BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1919, Page 7

BOWLING.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. A NEW GREEN TO BE SECURED. Mr. A. K. Smart presided at the meeting of members of the New Plymouth Bowling Club at the pavilion last evening to consider the purchaso of a new property. About fifty members were present. Mr. Smaty referred ta the progress of the club and the need for coming to some arrangement to meet the requirements of increased membership. In the first season the club had been handicapped by not having enough rinks, and it w&s generally recognised that it was necessary to acquire another green. It was very probable that Now Plymouth was making a marked move forward, and the club should share in the development. They must prepare for this. There was another factor that merited consideration, and that was the prospect of Saturday becoming the universal half-holiday. Next month a meeting of sports bodies would ho held at Stratford to endeavor to complete arrangements for a poll to be taken as to the half-holiday. This would mean a big thing if brought about, and he believed the Government would eventually make Saturday the half-holiday. If this came about it could easily bo seen that it would be almost impossible to allow all members to play on the one afternoon, and the suggestion brought forward by the committee, he hoped, would be thoroughly considered. It was necessary to' have a wider green, and in that respect, although they were the pioneer club, they were lagging behind Fitzroy and West End, as both these clubs had winter greens. Playing the gamo in the winter assisted the revenue. Ho believed Fitzroy made £4O last year by this means. That club had one full green, and Ave rinks. At the end of the financial year they had credit balance of £7O, but with no winter play they received no rovenuo. A 9 far as the condition of the green was con» corned, he thought it was as good lust year as ever it was. He hoped that if they decided to secure a now green the members woum loyally back up the committee, and -continue to take a keen interest in the club's welfare. Mr. Brooking stated the committee had five sites under review, and narrowed these down to the three proposals placed before the meet* Ing. One was to secure the property adjoining the present green. No. 2 scheme was the offer of a property in Courtemiy-Laaeh Streets; and No. 3 site was Powderham Street. The committee had placed the value of the present laud at £BSO, which was very reasonable. By getting new grounds they would improvo the membership. At present he put the number down at 72, and in another twelve months It should total 168.

• Mr. C Carter said ho readily understood there were many members who would not like tho Idea of the club changing quarters, but It would be In tho interests of the club. lie appealed to the old members to look at it in that light. It was absolutely necessary to do something, and they should not negleot the present opportunity. Later on It would be extremely difficult, If nqt impossible, to obtain land in such central positions i>« those now offering. They had to look after the membership, and If they oloaed with the Courtenay Street altp they would be sure of increased membership. A larger area was necessary, and it was not.right that membors should have to go to pthcr clubs for winter games. Mr, R. Cock agreed thai an enlargement of the green was necessary, and as this could not be done with the present green, he thought the oommlttee might have made enquiries regarding «nother property in the vicinity of the club's present property. They had a flue green. In fact, he had played on thirteen greens in Australia and New Zealand, and was positive there were no better greens than those of the club. He agreed they should "enter for the winter players, Mr. W. .T. Penn said thoy appeared to have tho choice ®of two alternatives—either remit In where they were, or acrept the Courtenay Street offer. Regarding tho lease and freehold, lie thought they noed have no fear of that being granted when the lease expired The change would secure increased membership, and with other rovonuo, winter play, teas, etc., tho finance should not be difficult. Regarding the Courtenay Street site, he thought that as tho ground was so levol they would require to have little made ground. He realised It would be a wrench to some to break away from a ground that had so many pleasant recollections He moved: "That the committee proceed with negotiations to complete the purchase of the Courtenay Street offer In .terms of the letter forwarded to the Club."—Seeondod by Mr. Carter.

Mr. Smart, replying to Mr. Cock, stated that he recognised the present green was a good one: in fact, the beat he had played on, and lie had had n few games in different parts of the Dominion. The green had been down 94 years, and he related a few experiences of the early stages of the club regarding the first four rinks and the next eight. Retard* In? the new sites, tho Powderham and Courtenay Street sites were nine and seven minutes' walk from the centre of the town.

Mr. Liphtband subsequently mored as an amendment: That while supporting the granting of power to the committee to purchase the property from the Catholic trust, In Courteitffy Street, a further consideration be given to the cost of purchasing the property adjoining the present green on the eastern side, before deriding the former proposition. This was seconded by Mr. R. Code, who con. sldercd there was ample room there to make the necessary extensions to the present green. A discussion then ensued on tho question of tho practicability of making a satisfactory green on the adjoining property. The chairrum expressed an opinion, baaed upon ex.~' perienec, that a good green could not be made on reclaimed ground. He stated that on the club's present green, the rinks on the eastern side, which had been made on ground that had required some filling, had taken well over 12 years to thoroughly consolidate. Mr. 0. H. Bullard was of opinion that It was impossible to make a green on the adjoining property. He gavo the opinion of Mr. Palmer, surveyor, who had stated that if he ever had anything to do with making another green it would have to be on solid ground. Mr Medley said lie thought at least thr«s- - of the members should be in fav»iT' of the resolution before it was put Into effee'., if carried. If thai was assurod It obviate the possibility of a split In tho riub " It was pointed out that ull the members had been circularised as to the Meeting, and the likelihood of getting a fuller meeting was doubtful.

Mr J. McLeod drew attention tq the probability of a universal half-holiday in the near future, and the Impossibility of accommodating all the playing members ou the present green on tho same day, especially when club matches would have to he played on that day He urged that In the Interests of tho young members and also prospective members, the proposal should be carried.

On the amendment being put it was declared lost, only eight voting In its favor.

The motion was then put and carried by 31 to 4.

A motion was then carried giving the committee power to dispose of the present site when the new green was completed and ready for play, and when the present green was not wanted for a howling green; A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.