BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12425, 7 August 1902, Page 3

BOWLING.

•VICTORIA BOWLING CLUB. A meeting of members of the Victoria Bowling Club was held in the North Dunedin Drillshed last evening for the purpose of considering certain matters in connection with tlio club's affairs. Mr C. S. Ilcevos (president) occupied the chair. Tlio Chairman safl that the secretary had received several apologies from some of the committee and other members of the club who wero unable to bo-present that night and so mako a, larger meeting. The chief business of the meeting was to consider the present position of matter? connected with the club. The committee had looked around and found that the most suitable place for a green would be in a paddock belonging to the Presbyterian Church Board, about 400 yards from the Drillshed. Negotiations were entered into with the board, and it was arranged that .three-quarters of an acre were to lie given to tlio club at a rental which the board considered reasonable. Some of the members of the committee, himself amongst the number, considered tlio ; rent fixed by the board rather high. In the meantime, however, believing that the ground would be available for the club according .to the offer received from the Church Board, the levels of the land were taken and arrangements made with Mr Sanders to make the green. Unfortunately, Mr Sanders met with an accident and was laid up for several weeks. A sub-committee was deputed to wait on the board to endeavour to get the ground at a lower rate, but, if unsuccessful, they were empowered to accept the ground at the rate fixed. The next thing to happen was that the committee, very much to their surprise, got a letter from the factor stating that the trustees had decided to withdraw the. offer to lease the ground to the club. Several attempts were made to induce tlio board to hold to their offer and allow the club to liave the green, it being,pointed out that SO or 60' members had already paid their subscriptions and that the club was likely to be very successful. That day he had had an interview with -the factor of the Church Board, who informed him that the reason why the board had withdrawn their ground was that it was contemplated to erect a theological college, iu the paddock. That undoubtedly was a very worthy object, and the paddock was an excellent site for a college. In conversation with Mr Smith ho pointed out that if the hoard were determined to use the ground for the purpose mentioned it would bo a very desirable thing to have a bowling green in the paddock, as it would'lie a place of recreation for the students and professors.''The eight acres laid out in ornamental grounds and as a green would be very useful and handsome. Mr Smith considered that there was something in what he had said, and suggested that there would be no -harm in again approaching the board on the matter. It was for the members to say if that, should bo done. As ho had eaid, they had received a certain amount of money in subscriptions, and the money was now in the bank. He was afraid it was too late this year to have a green formed, but he hoped thc-y. would be able to get it ready for next year. As it was the first general meeting of the club, be would take .the opportunity of thanking them for clectingliim president. Mr Reeves mentioned the valuable services rendered by Messrs Barth (vice-president) and Murray (first secretary), and others. Mr> Murray having resigned the secretaryship, Mr Sidney T, Mirams had kindly taken up the duties of that office.

A short discussion took place on the question of a site for the green, and eventually Mr Button proposed— 11 That the committee bo requested to again approach the Church Board of Property with the view to the carrying out of tli'eir original offer, to the olub, and at the same time to point out that in the opinion of the committee the bowling green would be in no way. detrimental to nor detract from 1 the, usefulness of the ground if dedicated to the purpose of a, theological college, but .rather the reverse." Mr Hunter seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned sine die.