NORTHERN BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 12, 9 October 1907, Page 7

NORTHERN BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

Somo forty lovers of Drake's pastime made the annual meeting of the Northern Bowling Association last evening— an enthusiastic gathering. The nature of the annual report presented made for cheerfulness. It recorded the affiliation of tlio Elthnm, Fitzroy (New Ply mouth), Picton, St. John's (Wanganui), Turanganui (Gisbornc), AVairoa, and Wostport clubs; bringing tlio ro I up to forty-seven clubs, with a membership of over 3400, maintaining the Association as the strongest of its kind in tho Australasian colonies. Tlio popularity of tho game, it was stated, is still markedly on the up-grade, both, in the North and South Islands. Tho interclub tournament will bo held this season on the Auckland City Club's gieens, commencing on January 6, . P'ay will be on the same lines as previously, via., a two-rink representation from clubs, and, to meet players who cannot join in the club n-.atches, consolation pairs and single gomes, to be played concurrently with tho club matches. The financial statement showed ro eeipts £213 17s. 4d., and expenditure £89 55., leaving a credit balance of £124 12s. 4d. The President (Mr. F. W. Haybittle) waxed eloquent as he descanted on tho progress of the Association, and tho anticipated pleasures of tho noxt annual tournament at Auckland. Tile report and balance-sheet wore unanimously adopted on his motion. Officers were elected as follow:— President, Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland); vice-president, Mr. Ti M Mennio (Auckland); hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. H. Mentiplay; lion, auditor, Mr. H. F. Allen; ch.iirm.in for the coming year, Mr. /. W. fiavbittle. The usual honorarium was voted to the secretary, and an honorarium was also voted v to tho lion, auditor. Tho Upper Plain Howling Club vMaitorton) notified that- Mr. W. J Hueston had boon appointed its representative on tho Board of the Association. Tho Picton Bowling Club roported that Mr. C. D. Stuart had resigned membership, and Mr. W. Brunskill, hou. secretary to tho Wellington Bovlin; Cluu. had been appointed delegate in his place. Tho Westi.ort Club intimated that Mr. A. W. i'lanchard had been appointed as its representative. Mr. A. A. Lissaman wrote from Palmerston North stating that owing oo long continued illness in his family he would soon bo leaving New Zealand for Australia. Ho regretted thac tl.o Brcache Club had -been broken up •a consequence.Tho'rules and laws of tho gamo woie confirmed. Votes of thanks wore passed to tlio Chairman and other officers, and to the Wellington Bowling Club 'or ths use of its room. Mr. T. Ballinger said ho won.ld like an explanation of the fact that there had been unwillingness in 'ihiglaiid to acknowledge tho Association's team as representing New Zealand. He unde;stood that the team represented both the New Zealand .and the noitliom Associations. ' , Mr. G. Prince said he had received a, letter from the secretary ■of the New Zealand Bowling Association granting tlio team pormissi m to tiavol unrior its auspices. Ho understood that the letter had been, sent Home. A voiy warm wclcomo had boon extolled to tho players throughout their tour. Tho Chairman did not think the mat ter could bo further elucidated till the return from England of. Mr. W. Barnett, of Christchurch, who seemed to hold tho key to the position. Tho new president of the Association, it was stated by tho Chairman, is tile Mayor of Auckland, who was president of tho Auo'i'.and Bowling (Jlid: last season. As ho will bo at the head Of tournament arrangements, the Association is anticipating a very kind reception for its players whei": tiioy meet in friendly rivalry in the northern city. '\ ' A presentation to Captain Kdwm, : giver of the much-desired Edw'ii Feathers and other trophies, for about twenty years a' member of tho Wellington Bowling Club, a past president „f that renowned body, and ; until las' session chairman of the Northern Bowling Association, fittingly concluded tho proceedings. Tho presentation, said the Chairman, wa3. not half cqiial ti what Captain Edwin deserved. It proved to bo a heavy silver decorative ink-stand, beautifully phased, 'rf.it suitably inscribed. A silvor-mo.ml.oJ. tra,» was presented to Mrs. Edwin. The, Chairman's eloquent description ol ilia' Captain's merits was endors-jd bj Mr Ballinger. Tho health of Japta''j Edwin was drunk with musical lic-'toiirs, and the Captain returned thanks.