BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1918, Page 2

BOWLING.

THE TARANAKI BOWLING CENTRE. The annual report of the Taranaki Bowling Centre states, inlir alia, that the balance sheet reveals a satisfactory state of affairs, there being a credit balance at the bank of £39 12s Od. The full receipts for the year wore £IG9 9s 2d, principally made up of receipts from annual and Easter pairs tournaments, totalling £l4l 4s sd. Annual subscriptions to the centre »ere £lB 8s !)d. Donations totalled £8 10s 6d. The actual centre expenses were £9 10s Id, and expenditure, £129 10s 7d. The profit for the year's working was £25 12s 9d, which, added to the balance in hand from last year, leaves a credit balance of £39 12s 6cL Annual Tournament.—This was held on January 22, 23, 24 and 25, and proved a great success, both socially and financially—in fact, players pronounced it the most successful yet held. Visitors expressed themselves as well pleased with the hospitality shown and tha excellent greens provided. Several letters of appreciation have been received from various visiting rinlts. Every one of the Taranaki clubs entered rinks, and good support was given by the Wanganul Centre. Play throughout the tournament was of a high standard., especially In the semi-finals and finala. The successful rink hailed from the Pitzroy Club, and was skipped by Mr. John Abbott The win was well deserved and most popular. Second honors were secured by tho West End rink skipped by Mr. J. D. Solo. A pairs tournament held at Easter, and played on the Inglewood and Stratford greens, was rather marred by the bad weather experienced. The winning rink was provided by the Inglewood Club, Mr. It. Branch skipping H, A Stratford rink, skipped by Mr. J. S. Howe, won second j prize. Banner Competitions.—These were once more conducted on the challenge system, and some very enjoyable games were experienced. The New Plymouth Club secured the trophy early in the season from the Pihama Club (last season's winners), and then withstood all efforts to wrest it from them until Pihama broueht a rink to New Plymouth towards the end of the season, and carried off the banner for another year. * Patriotic X'und—At our last annual meeting it was decided to collect for this fund on the same lines as In previous years. Only a few clubs have so far forwarded their donations, and these amount to £72 10s. The duty now rests with the delegates of deciding how the money shall be allocated. In former years it | has been handed over to tha Taranaki War Relief Association. Boivl Testing.—All tho necessary appliances for this work have been procured, and Mr. A. K. Smart appointed official tester by the Dominion Association. He has done a considerable amount of work during the season, and dealt with one hundred and forty pairs of bowls. The Dominion Association has passed the following rule, which come 3 Into operation on October 1 next: Any bowl played in any tournament, club competition or club game must bear the stamp of the association. Umpires at tournaments are to see that section 24, c'.ause 4, of the Laws of tlie Game is given effect to. Bowls stamped with the Northern Bowling Association stamp (N.B-A.) are not to bo deemed to comply with the present laws. Tho executive impressed upon all bowlers whose bowls were not yet tested the advisability of having this work done, otherwise unpleasant consequences might result later on. Tho thanks of the centre were duo to the Fitzroy, New Plymouth, West End, Inglewood and Stratford Clubs for tho use of their greens, to the press for fully reporting all matters «f bowling interest, and to the ladies who so generously assisted with afternoon teas on several occasions during the season. The enterprise of the West End Club'in putting down a second green must be viewed with satisfaction. Tho addition of a further eliit rniks would ho of material assistance in connection with further tournaments, At ibis time last year it was hoped the lamentable war raging would bo settled ere this. Unfortunately such a consummation has not been effected, and tho Allied nations must still use every effort it is possible to put forth to bring matters to a successful issue. Unfortunately this means the sacrifice of our manhood, and severe """a are being mado to find the number of men required. We are likely to feel the effect of this severely during tha coming season now that the married men are called upon to do their duty. Our sincere sympathy is extended to all those who have suffered bereavement, but bowlers are recognised as true sportsmen, and as such, will have made, or will make, any sacrifice willingly when the end In view is taken into account.