NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 98, 18 January 1918, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

THI? QUESTION OF UNSTAMPED BOWLS. A meeting of tho council of the New Zealand Euwling Association was held in Dunedin 011 Saturday evening, Mr. C. Russell Smith (president) in lire chair. Tho president said that a matter arising; out of tho ■ minutes was the time limit. It had been round by experionoo that it was absolutely necessary that a time limit should- be fixed. During the present tournament' three and a half hours had been spent over one game of doubles of 21 heads. This ivas ridiculous. (Chorus:-"Absurd.")

A long discussion followed, Messrs. Walker, Collins, and Barnett being strongly against a set time limit, but it was resolved that clause .7 of ilie general conditions bo enforced.. This gives tho conimitteo the right to impose a time limit in tho event cf any game being unduly prolonged. Consideration was then given- to proposed amendments of the constitution and rules as submitted by Mr. James Allan. The essence of Mr. Allan's proposals was that all centres be represented by delegates at. the annual meeting of the council. These delegates should bo elected ten days before the date appointed for the holding of the association tournament, so that there would be a probability of .their attendance. At the present gathering they had representatives from outside places such as Blenheim, Hokitika, Gisborne, and Southland. These representatives could not be got together except at such a gathering. The smaller centres wero dissatisfied at the present representation, under which they had no chance of having a man elected.

Mr. Marlow opposed the suggestion, being of opinion that the present constitution was working well. Professor Walker thought there was a lot of merit in tho proposals. The smaller centres no doubt had a grievance in being unable to get direct representation. Colonel Collins sympathised with the desire of the smaller centres to be heard. Professor Walker suggested that the members of tho council a ssembled approve of the general principle of Mr. Allah's scheme that all centres be represented directly on the council. Mr. Marlow said lie .was in favour of that principle, but did, icot believe it would work, and Mr. Baruett thought so, too. Further discussion showed that there was great difference of opinion on the suggestion that the annual meeting should be held at tournament time instead of in September. The president suggested that it might be- wise,to ask each centre not already represented on the council to send a delegate to a conference \vith the council at tournament time. This might evolve into a system of moro complete touch; but ho thought the matter should be approached tenderly. He would like the sniall centres to. know that the council really did take an interest in them.

Mr. Barnett moved that consideration of Mr. Allan's motion be held over, and that centres be invited to send delegates to the 1919 tournament to confer with the council re alterations to the constitution and any other matters brought before them. Mr. Casey seconded, and the motion was carried.

An interesting report from the Auckland bowl tester evoked a discussion. A question elicited the reply that no stops had been taken at the present tournament to ensuro that only stamped bowls were used. Colonel Collins stated what . had beon done at the recent Now Year tournament held in Wellington. The umpire had gone round ahd examined 'all bowls used. He had discovered about 30 pairs unstamped, and before these were allowed to be used in the j finals they had to go through the test. Tho president said it was timesome- | thing definite was done by the council in this direction. Sufficient warning had been given, and a definite pronouncement should be issued that after this tournament no bowl would be allowed under any circumstances that ' did not bear a recognised stamp. Mr. Marlow explained what was meant by a recognised stamp. The 1909 stamp of the N.Z.B.A. w:is accepted, because it was the outcome of a green tost; also, of course, the D.N.Z.B.A. stamp. He moved that centres bo asked to notify each club that in any tournament, club competition, or club games held under tho auspices of tho association bowls must bear the stamp of the association; umpires to be instructed to see that all bowls comply with the law; the stamps to*be recognised to be the' 1909 N.Z.B.A. stamp and the D.N Z.8.A., the resolution to come into force on October 1 next. The motion was seconded by Colonel Collins nnd carried. Iho mat rule was again discussed, and it was resolved to suggest that the front of tho mat shall be laid rot less than Gft. from the ditch. Mr. Casey suggested that the maximum distance at which tho mat could lie laid from the ditch should bo , 20ft. These suggestions became notices 1 of motion.

Away: Chote, Keesing, Kinnear, Oooder; Inglis, Innes, l'ectigrew, Potter. The following team will represent Island Bay in a match with Hataitai to ho played on the home green tomorrow:'—Hughes, C. C. Odlin, Conder and Castle (s.).