BOWLING SENSATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18807, 1 December 1932, Page 13

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, but based their decision on the charge that the club had conducted an unauthorised tournament on that day. The suspensicta means- that the .club concerned is debarred from playing with any affiliated club. The president of the Centre, Mr 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 lake 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 Bo 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. Mr 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 drastio action taken. "A lot will depend on the stand we take to-night,” remarked the chairman. “There are many different opinions about.” Mr 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 be certain that a tournament had been held. Sunday Play Uphold. “There arc two sides to every queslion,” said Mr G. S. Frost, 1 Sunday is a day that is becoming more debated every day. Personally, I don’t see any more sanctity in Sunday than in any other 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 he overcame the Dominion Council’s ruling on the subject, Mr Frost said that while the Frankton Club's fixture was played on tournament linos, no prizes were offered. Mr James pointed out that the main point, of issue was that the Frankton Club had flouted the Centre’s ruling. In answer to Mr Fraser, Mr Frost said he honestly believed the fixture was not a tournament. The secretary said he had twice questioned Mr Barrell, and on the second occasion he admitted that the fixture was to be a tournament-, and entry fees were to be charged, but no prizes were to be offered. It was a definite challenge to the Centre. Mr 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. Mr \V. W. Dillicar thought- that the Centre should not he too drastic In dealing with the club in question. He 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 .Tames moved that- the Frankton Club should be informed that- they had deliberately broken the rules of Dominion Association and Soulh Auckland Centre, and were suspended until an apology was received with a guarantee that the offence would not lie repealed. Speaking to the amendment-, Mr Fraser said that while he did not- like In sec the Club suspended, tills was a deliberate case of breaking the rules, and unless the Centre was prepared to lake action the- executive should resign. Mr Frost agreed with the stand taken by the Centre, but said lie would oppose flic motion because he thought they were, splitting hairs regarding Sim'il,av play. It had been said that there 'was ’ the possibility or a split, bring caused by a section of Hie howlers. nlher speakers contended that 'those who caused such a split would have I,,,tiling I" gain, and would lie disfranchised throughout New Zealand. Penalty of Suspension. “Before I put the amendment I lake it that Hie Franklun Hint) realise llial •nispensimi means IJiey are out <d‘ howling so far as the Dominion (hum■it and this Cellin' are concerned," --aid Mr North. Mr .lames' amendment was then pnl and was carried by seven votes to three, Messrs Frost, Dillicar and It. Me Far lane dissenting.

\ fur!hfr amendment to !lin effect Hint Hu' KranUlnn (Hub should bo suspended for Iheir nolion in over-riding 111,. rules, bid Hint lboy should bo given seven days in which to apologise !n |he Cenlro .ind give an assurance 11m I I hcy would ind repeal the nfI'enec, was moved by Mr 11. MeFarlane. In diseussion on Ibis, Mr Fraser raised Die point as In whether the suspension should apply to I hip ofllrials or in the club. II was decided that the club should be penalised. The amendment was lost by sU

votes to four, and Mr James’ amendment. as the motion, was carried with the same majority—Messrs Frost, MoFarlane, Dilliear and R. Metcalfe dissenting. “I am very sorry that, the Cenlro has had to lake*lhis action, hut the rules must lie upheld," said the chairman.