TO CONTROL THE CAME.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 7

TO CONTROL THE CAME.

; AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS. RECEIVED .FAVOURABLY.' There arc at present in Now Zealand three central bodies controlling the game of bowls—the Auckland Provincial Bowling Association (i\ relatively small institution), the Northern Bowling Association (with headquarters at Wellington)-, and the New Zealand Bawling Association (a South Island institution with headquarters"'at Dunedin). l'or years past there has been talk of amalgamation of the" three bodie?, and at the Northern Bowling Association tourney held at Auckland last year the matter was discussed with some- seriousness at a meeting of the bowlers there congregated. Since then it has been tho subject of considerable negotiations, -and , last night at a meeting .of < bowlers similar to that held. at.Aucklan« the business was considered'.again;. Mr. J. Keith, president of the N.8.A., was in the chair. There were about a hundred bowlers present, which was considered; a relatively, small attendance;.. .. .- "As, You Were." The chairman, on behalf of tho executive, gave 'aa account of what had-besn tlpno since the Auckland meeting had decided that amalgamation was desirable. A letter had been sent to the New Zealand Bowling Association suggesting that the latter association should affirm the principle of amalgamation, leaving details to bo arranged later. A repl? was received to the effect that in the opinion of the JJ.-Z.BiA. a conference of representatives ; ought to be held, and that con,-' terenoe_wae held at Christchurch' in August last Tho conference recommended mat a iNew Zealand Bowling Association be. formed for the whole Dominion, to have jurisdiction as to rules, visiting teams, champion tournaments, leaving the centres .to control local matters/ It was agreed, that tho headquarters for the nrst year should bu at Dunedin; and thereafter in rotation at Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, ihese recommendations were forwarded to. tho associations to be submitted to the centres. 2s o replies had been receivf> W "' to an urgent telegram, he had, that (lay referred a telegram to tne eltect that three-centres had decided a ™.?. l Samat l on, one against, and two had still to decide. So tho natter remained in about the same position" as it was ayear ago. Advice to Go On. Mr. Payne (Dunedin) bald that' the proposal of amalgamation had been received with' some, cautiou in Dunedin, but now that Christchurch and Southland centres had decided for it, tho Dunedin centre would in all probability come in. He. advised that the associa"tiou be formed, in which coso Christchurch and Southland would probably join, and'then Dunedin would be compelled to come in; ' This was his own "Pinion, and riot as from his centre. , ihe constitution, he thought, should bo ou the brqadost possible linen, leaving controversial questions of detail to tho executive to >bo appointed afterwards. Centres would have far more real power than they had now, for sudi small aflaus as ocal tournaments would not bo interfered with by the New Zealand Association. If the new ussoci.ition vint ulieael on broad,- general principles they would meet with approval from the great body of bowlers of the couutry. (Applause.) . . A Dominion Association. Mr. J. M. Geddes moved that tho executive 1)0 thanked for their labours for amalgamation, and that the executive be urged to. prosecute their labours further in that direction. Ho spoke in support oi ;his motion, being, generally ia agreement with Air. Payne. Mr. N. Bell seconded the motion. The chairman pointed out that the South Island centres could not join in any such proposed association without withdrawing from their own association. Therefore it appeared that the only thing to be dqlio was to form nu association for tho North Island, and allow the other centres in tho South Island to come in later. Colonel Collins said that this amalgamation now proposed was not the amalgamation thought of at tho Auckland meeting. There it was contemplated that the Northern Bowling Association and <h« Now Zealand Bowling Association should unite, but it appeared to him Hint there was no longer »nj use in prolonging tht agony. The N.B.A. could change its name to the "Dominion Bowling Association." Mr. T. Bush suggested that Mr. Gcddes should amend his motion to iuclude'Mn soiiii; way the mime Dominion .Bowling Association. He. knew I hat the N.13.A. had been holding out Ih-j olive branch to tho N.Z.H.A. f»r twelve years, but it had iluili! no gooil. Mr. Walknr U'onsonlly) that, tho "open dour policy" now in the conduct tit (miniamenU should bii cunsidcrcd. Tliu nuntij-ei- of entries would be enlarged by mniiltiaimilion, and wuulil liecomi! too unwieldy to be nccuit.moduteil. Therefore ho midjosteil that "the upon (lour" was a matter of cardinal importance. The majority of tho nioptinc appeared tii be against tht; opinion, lidding rather thai; Die conduct of tournamenls was a matter of detail to bo dealt with later. Mr. •'• ■>. Sjovwriglit moved as an iimciuliiioilt: "That tho lime has miw urrived when I-Ihtp should he only cine •■oveiniiii; body fur bowls in Nimv Zfalund, and that with that en;l in viciv tlif Northern Iknvliug Ai.-ni'iiilion be reruuitnviided and nuthoriifld (t> '-'iiri-y out imy sleps to further tlint. objvt-l." The ainendmenl was curi-iud uuaui. fflouslf.