SUNDAY BOWLING

Chronicle (Levin), 20 August 1947, Page 2

SUNDAY BOWLING

OTAKI CLUB DECIDES FOR . TOURNAMENTS The holding of Sunday tournaments once mont"hly was the question considered at a meeting of hnembers of the Otaki Bowling Club , on Monday night. Mr. T. V. Cahill was the instigator of the movement in favour of the tournaments and his petition was signed by fourteen members. This number, he said, could have been considerably increased had he so desired. Mr. W. Wilson, president of the club presided. Prior to opening the business of the meeting a vote of condolence was passed on account of the death of Mr. W. Keay, all members standing in silence. The petition placed before the meeting was: "That on one Sunday of each calendar month during the bowling season. the Otaki Bowling Club, Inc., hold a gala day with prizes to the winning rink." The chairman invited discusson, and' in his opening remarks stated that while some members favoured Sunday tournaments, others were opposed to them. Mr. Cahill spoke strongly in favour of holding tournaments once monthly, and moved according to his motion. This was seconded by Mr. E. T. Bartosh. Mr. J.' D. Avery stated that in fairness to all members, some of whom could not be present at the meeting, he favoured postal voting. This, he contended, would give every member an equal chance to vote on the question. He moved accordingly, and it was seconded by Mr. A. W. Brixton. Mr. Cahill objected, stating that he had his signatories to the requisition to consider, and at the same time pointed out that he considered the opposition to Sunday tournaments was getting wreaker and the other side stronger. By holding tournaments as proposed it would be the meahs of not only popularising the club, but would give younger members an opportunity of gaining experience. He had travelled extensively to indulge in games, both in the North and South Island, but all he heard of Otaki bowling was the Railway Club and not Otaki. Mr. Cahill made reference to the Waikanae Club, which he termed as the kindergarten club of the coast, and mentioned that its balancesheet was a credit. In fact its financial position was a record for such a baby club. The Otaki Club was, as in years'past, still struggling on, and had his resolution of some seasons back gone through, Otaki would have been able to boast of a pavilion. Mr. Frank Boggs spoke in support of the motion, stating that something would have to be done to build up the club's resources, while the social side should not be overlooked. He considered that no selfish wishes should be br'ought into the matter, but that the game should be encouraged to" get the best possible from it. A remark that the club was "slipping" was taken exception to by the chairman, who pointed out that he considered the club had done well. Personally, he had an open mind on the matter of Sunday tournaments. Mr. Claude Grey spoke in favour of the tournaments as proposed, maintaining that by holding them no hardship would be infiicted on anyone. It was desired that the funds of the club should be built up, while a good deal of pleasure would be derived by games as proposed. He had pleasure in supporting the .motion. General R. Young stated that he was opposed to the motion, adding that the older men of the club did not desire tournaments. Personally, he liked a quiet Sunday game, but stated that he was in favour of Mr. Avery's suggestion that the matter be decided by postal vote. If anyone wished to take part in Sunday tournaments he suggested that they visit the Railway green. He pointed out that the club had two padres among its members and their feelings should have^ consideration. He, himself, was willing to go anywhere for a quiet Sunday game. Mr. R. Jenkins thought the older players who did not wish to take part in tournaments should have consideration. Moreover, it meant that if tournaments were' arranged some players would be unable to get games. He was npt altogether against th.e tournaments, but there were players who could not stand up to an all-day tournament, and it would not be fair to deprive them of a game. He considered that the state of the funds at Waikanae to be due to the charges made for games. Mr. Avery said that personally he was not against Sunday play, but objected to organised Sunday tournaments. He strongly advocated a postal vote on the matter. Mr. Buxton saw no reason why money could not be raised, other than by tournaments, for the erec-

tion of a pavilion. He advocated raising mohey' o'n business lines, but was strongly against' Sunday tournaments. rte • agreed that nice, quiet games were quite in order. Mr. Bartosh failed to agree with General Youngjs remarks. He considered their own green should be patronised, there being no need for members to be driven elsewhere. He had travelled a good deal, and realised that the Otaki Club should be popularised. Some players were able to indulge in games each day of the week, while others could not do so.. He considered some players played five tim'es as much as many others, the younger ones especially beirig unable to get much play. There should be no need to turn players to other greens as suggested by General Young. Mr. Bartosh stated that if bowling matters were gone into thoroughly, members would see that it was only a few who did the work on the green. In its greenkeeper (Mr. Walsh) the club had an excellent man, who worked all hours, but little appreciation of his- efforts was shown by members. Very few members took the trouble of seeing the greenkeeper's fine work — very few visited the green at any time, to say nothing of offering help. Work that had been done was largely done "buckshee." Some members, he considered, who could help had not done so. General Young admitted that the greenkeeper had done good work, and considered Mr. Bartosh's remarks unfair. The chairman stated that he had given help whenever possible. Mr. Cahill strongly objected to postal' voting and to General Young's remark that players should go to another green. He considered a vote should be taken at the meeting, and if defeated he would naturally abide by the decision, but he did not believe in prolonging the matters. Voting by post was not provided for in the rules, and the speaker produced evidence to this effect, etc., at the same time drawing attention to other rules under the Incorporated Societies' Act. He considered that the various discussions were out of order. Mr. Avery stated that there was no reason why 'a postal vote should not be taken. This would- enable the club to get a true decision of the motion. He suggested that the rules should b'e submitted for a iegal opinion. Mr. Cahill asked that a ballot be taken, adding that rule ten provided for it. Mr. Bartosh agieed, stating that all members had- -received notice of the meeting, and had, therefore, had the opportunity of attending. General Young gave support to Mr. Avery, and thought it only fair to ask for a legal opinion on the rules as submitted by Mr. Cahill. ' Mr. Roy Purvis favoured a postal vote bfeing taken, holding the view that no member' should be d^nied a vote. - Mr. Boggs pointed out that there was a good attendance, over 30 being present. The chairman said that he did not wish to see anyone penalised, and he therefore favoured postal voting. The rules, however, did not provide for a postal vote. He asked Mr. Cahill if he was willing for a postal vote to be taken. Mr. Cahill declined to agree with the suggestion unless he had the full support of those who had signed the requisition. He asgued that the ballot should be proceeded with, and if it was desired a legal opinion could be secured later. Mr. Avery said his idea of postal voting did no harm but should do good; it only meant a little delay, which did not affect the issue. General Young moved as an amendment that the matter be held over till a legal opinion was obtained. Mr. Cahill considered the meeting out of order. Various motions and amendments had been put, and discussions were well "over the fence." Mr. Harry Osborne favoured postal voting, but stated that he had no objection to Sunday play. Asked again, Mr. Cahill said he would agree to a postal ballot if all who signed the requisition favoured it. Only four out of the fourteen agreed to this. Another move for a postal ballot was made, and another amendment that a postal ballot be held was put, -but on a vote being taken it was declared Ipst. A vote for the petition was then taken, the result being: In favour of tournaments-, 26; against, 6. Mr. Avery said in view of the circumstances he would not move further for a legal opinion to be obtained.