PATRIOTIC BOWLERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 October 1917, Page 6

PATRIOTIC BOWLERS

KEYNOTE FOR THE SEASONSACRIFICE. Speaking at a big meeting of bowlers held in tho Town Hall, Dunedin, on Saturday niifhtj Mr. C. It. Smith, president of tiie Dominion Bowling Association, said that the local ex'ccutivo of the association considered that, as headquarters were located in Dunedin for tho coming season, it was a suitable opportunity for bowlers, particularly in Dunedin, to show their interest in patriotic work by endeavouring to raise' a fairly large sum of money. Ho would liko to point out that this movement was not to be confined to the matter ot the tournament. The tournament was going to be one of the means of raising money, but they had taken this matter in hand at this early etngo 60 that they might be able to go on raising money in other ways apart from tho tournament. That meeting was really a meeting of bowlers of the Du'nedin. Centre, but the executive had in view tho question of widening this movoment, and it was possible that an effort would bo made to invite the cooperation and assistance of other centres in Otago, and it was just possible they nlight go further than that, and invite the co-operation of overy centre in the Dominion. To some it might appear that to raise not less than ,£IOOO was an ambitious effort, but there should not bo the slightest trouble in raising the sum aimed at. With regard to the allocation of the money that might be Taised, that was a question that had not been settled, but the position would be something like this: That money would be allocated to the Women's Patriotic Association, the Red Cross Society, the y.M.C.A. war work, the Salvation Army, and the Wounded Soldiers' Committee. As to the scheme for. raising this money, they had decided to ask clubs to adopt a basis for club work. Every club was to start straightway to energetically raise money. They should endeavour to raiso an amoiunt equal to .£1 for every member of a club—not that every member wrb supposed to pay £1, but that they should work in such a way as to produco not less than that sum. Clubs could "barrack" for donations and subscriptions, and each club could quite easily run a fete on its green during tho season,"and there would be no difficulty in getting the co-oporation of their lady friends. Ho thought a very good idea would be for ©very club to run a small coupon scheme. The prizes could be given at a fete, so that they would get-, the people on tho green. Then other competitions might be hold, and entertainments might b& Ono bowler- hftd stated that he was prepared to organise a "bowlers' choir" of not loss than lflO voices. Another bowler had offered to give loctures. Then the club ties could be turned td account. He suggested that tho wholeof the proceeds arising froiii club ties be devoted to tho Object in view, and that every k;lub should double the , entry monev—say 2s. In that way alonfe there would be JKOO. Again, play might bo engaged in to find a champion rink, and they could always try to turn tho_ attendance into* cash." Each cliil> might have a tjii.een, and the club raising most money in proportion to its members would have the right to have its lady named "Queen of tho Bowlers," and sho might bo crowned with due ceremony. Everything on the greens should be secondary to this scheme. T.«t 'he keynote of this season be sacrifice. He moved •the following motion"That-this meeting of bowlors'" accords its hearty support to the proposal to raise not less than <£1000 for patriotic purposes, and pledges itself to put forth every effort to make the movement entirely successful." Mr. A. H. Allan, president of tho Dunedin Bowling Centre, seconded the motion, which he warmly supported. The motion was carried unanimously. ' Mr. W. C. Allnuitt (Kaikorai Club) moved: "That an Executive Committee bo set up to manage tho movement, such committee to consist of the looal members of the council of the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association, and the executive of the Dunedin Centre, with power to add to its number." The mover threw out a suggestion that members' subscriptions be increased, by 10s. to support the movement. .. Mr. W. MTTutcbison (Kaikorai Clu.bl seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. _ ; AJr. C. R. Smith mentioned . that he had\promised to supply bowls' for soldiers at Opia, And asked bowlers to help him to keep his promise.