BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1916, Page 6

BOWLING.

TARANAKI CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Bowling Centre was held in the New Plymouth Bowling Club's pavilion yesterday, when there were present: 'Mr. W. A. Parkinson (Hawera) president, in the chair, and the following delegates: Messrs. M. Fraser, A. K. Smart (New Plymouth), F. C. .1. Bellringer, F. Jackson (Fitzroy), J. D. Sole, F. Newell (West End), W. E. Pereival, J. Allen (Inglewood), W. Lambic (Pihama), .1. Masters (Stratford), A. Robertson (Hawera), 0. N. Firth (New Plymouth), secretary. REPORT. In formally moving the adoption of the report (already published) and balance sheet, the chairman stated it required very little explanation, as it showed the position fully lie congratulated the centre and particularly the secretary (Mr. 0. N. Firth) upon such a satisfactory report. Mr. A. K. Smart, who seconded, remarked that the balance sheet was the best that had ever been submitted to the centre. The report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. .OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. W A. Parkinson (Hawera), re-elected; vice-president, Mr. W. K. Pereival (Inglewood); executive. Messrs. .7. T) Sole (West End), .1. Masters (Stratford), F C. .1. Bellringer (Fitzroy), A. K. Smart (New Plymouth), A. Robertson (Hawera); secretary and treasurer. Mr. 0. N. Firth (New Plymouth) re-elected; auditor, Mr. W. N. Ewing (New Plymouth) re-elected; representative to Dominion Centre, left to the executive to appoint. ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. The next tournament will be held in the week commencing January 23, under (he same conditions as last year. THE BANNER COMPETITION. The president stated he understood that some of the clubs were not satisfied with last year's conditions. He could understand the New Plymouth clubs not being satisfied, as they could easily fix dates on which to meet, but the position was difficult with country clubs on account of the travelling and the comparatively small membership. The representatives of dubs in banner matches opened up a difficult question because in the clubs with strong membership friction arose through having to leave out players, whilst the smaller dubs found it very difficult to get three or four rinks.

Mr. A. K. Smart moved that the centre revert to the old system of playing the Banner, club against club. Mr. Masters, in seconding pro forma, asked what were the objections to the system of challenge games. Mr. J. D. Sole said it was impossible for clubs to arrange friendly matches whilst the challenge was in vogue. Mr. 0. N. Firth' stated that" he had supported the introduction of the challenge system hut last year it did not appear to have been satisfactory, as the matches appeared flat. Mr. W. E-. Percival (Tnglewood) said that his club was quite satisfied and it seemed to him that under existing circumstances it was not seemly to make such a business of bowls, which should be in the nature of nrild relaxation. This year he would not like to see set days fixed for matches. He thought that it was oniy to be eypected that bowling and other games would fall flat, but that was due to the war and not to the system. He would prefer to let the banner go this year. W. Lambie (Pihama) said the only people that were complaining, were those that were holding the banner or wanted to get hold of it. His club last year never had a more enjoyable season. They were out for fun and they got it. He favored tieing the banner up for a season,

Mr. W. E. Percival then moved that the banner competition be suspended. Mr W. Lambie seconded. Mr. Bellringer favored reverting to the old system. Mr. Masters said that while all were interested in the war, there was no need to be down in the mouth. Many bowlers had sons at and their thoughts were very much at the war. Bowling took one's mind from serious matters for'a time. As long as bowling did not interfere with the war, he did not see why it should be stopped.

The amendment was lost, afid the resolution carried.

w It was resolved to divide the centre into three districts as follows:—Southern: Hawera, Eltham, Stratford; Western: Pihama, Opunake, Manaia. Auroa; Northern: Inglcwood, Waitara, New Plymouth, West End and Fitzroy.

The repr ■-entation of elubs in the banner matches was then discussed. Mr. Bellringer considered that a minimum should lie fixed. The .good fellowship attached to bowling was disappearing There was too great a tendency to select the best players in banner matches, and other players were left out He moved that a minimum he fixed as follows: —50 players or over, six rinks; 40 players, five rinks; :i0 players, four rinks; 20 players, three rinks: under 20 players by mutual arrangement. J. I). Sole seconded pro forma, though be considered it was the same old cry of "out to win." If that was to lje adopted, it would be better to have the competition limited to one rink The trouble was that the minimum would be the maximum. Pot hunting should be kept out or bowling. Mr. A. K. Smart thought that emphasis should be put on the minimum. The president agreed that there was too great a tendency to win games. This was destroying the social element. He favored the minimum being kept at, three, interpreted liberally. Mr. Jackson considered the three rinks rule had proved a dismal failure in the past. Mr. 0. X. Firth considered that a second banner for the juniors would overcome the difficulty. Mr. A. K. Smart said that clubs should endeavor to play as many members as possible. That was what members joined for. The president suggested that the members to play in the rinks should be drawn. W. Liimbie (Pihama) said that while Pihama's membership was only eleven, he did not favor less than three rinks being allowed to play. Pihama would be able to dig up an'extra man. After a little further discussion, the resolution was carried. WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer moved that the £2-10, the bowlers' patriotic fund, should be voted as follows: Red Cross £SO, Wounded Soldiers' £BO, and Navy Dependents, £BO, the amounts to be allocated to New Plymouth, Hawera, and Stratford funds. A letter was read from the Mayoress of New Plymouth asking that a donatkm should be giv«n to help thejjjtan

being done by the Ladies' Patriotic Coin. mittee. Samples of hold-alls and gift parcels, of which 35 and 120 monthly \yere being sent away, were submitted, as also were numerous cards of appreciation.

Mr. R. Masters seconded pro forma. He doubted whether they were on the right track regarding the sailors, as in New Zealand the Patriotic Societies placed sailors on the same footing as soldiers. If that was being done in England as well, why was their any necessity for a special fund for sailors Mv. .7. D. Role moved that the whole fund be handed to the Taranaki War Relief Association as coming from the whole of the Taranaki clubs. Mr. Robertson seconded.

Mr M. Fraser pointed out that they must not overlook the work that was being done throughout Taranaki by the women, and he favored setting aside a portion of the money to enable them to purchase material. It was our duty to help ouv own men, and he considered that a sum should be set aside to encourage them. Mr. W. E. Pereival pointed the difficulty of fairly distributing the money among the ladies, as there were little working bees in practically every small country district as well as the towns. The president pointed out that the administering of the funds was going to be a problem throughout New Zealand. He favored the money being sent to the High Commissioner to alleviate the sufferings of the men at the base hospitals. Mr. W. E. Pereival said that already the Taranaki War Relipf Association was forwarding a monthly sum to the High .Commissioner for the purpose.

The amendment was carried. On the motion of Messrs. Masters and Newell, it was resolved that the Centre recommend Clubs to again collect funds for war relief purposes, this year, as was done last year. Mr. M. Fraser strongly favored sending the money Home to'the High Commissioner for the relief of wounded New Zealand soldiers in hospital ih England, who were now being supported by subscriptions collected in England. A resolution that each club distribute its own funds, moved by Mr. Masters, did not find a seconder. BOWL TESTING. The question of the Centre undertak ing the testing of bowls was brought forward by Mr. Sole, but no action was taken. On the motion of Messrs. Sole and Newel'., it was resolved that all bowls used s,t the tournament must bear the stamp of the Dominion Association. GENERAL. Messrs. Parkinson and Fraser were authorised to draw money from the Savings Bank. On the motion of Messrs.. Bellringer and Sole, it was resolved to hold the next annual meeting of delegates at Stratford. The following meeting will probably be held at Hawera. A vote of thanks to the President terminated the meeting.