BOWLING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 221, 16 August 1927, Page 9

BOWLING

MANAWATU CENTRE,

ANNUAL MEETING:

The annual meeting of the Manawatu Bowling Centre was held yesterday afternoon, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presiding. There were also present: Messrs J. Davidson, E. Anderson (Terraco End), J. Bartholomew, 0. McElroy (Feilding), A. Pickering, J. Bell (Palmerston North), L. R. Bryant (Northern), J. G. Radford, W. Hunter (Manawatu), P. Morris (Pahiatua), E. Goodbeliere, F. H. Petrie (Oroua), R. Blv, M. Pickering (Woodville), G. W. Wardrop (Dannevirke), C. D. Fraser (Eketahuna) and It. F. Wimsett (secretary). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Messrs J. H. Stevens (Palmerston North), G. N. Stevenson (Levin), E. Spencer (Shannon), P. Larcomb (Northern) and A. W. Gallichan (Takaro).

The chairman briefly expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present; it was a further indication of the increasing popularity of bowling when clubs sent their delegates in such large numbers to the annual meeting he said. INTERESTING SEASON. “This year lias, been one of interest to all the clubs affiliated,” stated the annual report presented at the meeting. “Visits were paid by representatives from the New South Wales Association and the Auckland Centre, and most enjoyable times spent on the various greens. A match was also played between the clubs* from over the range and this side, and it lias been decided to make this an annual fixture, We end up the season with a credit balance of £52 Is 3d, and this must be considered very satisfactory when we take into consideration the amount of entertaining done by the centre during past year. The sum of £l4 was spent in the purchase of certificates which will be sufficient for a number of years. Twenty-four rinks took part in the New iear tourney, the winners being Messrs Rowling, Boon, Ramsay and G. G. Wilson of the Palmerston North Club. The runners-up were Messrs C. Ennis, Goldfinch, Kerslake and Crump of the same club. Our Easter tournament is rapidly gaining ground; we had an entry of 48 rinks, some coming from as far north as Pukekolie, and also from Rotorua, Ohakune, Wairarapa ' and Wellington. The visitors were I suitably entertained and were loud in ; their praise of the hospitality of the centre; the winners proved to be a Palmerston Club rink; they played a sterling game throughout the tournament, the team being Messrs Kerslake, Goldfinch, Paton and W. Crump (skip.). The runners-up were Messrs Davis, Robinson, J. Brackenbridge, sonr. and J. M. Brackenbridge (skip.) of the Victoria Club. Champion of champion games were played, and resulted as follows: —Singles, Mr J. Tantrum, Takaro Club; pairs, Messrs R. Ross and J. Herdman, Feilding Ciub; rinks, Messrs 0. M. ChristenGrant, J. Wallace and J. Davidson (skip.) Terrace End Club. The committee desire to sincerely thank the ladies for their kind assistance in dispensing tea at the different tournaments; also on the occasion of the visits of the New South Wales and Auckland bowlers.”

I i In moving the adoption of the report I I and balance-sheet Mr Naslr stated that ■ | at the last annual gathering they had • ; discussed the advisability of visiting ' 1 Hawke’s Bay and in connection with | the tour he maintained that a great ■ deal of work was involved and unless at least 10 rinks could be secured it | was of no use undertaking the trip. | Continuing, ho reminded members that this year the centre was committed to a visit to- Auckland. When at the tourney in the northern city the speaker had found a slight misunderstanding between Auckland and Manawatu, but this had been overcome and their visit to Palmerston North had been most enjoyable. Auckland was of the' opinion, nevertheless, that it was time Manawatu went north as three visits had been made without a return. The visit to Wellington from here had also been successful. Further reviewing the report, Mr Nash said that he thouglrt the champion of champions tournament was not as successful as it might be and this was dud to clubs not fulfilling their engagements in the rounds. There had been no complaints through a reduction being effected in the value of trophies, but some had expressed the opinion that prizes were allowing professionalism to creep in. The speaker thought that the order system was quite satisfactory and better than the presentation of medals. In conclusion, lie said that the Easter tourney would gradually assume larger proportions and that the January tourney should also be continued. Mr J. G. Radford seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet and upon it being opened for discussion various matters relative to the centre’s activities were brought forward. Mr Hunter suggested that for the entertainment of players to the tournament, the secretary and president should have the co-operation of a sub-committee, but later a motion on the matter was not passed. The Feilding delegate, Mr Bartholomew, congratulated the Palmerston North Bowling Club upon its success at winning both the New Year and Easter tournaments and, stated that this was a fin© achievement considering the large field of entrants from all parts of the North Island. GENERAL.

Arising out of a discussion upon the date of the annual meeting it was resolved to circularise clubs asking their opinion on the matter of holding all club annual meetings on a certain date in July. A motion that the Easter tourney be for pairs and not rinks did not meet with general approval and the meeting subsequently decided in favour of the latter, the tournament to be conducted as usual. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Wimsett and other ladies who had assisted the centre during the past year. Application is to be made to the Dominion Council for the North Island tournament to be held in Palmerston" North this- year. Mr Bartholomew stated that the Feilding Club had instructed its delegates to oppose the gala days in order to get back to the inter-club afternoons.

The chairman explained that the object of the gala days was to encourage the various clubs to get together, but upon the matter of continuing them being put to the meeting it was lost on the voices and tho motion for tho inter-club fixtures to be re-introduced was carried.

The eoc*3tary was instructed to write to tho Wellington centre asking if it would visit Palmerston North this season, whilo arrangements for a visit to Auckland were loft in the hands of tho chairman. The Hawke’s Bay tour was also further discussed and tho probabil-

ity of a visit, to Wellington was men tioned.

“That centre is of the opinion that all bowls bearing the Dominion Bowling Association stamp should be sufficient quarantee that the bowls have passed the required test,” was the text of a resolution passed at the meeting, and which will be forwarded to the Dominion Council.

OFFICERS ELECTED. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron, Mr J. Bartholomew; president, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., vice-presidents, Messrs G. .W. Wardrop and E. Goodbehere; secretary, Mr A. F. Wimsett; auditor, Mr W. Hunter. In returning thanks for his reelection to the position of secretary, Mr Wimsett, stated that when he had taken over the funds of the centre ho had been handed 5d as the total amount of the centre’s fund, but since that occasion it had rarely fallen below £SO.