TARANAKI BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 3

TARANAKI BOWLING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting was held at the Egmont Club yesterday, Present: Messrs W. A. Parkinson (president) in the chair, J. W. McMillan and W. McDonald (Stratford), F. J. Hill and Fountain (West End), A. K. Smart aad 0. N. Firth (New Plymouth), W. Lambie (Pihama), S. J, Smith and F. H. Jackson (Fitzroy), Brooking (VVaitara), Bates and Crabbe (Hawera). The report and balance-sheet, previously published, were read and adopted. Mr. Firth sj\id that in previous years they charged all outsiders Gd for refreshments, but last year they neglected to do this, consequently refreshments and other expenses totalled £25, whilst tha revenue from the same source was .-C4 ss. The two first years in which tournaments were held saw a debit, then the position improved, but last year they went back again. Either they were giving too much for the money, or not charging enough. Mr. S. J. Smith said they must make both ends meet. They had no dosire to curtail hospitality. Probably if the Ladies' Patriotic Committee took up the matter they would improve. This was a , matter that called for consideration. Regarding prizes £l4 had been spent' in this direction. He thought that this could be cut out, although naturally players in winning teams liked to have some memento. Still they should be out for the pleasure they got in the eon- : tests. He was convinced that if they cut out the afternoon teas, liquor and prizes they could get along just as well. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President, S. J. Smith (Fitzroy); vicepresident, J. W. McMillan (Stratford); committee: A. K. Smart (New Plymouth), W. McDonald (Stratford), W. E. Percival (Inglewood), W. Bates (Hawera), F. J. Hill (West End); secretary and treasurer, 0. N. Firth (re-elected); auditor, W. N. Ewing (re-elected). Mr S. J. Smith, in accepting the presidency, thanker the delegates for the honor, and trusted that the ensuing twelve months would be pleasurable to clubs and financially good to the association. ANNUAL TOURNAMENT. On the motion of Mr. J. W. McMillan it was resolved to hold the annual tournament some time during January, date to be fixed by the committee. BANNER MATCHES. Mr. McMillan said his club desired more teamg in the southern division. At present there were only three teams —Stratford, Hawera and Eltham, He thought it would create more interest if Inglewood could come into this competition. The president said he could not see any reason why Inglewood should not be included, and accepted a motion that "Inglewood should be brought into the southern division." Mr. A. K. Smart thought the halfholiday would not suit Inglewood, and the train arrangements may be unworkable. Mr. Bates was not in favor of the idea. His club liad trouble generally in getting teams away, and this would be increased if Inglewood came into the division. Mr. McMillan suggested that Inglewood and Hawera might meet on the Stratford grounds. The president thought this might help Hawera and Inglewood, but Eltham had also to be considered, and they may ' not find the arrangement convenient. Mr. Smart then moved an amendment: ' "That the matter be left in the. hands ' of the committee."—Carried. s DILATORY PAYMENTS. i Some discussion arose regarding play- , crs failing to pay entrance fees. The president said he preferred that each club should allow a certain amount in tliis direction, and make the subscription , fees cover these expenses. That, to his ; way of thinking, was the best means : to adopt in the matter. l Mr. Smart thought that all competitors should pav up the entry fee, otherWise not be allowed to compete. Mr. Parkinson could not agree to disqualify any team or club—that was tob 1 drastic. ( Mr. I.ambie thought the charge should be made against each skip, who could , collect from each man in his rink. Mr. Firth said he was against any levy on a club's funds in this direction. He would prefer it remained a debit on

the balance-sheet than bo removed by that means. Mr. Smart also agreed that clubs should not be called upon to pay. If they desired to make money why not sell contribution tickets. At the Manawatu tourtiament they netted £4O by this method, and their association might introduce the same system. The president said the matter could go before the committee, and he hoped that next year the debit would be absorbed and removed from the balancesheet.

KEEP ON THE MAT. Mr. Lambie brought up the question of bowlers playing the ball off the mat. He had no objection to a man side-step-ping, backing or going forward off the mat, and thought they should not penalise unless it was deliberate. Mr Fountain stated that in the South Island they insisted on both feet being on the mat. This, he maintained, secured a better delivery, better arm work. The president said the question of playing both feet on the mat was a knotty one. Probably they were to blame for being careless on the matter. The complaint was very noticeable in young players. He thought the matter might be referred to the incoming committee. Mr. Smart said that if possible he would prefer that they had no mats. Tt was desirable that some uniformity 1 should exist. Besides insisting that a player should have both feet on the mat, he thought they might go further and make it a rule that the players after delivering the bowls should get back on tc the bank. They would find that the green at the end of each head was generally patchy, and this would be minimised if they acted in this direction. Mr. Firth was also in sympathy. He thought that No. 1 and 2 should be pre- , vented from joining the skips and offerin" gratuitous advice while No. 3 was bowling. He suggested that this be [ added to Mr. Smart's recommendation?, | and placed before the committee.—Carried, GENERAL. Mr. Russell Smith was nominated for the position of president to the Dominion ' Association, and Messrs Collins and Bush I on the Council. I On Mr. McMillan's suggestion it was d«oided to hold th« fairs tournament as

iwucl. The next meeting will be held at Hawera. In moving a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring president (Mr. W. A. Parkinson) Mr. Smart expressed the keen appreciation of the association at the valuable assistance, cure and attention to the business by Mr. Parkinson, and at his suggestion the vote was curried by acclamation. Prior to the commencement of business the delegates were entertained to light refreshments by the Stratford club, a thoughtful action that was appreciated by all, many having made the journey by car.