BOWLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1921, Page 3

BOWLING.

AVON (STRATFORD) CLUB. LIVELY ANNUAL MEETING. DISPUTE WITH THE CENTRE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, June 29. The annual meeting of tlie Avon Bowling Club last evening was attended by about 25 members, Mr. J. Masters (president), occupying the chair. Apologies were received from a number of members. The annual report congratulated the club on the conclusion of a very successful season, and referred to the splendid response received from the special appeal for donations to the club's funds, £175 having been raised. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £63 9s 8d at the beginhing of the year, and £219 6s at the end. The receipts from all sources amounted to £430. The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, paid great tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr. Betts), and the best thanks of the club were due to him. The lady friends of the dub had done splendidly. The financial position of the club was good, being over £lOO better this year than last, which was due to the special donations. In moving the re-election of Mr. Masters as president, Mr. C. Jackson spoke eulogistlcally of his work and what had been done for the club during his term of office. Mr. North, in seconding, also «Jded a few words in high tribute of . the chief office-bearer, referring to him as the "best beggar" he knew in gathering funds. Mr. Masters briefly thanked members for the honor accorded him, and the speakers for the kindly sentiments expressed. The resignation of Mr. C. Thompson as a member of the club was received with regret On the motion, of Mr. S. Ward, a recommendation to the committee was passed that on the half-holiday no competitions be allowed while rinks were being played. He stated that there was a great deal of dissatisfaction, especially among country members, and it was the only club In Taranaki that broke up rink play at 5 o’clock, tor, Mr. Robins. Mr. S. Ward, referring to the attitude of the club’s committee the occasion of tte visit of the South Auckland team, said a grave error was made, and te felt that if a vote of the members had been taken at the time the majority would have voted against the committee’s action. The visitors had gone away with the idea that the Avon committee were not sports. If they were not going to carry out the rules of the centre, he asked what was the use of having delegates. CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. The president explained that the Avon and Stratford Clubs were to play five rinks between them, and the centre then stated that they had to play on the Stratford green. A letter was sent in reply stating that the Avon Club was quite capable of taking two or three rinks on their own green and cater for th am. The reply was a "snotty" one, saying that if they did not play on the Stratford green the visitors would be handed over to the care of the Stratford Club. He asked members if they thought the committee had done right or not. Are we to be made the catspaw of the centre? he asked. No reason was given why we should not play on our own green after it had been accepted. Mr. C. D. Sole supported the president, and said there bad been a lot of wire-pulling to keep the visitors off the Avon greens The committee was absolutely right in his opinion. Mr. C. Jackson said the committee was wrong, as* they should abide by the ruling body. The green was not fit to play on in any case, and was not fit to bring the visitors on to.—(Dissent.) The Auckland men felt the position very keenly, it being the only unpleasantness during their tour. The action of the committee was discourteous to tie members of the Stratford Club, but more so to the visitors. Mr. Moss said it was wrong to say that there was bad feeling between the two local clubs. There was no reason why the Avon Club should allow itself to be snubbed. They did play on the Stratford green. They asked to be allowed to entertain the visitors on their own green.— (Hear, hear). Mr. Ward, still dealing with the centre, said that he understood a letter had been sent to the Avon Club tn regard to a levy io meet the cost of entertaining the New South Wales team in New Plymouth, and tnat the committee had refused to contribute, stating that the expense should be borne by the players themselves. Mr. Ward considered that the letter should be read. The letter was taken exception to by the centre, and tte resolution of the centre was not in the best interests of bowling. If Avon was at fault they should be men enough to admit, and, if not. fight it out. A BREEZY PASSAGE. The president said the committee objected to paying Is Gd per member, as they did not think members would be willing to contribute under the circumstances. Mr. Jacksoft said that Taranaki was playing the visitors. The president: No, New Plymouth. No outside players were in the team. We had no Invitation to send representatives. That is what we objected to. Mr. Ward: Let us tare the letter. Mr. Sturm said there were only two members who were stirring up the matter. There was too much "dirt” throughout the piece. The whole thing occurred last season, and it was the fault of the centre, not the selectors. i Mr. Ward took exception to the mention iof "dirt” being thrown. If a man was not ' allowed to sneak and ventilate grievances, it was time they got out altogether. Mr. Jackson: If the speaker does not withdraw the word "dirt" I will not stop any longer at the meeting. Mr. Ward again entered a protest against I the insinuation cast on him. • Cries of “Sit Down!” "Sit Down!” Mr. Jackson (preparing to leave) : I am not a kid, and I know what I’m talking about. Mr. lf I said anything considered to be insulting to any members, I will withdraw it. Mr. Jackson: I’m finished. A voice: "Here, come back, Campbell!!’’ Mr. Moss said it was desirable that the matter should be discussed at the meeting rather than outside. The secretary then read a letter dated January 10 from the centre, expressing regret that the club should have refused. It was the only one to do so. A MISSING LETTER. Mr. Ward said that was not the letter he wanted read, but one previously. The secretary said he could not find the letter. Mr. Ward said that many did not know the reflection that had been cast upon the club by the committee’s action. He did not think lie was wrong in bringing it up under the circumstances. The letter came from the executive, not from the New Plymouth Club. Mr. Morrison was of opinion that the players should have borne the expense of the entertainment. Another opinion expressed was that they should go further, and Jiat the club should pay for the representatives. The Taranaki Centrp came in for a goodj deal of criticism, and it was resolved on the motion of Mr. Robins that it be a recommendation to the delegates to the centre to see that the executive he representative of all clubs in Taranaki as far as possible. It was pointed out that the selection committee was comprised of New Plymouth players only. The president mentioned that there were not enough seats on ti e executive to allow of all chibs being represented on it. He believed that the only solution of their troubles would be the formation of a southern centre, and there was a feeling prevalent that this would conte about very shortly. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. following office-bearers for the ensuing

year were appointed:—President, Mr. Masters (re-elected unanimously) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. C. North and J. C. Robins; secretary, Mr. Betts (re-elected) ; committee, Messrs. Hardy Jones and A. J. Ching (representing the members), with the present guarantors and officers ex officio; hon. auditor, Mr. L. M. Moss; green warden, Mr. Hardy Jones; delegates Io the centre, Messrs. J. Wn«t*ea an' l B. McK. Morrison;'