ON THE GREEN Bowls and Bowlers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 10

ON THE GREEN Bowls and Bowlers

(By JAC

THE CENTRE MEETING REVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS (By JACK HIGH) Complete satisfaction with the administration of the Auckland Centre’s affairs was evidenced by the full reelection of last year’s executive at the annual meeting of club delegates on Tuesday evening. The seats of the two retiring members, Messrs. Garrard and Parsons, were filled by Mr. IT. C. Clarke, the present holder of the Dominion championship singles, and Mr. G. M. Reid, of the Stanley Bay Club. Mr. Clarke’s elevation to a seat on the centre executive can be regarded as fully merited. For many years past he has been a prominent member of the Rocky Nook Club. During that time he has occupied most positions of prominence in his club, including that of president. His outstanding work there was the coaching of beginners. Mr. Clarke has rightly regarded instruction to first-year players a matter of supreme importance, therefore, to assist them has always claimed his closest attention. Mr. G. M. Reid has also worked well in the broadest interests of bowling, and his election to such a high office will be hailed with extreme pleasure. POPULAR PRESIDENT The re-election of Mr. James Pascoe for the third year in succession to the highest administrative position of bowling in Auckland is worthy of great prominence. Mr. Pascoe is a bowler of no mean order, having won the singles championship of his club, Devonport, on many occasions. His personal endeavours to fully develop the social side of the sport, and at the same time maintain an even balance of the competitive side, can therefore be regarded as receiving in his hands full unbiassed treatment, which should completely satisfy the rank and file that whatever is done in this direction during the coming year is in the best interests of bowling in Auckland. Again, the splendid and efficient work of Mr. George Gladding came in for unstinted praise. It can be said with certainty that this is fully deserved. It is well that the ever-increasing duties of this office are in the capable hands of Mr. Gladding. Both Mr. P. J. Scantlebury and Mr. A. E. Whitten served their first term on the centre executive last year. As the junior members for that term they proved good workers. Mr. Scantlebury also holds the position of sole selector in the parent club, Auckland, and is also a proved worker in that club. As a bowler he has outstanding qualities, having won the singles championship of Auckland. He also skipped the team that was runner-up for the centre’s Christmas tournament. Mr. A. E. Whitten has been connected with the West End Club for many years, and held the position of president on one occasion. Mr. S. Coldicutt, as vice-president, is well known as a bowler serving the best interests of the sport. Mr. A. H. Yeoman, as treasurer, requires no introduction; his re-election is assured from year to year. The older members of the executive are Messrs. J. M. Thomson, A. C. Tonkin, E. B. Wright. All these bowlers are tried men for their positions. The re-election of Mr. A. B. Barter as the country clubs’ representative replaces a very useful worker. It is worthy of note that his election was unanimous. From the above summary it will be seen that the executive is most able to give the fullest and broadest administration to the affairs of the combined clubs of the Auckland Centre from all points of view. USE OF CENTRE ORGANISATION During his remarks Mr. Pascoe made it clear that a pressing invitation was extended to all bowlers to attend the centre delegates’ meetings. The expressed purpose of this invitation was to give every player an opportunity of bringing matters forward that would further the advancement of the sport. Of course, he remarked, they could not personally take part in the discussion, as this would tend to make the meetings cumbersome and even unwieldy; but he specially emphasised that it

K HIGH)

was his intention to develop the use of the centre organisation n\gre freely among bowlers. If it was neecssary to call more meetings than were at present listed, he would be pleased to do so. In fact, the more the centre organisation was used in this direction the greater pleased he would be. THE PENNANT COMPETITION Over an hour was spent by the delegates in discussing the different viewpoints of the clubs on the pennant competition. It was most noticeable and commendable that the chief concern of the speakers was to bring into operation a system which would embrace the big rank and file of indifferent players. At the present time between 60 per cent, and 70 per cent, of the players in the respective clubs took part. It was felt that if the clubs could employ their membership more fully in the competition, instead of playing only their strongest playing members, the competition would more ably justify its usefulness in the future. Mr. A. H. Yeoman, who has been largely responsible for the arrangement of the competition, stated that he thought the chief difficulty in the past was that the clubs had taken the competition much too seriously. This was, in his opinion, where the main dissatisfaction arose. There had crept in too much of the competitive element. It was not an event for keen competition. In fact, when it was originally brought into operation it was intended only as a glorified inter-club competition. If it remained at that it would meet with satisfaction. Most of the delegates spoke upon this big question. Some had decided leanings toward the competition being eliminated altogether. Others made suggestions to include larger quotas, while quite a few were advanced to reduce the number to a maximum of eight rinks. However, it was most pleasing that the main theme running throughout the whole discussion was the interests of the rank and file members. It was noticeable that the point which Mr. Pascoe so frequently emphasised during the past season—the necessity for the fuller development of social bowling—were echoed in the discussion that took place on this competition. However, although so many varied opinions were expressed, nothing definite was arrived at and the whole matter is left to the incoming centre executive to deal with and remodel, if possible, having in mind the opinions expressed. Probably the best reading of the situation is that advanced by Mr. Scantlebury, when he stated that the 4 pennant competition could be likened to the aggregate fours competition, adopted in most clubs. Neither could it be hoped to give complete satisfaction to all the players, but at the sametime they were both the best systems that had been invented up to the present time. FRIENDLY INTER-CLUBS Friendly inter-club competitions also came into prominence. It was most noticeable that the larger clubs were keenly desirous of making more fixtures with the smaller clubs. There was a fine spirit expressed in this respect. In the past some trouble had been experienced by the smaller clubs in arranging these fixtures. Delegates from Remuera, Auckland and Carlton expressed regret for this omission. Mr. Scantlebury explained that as far as Auckland was concerned it tried to arrange fixtures with all clubs in succession. Mr. Mcßobie, of Remuera, pointed out that his club was most desirous of entertaining as many clubs as possible during the season and thereby maintain the highest bowling traditions. NOTES AND NEWS It was with pleasure the announcement was received that four or five teams from Tauranga will visit Auckland during the season. A full week will be devoted to giving these teams from the remotest club in the centre as full a programme as possible. The next challengers for the Edwin Stars are Messrs. A. C. Hill, J. A. Godfrey, F. Osborne and J. Taylor, Ellerslie. This is quite a good team and the game should prove a good contest.