DUNEDIN BOWLING CLUB.

Evening Star, Issue 13090, 24 October 1908, Page 2

DUNEDIN BOWLING CLUB.

- ' •. ~ ~'. , _.;:SE£iPS.. v •'■■■;'; -{ - SjP® 2 meeting of the Ihinedin. Bowli■'Wja?- club. roopr last pnrpbs© of contidorihg tbe advisability of rescinding a - resolution P 3 ? in June.-Jast, --lyhich stated that the .TOW not L ,favor the dhstituliori. of inter- .,■ *> r 9h^pianshfj^ v . , 'The jnemßprs had by ' circular of tb©. .proposed atteratioa, and considerable mtexest in the matter was shown 'by the large number present. Mr AVm. Austin, president of the club, occupied the' chair, and said that before, proceeding -with the business of the evening, it was fitting tp record the loss anfitaiDed;by, the. club-through the death of Dr.Coughtrey, who, although not one of the earliest members, of the club, had certainly done.a very great deal for-it. Dr Coughtrey had filled the position of secietaxy for a number of years, and in 1883 was ..their president. Mr Austin then moved—“ That the "meeting record their deep regret at the lamented death of the late Dr Coughtrey, an ex-president of the club and an honorary life member, and that, an expression of condolence be forwarded to- Mis Coughtrey. and family.” The motion wns carried in silence by'all the members standing. In proceeding with the business, the .Chairman stated that it was not. necessary for him to cay a great deal regarding the motion, and he had no strong feeling one way or the other. He was of opinion, though, that the club should support the Dunedin Centre, and would be sorry to see the club standing- out of the championship games. He trusted, the members would discuss the matter in a dispassionate manner, and that any semblance of personal feeling would be avoided. Mr J. A. Hopcraft opposed the motion, as he did not think that those' in favor of it recognised its seriousness. The question had bean taken at its full hearing at a previous meeting, and he was perfectly satisfied that the members knew what they voted for at the time. The fact that thirty odd names were inscribed on the petition to the chairman calling that night’s meeting was not convincing proof that tliose members who had signed the petition were desirous of a championship Vxmtijt played for by Dunedin Club. The general meeting of members had distinctly voted against the institution of championship matches, and what did they find immediately after? Their delegates to the Dunedin Centre had gone entirely against tho feeling of the club, and the'ir votes had practically carried the institution of the scheme when it came before the Centre. Championships would "never have been inaugurated but for the votes of the club’s own delegates. He asked ; Had the delegates done their duty in voting against tho motion carried by a former meeting of the club? His main point was, that if . their chib entered for the fonr-rink championship matches, as introduced by Dunedin Centre, there would not be sufficient room to place all their own players on Saturday afternoons. He contended that there were innumerable opportunities for those who desired keen play at the various tournaments, and it'would be manifestly unfair to allow outsiders to usurp portion of the green and keep the members of the club, who were asked this year to pay an increased subscription, standing on the bank perhaps on the only afternoon in the week when they had the leisure to visit the green.

Mr Hogg, who was one of the delegatee referred to, said that he had not reoedved any definite instructions as to how to vote, and claimed that he was within his right® in using his own discretion. ill Short, who wan the other delegate, explained that even if they had not voted at the Dunedin Centre meeting, the motion would have been carried. He characterised the present opposition as of little importance. ,

Mr J. Johnson considered that championship meetings should be encouraged, and referred to the trophies the club had already received. It Avas also necessary That the younger members should have some incentive to become good players, and in his opinion there was no better' way than by championship games. Mr W. il'Laren aleo was of opinion that the play Avould be improved by theeo matcher:.

Mr P. Miner was indifferent regarding the matter, but considered that championship games would not improve tlio good feeling of members, as the same sixteen members played right through the matches. As the Centre reserved the right to say when and where the games would be played, he maintained that their club had a perfect right to have a voice in tho matter, and was of opinion 'that if tho motion was carried the directors 'should set their faces against championship games being played on Saturday afternoons, as there was plenty of time during the six nights of tho week when rinks might be available. They had only to cast their minds back to the time when the pennants were played for. It would be just the same with the championship matches: too many might want to take part in them, and because everyone who desired to get a place in these games did not do so there would arise heart-burnings. He was satisfied when ho said that under tho system of championship as proposed by the Centre —especially if they took up the time the membens thought was rightly their own so far as the green was concerned—the' feeling in the chib would not be all that might bo wished for. There was another feature: it would be difficult to give satisfaction in the select ion of teams. Ho (Mr Miller) was just as anxious to see good, keen play, and liked a good fight just as well as any of them, but if he was going to get that game at the sacrifice of other members of the club, then be had no desire for it. When they were properly carried out tho interclub matches as they had bad them for two or three years wore productive not only of the most harmonious feelings, but also of very good piny from a spectacular point of view. He would record his vote against tho introduction of interclub championships. Mr A. Black considered that they were taking the matter too seriously, and believed that the meetings would make better bowling and advance the skill of the juniors. He thought the Centre should be supported, and had never seen more than three or four members standing idle cm tho bank, even at the busiest time. In fact, in his experience, it was sometimes difficult to get the required number of players. Mr T. C. Young opposed tho motion on account of insufficient room, and said that they had accommodation for sixty-four players only, though their membership totalled 100 He argued that those members outside the sixty-four had equal rights, and the club bad no;right to reserve any rink for certain members. Mr Young also referred to the ]icrioJ when the pennants were played for, and said that they had not been productive of a feeling amongst members which might bo considered satisfactory.

Mr T. .Rallingshaw saw no reason why friction amongst mem here should arise. In Christchurch pennants were played for every season, and tho utmost good-fellow-ship prevailed. He was decidedly of opinion that interchib championships would improve the play. Several other members spoke, and tho motion was carried by a large majority. A further motion was moved to the effect that the club enter for the championship matches, and in moving it Mr P. Walker said it would be a graceful act on their part to give the scheme a trial. If it proved a failure, or did not meet with the approval of the club, it would be possible to discontinue it. Mr Hogg seconded the motion. Ho said that for the last few years in interclnb matches only two or three members were ready keen, while others appeared indifferent. Dunedin Club had a big reputation, and should he supported properly. A man got tired’ of playing the same game all the year round, and something new was necessary to give enoouragwunentt to the younger placers. After the motion. had been thoroughly threshed out and a few exchanges 0 f opinions offered, it wits put to the meeting and carried.

Before concluding the Chdiman ' mentioned' that a cordial invitation had, been received from the Club, Invercargill; to send' to play a match on November 9»; ' ■ • ’ ■