BOWLING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 62, 10 September 1924, Page 7

BOWLING

ANNUAL MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

'A SATISFACTORY YEAR.

The eleventh annual meeting of'the New Zealand Bowling Association was held at the Grand Hotel to-day, the president (Mr, F. Meadoweroft) in the chair, ,

The following officers and members of the council were present: —Messrs. F. Meadoweroft (Wellington), president; John Brown (Christchurch}, immediate past-president;" H.- F. M. Mercer (Dunedin), vice-president; j. Kershaw (Wellington), treasurer. -North' Island: Messrs/ J. M. Thomson, M. M. M'Callum (Auckland), A. K. Smart (Taranaki), J. B. Jack (Wanganui), M. J. Hodgins (Wellington), S/ Potter ■•(Wellington). South Island: Messrs. J. H. London (Southland), C. E. Torlesse (South.Canterbury), J. J. Marlow {Dunedin), D. M. Fnstier (Dunedin), J. D. Colville, F. Steans (Christchurch). • . ■ .■ The annual report, stated that the number of centres, affiliated to the association' is 18. .Three new clubs have joined up this year, the total number now being 272. The membership of clubs shows an increase from 14,324 to 14,577 this year. The finances of the association were reported to be in a very healthy condition, a considerable increase being shown-on the past year's working. . -../ ■

The president welcomed the delegates, and thanked members for his election as president for the. coming year. The business which had to be considered was the interest of bowls .throughout New Zealand. They had not met to deal, with their own special fads or wishes; and he hoped.members would be actuated solely by the interests of bowlers as a whole, ' without - any parochial spirit or any special desire to get individual ideas carried. One or two controversial matters would probably come before the meeting for consideration and decision.

Mr. R. W. Shallcrass was unanimously elected secretary, and Mr." A. E. Liddle honorary auditor.

The meeting sent cordial good wishes and greetings to Colonel Collins, who is at present laid aside by illness. Mr. John Brown moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Several members congratulated' the council and bowlers generally:, on the satisfactory stlate of the finances. Complimentary references were made to r the manner in ■which the last Dominion tournament was conducted in Christchnrch. ■ The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

CENTRE APPLICATIONS,

•"' A request was made by Marlbbrough asking leave to become affiliated with the Wellington Centre in place of its affiliation- with Nelson. The Nelson BiibCentro endorsed the application. As an alternative to affiliation with Wellington, Marlborough asked leave to form a new centre. Marlb'orbugh, it was said, had three clubs, namely, Blenheim, Pictou, and Riversdale. It was agreed that Marlborough be empowered .to form a new centre.- : .. , , '

:■ Correspondence .from Tauranga was read asking permission to separate from South. Auckland and affiliate with Auckland. The' difficulties of existing road communication between Tauranga and South Auckland were emphasised as the main reason for the request.

, Mr. J. M. Thomson and Mr. M. M. M'^alliim, (Auckland) heartily supported the request of Tauranga.) ,and endorsed the reasons given for, the. change desired.

Mr. J. B. Jack (Wanganui) suggested that in view of tha extension' of the railway in that district,.-. it would "be well to consider the desirableness of looking forward to the formation of a Bay of Plenty centre. The request of the Tauranga Sub; Centre was agreed, to. . '•

It was i-esolved that rule .6, section 1, be amended to read as follows:— "A bowl which in its ( original course comes -to rest less .than 20 Jeet from the frontedge of the mat shall be dead."

ALTERATIONS OF RULES.

Some discjissioli took place on a motion to amend rule 2, section 3, dealing with the position of the foot of the player-at the moment of delivery, and it was agreed to alter the rule to road : "One foot on.the mat and wholly within the boundaries of- the matl." It was also resolved .that the minimum size of the mat shall be 36 inches by 15 inches, the maximum to'remain as at present, 48 inches, by 18 inches. ," _. ■• It was decided that'the minimum size ot "the iriat be thirty-six. inches by fifteen inches.

PLAY AT THE TOURNAMENT.

In moving that the ; annual Dominion Tournament to be- held at Wellington be one for full rinks only, Mr. Hodg'ms said the motion was by no means liew to members. Full rink play was the blue ribbon of bowling., .

The motion' was seconded by Mr. S. Potter, who. maintained that the tournament'had .become quite cumbersome.

. Mr.'.Torlesse . (South /Canterbury) opposed the motion, and Mr. F. Steans (Christchurch) opposed the motion, and maintained thaV singles, doubles, and rinks should be included.

■"'.Mr. D. M. Fastier said his centre recognised that rink play was the .bine ribbon, of bowling, bui his confreres'in Dunedin were of the opinion that singles and doubles should bo included. His centre thought' that if the tournament ■■were cumbersome,' the fault lay in tliu conduct of the meeting more than in the class of the play. There were few men who would Lo able to attend two tournaments iii the' ouo year., ■ '■■,■■

MiI.'"-Mai-low (Dunedin) said that lie would'deplore, the two associations which had been mentioned us. much as would anyone. ". However,-, he felt that if tho North Island men wanted Southerners' to attend the tournament, they would have to offer them pairs and singles.

Mr. Smart (Taranaki) did not think it would be advisaMe to make any alteration at the present *etago. If a man could not afford the time to enter for three classes, he could compete in one or two, singles and rinks, or in just whatever classes he. had time.,

Me. t l. Moadov.-croft said the .ehampioiis in the various classes could only be found by the champions of centres meeting on common ground. The best man or men could not be found at the .Dpnihiion tournament by " lluke " wins. Wellington did not want tho question to be considered in the light that they happened to be the hosts. This motion was necessary for the good of bowling in general.

Mr. llodgins, in reply, said the conn-' cil was now in a strong 'financial position, and if ever a trial was to be given •o the proposal, it should be now. The motion, on-being put to-the meetmg, .was lost. ' Mr. : Fastier moved -that singles and pairs be brought to finality in ono week, and the rinks the following-week. This v'ould facilitate players being able to complete their games as early as possible, and would not cause men to be " hanging around " waiting lor their opponents. ■ . Mr. Potter (Wellington) moved as an amendment that rinks should be pluvcd fu-st. ; Mr. FasHcr said l.liul, tins in hits opinion wub uot>.-a'material-point. All:liis

centre wanted was for the singles and pairs to be completed in one week. He finally amended his motion to provide that the singles be played on the first three days of the tournament and the pairs on the following three days. The motion in its amended form was carried. - -. . ..""''-.

(Proceeding.)