NEW ZEALAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 31

NEW ZEALAND BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the New Zealand Bowling Association was held in the Grand Hotel on the 10th, when there were present — Messrs G. B. Smith (vice-president, in the chair), Thomas Moodie, F. Peeke, J. Wedderspoon, D. Watters, D. Macpherson, W. Carlton. T. R. Dodds, W. Forrester, C. Haynes, E. Hogg, G. Capstick (hon. secretary).

A letter was received from Mr Alex. G. Butler, hon. secretary of the Victoria Association, stating that the New South Wales team would visit Victoria for the intercolonial bowling match at Cup time, and asking if the New Zealand bowlers could come too. He also intimated that there was another inducement to visit the sister colony in the shape of an intercolonial single-handed championship, the first prize for which was a trophy of the valae of LSO ; the second, L2O ; and there were altogether about 10 prizes. The entrance fee to members of clubs in Australia or New Zealand was 10s 6d, and the games would be 25 points, four bowls each player. He concluded his letter by expressing a hope that a number of New Zealand competitors would be present, — The secretary was requested to inform the clubs affiliated about the matter.

Mr Wm. Lambert, hon. secretary of the Northern Bowling Association, wrote stating that at the lasb meeting of the Northern Bowling Association the question of instituting an annual match between the North and South Islands was discussed, and it was thought that such a match would be desirable, and would tend to arouse and keep alive interest in the game. It was suggested that the inaugural contest might be arranged to come off during the ensuing season on a central green, and he desired to know the opinion of the New Zealand Bowling Association as to date, and as to whether there should be any prize, &c. — It was decided to leave the new membei'3 of the association to deal with the matter.

It was reported that the following gentlemen had been appointed delegates to the association : — Messrs W. Dawson, M.H.R. (for the Invercargill Club), J. Wedderspoon and J. H. Kirby (Caledonian), C. Haynes and R. Wilson, jau. (Dunedin), W. Stott and C. Samson (Green Island), S. Mitchell and C. Forrester (Kaituna), E. J. Dowling and D. Macpherson (Oamaru), C. W. Bee and W. Davids (Phoenix, Oamaru), D. Reid and G. Capstick (Milton), P. Blackly and A. Mathewson (Balclutha), B. Throp and T. R. Dodds (Sydenham), J. Nicholson and W. P. Watson (Kaitangata), B. Hale and B. Hogg (Canterbury), J. Chalmers and J. Gibson (Lawrence).

ANNUAL IIEPOHT.

The annual report, which was submitted to the meeting, stated that during the past season the Naseby, Wellington, and Nelson Clubs withdrew from the association — the former on account of its not having a sufficient number of members to carry on the club, and the two latter through having joined the North Island Bowling Association. No new clubs had joined during the past season, bo that the clubs affiliated with the association, now number 18,

having a membership of fully 1500. A new club had been started at Port Chalmers, and in all probability they would join the association during the season. Tho usual annual tournament was to have commenced on Monday, February 8, but owing to the bad weather it did not commence until Tuesday. The rink tournament was completed on Thursday, the final being played between rinks from the Roslyn and Oamaru Clubs, the latter winning after a tie at the last head. The tie proved one of the most excitinu games played during the tournament, being won by one point amidst enthusiastic applause. The following are the names of the members of the winning rink : — Messrs N. Fleming, J. Familton, B. Mollison, and Martin (skip). The rink for the second prize, representing the Roslyn Club, was composed of Messrs R. T. Wheeler, P. Dow, W. C. Allnutt, and W. Carlton (skip). For the single-hauded match, for which there were 64 entries, Mr W. Carswell, of the Taieri Club, took first honours ; Mr W. W. Taylor, of the Milton Club, second; Mr J. Hunter, of the Dunedin Club, third ; and Mr A. Fraser, also of the Dunedin Club, fourth. The match North v. South was played off on Friday, the 12th, with eight rinks a-side, the South being again victorious. The play-off between the winning rinks was finished on Saturday, and after another keen and very exciting game between the Kaituna and Dunedin Clubs was, after a tie at the 21st head, won by the Kaituna Club by one point. The following are the names of the members of the winning rink : — C. J. Payne, J. Mitchell, A. W. Macarthur, and T. Sneddon (skip). Dunedin : C. Haynes, A. Robertson, A. T. Anderson, and J. Hunter (skip). The trophies presented during the season did not comprise anything of very great value, the association having made a departure in this respect, giving a framed certificate to the winners, in place of cups, &c. The committee desire to thank Mr B. Hale (the president) for his valuable prize, presented to the winner of the single-handed match. The two-handed four-bowl match, which was inaugurated during the previous season, did not take place, an omission which proved a disappointment to many of the bowlers. The tournament, which will be held in February next in Christchurch, is expected to be a thorough success in every way, affording, as it will, an opportunity to our bowlers to renew the pleasant relations already formed with their northern brothers ; and it is hoped that members will strive to make such arrangements as will enable a large contingent to take part in the various matches. Mr G. B. Smith, the president-elect will, by virtue of his office, assume that of president for the ensuing season. He has been a representative of the association for the past five years, is an enthusiastic bowler, and well deserves the position he has been called upon to fill. The report was adopted, and it was decided that it be printed for circulation. It was resolved that framed certificates be engrossed and presented to the president, the treasurer, and the secretary — to be presented at next meeting; and that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the executive officers.