BOWLING SENSATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18807, 1 December 1932, Page 8

BOWLING SENSATION.

LOCAL CLUB SUSPENDED. DISREGARDED CENTRE RULES. SUNDAY TOURNAMENT HELD. The action of the Frankton Bowling Club in allegedly contravening the Centre rules by permitting a tournament to be held on the Frankton green last Sunday without the authority of the South Auckland Bowling Centre was the subject of lengthy discussion at a meeting of the Centre executive last night, the outcome being the suspension of the club unless an apology is forthcoming. Seven days were allowed the club to forward their apology. The executive did not object to Sunday play, hut based their decision on the charge that the club had conducted an unauthorised tournament on that day. The suspension means- that the club concerned is debarred from playing with ally affiliated club.

The president of the Centre, Air J. T. North, who occupied the chair, said the Centre secretary had approached Mr C. Barrell, the Frankton president, who had intimated that his club had issued invitations for an At Home, but no entrance fee was to be charged, and no trophies awarded. It was the club’s intention to take up a collection to defray expenses. Since then allegations had been made that a tournament was held. “We have to take a decided stand as to whether these Sunday tournaments are to go on or not,” said Mr North. “ There is no doubt that this was a tournament, and if we take no notice of it we will make ourselves look foolish.” Rules Should Be Enforced. It was pointed out that the rules provided that no tournament should be played without the permission of the Centre, and this had not been obtained by the Frankton Club. As a penalty for such contravention the Centre had the power to suspend or disqualify any person or club that wilfully broke the rules. The general opinion was that the rules should be enforced. Air S. R. James drew attention to the discussion at the Centre annual meeting when Sunday tournaments were definitely barred. The case of the Frankton Club seemed to be a barefaced Infringement, and the executive officers had dared the Centre. It was a matter for the Centre executive to consider, whether the club should be cautioned, or more drastic action taken. “A lot will depend -on the stand we take to-night," remarked the chairman. “There are many different opinions about.” A[r R. N. Pilkington expressed regret that this situation had arisen. The Frankton Club had thrown a definite challenge out to the Centre, and gave the impression that the Centre could not stop them from playing Sunday tournaments. Unless action was taken other clubs might follow suit. When the Centre was thus flouted drastic action must be taken if a lot of trouble was to be avoided. If Sunday tournaments- were to be allowed without restriction the best thing that the executive could do was to resign. They -should uphold the constitution of the game, and suspend the offending club until they apologise for their action. The chairman said that the meeting must first he certain that a tournament had been held. Sunday Flay Upheld. “There are two sides to every question,” said Air G. S. Frost, “Sunday is a day that is becoming more debated every day. Personally, I don’t see any more sanctity in Sunday than in any oilier day. lam not speaking against religion, but in my opinion every man should be allowed to spend the day as he desires so long as he is not breaking the laws of the land. If we are going to play bowls on Sunday I don’t see why we should not be permitted to play tournaments.” Asked how lie overcame the Dominion Council’s ruling on the subject, Air Frost said that while the Frankton Club’s fixture was played on tournament lines, no prizes were offered. Air James pointed out that the main point of issue was that the Frankton Club had flouted the Centre’s ruling. In answer to Air Fraser, Air Frost said lie honestly believed the fixture was not a tournament. The secretary said he had twice questioned Air Barrell, and on the second occasion lie admitted that the fixture was to be a tournament, and entry fees were to lie ’charged, hut no prizes were to lie offered. It was a definite challenge io the Centre. Air Pilkington stated that a competitor in the fixture had spoken to him on similar lines. Another speaker considered that the question of Sunday play should be overlooked, and the matter regarded in the light of a tournament played without the Centre’s sanction. Warning Suggested. Air W. W. Dillicar thought that the Centre should not he too drastic in dealing with the club in question. lie moved that they should lie written to, and the ruling dealing with the necessity for obtaining permission to hold tournaments placed before them, with the intimation that suspension would follow a further breach. As an amendment Mr James moved that the Frankton Club should he informed that they had deliberately broken the rules of Dominion Association and Sou I h Auckland Centre, and were suspended until an apology was received with a guarantee that the offence would not lie repeated. Speaking lo the amendment, Air Fraser said that while lie did not like to sec Ihe Club suspended, this was a deliberate case of breaking the rules, and unless the Centre was prepared (o take action tho executive should resign.

Mr Frost agreed with the stand taken by the Centre, but said he would oppose 'the motion because lie thought they were splitting hairs regarding Sunday play. It had been said that there was the possibility of a split being caused by a section of the howlers. other speakers contended that those who caused such a split would have nothing to gain, and would be 'disfranchised throughout New Zealand. Penalty of Suspension. “Before I put the amendment I take it that the Frankton (huh realise that suspension means they arc out of howling so far as the Dominion Council amt this Centre are concerned," said Mr North. Mr .lames' amendment was then put

and was carried by seven votes to three, Messrs Frost, Dillicar and It. McFarlane dissenting. A further amendment to the effect that the Frankton Club should be suspended for their action in over-riding the rules, but that they should be given seven days in which to apologise to the Centre and give an assurance that they would not repeat the offence, was moved by Mr It. McFarlane. In discussion on this, Mr Fraser raised the point as to whether the suspension should apply to [lie officials or to the club. It was decided that the club should be penalised. The amendment was lost by six votes to four, and Mr James’ amendment, as the motion, was carried with Hie same majority—Messrs Frost. McFarlane, Dillicar and It. Metcalfe dissenting. “I am very sorry that the Centre has had to take this action, but the rules must be upheld,” said the chairman.