BOWLS ON SUNDAY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20420, 15 December 1931, Page 11

BOWLS ON SUNDAY.

CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE'S DISCUSSION. AN APPLICATION REFUSED. Permission to hold a bowling tournament on a Sunday was recently refused the New Brighton Club by the executive of the Christchurch Bowling Centre. The executive's action was discussed by the Centre at a meeting last evening and was eventually endorsed. All clubs affiliated to the Centre are to be asked to express an opinion on the question, which will be discussed again--at the next meeting of the Centre. The secretary, Mr H. B. Oakey, reporteu that the New Brighton Club had applied for permission to hold a tournament on Sunday, December 13th, and that the executive had decided to refuse the aoplication. "What is the objection!" asked Mr T. G. Fox. "They play tennis and golf, what is the difference! If they want to, what is to stop them from playing bowls, or even having a competition on a Sunday!" . The chairman, Mr L. B. Evans, said he thought it was the first time there had been an application for a Sunday competition. Mr Fox: But what are the reasons for refusing? A Big Question. Mr Evans replied that to allow Sunday competitions was opening up a big question. It had not been allowed in the past, and he did not think it a good time to start it. Mr-W. Healey said he thought .that the Centre could not rule out a competition because it was held on * Sunday. Mr H. Firnian said the executive had been right in refusing permission, but. for the future guidance of the executive the Centre should eome to a decision on the subject. Mr A. Dickson said the matter wastoo big a one to be decided by the executive, and that was why the executive had decided to refuse the particular application. '' Mr Fox said that if it were not for Sunday play the Heathcote Club might. as well close down. "I am the strongest advocate of Sunday play on the Centre," he said. Mr Evans: We don't pretend to have control over friendly games on Sunday J it is tournaments we arc dealing with. Mr. C, J7 Morrison said he thought clubs should bo consulted on the question. c " 'Control of Greens. Mr C. F. Dobbs said quite a number of clubs could not play on Sundays owing to the control of their greens by the City Council. Hp. did not think Sunday play should coma under the jurisdiction of the Centre until it became general and all clubs could play. Pox: The City Council is gaing to be approached by varipy? bodies for ' permission to play bowls or Sunday. There is no doubt the Council "will be pleased to grant •permission- They allow everything else on Sundays, eypn cock-fighting. 'r»The action* of the executive iw'then approved. Mr Fox gave the following notice of ~ - motionall future Sunday.tournaments be placed on the same footing •-> as ordinary tournaments.'?, \ " , Mt Evans: There are two separate things, playing bowls 'on Sunday playing tournaments on.Sunday, Playing bpwl« is a matter for the discretion of the clubs. * On* the motion- pf Mr Heajey, sqcepd- > ed by Mr E. (7. Cktymsz, cided to fiend a ejrpular to ajl elpbs asking if they-wgre i n of Sunday tournaments. ..