BOWLS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 9 October 1918, Page 7

BOWLS

MEETING OF WELLINGTON CENTRE A meeting of tho Wellington Howling Centra was held in tho iVollington Club's pavilion last evening. -Mr. W. Cooper (president) occupied tlio clitiir. There wore, present tho following delegates :—Messrs. H. Hallingcr (Island Bay), G. Allporb (Lower Hutt), E. J. Hill (To Hiwi), F. Meadowcriift (Kelhurn), J.Muir (Otal:i), A. M'yiio( Wellington), W. Mansfield (Khamlallah), F. J. Evans (Victoria), and Thomson (Eastbourne). Tho minutes recorded the refusal to admit to tlie centre tlio Pelone Municipal Bowling Club. Mr. E. J. Hill said that their action Iflicl been, endorsed. At tho last meeting the council of tho Dominion Association had decided not to recognise municipal clubs.

A letter was received from 31 r. S. H. Underwood, secretary of the Newtown Club, stating that a certain member was £5 2s. 6d. in arrears in subscription and calls, and he called upon tlio centre to deal with him , according to the powers vested in it. The, letter also pointed out that the defaulter was a member of another affiliated club. Mr. E. J. Hill said that the bowler concerned had informed him that he had offered the Newtown Club all he considered lie owed it, .and that had been refused. ' . Delegates thought they should have the full facts before them. On tho motion of Mr. Mansfield it was decided to write to Mr. Underwood asking him to write to the alleged defaulter tor a full statement of his case.' This was carried unanimously. Inspecting tho annual tournament (between December 26 and January 1) it was proposed that the system ot play bo two games of 25 heads per day. Mr. E. J. Hill moved as an amendment that the games should bo 21 heads. Ho said that many a game had been lost by players fighting for 21 heads, and then finding that thero were four more bonds, to play. On being put to tlio meeting the amendment was carried. A letter was received from Dr. bow, of the Porirua Mental Hospital, advocating that the bowling clubs might take an. interest in certain returned soldiers by making them honorary members, and providing thorn with tho bowls and tuition. He pointed out that such treatment might do an immense amount.of. good to tho men and to tho country'they had so well served. Mr. I?. Evnns said that a member of the. Victoria Club had decided to devoto his timo to such men this season with a view of assisting these men to health. Ho quoted how one man had beeu restored to perfect health by his being allowed to learn and play golf. ■ On Saturday last they had offered the hospitality of tho Victoria Club to fifteen men from the Victoria Hospital, and it had been a real pleasure to see the enjoyment which they got out of tho game. Sinco 'then ho had received a letter from Dr. Morico thanking the club for what it had done and pointing out what a relief it had been from the monotony of hospital life. The men themselves had also forwarded a letter of thanks.

It was, decided that delegates request their clubs to afford all facilities for play to such returned soldiers who were likely to ho benefited in health by the recreation.

It was also stated that the Eastbourne Club had offered tho soldiers from the Lowry Bay Hospital the freedom of tho green. Mr. l< , . Meatloweroft moved an amendment'to tho laws of tho centre, waking it possible to elect a chairman from outside the centre. Mr. E. J. Hill seconded the motion. Mr. Allport was opposed to the principle of electing a chairman from outside the centre. It was a poor compliment to thoso appointed to govern bowls in the centre. Mr. Meadmvcroft pointed out that there might be a big bowling year with possibly a visit from Australian bowlers, and it might he expedient to havo a man as chairman who had tho time, means, and social position to worthily uphold the honours df tho local bowling world. The chairman was against the proposal. He thought that it would prevent the office going round all the clubs —all tho suburban , clubs. The motion was carried by six votes tj two.' A draft of the programme of the pennant games for tile season was presented by tho secretary (Mr. J. J. Roberts).

Mr. Hill pointed l out the disabilities that players were faced with in having to play pennant games on tho Upper Hutt green. Hβ said that it was farcical to. piny bowls oil. this green. Tim fare was between 3s. and 45.; it took an hour to got out and an hour to return, and players sacrificed an tiifternoon's good play. He moved that it be competent for any club to ask its opponents in pennant games to play such games on its own green. This was agreed to.