MR DOWLING'S REJOINDER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 7 April 1892, Page 31

MR DOWLING'S REJOINDER.

Dbak "Jack," — Referring to your notes of last issue, and to your criticism of my letter of the 21st March, you must permit me to remark that I never lose my temper (surely my letter is not evidence against me). Allow mo also to add that if I was wrong in supposing that you would be pleased to hear of the inability of the various clubs to respond affirmatively to the invitation to play interclub matches here at Easter, I was led to that^conclusion by the tone of your writing.

I agree with you that blame for the failure rests with the promoters. The idea was a mistake, and in the face of the promises alleged to have been made was scarcely likely to be successful. Whether or not Mr Bee spoke officially, or whether he was authorised or not to do so, is not my ulace to inquire. It is apparent that the committees of the clubs here , knew nothing of it, or surely they would have i exerted themselves to support him in carrying out the matter. Had it not been for his letter to you I should have supposed there had been some misunderstanding. All I can say is that nothing whatever was known, officially to the Oamaru Club regarding a tournament ; and so far as I know there was no unofficial talk about it until after the return of the players from Dunedin, when various opinions were expressed as to its feasibility, but nothing of a practical nature was done. The advertisement calling a meeting of bowlers appeared on February 23, and was anonymous. The report of that meeting handed to me did not contain any reference to prior decisions ; and so far as I can hear, those who took part in the discussion seemed to be under the impression that it was quite an undecided question whether there was to be any gathering at all, or what form it should take, or under whosj management it should be. The meeting decided the question then, and elected a committee, and I cannot see how it can be said that they made any change in the programme, although you assert that there was a change, and puzzle yourself to find a cause.

It would be useless for me to debate with you the relative advantages of double-handed tournament games (or of "torments," as I have 'heard them spoken of) and of full-rinked interclub matches. If I did it might provoke you to say I was bilious or had lost my temper; but incidentally, I do not agree with all you say as to the success of past tournaments, especially of our tournament held last Easter, concerning which you are so exuberant. If you were as well acquainted with the domestic economy of the local clubs as I am you would possibly modify your views, unless your ideas of sucoess are as far from mine as our respective localities are, Having

past experiences to help, it is possible that a tournament this year might have been made to go more smoothly, provided the local clubs had taken it up xcnitedly. For the last gathering was inopportune, and to my mind somewhat unduly pressed upon the clubs, with a view of counteracting an agitation that was started in the hope of inducing the association to hold their annual gathering here. This is my own view only, and not otherwise inspired, but it is the only reason I can see that will explain the half-heartedness — not of individuals, but of the clubs — that resulted in considerable mismanagement and some unpleasantness. The term " Freelance" used by me was not intended as a term of derision or scorn, though you are welcome to interpret it so if you like. Neither did I mean to apply it to those gentlemen who compose the association. At the same time I do not consider that that respectable and perhaps useful body is so august or so immaculate as to be outside the pale of criticism, and why I should not dare to say or to insinuate anything against them if the need arose is more than I can tell. I do not think bluster in their defence would prevent me. The, term " Freelance" was applied by me to those games, to take part in which competitors can enter themselves independently, without the cognisance or nomination of the club to which they belong (if any). And I apply the term not only to our last Easter tournament, but also to the association's rink matches. I understand that some committees complain that many entries have been made outside them, and in addition to their own nominations, and that in some cases players who were selected to do battle for the honour of their clubs, not being satisfied with the places assigned to them, not only declined to play, but got up other teams and entered themselves. In the Oamaru Club the committee could not get a team together for the last tournament, but eight freelances entered, and one set of four returned with the laurels of first prize. I have also heard of players attached to different clubs being associated for an occasion, and I presume there is nothing to prevent anyone from selecting a team* or a comrade wherever the best material could be found. The term "freelance " may not fit precisely, but it was the best I could find at the time, and sufficiently describes what I wished to convey. If these circumstances exist, then, how can it tend to strengthen the control the executive of a club have over the management? I am justified, I know, in making the remark that the executives had lost influence so far as to make it difficult to accomplish such matches as proposed by the promoters. If further proof were needed I could find it in many regrets contained in letters, which as secretary to my club I have in my possession. And there are some who have the temerity to say that the association are much to blame for it. I wonder that they dare ! As I have not the pleasure of knowing you I do not know to what club you belong, but whether it is a first-class one or not I venture to think there is" not much difference between it and others, although you make the boast of ! being so specially attentive to the stranger and free from cliquishness and selfishness. I should like to be a member taking part in the management of so easily governed a club. — I am, &c, E. J. Dowuno. Oamaru, April 4. OAMARU BOWLING CLUB. To "Jack," — Sir: Referring to the lettter from the president of the Phoenix Club in your last week's notes, I beg leave to say, on behalf of this club, that no question relating [to a tournament to be held here at Easter or any application for the use of our green ever came before our committee, and it would be an unusual thing for them to be responsible for the opinions or actions of any individuals outside their committee room. — I am, &c, E. J. Dowhng, Secretary.

Oamaru, April 4. Confirmed. — James Gemmell, President.