BOWLING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144712, 22 June 1915, Page 4

BOWLING.

THE TARANAKI CENTRO. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual mooting of tho Taranaki Bowling Centre will be bold at tile Now Plymouth Bowling Club’s pavilion on Thursday, when the following report will be presented : In presenting tbo annual report and balance-sheet, your executive has much pleasure in congratulating the Centro on tho very satisfactory condition of affairs disclosed. Balance-sheet.—lt will be remembered that last year’s working resulted in a Joss of £l4 5s 7d. which was made good by each club in the Coutre being levied upon for £1 3s Del, and, in addition, a small sum of £1 4s 4d was received as a donation, and thus balanced matters. On this occasion the year's work results in a credit balance of £l6 19s lid. Referring to the balancesheet, it will he seen tbo total receipts amount to £l4O 12s 4d. This amount is cb icily made up of the annual tournament entries, £94';. subscriptions to Centre yielding £2B 7s 6d, donations £l7 6s 4d, and sale of tournament programmes U)s, makes up the balance. Coining to expenditure, Centre expenses were £23 19s, most of this amount being paid to the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association in the way of annual subscription. Tbo tournament expenses were £lOl 2s lid; total expenditure, os lOd. The successful Unaucial position is no doubt mainly duo to the increased subscription charged for tournament entry. Annual Tournament,—This was hold on tbo 2Gtb, 27th, 28tb and 29th of January last, and proved a great success. there being 47 entries, an increase of II rinks on the previous year’s entries. Tbo adoption of tho open-door policy has evidently proved a wise one, and it is 'hoped, when tbo next tournament is held, much larger entries will bo received, and evidence is not wanting that this will bo accomplished. It is a matter of regret that the West End Club’s green was not- considered quite fit to play the games upon, and the Inglewood green had to he utilised. Tnis meant extra expense and a certain amount of inconvenience to players. However, the three town greens will all bo in excellent order by next January, and no further trouble may be looked for in this respect. A Hawera rink skipped by Mr. C. E. Hollard won the tournament trophies and challenge shield, and a New Plymouth Club rink, skipped by Mr. A. K, Smart, filled the position of runner-up. The Jiual game was splendidly contested, the issue being in doubt right up to the last bowl. A good season’s play was experienced and the Centre is to bo complimented on tbo success of some of its clubs. At tho Wanganui Centre's Christmas Tournament our Centre was well represented. and the West End Club's rink, skipped by Mr. V. Beal, proved the champion, a Fitzroy rink skipped by Mr. S. Smith scoring second honours. Several clubs bad rinks engaged at tho Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association's champion tournament, held in Auckland last January. A rink skipped by Mr. A. K. Smart (New- Plymouth Club) was successful in reaching the semi-finals.

Three clubs, West End, New Plymouth and Hawera, visited Auckland and played a round of matches with various chibs there, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Tho Aucklanders were lavish in their hospitality and could not have done more to make the stay a. pleasant one. Return visits are promised during the coming season. Banner Competition.—Tho banner matches were keenly contested, and resulted in tho West' End Club securing tho coveted trophy. This club is tho youngest affiliated to tbo Centre, and is to be congratulated on its success. An innovation in the way of a Champion of Champions Singles Tournament was instituted, and tho games wore played on the Stratford green during the month of April. All the clubs with tbo exception of Waitara wore represented. Mr, W. Lambie, of the Pihama Club, proved tho winner, and put up a lino performance, winning all Ins games. Two Feet on tho Mat.—This rule came in for a good deal of condemnation, and the matter is likely to cause discussion when tho Dominion Association holds its next annual meeting. The association has requested clubs to forward, through the Centre secretary, an expression of their opinion on the'matter, as it is intended to go fully into this rnlo at the annual meeting in September next.

The thanks of the Centro are duo to tbo Stratford and Inglewood clubs for use of their greens, to tho Press for fully reporting all matters of bowling interest, and to tho ladies who so generously assisted with tho afternoon teas on several occasions during the season.