FORMATION OF BOWLING CLUB

Chronicle (Levin), 5 December 1947, Page 4

FORMATION OF BOWLING CLUB

PART OF PLAYFOKD PARK MAY BE USED BY R.S.A. Following a decision.iliade at the iast quarterly general meeting of the R.S.A. ■ to allow members to form their own bowling club, prospecti've players and others interested met in the R.S.A. club rooms last night. Though the number presCnt totalled only 15, the gen'eral 'feeling of those present Was that; there would be no lack of support from. members, it being antici'pated that the club could be assured .of at least 40 members and probably more. After the formal motlon that an R.S.A. club be formed,- all present resolved themselves into a committee and a special sub-committee of nine members. This sub-com-mittee was instriicted to compile a list . of rulCs to be submitted to a later meeting, and. in this reghrd to write to other R.S.A. clubs and obtain cop'ies of their rUles as a guide. It was also suggested that the committee ' approach the Borough Council regarding the availability of a portion of the new Playford Park. Asked to take the chair for the meeting,. Mr. H. B. Burdekin said that he knew of many other R.S.A. clubs in the Dominion, and all had been an unqualified succesS. Should a club be formed in Levin he would like to see as many disabled servicemen as possible join. The Wellington Disabled Servicemen's Centre in Wellington had established its own bowling club and this had proved its worth. .It was considered to be a means of teaching disabled men to use their limbs, besides providing a good sport and "lots of fun" for them. The fact that they had no green as yet was no reason for their not going- on with the formation of the club, continued Mr. Burdekin. It -was very probable that the club, When formed, could obtain 'a grant from the J. R. McKenzie Trust. With the assistance of club members and the formation of working bees it would be possible to start the club off entirely free of debt. In some new clubs debentures of from £5 to £10 were often forthcoming from individual members. If such a system was encouraged by the R.S.A. club it might be possible to build a pavilion. Meanwhile, he considered that the new club could look for ward to a substantial grant from the Trust. The formation of a club in Levin would have the result of keeping R.S.A. members together, and would bring tog'ether members of bo.th wars. The idea of- having a club of their own had. been held by some R.S.A. members for the past three years, said Mr. W. C. Childs. He considered that there was plenty of room in Levin for another club, and he was of the opinion that between 30 and 40 players new to bowls would join.- Mr. Childs suggested that the new club apply to the Levin BOrough Couhcil for permission to use a poftion of the new sports area, Playford Park, which he thought might be made available at a modest rental. He also pointed out that the club would maintain the area allotted to it. A suggestion that the name be changed to Servicemen's Club in order to •admit" all those who had served in uniform during the wai', was made by Mr. A. Stewart.

It was pointed out by Mr. Burdekin that this might affect the grahting of a subsiay from the J. R. McKenzie Trust. He thought that the club should be formed as originally suggested, and that any move in the- direction ofl ifche admission of other servicemen could be held over till the discussion on rules. Some clubs of a similar nature to the proposed one often made allowances for taking in honorary members. After further discussion the following were declared a committee pro teih: Messrs W. C. Childs, H. B. Burdekin, W. Meddings, R. t. Miiler, H: F. Lacey, J. Dtmiop, J. G. Taplin, A. Stewart, Dr. L. J. Hunter," H. J. Bbll, F. N. Fletcher, j A. T. Fletcher, R. L. Smith, H. G. Mackay and W. de Malmanche. The following will constitute the sub-committee: Messrs. Childs (chairman), F. N. Fletcher, A. T. Fletcher, Martin, Stewart, Lacey, Burdekin, Meddings and Dr. Hunter. A further meeting, at which officers- will be duly elected and rules drawn up, will be held in J anuary . '