BOWLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 11 January 1912, Page 3

BOWLING.

TO CONTROL THE CAME. AMALG A 3IATION PROPOSALS. RECEIVED FAVOURABLY. There are at present in New Zealand (says the “Dominion”) three central bodies controlling the game of howls—tho Auckland Provincial Bowling Association (a relatively small institution), the Northern Bowling Association (with'headquarters at Wellington), and the New Zealand Bowling Association (a South Island institution with headquarters at Dunedin). For years past there has been talk of amalgamation of the three bodies, and at the Northern Bowling Association tourney held at Auckland last year the matter was discussed with some seriousness at a meeting of the bowlers there congregated. Since then it has been the subject of considerable negotiations, and on Monday night at a meeting of bowlers similar to that hold at Auckland the business was considered again. Mr J. Keith, president of the N.8.A., was in the chair. There were about a hundred bowlers present, which was considered a relatively small attendance. “As You Were.” The chairman, on behalf of the executive, gave an account of what had been done since the Auckland meeting had decided that amalgamation was desirable. A letter had been sent to the New Zealand Bowling Association suggesting that tho lattea - association should affirm tho principle of amalgamation leaving details to be arranged later. A reply was received to the effect that in the opinion of the N.Z.B.A. a conference of representatives ought to be held, and that conference was held -at Christchurch in August last. The conference recommended that a New Zealand Bowling Association be formed for the whole Dominion, to have jurisdiction as to rules, visiting teams, champion tournaments, leaving the centres to control local matters. It was agreed that the headquarters for the first year should lie at Dunedin, and thereafter in rotation at Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. These recommendations were forwarded to the associations to be submitted to the centres. No replies .had been received, but iu reply to an urgent telegram, he had that day received a telegram to the effect that three centres had decided for amalgamation, one against, and two had still to decide. So the matter remained iu doubt the same position as it was a year ago.

Advice to Go On. Mr Payne (Dunedin) said that the proposal of amalgamation had been received with some caution in Dunedin, but now that Christchurch and Southland centres had decided for it, the Dunedin centre would in all probability come in. He advised tnat the association be formed, in which case Christchurch and Southland would probably join, and then Dunedin would oe compelled to come in. This was ids own opinion, and not as from his centre. The constitution, he thought, should be on the broadest possible lines, leaving controversial questions of detail to the executive to be appointed afterwards. Centres would nave far more real power than they had now, for such 'small affairs as local tournaments would not he interfered with by the Now Zealand Association. If'the new association went ahead on broad, general principles they would meet with approval from the great body of bowlers of the country. ■ Applause.) A Dominion Assaciaiton.

Mr J. M. Goddes moved that theexecutive bo thanked lor their labours .or amalgamation, and that the executive be urged to prosecute their labours further in that direction. He spoke in support of his motion, being generally in agreement with Mr Payne. i/M'r ; N. Bell seconded the motion. The chairman pointed out that the South Island centres would not join in any such proposed association without withdrawing from their own association. Therefore it appeared that die only thing to be done was to form m association for the North Island, and allow the other centres in the South island to come in later. Colonel Collins said that this amalgamation now proposed was not the amalgamation thought of at the Auckland meeting. There it was contemplated that the Northern Bowling Association and tho New Zealand Bowling Association should unite' but it ippoared to him that there was no longer any use in prolonging the agony. The N.B.A. could change its aame to the “Dominion Bowling Association.” Mr T. Bush suggested that Mr Geddes should amend his motion to in■lude in some way the name Dominion Bowling Association. He knew rhat the N.B.A. had been holding out die olive branch to the N.Z.B.A. for twelve years, but it had done no good. Mr Walker (Ponsonby) suggested that the “open door policy” now ob•.erved in the conduct of tournaments should be considered. The number of entries would be enlarged by amalgamation, and would become too unwieldly to be accommodated. Therefore he suggested that “the open door” was a matter of cardinal importnice.

The majority of the meeting appear'd to he against the opinion, holding rather that the conduct of tournaments* was a matter of detail to bo dealt with later. Mr J, D. Sievwright moved as an amendment: “That the time has now arrived when there should be only one govern! mjhpdy for bowls in New Zealand, andthat with that end in view the Northern Bowling Association he recommended and authorised to carry out any steps to further that object.” The amendment was carried unanimously.