BOWLING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 5

BOWLING

MORE CLUBS NEEDED

LOCAL CENTRE'S VIEWS

The Wellington Centre of the Dominion Bowling Association met last evening.

The draft annual. report shows the number of affiliated clubs to be 19, an increase of one during the season, ■ a new club having been formed at Himmerton. The total membership of affiliated clubs is now 1577 as against last season. The report adds: —"The .membership of many of the centrallysituated clubs is now almost up to the maximum, while several districts adjacent to the city are not yet served with bowling greens. It would an advantage if additional clubs were formed to serve these districts. During recent years the game has not advanced in this centre in the same proportion as the population has , increased, and the formation of additional clubs in suitable areas is desirable. Indeed, it may become necessary as more of the present clubs reach their maximum membership. The results of the centre competitions during recent seasons have also been very encouraging for the younger clubs. They have been successful in winning a number of the important centre fixtures, and the older .clubs cannot claim pre-eminence as far as the skill of the game is concerned."

The report refers to the success of the past season, mentioning especially the visit of the New South Wales players. The report goes on to say:— "The visit of the British team is still fresh in the memory of all of us, and it is interesting to report that the official account of the tour has been published and copies received by several members of the centre. Tlu; publication is wonderfully well produced, and contains a complete record from the time the team left Great Britain until its return. Grateful acknowledgment is made of the arrangements made on their behalf during the whole of the tour. The book will be greatly appreciated by those who have been fortunate enough to receive a copy. "With regard to a return visit of a parjty of bowlers from New Zealand to Great Britain, there has been some informal discussion, and it might be suggested that the, question should be Xurther advanced at the annual meeting x>f the Dominion Bowling Association. It is probable that there are some members of this centre who would be pleased to join in. a well-arranged tour £o include a return visit to Great Briiain.' It will be remembered that this centre forwarded a remit to the Dominion Council suggesting that international games should be arranged in turn in the different countries comprising the British Commonwealth of Nations. The remit was approved, and it was decided to write to the Bowling Associations of Great Britain, Aus■tralia, Canada, and South Africa on the lines suggested. The question does not appear to have advanced to a much further,stage than this at present." '; Mention was made of the reversion at Auckland during the tournament to the old system of three games per day. This, members said, meant a saving only of one day throughout the tournament and put an undue strain on the older players.

A recommendation was made that in the tournament two games a day be played.

Referring to the Auckland tournament, the report says:—"As ia customary, this centre -was well represented ,by sixteen rinks at the tournament in Auckland; in fact, Wellington is a better supporter of Dominion tournaments. ; when held away from home than any other centre in New Zealand. During the last four years we have been represented away from home by 58 rinks •pimstWHttch. 44, Auckland 34, and Dunedm 20. None of our teams were successful in winning any of the compotitions this year, but several reached prominent positions. We have, however, eight championships to our credit since the Dominion Council became the governing body, while Dunedin has fourteen, and Auckland nine." Notice of motion was given that a recommendation be made to the Dominion Bowling Association that no team, except sectional winners, shall be eligible for post-sectional play if they have lost more than two games. Mr. S. M. Stone, president of the centre, was elected as vice-president of the Dominion Bowling Association.