BOWLING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 August 1945, Page 3

BOWLING

NELSON CENTRE DISTRICT MATCHES TO BE PLAYED TOURNAMENT DATES ALLOTTED The thirty-second annual meeting of the Nelson Bowling Centre was held on Monday evening, when the following representatives attended: President, Mr A. W. Tanner (Richmond); vice-president, Mr F. Mitchell (Tahunanui); Messrs D. D. Merritt, C. H. Kettle, A. W. St. John (Nelson), A. B. Nicholas, G. E. Piper, W. A. Kenning (Maitai), J. T. Eden (Wakefield), E. C. Gamble (Richmond), E. C. Fry (Motueka), C. V. Higgins (Brightwatcr), A. de Pina (Tahunanui), J. Devine (Ngawhatu Hospital), and the hon. secretary, Mr R. W. Stiles. Takaka delegates were unable to leave Takaka and Mapua was not represented. The president welcomed the delegates and wished all clubs a successful season. He knew all bowlers would be grateful at the successful ending of the war and wish for a speedy return to peace conditions. The secretary read the report and balance sheet for the cast year. Mr Merritt, in moving their adoption, referred to the successful past season and noted that the finances were sound. The motion was seconded by Mr Eden and carried. The secretary was thanked for his comprehensive report on the season’s activities. Letters from the Council of Sport were referred to the executive. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Officers elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr F. Mitchell (Tahunanui); Mr Mitchell was congratulated by the outgoing president and invested with his badge of office. Mr Tanner was congratulated on the success of his year of office. Vice-presi-dent, Mr E. C. Fry (Motueka); executive committee, Messrs D. D. Merritt (Nelson), G. E. Piper (Maitai), W. S. Birdsall (Takaka), Dr. A. R. Green (Motueka), J. T. Eden (Wakefield), E. C. Gamble (Richmond); A. de Pina (Tahunanui), C. V. Higgins (Brightvatcr) and J. Devine (Ngawhatu); hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr R. W. Stiles; auditor, Mr C. H. Kettle; emergency committee, Messrs D. D. Merritt (Nelson), G. E. Piper (Maitai), A. de Pina (Tahunanui); the same committee comprises the match committee; representatives on Council of Sport, Messrs F. Mitchell and G. E. Piper. TOURNAMENT DATES The following tournament dates were granted: December 26th and 27th, to Maitai Club: January Ist and 2nd, Takaka Club; February Ist and 2nd, Wakefield. Other dates for Saturday tournaments were referred to the executive. DISTRICT MATCHES Owing to the easing of petrol restrictions it was decided to revive the district club games. These had been suspended during the war. The playing rinks under certain conditions will be: Nelson and Maitai, 12 rinks each; Motueka and Richmond, 6; Wakefield and Tahunanui, 4; Brightwater and Mapua, 3; Ngawhatu, 2. The general principle of play will be (one illustration) when Nelson With 12 rinks, is to play a club providing a lesser number of rinks, it will select its 12 rinks and ballot for th e required rinks to play the opposing club. All clubs With a higher qupta of rinks will act similarly. The suggestion was made by the Nelson Club to give weaker clubs a more even chance. EASTER TOURNAMENT * It was resolved that th e annual Easter tournament be held, and conducted under the auspices of the Nelson and Maitai clubs with power to add to the committee, entries to clbse on March SO. It was decided to play all champion of champion games on the two-life system, 21 heads, to occupy two days’ play for each competition. In the pairs games four bowls are to be played instead of three as formerly. The question of reviving the Adams’ Shield games was referred to the executive. A suggestion to hold an executive of clubs’ tournament was held over owing to the large programme for the coming season. It was resblved that the Centre levy for the current year be on e shilling, the same as last season. A vote of thanks was passed to the secretary for his work on behalf of the Centre. The president thanked the country delegates for their attendance and hoped all clubs would have a successful season, the conditions now being brighter than during the previous five years. CLUB MEMBERSHIP The annual report showed that the members of clubs in the centre totalled 502—Nelson 156, Maitai 92, Takaka 56, Motueka 50, Richmond 60, Wakefield 36, Mapua 20, Tahunanui 52, Brightwater 22, Ngawhatu 17. EASTER TOURNAMENT “For 21 years the Easter tournament had been successfully handled by the Nelson and Maitai Clubs,” stated the report. “It was unanimously agreed that the 1945 tournament should be termed the Nelson Bowling Centre Tournament, but to b e controlled as hitherto by the Nelson and Maitai clubs with power to add to their number. As will be remembered, there was a phenomenal entry of 100 fours, including 32 rinks from outside our own centre. Eight greens were used. Very special thanks is accorded to the committee for its conduct of the tournament. The committee consisted of Messrs D D Merritt (chairman), W. R. Martyn A. B. Nicholas, V. Vitetta, K. Inwood N. S. Tankersley G. A. Day, G. e’ Piper (secretary)'and W. A. Kenning (treasurer). Th e competitors spoke in high terms of both the conduct of the tournament and of the entertainment provided. The total profit from the tournament Was £47 Is, of which £25 16s raised by other means than entries has been earmarked for the 1946 tournament. Th e tournament, and th e Erie Moss Cup was won by I. Tebay, K. Goodman, c' Sara, F. H. Morgan (s), (Westport), and the runners-up were M. L. Anderson, A. McFarlane, B. L. Holbrook, J. N. Stephenson (s), (Nelson). NEW RULES “The special committee gave a good deal of consideration to new rules, and, with the approval of clubs, they have now been issued. This is the first new edition since the rules were drafted in 1913, when the Nelson and Marlborough centre came into existence. In addition to the rules, added information is given as to how the centre was established and

its subsequent officers, and also a list of all champion of champion winners since 1926. JUNIOR CLASSIFICATION “Many difficulties have arisen in order to try and get something definite as to who should be constituted a junior. The final decision agreed upon by the centre was ‘to determine junior players all clubs in the centre be asked to classify their junior players eligible for junior championship.’ BADGES “The executive recommends that instead of monetary orders for trophies for the senior and junior championship singles the prizes fall into line with all other competitions and special badges be provided for the winners, and that runners-up prizes be eliminated. In addition they recommend that all singles chainpidnship winners be permitted to provide themselves with badges of the approved design for the years in which they have won competitions, but at their own expense. BOWL TESTING “The official bowl tester reports that bowls have been sent from Nelson by local bowlers to other centres for required alterations. When these bowls have been returned they have borne the official stamp of these outside centres. Probably this is no fault of the bowlers concerned, but it is to be noted that all bowls in Nelson area must bear the official stamp of the Nelson Centre. A new stamp will shortly be received and dated 1946. All bowls must bear a 1940 stamp or later, after 31st December. 1945. When sending bowls away for alteration, it would save trouble if bowlers would indicate the origin of sending.”