BOWLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12663, 17 September 1904, Page 7

BOWLING.

Bowlers are beginning to discuss the incoming season, and on© or two of the clubs whose green:; are well forward expect to bo able to commence play about the second week in October. The secretary of the Mount Eden Club sends along a circular reminding me that the »mnv;al meeting of members is to bo held in the club's j>avilion on Monday evening nr»xt. This will be preceded by a meeting of shareholders, convened for half-past seven p.m. In view of the delay in completing club matches last year, it is to be hoped that committees will during the incoming season seriously consider the advisability of ourtailing club competitions. Towards the close of last, season several clubs were compelled to allow prominent players to stand down when the inter-club matches were being played, owing to the club events not boing completed. The heavy strain on club funds caused by the. levy for the Northern Bowling Association's tournament, he d here last season, has caused more than one of the young clubs about Auckland to question the wisdom of continuing on the list of clubs affiliated to the governing body of bowling for the North Island, The tournament is, under the existing conditions, a serious tax on the clubs belonging to the centre to which it is allocated, but it would be a thousand pities to find any number of clubs cutting the- painter. It will be some time before the gathering is held in Auckland again, and as the affiliation fee in the meantime is a small one, I trust that the clubs will remain loyal to the governing body. It is more than probable that some- new scheme in connection with the tournament will be promulgated in the near future, and with an equal division of the annual liability on a membership basis the tax would not fall heavily on clubs. On Tuesday last Mr. (J. P. Brimblecombe, delegate for the Jlotorua Bowling Club, distributed the handsome gold medals won by Auckland competitors at the tourney held at Rotorua during the gala week last season. The winners included the Auckland Club representatives, who annexed the champion fours, and Messrs. Tutt and Mercer, who oarried off the pairs event for the Rocky Nook Club. Needless to say. the recipients were delighted with the trophies, which are of appropriate design and of greater value than is usually given in such competitions. The Rotoru;i folk are to be complimented for distributing such excellent medals, and I understand that Mr. Brimblecombe has been instructed to convey to them the best thanks of the winners. Mr W. Ledingham, of the Auckland Bowling Club, who lias been on an extended visit to the Old Country and the Continent, is expected back in Auckland early in the season.