SUNDAY BOWLS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 10

SUNDAY BOWLS

NOT ON THORNDON GREEN

A MOTION DEFEATED

AFRAID OP THE WEARING OP

THE GREEN.

By a substantial majority, the members of the Thorndon Bowling Club last evening rejected a motion brought forward by Mr. T. S. Ronaldson suggesting that the green be open for play on Sundays for members only. There was a large attendance, and the debate was opened by Mr. G. Johnson (president), who remarked that there had been a suggestion that the motion should be taken in committee. He would like an opinion on that. Mr. W. E. Spencer said certain domestic points might crop up in the discussion, and he was in favour of the motion boing dealt with in committee. ' Upon a show of hands, the chairman announced that the discussion would bo taken in open meeting. THE FIRST SHOT. In moving tho motion, Mr. Ronaldson said there was not the slightest doubt that this was a step in tho right direction. Every reform, he said, had its objectors, and his motion undoubtedly was a reform. The whole trond of opinion was with Sunday recreation. Ho referred to gentlemen who wont to picnics in motor-cars on Sundays, ancl sports bodies which favoured Sunday recreation, citing the Thorndon Tennis Club, the tennis clubs at Day's Bay, and the municipal golf links.' All the London parks were open on Sundays. Many bowlers could play only on Saturdays, and these men were not getting value for their money. Certain men had traditions, and they objected on principle. Mr. Ronaldson referred to a conference of denominations in Australia, at which Sunday recreation was approved of. Instead of the Church educating the public, the public were educating the Church to look at Sunday recreation 'with a' broad mind. Mr. Ronaldson referred to tho Rev. Ficlden Taylor, and some remarks ho had made recently in favour of Sunday recreation. Canon Taylor, ho said, was the most charitable and God-fearing man in New Zealand, and theso expressions of Canon Taylor's should influence them. He asked them to givo the scheme a trial. If it was found that the green would not stand it, he did not think there would bo any objection to the green being closed on another day, Monday. Ho trusted tho motion would be given a good hearing, and that no feeling would bo shown.

Tho motion was seconded by Mr. W, J. Casey.

"A LITTLE SELF-DENIAL."

Mr. R. Tingey opposed tho motion, and said if it was carried an injustice would be done to the children around tho green where bowls were being played. "Wo want a little self-denial," ho said. "I do not say it is wrong to play if a man considers in his own conscience that it is not wrong. But I think we ought to deny ourselves on a Sunday."

Mr. W. Clark said iie thought a motion of this sort would ereato factions. He had boys playing cricket, and how could he deny their playing cricket on Sunday if ho played bowls. He hoped the motion would be thrown out, and tho club would go along in its own happy way.

A STEP FORWARD,

Mr. V. Jensen said thoy should meet tho_ motion in a fair way, and if the majority wanted to play on Sundays, well, than, let them. Anybody who studied astronomy would know that wo were going forward, forward. The motion was only one stop forward.

THE BEST GREEN.

Mr. G. A. Pearson said he played tennis and golf, but ho objected to tlio motion on account of the green. Thorndon had the best green in Welington last year, and if bowls wero going to be played on Sunday, they could say good-bye to the good green. (Hoar, hear.) The - green was the club's best asset. He would not object to bowls on Sunday, though probably he would not play himself. There were other reasons ho could mention, but he thought perhaps he had better not. Archbishop Laud, ... ho said, played bowls on a Sunday in tho seventeenth century, but conditions had changed since then.

THE SATURDAY PLAYER.

Mr. A. E. Haywood said there wero three classes of players: afternoon, ovening, and so-called Saturday players. Nothing need bo said about tho afternoon players, and tho evening players got plenty of play. In regard to the third class, ho said there were very few of them who were, strictly speaking, Saturday players only, and on the Saturday afternoon week-day players were always willing to stand out to let Saturday players get their game. (Hear, hear.) The club had ton directors, and only two supported the motion. Surely the directors' view was worth. consideration. The speaker referred to the effect on young children who lived near the green. Ho knew for a fact that at least two families had strong objection to Sunday play.

CANON TAYLOR'S EXAMPLE,

Mr. S. Fcrgusson, referring to the bad example that might bo given children, said that if Sunday recreation did not hurt the people in Canon Taylor's vicinity, how would it hurt the residents around the bowling green? He did not sco why anybody should dictate to anybody else what should bo done on a Sunday. The late Archdeacon Harper, when asked about Sunday recreation, told them to get out in the fresh air, but ho would like to sco them at church on Sunday night. Mr. G. B. Sheridan said he first favoured tho proposal, but on mature thought had decided to vote against it. Ho played golf on Sunday, and they may think he was illogical, but when he played golf ho did not injure the susceptibilities of other people. He thought it was up to them to give the community an example. (Hear, hear.) Mr. R. W. Shallcrass referred to tho attitude tho Supreme Court and Court of Appeal had taken up in regard.to Sunday,golf, and said that that represented the State's and Legislature's view on the matter. Mr. AY. E. Spencer said that it was clear that if they played on Sunday after a heavy day on Saturday, they would have to close the green on some other day. On the motion being decided by secret ballot, it was defeated by 35 votes to 19. The meeting concluded by tho supporters of Sunday play singing "For They're Jolly Good Fellows." .