REVOLUTIONARY MOVE

Evening Star, Issue 22689, 1 July 1937, Page 4

REVOLUTIONARY MOVE

SUNDAY BOWLING PERMITTED CALEDONIAN CLUB'S DECISION REACHED BY ONE VOTE The game of bowls is to be played afi the Caledonian Bowling Club’s green on Sundays. This decision was reached at the annual meeting last night of the club, the motion (in accordance with, notice previously given) being moved by, Mr E. Clancy., and carried by one vote j The motion read—“ That bowling be permitted on th§ club’s green on Sundays.” CASE FOR MOTION. In support of his motion, Mr Clancy said that bowling was a pastime which, if full enjoyment were to be obtained from it, required to be played in the day time, and under the best of conditions. unfortunately, a large number of members of the club, through business ties, were unable to get -a game excepting in the evenings, with the result that in the latter, half of the season their time for play was considerably curtailed. It was these members that the motion was designed to help; it was' not a case of allowing them a.concession—it was something to which they were justly entitled. “An objection may be raised by some members on the score of what other people will think,”• Mr Clancy said, “ but we are not concerned with this. If it suits the members, that is ail that matters.” To those whose religious views led them to disagree • with the motion, Mr Clancy, continued, he would point' out that such bowls as were played on Sunday* would be arranged so as not to interfere with church services. It had also been suggested that the green would be damaged if Sunday play were allowed, but he maintained that more harm resulted to the green from play on damp evenings than would be the case on a fine day. If the motion were carried portion of the evening play would be diverted to a more suitable time. A committee could be set up to draw up a set of rules governing Sunday bowls. He apppealed to.the members, in whose interests the motion had been introduced, to consider it with an open mind, always remembering that it would be fitting that the oldest club in Dunedin should give a lead to other clubs. ADVANTAGES OF SCHEME. Mr E. Turnbull seconded the motion. He considered that if the Caledonian Club gave a lead with regard to Sunday bowling, others would follow suit. The advantages of Sunday play, would be many, the principal of which was that club ties could be played up to schedule. On an average there was one wet day per week during the season, on which the green was closed. Sunday would make up for this day, “ I fail to see,” the speaker concluded, “why members who play in the centre’s tournaments on Good Fridays should object to a game on a Sunday.” Mr A. Walker opposed the motion and expressed the opinion that it would be a bad lookout for the dub if it opened the green on Sundays. With a 40-hour ■ week, surely members had plenty of time to play bowls without encroaching on Sunday. y .,' Further • opposition - to, : iho inotion cam^from’MhGaffiiftm, #hd prefaced his remarks by saying that from what some of the speakers had Said it would seem that the sun shone only on Sundays. “On principle I disagree with the motion, he said, “ just as I would object if I were asked to work on Sunday., Our green needs a rest, and if the motion is carried it will destroy the 58 years’ labour put in to make our green the finest ,ih New Zealand.” Voices: No! No!

By introducing Sunday, bowling; .Mr Cameron continued, the club _ was creating a precedent, and he predicted that such a step would result in an influx of members from other -clubs, who, afraid to play in thejr'own , district because of whab people might say, would come along to the Caledonian green for a Sunday game. It seemed somewhat selfish of the supporters of the motion to suggest that the greenkeeper should have to prepare the green for Sunday bowling. , IMPORTANT ASPECTS. Mir J. Carman said he would support the motion on condition that no outsider was allowed to play on the green, and that no play be indulged in while the churches were open. These, however, were matters which could be left in the hands of the committee, which Mr Clancy proposed might be set up. Mr J. Smith pointed out that if the green were opened on Sundays it would not bo necessary to enlist the services of the greenkeeper. Members could themselves do everything that was, rethat many clubs in the North Island opened their greens for Sunday play. Games, however, were merely friendly contests. No competitive play was indulged in, and if the motion were carried he would suggest that the Caledonian Club insist that only friendly sanies between members be played, Mr W. H. M'Leod and Mr W. T.Henaghan opposed the. motion, Me Henaghan expressing the fear that Sunday play would lead to abuse of the green. Mr J. Carroll held that members were well catered for by the subscription they paid. In any case he thought some rules should have been brought forward, As the stood, members were asked to vote ip the dark. , , Mr V. G. Cavanagh also expressed himself as against Sunday bowling, and took up the attitude that the club, if it passed the motion, would bo in danger of losing some of its younger members. Ho was afraid that adding another day to the week’s bowling would seriously interfere with the domestic happiness of many homes. 3 - , After Mr Clancy had replied, some difference of opinion arose whether ths issue, should go to a ballot or be decided by open vote. Finally it was agreed that a ballot be taken, and after a brief absence the scrutineers returned • with the intimation that the .proposal had been carried by 28 votes to 27. A COOL RECEPTION. The announcement brought a* burst of applause from the supporters of the motion, but it had a somewhat cool reception from the opposing faction. It was decided, however, that the committee draw up a set of rules to govern Sunday bowling and submit them to a full meeting of members. ' This seemed to afford at least a measure of satisfaction to those who had opposed th* motion.