AID FROM BOWLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1915, Page 2

AID FROM BOWLERS.

PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH . CONVALESCENT HOME. By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 Auckland, August 30. There is every prospect that bowlers of Auckland, and possibly other parts of the .dominion, will bear a large proportion of the cost of a convalescent station which the Government proposes to establish at Rotorua for returned soldiers. An effort is also likely to be made to make the movement a national one. A deputation from the Auckland Bowling Association,. consisting of the president (Mr. Laurie), Mr. Ooltman, and the secretary (Mr. Bryden) waited upon the Minister of Pubiie Health to ask for a definite decision as to the bowlers' offer to furnish and, equip "Kilbr.yde," Campbell's Point, as a convalescent home. Mr. Russell expressed appreciation of the offer, but explained that he could not give a definite reply owing to the present uncertainty as to how many convalescent homes would be required. He went oil to inform the deputation of the Government's decision to establish a main convalescent centre for the North Island at Rotorua. Could the bowlers help in connection with that institution? If they would take in hand the working of some part of that scheme they would lie doing ten times more good than in equipping a building which might not be needed. Mr. Laurie said ho thought the Minister's suggestion was an excellent one. The bowlers had not committed themselves absolutely to the "Ivilbryde" proposal. They wanted to do something as bowlers beyond their subscriptions to patriotic funds. He would call a meeting of the association and put Mr. Russell's proposal to it. He thought it would be acted upon. Did he definitely understand that the Minister would accept money subscribed by bowlers and let it bo utilisod for convalescent purposes at Rotorua ? The Minister said lie would accept such a fund, and, moreover, he would put the whole, strength of the State's funds behind it or whatever was required for the special purpose. Mr. Laurie pointed out that the South Auckland Bowling Association, which included the Rotorua bowlers, had intended equipping convalescent homes in the Waikato and Wailii. No doubt they Would be glad to divert the money to Rotorua, and lie suggested that the Minister should go into the matter witli the bowlers at Hamilton and Rotorua. The Minister said he would do so. It would have to be understood that any board of management set li.p should include representatives of the Auckland bowlers and any others subscribing. He would see to it that if the scheme were taken up by the bowlers of the North Island they should have full rtcognition in the matter, and be identified with the Rotorua convalescent station. He had. strong hopes that the bowlers of the South Island would follow their example in connection with a convalescent station to be established at Hanmer. In this way several thousand pounds could, he was convinced, be raised. Mr. Bryden concurred. There were, lie said, 13,000 bowlers in the dominion.