BOWLS & BOWLERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1881, 15 October 1913, Page 9

BOWLS & BOWLERS.

LAST MEETING OF THE N.B.'A. PAST & THE FUTURE. . Thirty delegates from all parts of the North Island attended the final meeting of the North Island Bowling Association,' which was held last evening. The itfairs of the association have now to 3e wound up, owing to tho aiualgamaiion of the North and South Island Aslociations and]the formation of a Donation Association. The president [Sir. T. Bush) occupied tho chair. The president moved tho adoption of Ihe annual report and balanee-sheot [already published). Ho thanked tho itficers and executive of tho association tor their assistance' during tho year. Dwing to tho amalgamation of tho two Dodies I there had been much more work than usual. Tho formation of the Dominion Association had been a good tiling for the game, but it was not out of placo to mention that the Northern Bowling Association had done good work. In 1906 there were 43 clubs, ■with 2500 members. Now'thoro wero 76 clubs, with 5000 members. Tho North Island body was now being wound up, and he thought that it would bo a Rood idea to mark the event by sending a. team representing tho island to ,play in the South Island. Such a visit had never previously beon paid, and he thought that it would be n fitting termination to the N.B.A. One question to bo considered was, what was to be dono with the £272 which remained to the credit of the association? The suggestion .of the executive was that it should be set. apart- to pay the levy of sixpence per member made by the Dominion Association. This would absorb

£125, and tlioro were debts amounting to £47. This would leave an approximate sum of £100. The executive suggested that trustees be appointed to deal with this sum, and to wind up the affairs of tho association. The report and balance-sheet wero unanimously adopted. Mr. F. \\\ llaj;bittlo suggested that tho trustees bo instructed to hold in reserve tho sum in hand after paying expenses, and the chairman replied that this was what tho executive intended. Mr. J. S. Keith expressed the hope that a really representative team be sout to tho South Island. The meeting agreed with the proposal that tho levy bo paid out of tho funds in hand. Tho members of tho present executive were appointed trustees to administer tho funds and wind up tho association. Tho secretary (Mr. J.'J. Roberts) was voted a bonus of £10 10s. A vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr. William Brunskill (a member of tho executive) was passed. Reminiscences of the Past. At a subsequent social gathering. Mr. F. W. liaybittlo proposed tho toast of "The Old Association." Ho gave statistics of the history of the association, which, ho said,- was twentythree years old. Ho was pleased to sdo amongst them several who had been present at' the formation of the association. (Applauso.) It was on August 13, 1891, that tho association was formed, and the ijrst tournament was held at Napier in the following year, when the prizo was carried off by a rink'from Now Plymouth, skipped by Mr. J. Paul. Tho speaker gave details of later tournaments. When they started they had only nino clubs, with a membership of 600. In 1910 it was found that the restriction of tho entry of two rinks per club was irksomo to the larger clubs, and tho "opon-door polio.v" was adopted. It was then found that tho existence of two associations was somewhat insular, and tho Northern Association mado several representations towards tho formation of one great Dominion association. The movement was at first opposed by South Islanders, ,but it was finally adopted last year, and now all they had to do was to commit harilcari. (Laughter.) Tho speaker recalled many incidents in fhe history of the association, humorous and otherwise. Ho said that the formation of' tho Dominion Association must have required a great deal of tact and diplomacy, and ho was glad that tho ship hnd been steered safely into still waters. (Applauso.) Mr. Haybittlo concluded a really splendid speech with a tribute of praise to Mr. William Muir, who had been on tho executive of tho Northern Association for twenty-two years. Ho hoped that Mr. Muir would bo with them for many years to come.. (Loud applause.) . On behalf of the delegates of tho executive, ho presented to Mr. Muir a pipe, as a token of their friendship. Thrco hearty cheers were given for Mr. Muir, who responded. _ He said that the fathor of the association was Mr. Andrew Campbell, now in Melbcurno. Ho suggested that Mr. Campbell be made tho recipient of a memento of the occasion. It was decided, on tho motiffrr of Mr. A Ballinger, that a congratulatory cablo message bo sent to Mr. Campbell, and that a tangible memento be sent to him later. Mr. N. W. Bell , proposed the toast of "Tho Now Association," to,.which Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., Responded. Colonel Collins oxprcssed his pleasure nt being a member of the first oxecutivo Or tho association. •He detailed the Uegotiations which led up to the amalgamation of , the two associations, and announced various arrangements made by tho now The championship tournament wiH"Commence r at Dundin about January 12, and the North Islamj tournament at Auckland about February .19. .. It was also very, prob-able-that there would be a visit from an Australian team in the courso of tbt- forthcoming season. During the evening a number of musical items were rendere3"l>y delegates. i .