BOWLS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1534, 2 September 1912, Page 7

BOWLS.

AMALGAMATION DRAWS NEAR. For years past the question of amalgamation between the Northern Bowling Association (Xorlh Island) and Hie NewZealand Bowling Association (South Island) has been a vital one. Never a tournament or big meeting of bowlers has been held in any part of 'the Dominion without a'reference to the movement, but serious differences of opinion on matters concerning methods, administration, and control have kept the two bodies apart up till the last (wo years, durin? which an "entente cordiale" has been established which has quickened the pace ot negotiations, anil now practically every barrier has been razed, and it is generally understood that the coming season will • seo tho game in New Zealand controlled by one authority. At the meeting of the Council of the Northern Bowling Association on Friday evening, the proposed alterations in the dralt ot the constitution of the new Dominion Association was returned from the New Zealand Association practically unaltered so that, as far as the leaders of bowling in the South Island are concerned, an agreement has been come to. The Southern Association still have to submit the proposed constitution to the various centres, but it is confidently believed, that that will be'only a matter of form, as each centre lias'representation on the. Council of tho New Zealand Association.

The Council of the New Zealand Association is to have.supreme authority in all matters of. policy and it is to be the final court of appeal, but. the district control is to be vested in centres, which will have a fairly free hand in the management oi their own affairs. 'J'lit headquarters. of the Association will be a "floating" one, each of the four centres being the loealo in turn. . Those in Wellington who have interested themselves in tlio movement' hope to see the. new association take control on January 1 nest, but it is not yet. definitely known whether the season's arrangements will prevent that desired end being achieved. An event which should tend to cement the two islands as far as bowling is concerned should be the proposed tour, of the North Island of between 40 and 50 bowlers to be known as tho ( "Aorangi team." It is to be drawn from several of tho clubs in North Otago and South Canterbury. Tho local centre has already been advised that the visitors lioDe to a'rrive in Wellington about January' 10, and the preliminary arrangements for the tour are already under consideration.