THE PENNANT DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12271, 15 May 1903, Page 7

THE PENNANT DISPUTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As a lover of "ye ancient game" of bowls, I regretted to hear that a dispute had arisen as to the winners of the pennant in the recent bowling tournament, and that there is in certain quarters a strong feeling against the Auckland Bowling Association on account of their decision in the matter. When the Auckland Club's representatives were asked to play Devonport at Newmarket after winning against them at Rcmuera, the association, it is stated, were notified that Auckland refused to play, as they considered they had already won the pennant. This action of their teams was unanimously approved at a meeting of members of the Auckland Club, and I understand that a copy of the resolution passed at said meeting was sent to the association. In addition to these notifications I am informed that the opinion of certain members of the council of the Wellington North Island Bowling Association, who had been consulted in reference to the game, was known to the Auckland Association, which was to the effect that the Auckland Club had undoubtedly won tho pennant. The whole matter, 1 believe, was settled by two out of tho three gentlemen forming the Tournament Committee, and I hold that after receiving a unanimous protest from the members of the Auckland Club and the Wellington opinion referred to, they should have asked some outside neutral parties to adjudicate upon the game. If this course had been followed the decision, I believe, would have been loyally accepted by all the parties interested, and the outcry against the association would not have existed. Whether Devonport will accept tho pennant remains to be seen, but were I a member of one of their teams I should not care to wear a gold medal under such circumstances. In bowling circles the matter is rightly held to be an important one, and I would suggest, for the consideration of the Devonport and Auckland Clubs, that a full description of the game be drawn up by the secretaries of the two clubs, and that the same be sent, with a copy of the rules under which it was played, to the South Island Bowling Association for their opinion. If this can be arranged with the consent of the association it would settle one® for all which club was the winner.—l am, etc., A BOWI.EB, BUT NOT ONE OF THE TEAMS. Auckland, May 9, 1903.