MEETING OF PLAYERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1912, Page 4

MEETING OF PLAYERS.

QUESTION OF AMALGAMATION". , , NORTH AND SOUTH. lii the evening a, meeting of feowl«rs was held in the Willte-street'- Schfloltooin. Mr. J. Keith, (president oi the as.sobialion) occu|)yi|ig the chai^.

Ju opening tbe proceedings the chairman commented on the small attendance (about 100) and went on to refer to the resolution that had been passed ab last year's meeting in "Auckland in favour of amalgamation with the New Zealand Association. He traced the history of the negotiations which had since taken place on the subject. A conference was held between the two a*sociations> the outcome being that a resolution affirming the desirability of forming an association embracing the whole of the Dominion, with centre* having local control ; that for the first twelve months the headquarters shall bo at Dunedhi, and afterwards at Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington in that order ; the tournament to be held in the North and South Island alternately. A draft constitution was drawn up and forwarded to the New Zealand Association, and that day he had received a telegram stating that Christchurch, Inve*cargill, and South Canterbury centra were in favour of amalgamation, North Otago was against, Duuedin and South Otago had still to decide. It was explained by a Southern member that all the annual meetings of clubs took place in the winter, and if would therefore not be' likely that anything, would be done yet in some cases. ¦Mr, Fayne (Dunedin) said the, Council of the New Zealand Association had affirmed the principle of amalgamation, tthe cetttres mentioned by the president had agreed, and others had put off consideration to see what others were going to do. They would now have to decide and there was no reason for further delay. The question of headquarters would be seftled by members, and he urged that the North Island should instruct their officer* to go on with the formation of the amalgamated association, and ,he believed that the Southern associations would come in. The class of tournament to be held could bo dia-' cussed when, the association was formed. He was sure that the "open door" policy would be in general favour. (Applause.) Under the proposed constitution centres would ha.vo far more power than they had at present : the association would only deal with large matters, such as a tournament, visiting bowlers, and so on. Mr. *L M. Geddis moved that the executive^ be thanked for its efforts in the direction of amalgamation, and thai it be urged to continue its labours. He waa sure that bowlers generally were in favour of amalgamation Mr. N". Bell seconded, and urged that/ in forming the constitution they should seek the advice' of those bodies that were willing to amalgamate. 9 Colonel Colling said the amalgamation contemplated at Auckland was an. association composed of the Northern'' and Southern associations, yet now Mr. Payne urged that the Northern Association should itself form such an association. He thought, however, Mr. Payne's idea was a good one, and he thought they should style themselves a Dominion Bowling Association. (Applause.) 11 that was done the Southern bodies would be likely to come in. Som& Southern clubs had already affiliated with the association. Mr. T. Bush remarked that the Northern Association had teen pegging ¦.way at amalgamation for the past iwelve years, and ihey were no further forward than at the beginning. He approved of Colonel Collins's suggestion. ,Mr. Walker (Ponsonby) said that if the two associations amalgamated they •would certainly have to limit the number of teams entering for a .tournament. The president replied io this that if fifty more rinks had entered they Could t hive been accommodated. At any rate, it was a matter of detail that could safely be left in the hands of -the management. , t , Mr. J. D. Sievwright moved as an amendment: "That the time has now arrived wnert there should be only one governing body, and that the Northern Bowlirig Association be authorised to take any latebs'to 'further that object." " Thiq was agYeed to without a division. ' The meeting closed wit}i>a vote of thanks to the chairman-.