BOWLERS AT EASE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 6

BOWLERS AT EASE

“SMOKER” AT THE TOWN HALL TOURNAMENTS OF THE FUTURE After a good game of bowls it is almost conventional for the participants to meet and con over the play in n social way. Though there was no play on Saturday, the bowlers assembled in Wellington in connection with the Dominion Bowling Association’s tournament had nearly a week’s play to talk about, and an opportunity was given them to do so at their ease at the big “smoker” held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The gathering was attended by four or five hundred bowlers from the four points of the compass, and, not being tired with a day’s play, they joined heartily in the communion of kindred souls, discussed old pontests, speculated on the results of the present one, and laid plans for future games. A fine spirit of conviviality prevailed, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening wps spent. The chair was occupied by the president of the association (Mr. T. Bush), who was supported 'by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), the members of the executive of the council, and tho Tournament Committee (members of the Wellington, Centre). The hall was arranged a la cafe, and the stage was tastefully decorated with national bunting. After the toast of "The King, the ' Mayor proposed “The Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association.” In so doing he congratulated the bowlers on the weather they bad enjoyed. The reason why the weather had broken that morning was because they were a little short of water at Wainui. The rain had been of untold benefit to the farmers of the district. He understood that there were 12 ODO bowlers in New Zealand, and in a’spirit of levity he raised the point as to whether the bowlers should have a representative in New Zealand as was the cose with the Oxford, and Cambridge Universities. He respected the bowling community because they did not clamour for support from the local bod’cs, though during the war the council did ar J al, B® so that the recreative clubs should pay no rates. On behalf of tho citizens of •Wellington he wished them a very happy time and that the next tournament would, even excel the one being held, ‘'in'reply the president of the association (mUt. Bush) thanked the Tournament'Committee for the kindly andl generous assistance they had given the association. They had. gathered together for thmr eighth tournament, and the umpire had been instructed to cndeaiour to insist on carrying out the rules; of the game which had never been observed. It might be an unpopular note to stiike, but ho believed tho bine had arrived when the association should have a permanent secretary (Applause.) /".ere might be those who disagreed with him, but he took leave to say that sue persons were only speaking for a section of the community and not for the bowl ers as a whole. In support of his contention ho stated' that the correspondence inwards and outwards during the year numbered no fewer than 2007 letters. As to the progress of bowls the chairman stated that in 1914 there were 198 clubs attached to the association, in 19-’O there were 228. The number of rink entries in 1914 totalled 80, this year they were IGO -(exactly double); in 1914 there were 175 pairs entered, this year there were 186; and as compared with 192 entries for the singles in 1914 there were this year only 108. So it would be seen that the tournaments were becoming unwieldy, and 'he was going to suggest an alteration, by making the sections twelve instead of ten, and providing five full days’ rink play. On another occasion he had made a suggestion which had met with a rather mixed reception, and that was to cut out the pairs and singles. (Applause.) There had been complaints that the tournament was too long. He suggested that the whole of the tournament should he played within ten days. Sooner or later, he was convinced, it would be found necessary to cut out the pairs and singles, and make it a rink tournament only. (Loud and general applause.) Let the centres find their pairs and singles champions, and play off on a neutral green. Finally: he hoped that they would all return to their homes with the impression that the tournament of 1921 had been most enjoyable to all. (Applause.) Mr. F. Meadowcroft proposed lhe Visitors,” referring to the bright and gay aspect the tournament players had given the city, and the jolly good fellowship which they had brought with them and disseminated, and he hoped that when they went back home it would be with pleasant and happy memories of their stay in Wellington. Mr. Hain, of Invercargill, replied. He said he liked coming to Wellington more than tn any other place, and always made a point of making the tiip when there was a tournament on here.' When a man left home to play in a tournament it was not altogether for tho game of bowls, but to meet a lot of good fellows he had met before. He was sure from what he had heard that everyone would leave Wellington with the happiest memories of tho 1921 tournament. Mr. C. Mills, in place of Dr. Adams (Blenheim), proposed the “Press, which was responded to by Mr. 11. T. 'B. Drew. Mr. Maxwell Walker (of Auckland) proposed the “Tournament Committee, and said that every bowler should show appreciation of the men behind the scenes,” for to them they owned all the pleasure and happiness that- was being showered upon them. Every one of them deserved their thanks, but especially Mr. I. Salek (of the Wellington Club), who seemed to find such keen delight in his work. Mr. I. Salek replied, eulogising the committee as the best he had ever been connected with. Mr. J. J. Roberts proposed “Past Presidents,” which was responded to l>y Colonel R. J. Collins, Messrs. M. Barnett, and E. Summers. Mr. Roberts traced the history of past tournaments, mentioning tho names of the various post presidents, with especial reference to. the Into Mr. Maurice Casey (of Auckland), to whom a tribute of respect was passed. "The Artists” was proposed by Mr. M. A. Carr (president of the Wellington Club), the toast being responded to by Mr. E. J Hill (who arranged the musical programme). “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr. J.' Keith (Victoria Club). Musichl items J»erc contributed by Messrs. Albert Russell, Bernard F. Page, Stuart Nelson, Howard Foster, R. R. Orr, Rupert Meates, E. J.' Hill, and .Toll (Hamilton). . ■ Mr. Frank ’Thomas presided at the pianoforte.