PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 3

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

THE MARCH TOWAKUS AMALGAMATION. At the conclusion of Ihe "Usl, Try" match, (.lie bowlers assembled in Iho Social Hull „r the Wellington Howling CI nl), whom f.liu incident (Mr. .tames Keith), through the medium nf .Mrs. Keith, presented the prizes In (ho winners of the various matches during the tournament. After expressing his regrets at (ho not weather which had marred tho terminating dav of the tournament, (he president said (hat the tournament of 1912 had come and gone, and has brought (hem (ho champions in (he persons of Air. Wylio (of the Newtown Club) and his splendid rink. On behalf of the executive and every howler engaged in the tournament, ho heartily congratulated them on their win. Since tho Shield and Banner contests had been inaugurated in 1897, t'hey had been won twice by the Newtown Club, onco in 190(1, when they were won by a rink skipped by Mr. George Prince, and now Mr. Wvlio had secured the trophies (Applause.; He called for three hearty cheers for the champion rink of 1912, which wore vigorously given l . ."'• Wylie, in returning thanks, said that he was not much of a speaker, but he did like a game of bowls. Ho owed his success to his team, who had played so consistently well through tho tournament. (Applause.) The tournament had been the most enjoyable he had taken part in, and tho arrangements could not nave been better carried out. ajr. Keith said that the. second prize had been won by Mr. Still, of the Wellington Club. In tho splendid fight he had put up for the championship, the national characteristics of the man had come out in his steadiness and dogged persistence. It was all to his credit that tno rink had reached suet, a high stage "i the tournament, and at a future tournament would, he was sure, gain the honour Mr. Wylie had won that dav. i i i\. »'■ ret,lr Md thanks briefly on oelialt of what he termed "tho newly-dis-covered team."

In presentiDg the prize to tho winner vJ}°- st ,, Tr 7, (Hcmingn-ay, of the J ictoria Club), Mr. Keith said he wished cn„3'" cct ai }, cr , ror he had mac 'e wh «n that Air. Walker (Ponsonby) would play tho TrZ C " °. f , the , Last Tr ?" f °r «» Mrd prize m the championship. There was no third pnze in tho championship, and tin f / rj v;as a contest on its own. if n ~1 fo F thrce cll « er s for 'lie winners oi ( Uio "Last Try." I'hcre was yet one more trophy to present that was to Mr. Prince, tho winner ot tho Consolation Match. Without th- ™! ? ° f r,incc a tournament would be unique. Ho called for three cheers for Mr. Prince and his rink, wlich_iyere given with great vigor. f„ , r " ii rmc - e raitl h<! ,vas SPXitty pleased to Do t| lP winner of the Consolation, and it Rave him groat • pleasure to see his cub-mute Mr. VVylie win tho championship, iie complimented the executive and Mr. J J. Roberts on the work they had done during the tournament. l/io president then presented a prize lo a I present-Hie prize of friendship. f■ T t lhat Ule ,nan >' friendships niiicii had been made during tho tournament would be fostered and" long remembered. (Applause.) To tho maiiy ladies who had attendee] to their creature corntorts ou every green they had played upon lie extended their warmest thanks, and called for cheers for them. He also extended his thanks to the many committees and bowling clubs who had given up their greens during the week. There was yet one he had to thaak very much. It may have been that he had been regarded as the captain of the ship, but ho had the pilot on board in their very worthy and energetic secretary, Mr. Roberts, who had ably and skilfully managed tho affairs of the tournament during the week. (Loud applause.) He hoped that this time twelve months they would meet again in Auckland under as pleasant auspices. (Applause.) Cheers were then given for the president. Mr. Keith rose once more to return thanks to the umpires who did their work so well on every green, and to tho press for its valued and extended reports of tho tournament. Mr. J. KoberU (secretary of the N.8.A.) briefly returned thanks. * Ho said with him it was a labour of love, and if they derived pleasure and comfort from his efforts ho was amply repaid. (Applause.) AMALGAMATION. ' Air. Hurst-Seager (Christchurch) said ho wished to say a few words on behalf of those who were the representatives of another bowling association. There had boon a larger number of South Island bowlers present than ever before, and on their behalf he would like to lake tlio opportunity of acknowledging tho kindness, friendship, and hospitality they had met with on all hands. H linil been the most enjoyable tournament lie had ever passed through, and ho had taken part in others. They had met good bowlers, and gentlemen, and the experience had been an altogether pleasurable one. Ho would like to be permitted to mention the matter of amalgamation. Tho Christchurch clubs were generally in favour of amalgamation, and only a few days ago the Christchurch Bowling Centre had passed a resolution to tho effect that this proposed amalgamation was in the best interests of bowling in New Zealand. It might be yet that Christchurch would have to decide between the Newt Zealand Association and a now one. (A voice: "Tho Dominion Association.") Yes, the Dominion Association that is to be, and ho could not believe that the decision would be otherwise than favourable to amalgamation. (Great applause.) Mr. Walker (Ponsonby) rose to make an explanation, or rather to clear the air. It was his first visit to Wellington. His preconceived opinion of the place was that it was chiefly conspicuous for wind and earthquakes. There had only been two days on whhh the wind had interfered, and he had folt no earthquakes. Ho congratulated the oxecuti-.-o on the excellent manner in which tho tournament had been conducted, and v,as delighted with the hearty manner in which tho glad hand had been extended. He had met more friends than ever before, too many of them, he was afraid, to retain tho impress of them in his memory, but he hoped he would meet them all at the next tournament held in Auckland. Now he wished to .say something to clear the air beforo they left. That was in regard to tho report that they were not going to play in tho "Last Try" match, owing to the manner in which tho final games in tho championship were drawn. That statement did not emanate from him —(applause)—and ho was not answerable for what may have Ixxm said by irresponsibles. Ho abided by the decision of the executive. (Applause.) His team was not constituted of spoil-sporte, bnt of gentlemen. (Applause.) He called on the visiting bowlers to give threa cheers for the Wellington bowlers, which compliment was at onco returned by the local men. So ended the N.B.A. tournament of 1912. TOURING BOWLERS. Some thirty bowlers from Auckland arrived hero on .Saturday nftcrnoon by the Mam l'runk express. Their numbers were augmented up to ton rinks by Auckland men who have been engaged in the N.B.A tournament, and together they left far tho south, where they aro to play matches at Invcrcargill, Dunedin, Oamani, Timaru, and Christchurch. They ara to play in Wellington on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 27.