BOWLERS ON TOUR

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 169, 13 April 1932, Page 9

BOWLERS ON TOUR

New Zealand Team’s Expenses SUGGESTED LEVY That a levy of sixpence a head be made on members of bowling clubs throughout New Zealand to establish a fund to send a New Zealand representative team on overseas tours, on such occasions as the British Empire games, representative games with Australia, and possiblj' the Olympic Games, was the proposal discussed by the Wellington Bowling Centre last night. The question is to be -referred to the clubs in ’ Wellington for their views. Mr. H. G. Mayer, president-elect of the New Zealand Bowling Association, who made the suggestion, said he thought the New Zealand body should have a fund from which it could pay the expenses of a representative bowling team for important overseas games. The question of the British • Empire Games, which it was proposed to hold in South Africa in about two years’ time, had arisen. When the British Empire Games were held in Ontario, Canada, two years ago, four New Zealand bowlers took part. They were supposed to be Centre representatives, but they paid their own expenses. They played as a rink, and in the pairs and singles. A system should be instituted to send ten bowlers on such occasions. At the British Empire Games the national organisations paid the expenses of their representatives, and were able to send their best bowlers. A levy of 1/- per member would create a fund of £BOO a year, which in three or four years would enable the council to select proper representatives. Mr. Mayer recalled that the name of the International Bowling Board had been changed to Imperial Bowling Board in order to avoid the affiliation of the United States Bowling Association, fearing that if America was admitted a degree of professionalism might be introduced into the game. The Imperial Bowling Board, by sending a team to Canada and paying its expenses, clearly could not regard this as professionalism. Mr. F. Meadowcroft, Kelburn, considered the time Inopportune to ask for a levy, as many clubs were carrying members who had not been able to pay their subscriptions. There were some who objected to the levy of 1/- for the entertainment of visitors to Wellington. Other games were more spectacular and produced gates, which was not the case with bowls. He thought it would almost amount to professionalism. Mr. M. J. Casey, Thorndon, suggested that the amount of the levy be 6d. instead of 1/-. He believed in years to come the Empire Games would be of general intertst throughout the Empire, and if a New Zealand bowling team could, be sent it would be well worth while. Mr. Mayer replied that it was a poor sort of bowler who would not make a small contribution toward maintaining the prestige of the Dominion, and he ventured to say there was not a bowler, who had not at some time or other enjoyed the hospitality of other clubs. Reference was made to the Olympic Games, and members thought it might even be possible for a New Zealand bowling team to represent the Dominion at that gathering. Possibly.the Olympic Games Council would subsidise expenses of a bowling team. It was agreed to ask the clubs to consider, at the annual meetings, the question of making a levy of 6d. per member for the purpose, which it was said would produce £l4OO in four years.