BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 202, 15 May 1918, Page 7

BOWLS

MEETING OF THE CENTRE CO-OPERATION IN UPKEEP OF GREENS DISCUSSED Mr. S. H. Underwood (president) occupied tho chair at a meeting of (he Wellington Bowling Centro held in tho Wellington Club's pavilion last evening. Tho delegates present wero: Messrs. _B. W. Sliallcrass (To Hiwi), Cooper (Kalori), G. Hendry (Hatailni), W. 11. Morrah (Lyall Bay), A. Wylie (Wellington), 6. Bradlev (Ventolin), J. Keith (Victoria), Bonnie (I'etone), and J. J. ltoberts (secretary). In rcsponso to a request to be heard before the* centre on the subject ot the conditions under which championship matches wore played, Jlr. J.' Jl'uir _(«• member of tho Wellington Club) was informed that tho centre could not listen to a member of a club. Jl.r. Jhiir, who was in altoudance, was about {<» explain tho object of his request, and was again informed that ho could not be heard, and thu applicant retired, intimating that-he would set out his case through

Iris club's delegate. ! It was decided that tho annual meeting of tho centre should be held on tlio second Tuesday in Juno, and matters to be incorporated in tho annual report wero canvassed by the delegates. Air. Keith argued in favour of tho fullest information being.given to clubs on all matters affecting their interests and those of the game generally. Ho made several suggestions as to matters that should be incorporated, including a proposal to alter the constitution of the Dominion Jiowliug Association, which is io 1)0 considered at the next tournament meeting of that body. Those suggestions were adopted. A. letter was received from tho Petone Club, stating that tho present method of bowl-testing was unsatisfactory. In referring, to tho letter Mr. iKennio (Petone) said tho trouble appeared to have arisen through insufficient information having been given the tester, but that ollicial had since been made ac- ' quaintcd with his duties he was inclined to lot tho matter go. He quoted a caso where a Petone player had sent in a set of bowls—a good set with any amount, or draw—and the bowls were altered without instructions being given to do so. The chairman said, that the tester would bo informed of the position, and clubs would bo advised that full instructions bo sent with any bowls that were Air. Hennie notified that ho did not think it would ho necessary to go any further iu the matter. Mr. R. W. Shallcrass moved: "That the centre consult affiliated clubs with the object of ascertaining if any or a!: of them would agree to co-operato for all or any of the following purposes: (1) The securing of top-dressing for tho greens; (2) the purchase of grass seed; (3) the .purchase of a digester; (1) the appointment of an expert green superintendent to have charge of tho labour employed on tho greons and to have control of tho preparation and treatment of the greens on a basis of payment to be mutually arranged."' Mr. Shallcrass said that his suggestions wero made in order that they could be placed before clubs, and discussed at their meetings. His main object was to creato discussion and so get at the views of the clubs. Ho maintained that by adopting some or all of the suggestions the work would bo done cheaper and more effectively, and would bring about something like an equal standard of green. He was cure that would bo tho case as far as top-dressing and grass seed wero concerned. Ho did not know if the delegates were aware of the valuw of .% digester, but until they adopted some such means, they would never be able to get their greens free from weeds. Ho also thougnt it would be an advantage to have an expert supervisor, of greens, who would supervise all the greens somewhat iu tho same manner as did the City Council's head gardener tho city reserves. The proposition In the meantime was to consult clubs and ascertain if a number of them wero willing to cooperate to work.out a scheme that would benefit all whilst effecting economies.

The chairman said that. as far as his club (Newtown) was concerned it was in accord with some of the proposals, notably Nos. 1 and. 2, but as to th» appointment of a general supervisor the proposal was fraught with certain possibilities of a disturbing character. The proposal about the digester, too, was ono that would requiro very careful consideration. \ Mr. J. Keith (Victoria) said that on the proposal to appoint a general green supervisor they could count his club out right away. They would not have anyono coming up to tell their greenkeeper what to do.

Other delegates thought thnt there were virtues in tho proposals, and it was decided that Mr. Snallcrass should prepare a memorandum setting out his argu. ments ill favour of his proposals, and that the same be sent out to all affiliated club 3 with tho centre's annual report. The secretary announced that tho bowlers' efforts in aid of'the Christmas Gift Fund for comforts for troops at the front had amounted to .£769 10s. 3d.

Mr. Roberta also announced that thero was a sum of about £21 left over from tho tournaments (in addition to ,£4O already handed over to the Red Cros3 Fmid), and asked for a direction. Tho meeting decided that the amount should be handed over to the Red Jersey Fund.