the Centre with a total membership ot »2U. A new dub had been formed at Sunnier. Tho finances were in a satisfactory condition, tbo Centre having a credit of £114 19s Bd. In regard to the taster ■Tournament, it was mentioned that tho time limit in the doubles had caused much dissatisfaction, and a recommendation was mado that somo other system should be adopted. It vraa remarked that the badges competition did not .seem to meet with 'much favour, as sereral clubs took no part in the games. Somo alterations in the conditions might bo mado with good effect. ' References were made to the Pennant. Maddison trophy, champion rinks, and inter-Centre competitions. The hope ■was expressed that arrangements would bo mado to return the visit of the Auckland players. Tho auditor (Mr H. Ivillncr) mado a report on the balance-sheet, complimenting Mr Wood on tho way in which tho accounts had been kept. He suggested that tho way in which some players had applied their trophy vouchers should bo reviewed l>y the Centre. One player had secured a clnb blazer with his voucher, and another had simply sent in a receipt, for a trophy from his own club. Dr. Thomas expressed the opinion that tho trophy should be an engravable article. That was the view taken by tho Athletic Association. "Mr Chegwin eaid that this standard should not bo applied. . Hβ thought that a blazer was just as much a trophy as anything else. The President said that it seemed to him that the definition of a trophy was that it should bo something useless to tho winner. Ho did not think that the restricted definition should be adopted. Mr F. W. Johnston said that amateurs all tho world over adopted the principle that a trophy must be engravable. ■ After somo further discussion, it was decided that trophies obtained on orders given by tho Centre should be . forwarded to tho secretary for approval, and that clubs-should bo recommended to adopt a similar rule. Somo comment wns.made on tho fees charged at tho Easter Tournament, and the chairman replied that the executive had fortunately' mado some money out of it. The balance would bo required for the entertainment of visitors from tho other side during tho coming season, and probably a special levy •would be lequired. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Tho election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —rPresident, Mr G. ,B. Denny; vice-president, Mr JJ. . Young; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr D. E. Wood, hon. auditor, Mr H. Killncr; executive, Messrs U. "W. Davies and J. Brown.

letter was received from the Council of tlie Association, ' stating that it was proposed to send a team of southern. bowlers to tour tho North Island, before tho end of November. •

Tho Council wrote, stating that it had been agreed to carry out the suggestions of the Christclnirch Conference regarding amalgamation. The Council had disapproved-of tho table test for bowls, and to adhere to the green test. ■ .■ : . . ' '. ' ' . ' .

Mr Barnett said the Council favoured the retention of the Dunedin system of testing, instead of leaving the matter to-.thp amalgamated Council.

Tho matter Avas referred to the executive to report. ■ .

The .Drainage Board wrote that it could not see its way to remit rates on bowling greens. Mr J. Clarke said that rates had been remitted on Lancaster Park, and he thought that bowling groehs should be placed on an equal footing. This sentiment met with general- approval. The secretary of the Canterbury Club wrote ask*ing the Centre to endeavour to obtain for Mr G. S. White certificates for matches won by him at tournaments held in 1888. 1890, and 1891. ft was decided to write to the Council making enquiries into this matter. . ■'~..;' ■".

The Centre decided to apply for permission to hold the Association Tournament in Christehurcli next season.

It was decided to "collect the .same levy as that of last year. The Centre thon proceed to discuss the Pennant competitions. Last sea(Son's arrangement was generally condemned. Mr Colville moved:—"That the pennant competition, consist of one section, and ■ -ftiat .each'" club entering meets all the other clubs." Ho said that last season's < arrangement had worked out very badly for the Edgewaro Club. The number of rinks could bo left to the discretion of the clubs,, bnt no club sliould ont«r fewer than four rinfcs. .Mr Young seconded the motion

Mr Barnett said that his club was opposed to the Pennant Competition being held.. It would be bettor if the executive arranged friendly inter-club -- matches, with no Pennant or prizo attached. This cotild be tried, for twelve months. . The general principle of holding a Pennant Competition was affirmed, and Mr Caldwell's motiou was earned.

Mr Young then moved that the minimum rinks entered from tho clubs be as folloM-s: —A membership up to 50, four rinks •, from 51 to 80, six rinks; from. SI upwards, eight rinks. Mr Denny drew attention to the smaller country clubs, whidi would not be- able to put in four rinks. Mr Young added a clause to allow clubs having a membership up to 25 to enter three rinks.

Mr Chegwin moved as an amendment that tho maximum should be four rinks from each club. This would secure- a contest between the best players from each club. This was seconded by Mr Barnett. This was opposed by Mr Clarko, who said that it would destroy tho social aspect of tho game. Mr Chegwin replied that the social aspect could be cultivated by friendly matches.

Tho Chairman supported Mr Chegwin's proposal. Eacii club should be represented by its best players, and not by all its players. Mr Ohcgwin's amendment was lost, and Mr Young's motion.was carried. It was decided to play for tne red Pennant next season. The Thursday Pennant will be conducted on the same lines as last year. It was deckled that no rink, after being defeated in the Challenge Badges, should be allowed to compote again within five weeks, unless its composition had been altered by the exclusion or two of its original members. It was also decided that no badge game should bo won by default, and that no member of a defaulting team should be allowed'to play in the competition during the season, unless good reason was shown for tho default. A vto of thanks was accorded to Mr J. H. Scager for the services he had rendered to the Centre and bowling generally. A similar rote was passed to tho retiring president and officers.