BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 50, 17 July 1912, Page 8

BOWLING.

MEETING OF NEW PLYMOUTH BOWLERS. A meeting of New Plymouth bowlers belonging to the Taranaki Bowling Association was held in the New Plymouth Club's pavilion last night to make arrangements for the Taranaki bowling tournament. Mr. A. Goldwater (president of the association) presided over a large attendance.

The following committee was elected: —New Plymouth Club: Messrs. A. K. Smart, A. C. Colson, 0. Firth; Fitzroy Club, Messrs. S. Rennell, J. Abbott, S. 'Smith; West End Club, Messrs. J. D. Sole, N. Johnson, V. H. Beale. Mr. C. T. Mills was elected secretary. The presidents of the West End, Fitzroy and New Plymouth clubs notified jthat their respective greenß would be available fori the tournament. OPEN DOOR POLICY.

Some discussion ensued on the question of the "open, door" policy in connection with the Taranaki bowling tournament, to be held early in February. The subject was broached by Mr. A. K. Smart, who said that by the open door policy he meant allowing each club to send as many rinks as they wished to the tournament. The number of clubs was not a little bit too large to limit the representation ,of each club to two rinks. The greatest number of rinks the New 'Plymouth Club could send in would probably be four, and, say, Fitzroy three, and other clubs in proportion. This would provide from 28 to 30 rinks.' A team would simply put themselves together, as the rinks would not necessarily be chosen by selection committees. He accordingly moved that the secretary 1 write to the various clubs with regard to the adoption of the open door policy at -the next tournament, and ask for an immediate reply as to whether they approved of the suggestion or not. The motion was seconded by Mr. Morey, who, with several other speakers, spoke in favor of the proposal, which, it was said, found favor with all associated clubs to tjhe Taranaki Association, with the exception of Opunake. Mr. Sole mentioned that, in the event of the open door policy being adopted, all tournaments would have to be played at New Plymouth. The town had both sufficient greens and accommodation for the visiting bowlers. The regrettable feature of the tournament at Patea was the lack of accommodation.

The question of entrance fees was discussed, several delegates considering that the suggested amount of 5s per entrant would come rather hard on country players who had to travel to New Plymouth.

Returning to the open door policy, Mr. F. Jackson opposed the proposal, holding that if it was put into effect the tendency would be to go to extremes and spoil the whole spirit of the tournament.

Mr. Healy followed suit, contending that the smaller clubs would be swamped. In his opinion, the number of rinks should be limited to three to each club. He also feared that, with the adoption of the open door policy; the clubs competing would, to a large extent, sink their individuality. It was also pointed out by Mr. Jackson that it would result in a number of incompetent players forming a rink and competing in the tournament. Eventually Mr. Smart's motion was adopted, along with another recommendation that the entrance fee be 20s for each rink.