SUNDAY BOWLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 12

SUNDAY BOWLS

PLAY AT rONSONBY

GREENS TO BE OPENED

A MAJORITY DECISION

CLOSE VOTING ON PROPOSAL

Sunday play will bo permitted on tho Ponsonby Bowling Club's greens during the forthcoming season as the result of a majority decision reached at a meeting of the club. Thirty-one members voted for Sunday play and 27 against. For many years, some of the members have been making determined efforts to. have tho club's greens opened oil Sundays, but until now they have been in tho minority. Although a number of outer suburban clubs conduct Sunday games, Ponsonby is the first club in tho central area to permit them.

Notice of motion was-given by Mr. L. F. Webster, "That Sunday bowling be permitted on the club's greens between tho hours of 2 and 6 p.m." After tho seconding of the motion by Mr. F. J. McKinstry, a heated and prolonged discussion ensued. Churchmen Quoted

Among those who opposed tho granting of permission were the president, Mr. A. F. Edwards, and Messrs. 11. Drummond, H. V. Trcgear and A. Parsons. Mr. Edwards' objection was. that the time was not opportune for a change, Messrs. Drummond and Tregear opposed the motion on grounds of principle, and Mr. Parsons said the greens would not stand tho regular play on two successive days of the week.

Supporting the motion, Messrs. L. Lincoln, R. Richardson and S. Rowbottom quoted press reports of tho utterances of various liberal churchmen who thought that Sunday games were to the benefit of the people. These speakers claimed that the public attitude on tho matter had changed a great deal. There were many amusements on Sundays and many sports grounds were opened. Question ol Rules

When the result of the secret ballot was announced after tho question was placed before the meeting, a section of those members who opposed Synday play claimed that play could not be permitted because a standing rule in the club's constitution was that rules might be amended, added to or rescinded only at a general meeting called for the purpose and the rule provided that no such amendment, addition or recision be made unless it be carried by a two-thirds majority. However, legal opinion secured by those in favour of Sunday play is to the effect that the carrying of tho motion merely affects hours of play and is not an alteration of rules.