BOWLS

Southland Times, Issue 19931, 26 July 1926, Page 4

BOWLS

THE SOUTHLAND CENTRE. The following is the 19th annual report of the Southland Centre of the New Zealand Bowling Association to be submitted to the annual meeting of delegates on Friday evening:— Throughout the year nine meetings of the executive were held and were attended as follows:—Mr A. Derbie (president) 9, Messrs R. D. Donaldson 9, J. 11. Louden 8, D. M. Scandrctt 8, J. Strang 8, J. Holloway 7, A. H. Stott 7 and N. McGorlick 6. Nineteen clubs are affiliated to the Centre and the membership now stands at 725, being an increase of 59 members as compared with last year’s figures. The balance-sheet reveals a very satisfactory position on the year’s working, showing as it does a credit balance of £54 17/8, and this constitutes a record in the history of the Centre. This credit includes the profit of the annual tournament amounting to £25 3/5, probably another record, due mainly to the splendid response by way of entries from the affiliated clubs. Prior to the commencement of the season’s fixtures, the executive, carrying out the decision of the executive of the previous year, arranged matches to decide which club should be recorded as winners of the inter-club competition for the season 1924-25, and in a play-off with the Invercargill Club, Northend were successful. The past season’s competitions were interfered with to some extent by the unfavourable weather conditions which prevailed towards the close of the year, but finality was reached in all competitions save that of the inter-club competition, in which Northend and Southland tied. It has been decided to play the final at the commencement of the new season. These fixtures were played on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the aggregate points being taken into account and the new arrangements proved fairly satisfactory, and as yet, probably the best solution of the difficulty which arises out of the divided holiday question. The A and B grade four-rink competition went to the Northend Club, and the club has to be congratulated on their performances throughout the season. The champion of champion singles was won by the Otautau Club representative, Mr F. H. Francis. Mr D. Harvey, representing the Hokonui Club, was runner-up for the second year. The champion pairs competition was won by the Southland Club, being represented by Messrs R. D. Donaldson and D. H. Thomson (s), who defeated Messrs J. Fletcher and N. McGorlick (Bluff). The Waihopai-One Shield was competed for by 16 rinks from affiliated clubs throughout Southland. The fixtures were played on the Northend green under ideal conditions, and the Invercargill Club proved the winners, being represented by Messrs W. J. Miller, A. Derbie, F. G. Stevenson and E. Smith (s). The Waihopai Club were the runners-up. The Mayor’s pairs tourney was won by Northend Club, their representatives being Wallace and J. Hain (s) and T. Battersby and A. J. Service (s). The Otago v. Southland interprovincial (8 rinks) annual fixture was played on the Southland green, Otago proving the winners, and thus have the honour of holding the Harraway Shield for next season. Since the inaugural fixture in 1921, Southland have two wins, Otago three, and one game was a draw. The Town v. Western match was played at Invercargill, and the Town representatives were successful. The Town v. Eastern fixture took place at Edendale and resulted in a win for the Town representatives. The annual tournament was held at New Year time on excellent greens and under perfect weather conditions. The tournament proved a great success from every point of view, and the Centre is indebted to the various clubs for their assistance and co-operation. The thanks of the Tournament Committee are due to the following gentlemen for acting as umpires:—Messrs J. H. Louden, J. McNatty, W. Manson, J. Waugh and T. Pryde, and also the caretakers of the various greens for their efforts in providing good playing surfaces. The tournament entries were 32 rinks, 64 pairs and 63 singles. The results were as follows: — Provincial Rinks: R. Donaldson, J. C. Thomson, W. Stead, D. H. Thomson (s), Southland, 1; W. Leek, G. Glennie, C. Hannan, J. Holloway (s), Northend, 2. City Rinks: Payne, .Summers, Hinton, Mc•Curdy (s), St. Kilda, 1; Miller, Good, Israel, Stevenson (s), Invercargill, 2. Murihiku Pairs: Grant and Broad (s), Pheonix, 1; McDougall and Hedges (s), Bluff, 2. Singles: J. Robertson (Phoenix), 1; R. D. Donaldson (Southland), 2; J. Broad (Phoenix), 3; T. Holmes (Invercargill), 4. The executive wish to place on record the consistently high standard of play throughout the season on the part of Mr D. H. Thomson and his associates, making special reference to the performance of his rink in the Dominion Tournament played in Dunedin. His efforts on that occasion when reaching the final in the Dominion Rinks Championship were greatly appreciated by all Southland bowlers, and helped in a great measure to bring the province into prominence. The annual meeting of the Dominion Council was held in Dunedin in September, and the Centre was, as in past years, ably represented by Mr J. H. Louden. Many items of importance were discussed at this meeting and Mr Louden’s efforts on behalf of bowling generally and the interests of this Centre in particular, must be appreciated to the fullest extent. The executive have again nominated Mr Louden as the Southland representative. Regarding “bowl testing,” the last annual report stated that Mr M. Murray would be available to carry on this important work, but continued ill-health prevented him from so doing. Mr E. Battin was appointed official tester, and carried out his work in a very capable manner. Probably the most important event of the season was the visit of the British bowlers to the Dominion, but unfortunately Southland was not included in the itinerary. Your representative on the council (Mr J. H. Louden) used every effort to bring about a visit of the distinguished visitors, but without success. It is with sincere regret your executive records the death of Mr William Smith, a past president of the Te Rangi Club. A pleasing feature of the season’s play has been the increased activity shown by many of the country clubs, and although the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at times affected the playing strength, many friendly matches were played between Town and country. The Centre desires to thank his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Bain) for again donating trophies for the Mayor’s Pairs. To Mr J. Waugh for his able assistance as umpire on numerous occasions, and to Mr G. T. Stevens as auditor, a special word of thanks is due. The Press, have as usual, rendered very great assistance to clubs and to the Centre by recording the numerous matches and meetings throughout the year. On behalf of the executive: Alexander Derbie, president. H. F. R. Miller, secretary.