BOWLERS ENTERTAINED.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1920, Page 8

BOWLERS ENTERTAINED.

SOCIAL AT KAWAROA PARK. The visiting bowlers to the Taranaki Tournament were entertained at a social in the Kawaroa Park bungalow last night. There was a large gathering over which Mr. J. D. Sole, president of tho local centre, presided. Amongst those present was Mr. M. 0. V. Dimick, Wellington, a member of the Council of the Dominion Bowling Association. The president briefly welcomed the guest. He apologised for the absence of Mr. ¥. Bmmlle (vice-president), and also congrptnlated Mr. A. P. Lundon on winning the Dominion Tournament. The loyal toast was then honored in the customary manner. Mr. F. Jackson proposed the toast of the Dominion Bowling Association, remarking that the members were amongst the keenest bowlers in the Dominion. They would not be on the Council if they were' not. In responding, Mr. Dimick said it was very pleasing to hear good things said about the Council. Bowlers usually thought the Council gava them as much trouble and made things as awkward as possible for them. He assured the gathering that the members of the Council were not so much the representatives of the particular districts from which they came as the bowlers generally throughout the Dominion. He referred to the national aspect of the game of bowls and to the representation on the Council of the two islands. The,re were now 7000 members of bowling clubs in the Xorth Island and 4000 in the South Island. Touching on the question of tournaments he referred to the length to, which some tournaments ran, and to a suggestion which had been made that two games of 25 heads should be played each day. That, however, had not been considered by the Dominion Council, and he could not say what they would think of it. Personally he thought it had something to commend it. He concluded with an expression of thanks to the local centre officials for the courtesv extended to him on his present visit]! and congratulated the executive on the way the tournament was being conducted. Mr. iSmart supported the idea of two games per day in tournaments. He also touched upon a further suggestion for eliminating the doubles and singles from the Dominion tournaments, which were much too protracted." The idea was for each club to find their single and doubles champion, and for these to meet to find the Dominion champions, the meeting to be, preferably, at one or the smaller centres. That would leave only the rinks for the Dominion tournaments. He thanked the gathering for the compliment paid the Dominion Council.

The toast of the Taranaki Bowling Centre was proposed by Mr. J. B. Jack (Rapanui), who said the local centre tournament was known as one of the beat tournaments. The fact that there were in rinks from Wanganui showed tvhat Wanganui bowlers thought of the tournament at New Plymouth. As a matter of fact it was" regarded as a model tournament. Mr. Sole replied briefly, thanking Mr. Jack for his remarks, and the gatherin? for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received. While they appreciated what was said, thev hoped with experience to do better in'the future. Mr. Sole then proposed the toast of "The Visitors," expressing pleasure at the large number who had come to the tournament. This was the seventh tournament which had been open to clubs outside of Taranaki. The fact that the entries had grown from 16 to 03 showed its popularity. It was hoped in the future to have'more local players and more visitors in the tournament. ■With the new greens, which it was hoped th» New Plymouth Club would have ready next year, they would have accommodation for 120 rinks. Incidentally Mr. Pole referred to the fact that the New Plymouth Club was the second oldest in the North Island. It was the Intention of the executive next year to make more provision for entertaining the visitors, and to show them some of tin beauties surrounding the town. He had always thought the small centre tournaments were more enjoyable than Hi! Dominion tournaments, and he was still of the same mind. So far as the local executive was concerned they would be very pleased to receive from the visitors any suggestions for the improvement of the tournament. The toast was responded In by Messrs (i. Cordon (Wanganui), .1. Hrown (Onehunga), Collins (Island Bar). T. Nixon lOastlecliff), W. J. B. Jolly' (Palmerston North), Calder (Danncvirke), and IT. Price (secretary Wanganui Centre), ali of whom complimented the secretary |Mr. A. T. Moore) on the splendid worklie had done. The toast, of 'The Ladies" was proposed bv Mr. 11. Fookes, and responded to bv Messrs C. Curtis and Roy Lee. All the toasts were most enthusiastically drunk, being accorded musical honors. During the evening entertaining items were given by Messrs 0. fioldsworthy. S. F. Dnnstßn. C. E. New, H. A Flower. and F. MorTatt. Mr. J. R. Grave played the accompanimentsThe proceeding terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.