NEW ZEALAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10307, 14 March 1895, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of the New Zealand Bowling Association was held in Watson's Hotel on Tuesday evening, attended bjr Messrs Horsburgh (president, in the chair), J. ___■ Monsoa, C. Fyiitoore, G. B. Smith, C. F. Green--slade, J. Wedderspoon, E. Hogg, J. G. Moo<e, F. Peake, A. Mowat, J.W.Smith, J. R. Thornton, A. Macdonald, W. Davies, W. O. Allnutt, A. Sinclair, Thomas Mooiie, and J. H. Loudon, and Mt R. T. Wheeler secretary. Mr W. Dawson, an' ex-president of the association, was also present. The President said that, owing to unavoidable circumstances, the trip south had had to he abandoned this year. Many who would have liked to have gone found that they could not leave their businesses so soon .after the holidays and tha recent tournament; and, taking into consideration that another tournament would be held at Easter in Oamaru, which a large number proposed to attend, it was deemed advisable to postpone the visit until next year.—Approved.

A latter was received from the Secretary of the proposed tournament at o___aru asking for a donation towards their prizes.—Mr Wheeler explained that this letter came some time ago, and he had replied that there would be no meeting of the association until that evening, when it would be considered.—Auother letter was received asking tbat the tournament should be held under the auspices of the association.—Mr Moore moved, and Mr Mo Wat seconded*—" That permission be gianted, hue owing to the Qtate of the funds of the association, they regrett that that portion of the request can not be granted."— Carried. The Secretary of the recently-formed Waimate Club, - which consisted of about 50 members, applied to be affiliated to the association, and stated that Dr Barclay, of that town, would be their home, repce.ent-.iive, whilst the club nominated Mr George Capstick as their representative on the association.—The request was unanimously acceded to, and the secretary directed to reply that as Mr Capstick already represented another club on the atsociation another delegate would have to be chosen, and it was left in Mr Wheeler's hands to suggest another bowler for their acceptance. •' Several amall accounts were paased for payment. .RE BIAS OF BOWLS. Mr MoORE/accoidicg to notice, moved —" That in future all bowls played with at tournaments should be tested according to the rules of the Scottish National Bowling . Association." Mr Macdonald teconded the motion. —After a shore discussion, in which Messrs Greenslade, (i. B. Smith, Thornton, and several other members took part, the motion was carried unanimously. PRESENTATION TO MR lIORSBUIIGH. Iv • view of the president's proposed visit to Great Britain, it was unanimously agreed to give him a letter introducing him to the Hothe clubs. Mr Horsburgh mentioned that he intended to leave by the Tarawera on the 2lst inst. Mr Mowat said that the Quty,_now devolved upon him of saying a few words to their president personally. The associatibn waa under a deep debt of gratitude to him for the very able,manner in whicn he had carried out the duties of president under circumstances of no common difficulty. When he assumed o-hce -he association was virtually dead.—(Mr G. B. Smith:'"Not dead.") Mr Mouat : Yes, dead. Clubs were seceding from it right and left, and very few remained true to their allegiance. No sooner had he assumed the reins of office than, by the exercise of considerable tact and goodwill, he rallied the. wavering clubs in and around Dunedin; then by a, happy, inspiration he proposed the memorable journey south and north to see the various country clubs, find out their grievances, and, if possible, smooth their difference. Those trips he was proud tosay were triumphant successes, and the consequences were that each and all of the clubs decided upon again joining the association, and now every ciub in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland was affiliated. In every little detail also he showed the Bame observant care, and now the association was in a splendid position, and the members felt as he proposed to visit the lond of his birth that they would like to present him with something of small intrinsic value — but on that account he would value them the more; and he had on their beh_Jf much pleasure in handing to him a handsome gold medal, which he could attach to his watch chain, as a token of their respect and esteem. He could s-_y much more, but he purposelj* made his remarks as brief as J ' possible, so as to allow others to express their sentiments; aud before sitting down, he was also deputed to hand to him a certificate (which was most handsomely framed), signed by the officers of the association. Mr Mowat then handed over to Mr Horsburgh the certificate and a massive gold medal in the form of a Maltese cross (the workmanship cf Mr E. Hogg), beariDg the foltywing inscription:—" Presented to* James Horsburgh, Esq., by the New Zealand Bowling Association, March 12,1895, specially in recognition of your enthusiasm,-courtesy, and tact as president 1893-1895." Mr R. T. Wheeler (secretary) and Mr J. R. Thornton supported all that Mr Mowat had said concerning Mr Horsburgh's courtesy, tact, and business ability. ; Mr Horsburgh's health having been drunk with musical hononrs, that gentleman in responding said he was entirely at a loss to make a suitable reply. He was greatly pleased to find that they had appreciated hia efforts as their president. He had on taking office found the association a little disorganised, but not dead by any means. With the able assistance of their late sscretary (Mr Butts) the club 3 both north and south were induced to join the association;' and the Easter gomes and the recent tournament had each proved a great success. He could only thank them for the many kind things they bad said about him. He would, during his tour, visit as many greens as possible in Australia and during his Btay in the Home country, and if he learned anything upon bowling matters which they did not know here, he would gladly impart It. He complimented the association on having such officers as Mr Moodie as treasurer and Mr Wheeler as secretary. Mr Wheeler said there was a probability of a rink being formed on hoard the steamer, as Messrs Dawson and Tapper intended to travel by the same vessel.—(Hear, hear.) The proceedings then were brought to a conclusion.